Waldo County Democrats

January Meeting

2012-01-02T20:48:00.002-05:00

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will meet on Sunday, January 8, at 1pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street.

We will be discussing the upcoming caucuses at this meeting, and urge all interested parties to attend.

All WCDC meetings are open to the public.

Yes On One!

2011-11-07T19:32:00.003-05:00

We strongly urge everyone to vote Yes On One, the People's Veto to retain same day voter registration.

WCDC November Meeting

2011-11-07T19:30:00.002-05:00

The Waldo County Democrats will meet on Sunday, November 13, at 1pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library.

All WCDC meetings are open to the public, and we encourage all interested parties to attend.

WCDC June Meeting

2011-05-30T19:19:00.000-04:00

The Waldo County Democrats will meet on Sunday, June 12, at 3pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library.

This is a very important meeting, as we will be electing our representatives to the 2012 state convention committees.

WCDC May Meeting

2011-05-08T21:01:00.002-04:00

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will meet on Sunday, May 15, at 3pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library, 103 High Street.

Our special guest will be Heather Martin, who will report to us about recent activities of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

Join Us In Monroe For Our April Meeting

2011-04-07T20:57:00.002-04:00

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will meet on Sunday, April 10 at 3pm, At Monroe Town Hall, located at the junction of Routes 139 and 141.

Our special guests will be Maine's representatives to the Democratic national Committee, Sam Spencer and Maggie Allen.

AGENDA

Roll Call and Introductions
Approval of Agenda
Acceptance of March Minutes
Chair's Report
Treasurer's Report
Other Reports
DNC Report from Sam Spencer and Maggie Allen
New Business
Old Business
Constant Contact
Election
Chair's Alternate to the state committee
Pass The Hat
Announcements
Adjournment

Don't Forget To Join Us On March 13

2011-03-10T21:18:00.000-05:00

Rep. Diane Russell will address the WCDC at our March 13 meeting, to discuss her recent trip to Madison, Wisconsin, in support of the public workers.

We will be meeting at 1pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street.

WCDC March Meeting

2011-03-04T06:54:00.000-05:00

The Waldo County Democrats will meet on Sunday, March 13, at 1pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. We invite all interested parties to join us.

Our special guest will be Rep. Diane Russell, who will give us a report on her recent trip to Madison, Wisconsin, in support of the state workers.

In addition, we will be electing one representative to the State Committee, and discussing changes to County Committee bylaws, as recommended by the ad hoc Bylaw Committee.

WCDC January Meeting and Elections

2010-12-31T11:55:00.000-05:00

The Waldo County Democrats will be meeting on Sunday January 9, at 1 pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library.

This is a very important meeting, as we will be electing officers of the County Committee. We urge all Democrats to join us, whether they are voting members or not. We would like to hear from everyone!

December Meeting and Holiday Gathering

2010-11-28T19:43:00.000-05:00

The Waldo County Democrats will hold our monthly meeting on Sunday, December 12, at 1pm, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library, 106 High Street.

Following the meeting, at 3pm, we would like to invite everyone to join us, in the Abbott Room, for a holiday gathering and dessert potluck. Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to come along.

Happy Holidays from the Waldo Dems!

Vote Today!

2010-11-01T22:03:00.000-04:00

GOVERNOR: LIBBY MITCHELL

US HOUSE (2nd District): MICHAEL MICHAUD

SENATE DISTRICT 23: (All of Waldo County): JOHN PIOTTI

HOUSE DISTRICT 41: (Searsport, Stockton Springs, Frankfort, Prospect): VERONICA MAGNAN

HOUSE DISTRICT 42: (Winterport, Monroe, Jackson, Brooks, Swanville and Waldo): JOE BROOKS

HOUSE DISTRICT 43:: (Belfast,Belmont,Northport): ERIN HERBIG

HOUSE DISTRICT 44: (Lincolnville, Searsmont, Morrill, Liberty, Islesboro): ANDREW O'BRIEN

HOUSE DISTRICT 45:(Burnham, Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Knox, Freedom, Montville and Palermo): HELEN SAHADI

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1): (Belfast,Belmont, Islesboro, Lincolnville, Northport, Waldo): BETTY JOHNSON

A Personal Appeal

2010-10-31T19:20:00.000-04:00

Friends,

I know that you have been bombarded with campaign messages, and probably can't wait for this election season to be over.

But I hope you won't mind me asking for your help one more time, because I am seriously concerned about what is happening this year, around the country, and right here in Waldo County.

Many of you are unhappy with the state of things in Washington, and I understand. I probably share many of your concerns. Some of you may not agree with my choice of candidates in the race for governor, but that's all right, friends can disagree.

The reason I am writing, though, is closer to home. I am writing to ask you to help out six good people.

Six good people. John Piotti. Veronica Magnan. Joe Brooks. Erin Herbig. Andy O'Brien. Helen Sahadi. The Democratic candidates for Legislative office in Waldo County.

I count them as friends. But, more to the point, I know them all to be thoughtful, compassionate and dedicated individuals, who entered into this tough endeavor because they sincerely think they can help our community and our state.

The Republicans are going to unprecedented lengths to defeat them. Multiple attack mailings. Push polling. Out of state phone banks. Imagine that, phone banks in Florida and elsewhere calling Waldo County to try to sway our election! They have made a mockery of Maine's Clean Elections law. They have spread lies and innuendoes, willing to do or say anything to defeat these six good people.

Many of you have already helped out on the campaign, and I thank you for your efforts. But we need more help, or the GOP money machine will swamp us. We don't have a fortune to counter it, all we have is our determination and our willingness to fight back. All we have is our hearts.

Please, if you can give us any time at all on election day, we can do this. We can help these six good people.

Our campaign office is at 103 Main Street in Belfast. The phone number there is 338-5543.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you will help.

Neal Harkness

One Week To Go!

2010-10-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

Time is running out on the 2010 campaign. Early voting is underway now, and Election Day is just one week away.

Please help us win this election for responsible, progressive candidates. Volunteer shifts are open at our Belfast office. If you can help a little, or a lot, every bit helps. Please come by, at 103 Main Street, or call us at 338-5543.

We urge you to talk to your friends and neighbors and ask them to support these fine candidates in Waldo County:

GOVERNOR: LIBBY MITCHELL

US HOUSE (2nd District): MICHAEL MICHAUD

SENATE DISTRICT 23: (All of Waldo County): JOHN PIOTTI

HOUSE DISTRICT 41: (Searsport, Stockton Springs, Frankfort, Prospect): VERONICA MAGNAN

HOUSE DISTRICT 42: (Winterport, Monroe, Jackson, Brooks, Swanville and Waldo): JOE BROOKS

HOUSE DISTRICT 43:: (Belfast,Belmont,Northport): ERIN HERBIG

HOUSE DISTRICT 44: (Lincolnville, Searsmont, Morrill, Liberty, Islesboro): ANDREW O'BRIEN

HOUSE DISTRICT 45:(Burnham, Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Knox, Freedom, Montville and Palermo): HELEN SAHADI

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1): (Belfast,Belmont, Islesboro, Lincolnville, Northport, Waldo): BETTY JOHNSON

Belfast Rally With Libby Mitchell!

2010-10-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

Come Meet Mike Michaud and John Piotti!

2010-10-12T19:40:00.000-04:00

Congressman Mike Michaud and Rep. John Piotti, candidate for Senate District 23, will be appearing together at Crosstrax, In Unity, on Sunday, October 17, at 5:30 PM.

Speaker of the Maine House, Hannah Pingree, will also be there, to show her support for these great candidates. We hope that you will as well.

Crosstrax is located at 215 Depot Street, between Route 9 and Route 220.

November Meeting

2010-10-03T18:06:00.001-04:00

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will be meeting on Sunday, November14 at 1pm in our headquarters at 103 Main Street.

For more information, please call 338-5543.

John Piotti For Senate District 23

2010-10-03T18:01:00.000-04:00

(All towns in Waldo County)

John Piotti is running for the State Senate after four terms in the House, where he currently serves as House Majority Leader. John is past chair of the Committee on Taxation and the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.
Beyond his legislative work, John has spent his career working on economic development and environmental issues, most recently as executive director of Maine Farmland Trust.
John lives in Unity with his wife Susan and children Anna (15) and John (13). He holds three degrees from M.I.T. (in engineering, public policy, and management).

Helen Sahadi For House District 45

2010-10-03T17:55:00.000-04:00

(Burnham, Unity, Troy, Thorndike, Knox, Freedom, Montville and Palermo)

Helen has lived in Thorndike for 30 years. She attended Unity College and the University of Maine. She taught elementary and preschool. She currently owns and operates Heavenly Socks Yarns in Belfast, which she opened in 2003. She served on the MSAD #3 School Board for eight years, chairing the finance committee for six years, and is currently an active member of the Belfast Downtown Business Group. Last fall, she started a Web site -- Swimmaine.com -- in an effort to document swimming “trails,” to help swimmers experience Maine’s magnificent waters. She lives in Thorndike with her husband, and has three grown daughters.

Andy O'Brien For House District 44

2010-10-03T17:51:00.003-04:00

(Lincolnville, Searsmont, Morrill, Liberty, Islesboro, Appleton and Hope)

Rep. Andy O'Brien was born on a farm in Lincolnville and attended local schools before pursuing a bachelor's degree in history at Drew University in New Jersey.

From 2001 to 2007, he lived and worked in Taiwan as a teacher and political reporter. In 2007, he returned to the U.S. to pursue a masters degree in education. Rep. O'Brien is currently in his second year of graduate school at the University of Southern Maine. When not in Augusta or in school, he works as a residential counselor, landscaper and freelance writer.

Rep. O'Brien currently serves on the Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Committee. In 2009 he amended a pesticide bill, which effectively set up a notification registry to be used by farmers applying aerial and air carrier pesticide methods to notify concerned citizens. The "say before you spray" law was strongly supported by the Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition.

In his first year Rep. O'Brien also sponsored legislation to set up a subcommittee of the Maine’s Children Growth Council that aimed to increase access to higher education for child care providers and also help students gain access to child care. Rep. O'Brien served on the working group, which released a report including 13 findings and recommendations about issues including how higher education and early childhood systems can support each other, how barriers to sustaining early childhood care and education can be overcome, and what state and federal funds are available for these purposes.

The report also recommended legislation that would require public institutions of higher education to solicit information on dependent child care expenses as part of information used to calculate financial aid.

Rep. O'Brien lives in Lincolnville.

Erin Herbig For House District 43

2010-10-03T17:47:00.000-04:00

(Belfast, Belmont and Northport)

The granddaughter of a chicken farmer, Erin has deep local roots. Her family reaches back five generations in Waldo County. A graduate of Belfast Area High School, Erin was a State Champion Track and Cross Country Runner. She went on a running scholarship to Boston College, where she graduated with a degree in English and Studio Art.
Erin currently works as the Community Organizer for Maine Change That Works in Knox and Waldo Counties. She works together with members of our community fighting for good health care, Main Street jobs, and regulation for Wall Street banks while providing direct communication to the offices of Senators Snowe and Collins. Most recently, Erin has lead the charge to defend the citizens of Maine from increased premiums by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Erin works with the Maine Women's Lobby as a volunteer for the 'Girls Day' Program which brings eighth grade girls from across Maine to the State House to learn about the legislative process. She is currently working on a project for the Maine Development Foundation that identifies the true barriers to higher education in Maine.
Locally, Erin is a Coach for the Belfast Area High School Track Team. She serves on the board at the Waterfall Arts Center as an advocate for the growing art community in Belfast.
Erin was a member of the Emerge Maine Class of 2009, a political leadership training program for women in Maine. She was nominated as part of the Annual Tribute to Maine Women Leaders in 2009 for her contributions to Social Activism and Community Organizing by the Maine State Democratic Party.
Her husband, Josh Povec, is also a Maine native and works as a film editor and producer for Compass Light Inc. Together they enjoy competing in white water canoe races, including the St George and the Kenduskeag.
In her work and life, Erin is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth, supporting our youth, and encouraging a thriving community here in Mid coast Maine. If you would like to know more visit www.erinherbig.org.
She can be reached via email erinherbig@gmail.com or by phone (207) 542 7654.

Joe Brooks For House District 42

2010-10-03T17:44:00.000-04:00

(Winterport, Monroe, Jackson, Brooks, Swanville and Waldo)

A Journalist by trade, Joe Brooks retired from the Bangor Daily News after working there for nearly 40 years, part of that time running the State House Bureau, covering the Legislature and operations of State Government.

Joe served as a Democrat for three terms in the Legislature and is currently a candidate for re-election in House District 42.

He was a member of the legislative Health and Human Services Committee and sponsored a number of health care bills. He was vice chair to Rep. Chellie Pingree on the committee that drafted her landmark legislation on prescription drugs.

He is currently Chair of the Winterport Town Council and was re-elected to the Council in the town election June 8.

Brooks serves as a member of the Board of Directors, Waldo Community Partners, is a member of the Winterport Area Business Association and formerly served on the Waldo County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation.

Veronica Magnan for House District 41

2010-10-03T17:37:00.000-04:00

(Searsport, Stockton Springs, Frankfort, Prospect, Orland and Verona)

Rep. Veronica Magnan is serving her first term in Maine House of Representatives. She serves on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
As a professional educator, Rep. Magnan has taught all elementary grades and management at the college level. She was a federal program coordinator and an elementary school principal in the inner city and at the Beatrice Rafferty School on the Passamaquoddy Reservation in Perry, ME. She was also superintendent of schools in Jonesport, ME. Presently she is Curator of Collections for the Stockton Springs Historical Society and a grant writer for small non-profit organizations.
Rep. Magnan holds a BA in History, Sociology, and Anthropology and a Master in Education from Rhode Island College. She has a Doctorate in Educational Policy Planning and Administration from Boston University.
Rep. Magnan and her husband Roland enjoy gardening, golfing, traveling, and camping together. They have two children and four grandchildren.