ORANGE DEMOCRATS ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION

Rice Flanders

ORANGE DEMOCRATS ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION


Orange Democrats met in caucus on Saturday, February 18 to elect three delegates  and three alternates to the 2012 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will select candidates to compete for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Senate.  The convention will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.

The elected delegates are Rice Flanders, Henry Oertel and Tom Ziniti.  The three alternate delegates are Candi Fetzer, Genevieve Fraser and Brian Eno.  Representative Denise Andrews and Nic Guerra, president of the Orange Democrats will attend as ex officio delegates.   

Tom Ziniti

The caucus was open to all registered Democrats in Orange, and delegate selection was divided equally between men and women. In the spirit of inclusion, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities who are not elected as delegates or alternates may apply to be “add-on” delegates.  Details on the rules can be found at www.massdems.org.

Henry Oertel 

The Orange Democratic Town Committee normally meets at least four times a year and holds special events where the public is invited. For more information on the caucus or the committee please contact the Outreach Coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com ; telephone (978) 544-1872, or check out the Orange Democratic Town Committee website at  http://orangemassdems.blogspot.com/

ORANGE DEMOCRATS TO ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION

ORANGE DEMOCRATS TO ELECT DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION

Democrats in Orange, MA will be holding a caucus at the Workers Credit Union, 32 New Athol Road, Orange on Saturday, February 18 at 2 PM to elect three delegates and three alternates to the 2012 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will select candidates to compete for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Senate.  The convention will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.

“This is going to be an exciting year as we build on our recent successes and prepare for the elections in 2012,” commented Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh.  “Caucuses are the first step in building a community organizing strategy for victory.  They give people an opportunity to become part of the local effort.”

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Orange, and the Democratic Committee warmly welcomes participants. Delegates will be divided equally between men and women, and all ballots will be written and secret. In the spirit of inclusion, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities who are not elected as delegates or alternates may apply to be “add-on” delegates.  Details on the rules can be found at www.massdems.org.

The committee normally meets four times a year as well as holds special events where the public is invited. For more information on the caucus or the committee please contact the Outreach Coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com ; telephone (978) 544-1872, or check out the Orange Democratic Town Committee website at  http://orangemassdems.blogspot.com/

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Massachusetts Educators Respond to Scott Brown’s Vote against Teacher Jobs Bill

email

Massachusetts education leaders responded to Senator Scott Brown’s vote to block the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act on a conference call with members of the media. Featured speakers included Paul Toner of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, Ed Doherty of the American Federation of Teachers and Angela Cristiani of the Boston Teachers Union.

The Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act would have supported 6,300 Massachusetts education jobs and was fully paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on those who make a million dollars or more.

Congressman Jim McGovern to meet with North Quabbin Democratic Coalition

Congressman Jim McGovern

Congressman Jim McGovern to meet with North Quabbin Democratic Coalition

On Saturday, December 3rd, the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition will host Congressman Jim McGovern for a meet & greet at the King Phillip Restaurant in Phillipston.

Congressman McGovern will be in the region as part of a day of visits throughout North Worcester County and Western Massachusetts.

“I’m excited to meet with residents and activists in North Quabbin,” said Congressman McGovern. “The North Quabbin region is one of our Commonwealth’s great treasures, and I’m eager to hear more about the issues that are important to those who call the area home.”

"For many years, the northern tier has been so blessed to have been represented by Congressman John Olver," said Brian Eno of the Orange Democratic Town Committee. "John's announcement that he will retire at the end of this session together with new district lines having been finalized means the North Quabbin is seeking new representation in Congress. Jim McGovern clearly has a strong record of representing residents and we are so glad he has made the North Quabbin an early stop on his campaign."

    About Congressman McGovern

Since his election in 1996, Congressman McGovern has been widely recognized as a tenacious advocate for his constituents and an unrivaled supporter for social justice and fundamental human rights.

Congressman McGovern has been a leading critic of U.S. military policy in both Iraq and Afghanistan, coordinating bipartisan initiatives focused on the human and financial costs of war and proposals for safely withdrawing U.S. forces from the country and promoting a political solution for Afghanistan and the region. In May, his amendment to exit the war in Afghanistan was defeated by a surprisingly close 215-204 vote, in a strong bipartisan demonstration of frustration with current policy.

Congressman McGovern recently introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, and end corporate personhood.

EVENT DETAILS:

WHO: Congressman Jim McGovern and the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition
WHAT: Meet and greet with Congressman Jim McGovern

WHERE: King Phillip Restaurant, 35 State Road, Phillipston

WHEN: December 3rd, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

DeFranco Wins US Senate Democratic Candidates Straw Poll at North Quabbin Forum

DeFranco Wins 
US Senate Democratic Candidates Straw Poll 
at North Quabbin Forum

Orange Town Committee -
Nic Guerra & Brian Eno

Despite a pre-winter snow storm that delayed the arrival of Tony Cignoli,  moderator for Thursday evening’s US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum, party faithful from Franklin County, Greenfield and the North Quabbin region arrived at the Ellinwood Country Club in Athol to welcome four of the remaining candidates hoping to win the primary and face off against Republican Senator Scott Brown during the 2012 election. 

Nicole LaChapelle

Immediately following the forum, a straw poll ballot was conducted which contained the names of each of the declared candidates, including the presumed front-runner, Elizabeth Warren. 

The results were as follows:

DeFranco – 43.4%     (23 votes)

Conroy      -   28.3%    (15 votes)

Warren      -  18.9%     (10 votes)

King            -   9.4%      ( 5 votes)

Left to right: Tom Conroy, Marisa DeFranco, Jim King and Herb Robinson

Moderator Tony Cignoli

Participants in the evening’s forum included Tom Conroy, State Representative for the 13th Middlesex District, Marisa DeFranco, an immigration lawyer, Jim King, a corporate lawyer and Herb Robinson, an engineer.  


After a five minute introduction each candidate answered questions that were largely audience generated. 

UMass College Democrats

Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard Law School professor and former Special Advisor for the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, was not in attendance.

Thursday’s forum was sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton &Wendell.  Democratic State Committee member, Nicole LaChapelle served as Master of Ceremonies. 

AOTV Crew 

The forum and straw poll were filmed by Athol- Orange Community Television (AOTV) and edited by Greenfield Community Television (GCTV).   Public radio station WFCR was also on hand to record audio.

For further information, contact Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com 

PHOTO CREDIT: Genevieve Fraser

Straw Poll to Follow US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol

President Gerald Ford and Tip O'Neill

Straw Poll to Follow US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum  As Massachusetts Congressman and legendary Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill once famously said, "All politics is local." Thursday's U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol will put that axiom to the test with a straw poll of the audience immediately following the forum.  In addition, questions posed to the candidates will be drawn from audience members.  

The straw poll will include each of the declared candidates, even those who may not be present during the evening's forum.  The U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum will be held at Ellinwood Country Club, Athol on Thursday, October 27 at 7 PM.  A public reception is scheduled for 6 PM.

Declared Democratic candidates hoping to win the primary and face off against Republican Senator Scott Brown during the 2012 election include Tom Conroy, State Representative for the 13th Middlesex District, Marisa DeFranco, an immigration lawyer, Alan Khazei, founder of City Year organization, Jim King, a corporate lawyer, Herb Robinson, an engineer and Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law School professor and former Special Advisor for the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Due to a scheduling conflict, Ms. Warren will not be attending the forum, but instead will send her campaign manager, Matt Patton.  According to Alan Khazei’s campaign staff, he is attempting to resolve a scheduling conflict and still hopes to attend.  The remaining candidates have committed to the event.

“I am pleased that most of the candidates have recognized the importance of coming to North Central Massachusetts,” State Senator Stephen M. Brewer commented.  “I look forward to the forum and to a discussion that focuses on the important issues that have an effect on the area.”

The U.S. Senate Democratic Candidate’s Forum will be moderated by political strategist Tony Cignoli of Springfield and is sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton and Wendell. 

For further information of the forum, contact the Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email atFraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or Joseph Gochinsli at jgochinski@yahoo.com

UPDATE: Thursday's US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol

UPDATE: Thursday's US Senate Democratic Candidates Forum in Athol

A straw vote containing the names of all declared candidates will be held immediately following the forum and the results will be announced. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        There is still a possibility that Alan Khazie may attend, according to his campaign staff.  He is attempting to work through a scheduling conflict.

  

Matt Patton will attend the forum as a surrogate for Elizabeth Warren. Matt is her campaign manager. Surrogates will not be invited to speak or participate in the forum, but they will be available for comments to the press and may distribute campaign material.

The confirmed candidates are Tom Conroy, Marisa DeFranco, James Coyle King and Herb Robinson.

Questions posed to the candidates will be drawn from audience members.  The event will be moderated by political strategist Tony Cignoli of Springfield and sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton and Wendell. 

 The U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum will be held at Ellinwood Country Club, Athol on Thursday, October 27 at 7 PM.  A public reception is scheduled for 6 PM.

For further information of the forum, contact the Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or Joseph Gochinsli at jgochinski@yahoo.com

Candidate's Vie for Kennedy's former Senate Seat in Athol on Thursday, October 27

Candidate's Vie for Kennedy's former Senate Seat in Athol on Thursday

Taking a page from the Ted Kennedy campaign playbook, local Democrats expect lively discussion on rural issues and issues facing small communities in the region such as the higher than average unemployment in the area and the need for outside investment at Thursday’s U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum at Ellinwood Country Club at 7 PM.  A public reception is scheduled for 6 PM.  Ted Kennedy, the US Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in August 2009,  made Ellinwood one of his campaign stops as he campaigned in the 1980s.

Senator Stan Rosenberg

Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) commended the candidates for agreeing to share their views and ideas with the people of Central and Western Massachusetts through this debate. The event will be moderated by political strategist Tony Cignoli of Springfield who will draw questions from those in attendance.  “I urge people to turn out to hear them and to ask questions that will help us understand how they plan to help our local economy and communities,” Rosenberg stated.

The format for the evening will begin with opening statements from each candidate. The moderator will then follow with questions in a round robin format, allowing for one minute responses from each candidate.  Thirty second rebuttals will be allowed if one candidate mentions another by name in a response. Candidates will be given the opportunity to deliver two minute closing statements.

"One Democrat will be chosen in the coming months to run against Scott Brown in the fall,” Allen Young, the chair of the Royalston Democratic Town Committee said.  “It's not often that candidates for this very important post come to Athol, so this is a great opportunity for us to see the people who want to replace Brown.”

“As a likely delegate representing Royalston, I am uncommitted and this forum will help me decide," Young continued.  "It can also help every voter decide. I hope there will be a big turnout with lots of good questions. We need a U.S. Senator who will do what's right for America and what's right for Massachusetts."

Jeffrey Kovach, the Democratic Town Committee chair from Templeton concurred. "This region of the commonwealth is unique, and the challenges it faces are different from those of the rest of the commonwealth. To  hear our candidates speak to those issues that impact us the greatest, such as the economy and green energy, is a wonderful opportunity for all involved. It is refreshing to know that those candidates who took the time to attend this forum really do care about this region of Massachusetts."

Thursday’s forum is sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton and Wendell.

“Hopefully we will have a spectacular turnout Thursday night," William Caldwell of the Athol Democratic Town Committee commented. “This an important race and will speak a lot about the candidates and the Democratic platform."  

Nic Guerra, the Orange Democratic Town Committee chair added, "I am looking forward to this historic event on Thursday. This is the first step to improving our communities and education.” 

For further information of the forum, contact the Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or Joseph Gochinsli at jgochinski@yahoo.com