What's News

March Unemployment in Tri County Area Highest in State

Unemployment figures for March 2009 from the US Dept of Labor:

The news that we are, yet again, the economically worst off in the state has been met thus far with a flurry of inactivity and inexplicable silence from local and state leaders.

March Newsletter from Bob

STEVENS COUNTY DEMOCRATS AND 7TH LD DEMOCRATIC PARTY REORGANIZATIONS

Stevens County Democrats hosted a potluck for the 7th LD Democratic Party meeting on January 10th at the Chewelah American Legion Hall. Following the potluck the 7th LD held their reorganization meeting and the following were elected:

The Vice Chair election was deferred to the April meeting in Pend Oreille County since none of Pend Oreille County's PCO’s or general members were in attendance.

Following the 7th LD meeting the Stevens County Democratic Party held their reorganization meeting and the following were elected or re-elected:

Also the Newsletter Editor Bob Esvelt and Webmaster Patrick Conley (webmaster@stevenscountydemocrats.org) were reported to the State Democratic Office.
CANDIDATE AND CAMPAIGN WORKER TRAININGS

This year, rather than having a two-day Eastern Washington Democratic Conference as we have done in the past, the State Party is planning 4 Candidate and Campaign Training days in Eastern Washington. The Progressive Majority is doing most of the program and training sessions. These will be valuable for anyone considering a campaign for office or anyone interested in helping candidates get elected to office at any level of government, or even if you’re just interested in helping further the interests of the Democratic Party.

The first will take place in Spokane on Saturday, March 28th from 10 to 4 at Hamilton Studios, 1427 West Dean Avenue. A donation of $5 is requested and lunch is included. RSVP to Spokane County Democrats at vote@spokanedemocrats.org or 509-324-8525.

Other Training sessions include April 18th, 10 am at the Walla Walla Regional Airport Conference Room, 310A Street, and May 2nd at 10 am at the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, 507 S. Third Street, Yakima. The fourth will be in Wenatchee or Leavenworth.
THIS YEAR FOR THE STEVENS COUNTY DEMOCRATS

2009 is a building year for the local Democratic Party. We need to get more people involved in the party and build up our fund base for the many important races next year. Work on the vote-builder program will benefit our candidates and the Democratic Party as well. Next year most of our County Elected Officials, the 7th District State Legislators, the 5th CD Congress position, and Senator Patty Murray will be up for election.

On the fund-raising front, we will have events and raffles to build our account.

Events in 2009 are still in the planning stage. The annual picnic for the Stevens County Democrats and 7th LD Democrats will be at the picnic area of the NPS Campground at Old Kettle on Lake Roosevelt at noon on July 26. As in other off-election years this will be a potluck rather than the for-sale BBQ. Speakers are being invited. We will also have a booth at the Northeast Washington Fair August 27-30 and will participate in the parade to let people know there really are Democrats in northeast Washington.

This fall the party will plan a fundraising dinner, the date to be framed around the availability of prominent speakers.

At the February meeting we set up several committees to help run the party. Some of the committee members have been appointed but we need more members willing to be active.

As with every year, we are requesting a donation of $15 or more to cover the costs of this newsletter and other party expenses. (The donation is not required to receive the newsletter.)

Thanks,

Bob

2008 Election Results for Stevens County

Voter tabulations for Stevens County are available here.