Oxford County Democrats

The Oxford County Democrats had an exciting week including the appearance by President Obama in Portland on April 1, following the Field Trip to the Statehouse on March 30. Both events had excellent participation from Oxford County Democrats.

The Field Trip included recognition in the House and Senate Chambers during the sessions, a visit with Senate President Libby Mitchell organized by Senator Bruce Bryant and a visit with Speaker Hannah Pingree organized by Representatives Terry Hayes, Matt Peterson, Sheryl Briggs and Helen Rankin. The group of 13 met with Attorney General Janet Mills and Secretary of State Matt Dunlap in the Attorney General’s office and received a briefing from both officials on the functions of their offices. The day concluded with a visit with Governor John Baldacci at which the Governor shared stories of his visits to Oxford County and discussed the passage of the budget that had just been approved in the House and Senate. The attendees on the trip included individuals from Norway, Greenwood, Buckfield, Rumford, Peru, Bethel, and Dixfield.

Many from Oxford County made the trip to Portland on Wednesday to volunteer as helpers for the visit of President Obama, or to wait in line for many hours for tickets to Thursday’s event. Volunteers included Jimmy McHugh of Mexico, Henry Hamilton of Oxford, Bob Kirchherr of South Paris, and a partial list of attendees sighted in the crowd included Cathy Newell of Greenwood, Linda Ray and Chloe Bergman-Ray of West Paris, Marcel Polak and Emily Ecker of Woodstock, David Dexter of Norway, Lanette Bryant of Dixfield, Rep, Sheryl Briggs and granddaughter Grace of Mexico, Rep. Matt Peterson of Rumford, Rep. Terry Hayes of Buckfield, Rep. Helen Rankin of Hiram. Senate 13 candidate Laura Ordway of Bridgton also attended. Rev. Anne Stanley of Paris gave the Invocation and was accompanied by her husband David. The crowd of 2500, plus an overflow outside that included several Oxford County folks, greeted the President warmly in contrast to the few hundred protesters located across the street from the Portland Expo.

The Oxford County Democrats will hold a Lasagne Dinner and Meet the Candidates Event at the Locke Mills Legion on Tuesday, April 20, with the social hour beginning at 5:30, and dinner at 6. Following the meal there will be a Gubernatorial Forum focusing on issues of special interest to young people. Confirmed candidates include Libby Mitchell, John Richardson, Dinner tickets are $10, and a host committee is being formed to keep the ticket price modest and provide for a successful fundraiser. Tickets may be reserved by in advance by calling County Chair Cathy Newell at 875-2116, and will be sold at the door. Advance reservations are greatly appreciated to assist in planning

The Oxford County Democrats will hold a meeting on Sunday, March 28 at 3:30 PM at the Crescent Park School in Bethel. The meeting will include the hearing on the Democratic Party Platform that will be voted upon at the May 21-22 State Party Convention in Lewiston. The final draft of the proposed 2010 Platform is on the Maine Democratic Party web site, www.mainedems.org.

According to County Chair Cathy Newell the rest of the meeting will be devoted to a variety of training topics, details of the convention, and a discussion of plans for the April 20 Supper and Meet and Greet featuring gubernatorial and local candidates. The supper will be held at the Jackson Silver post of the American Legion on the Gore Road in Locke Mills.

To become involved with the Oxford County Democrats, contact Newell at 875-2116 or visit the web site, www.oxforddems.org.

The Oxford County Democrats met on Sunday, February 28 at Telstar Regional High School in Bethel and chose Roy Gedat of Norway as the nominee to recommend to Governor John Baldacci to fill the unexpired term of County Treasurer Mary Ann Prue of Rumford, who has resigned as of March 1 having moved out of the county. Gedat directed the Child Health Center, a multi-faceted social service agency in Western Maine for more than 20 years, and has solid administrative and fiscal management credentials and experience.

In other business, County Chair Cathy Newell reported on the January 31 caucuses, the campaign training conducted earlier in January, and on the successful candidate recruitment effort with qualified and energetic candidates seeking the Democratic primary nomination for all county and legislative offices up for election in 2010. Candidates in attendance reported on their campaigns including Rep. Matt Peterson District 92, Rep. Terry Hayes District 94, Russ Newcomb District 95, Pat Shearman Register of Deeds, and Sheriff Wayne Gallant. Jay Hardy circulated petitions for Libby Mitchell for Governor, and several candidates collected additional signatures on their petitions.

Plans are in the works for a Meet and Greet for Gubernatorial Candidates this spring, and for a meeting in March to present the Democratic Party Platform.

For further information on the Oxford County Democrats, visit www.oxforddems.org.

Roy Gedat visits with Julie Peterson of Norway and Rep. Matt Peterson of Rumford

The Special Meeting scheduled for Thurs. Feb. 25 has been postponed due to inclement weather, according to County Chair Cathy Newell. The meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 PM at the Telstar High School Cafeteria. The main item of business will be to select a nominee to submit to Governor Baldacci to fill the remaining 10 months of the term of County Treasurer Mary Ann Prue who has moved from the area. Other items will planning for upcoming activities and a report on fundraising, as well as the State Convention.

The Oxford County Democrats are in full swing following the January 31 caucuses throughout the county. The combined total attendance was close to 200 and provided an opportunity for candidates, or their representatives, for various offices to address the gatherings and to obtain signatures on nominating petitions. Delegates to the May 21-22 State Democratic Convention, town officers, and field organizers were elected.

“We are tremendously pleased to be fielding a terrific slate of candidates this year,” Cathy Newell, Oxford County Democrats Chair, stated. “Our candidates made full use of the caucuses to meet potential supporters and to address the gatherings.” Incumbents attending caucuses were Sen. Bruce Bryant, Rep. Terry Hayes, Rep. Sheryl Briggs, Rep. Helen Rankin, Rep. Matt Peterson, and Sheriff Wayne Gallant. All, but Bryant who is term-limited, are seeking re-election. Candidates attending caucuses included Laura Ordway of Bridgton, Senate 13, John Patrick of Rumford, Senate 14, Chad McGrew of Bethel, House 91, Russ Newcomb of Norway, House 95, Lisa Villa of Harrison, House 98, and Colin O’Neill of Oxford, House 100, as well as Roy Gedat of Norway, County Treasurer, Pat Shearman of Norway and Daniel Eichorn of Hebron, contesting for Register of Deeds-East in the primary, and Shirley Thunderhorse of Lovell, Register of Deeds-West. Congressman Michaud, and gubernatorial candidates Libby Mitchell, Pat McGowan, John Richardson, Steve Rowe, Rosa Scarcelli, and Donna Dion were represented at many of the caucuses.

The Oxford County Democrats including County Chair Cathy Newell, Roy Gedat and Julie Peterson of Norway, Laura Ordway of Bridgton, Russ Newcomb of Norway, Colin O’Neill of Oxford, Rep. Terry and Steve Hayes of Buckfield attended the Oxford Hills Chamber dinner on Feb. 5 at Hebron Academy and were joined by Rep. Mike Carey of Lewiston and Congressman Mike Michaud and Andrea Quaid of his staff.

On Monday, February 8, Congressman Michaud and Rep. Helen Rankin of Hiram visited the Eastern Slopes Airport in Fryeburg and toured Dearborn Manufacturing. Later in the day, the Oxford County Democrats joined the Michaud campaign for a pizza party and fundraiser at Boomers in Norway. There was an excellent turnout from Bethel, Norway, Paris, Waterford, Harrison and Bridgton.

Upcoming events for the Oxford County Democrats include co-sponsoring an organizational meeting for Bridgton Democrats with the Cumberland County Democrats at the Bridgton Community Center on Sunday, February 21 at 4 pm. State Senate 13 candidate Laura Ordway of Bridgton, and House 98 candidate Lisa Villa of Harrison will be present along with US Department of Education official, and former Speaker of the House in Maine, Glenn Cummings of Portland, and other legislative leaders.

On Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 PM at Telstar Regional High School in Bethel the Oxford County Democrats will hold a special county committee meeting to select a nominee to recommend to Governor Baldacci to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of County Treasurer Mary Ann Prue of Rumford, who has moved to Brunswick. Her resignation is effective as of March 1. Other business will include planning for spring events, introduction of candidates, and planning for the May 21-22 Democratic Party Convention. A snow date of Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 PM has been selected.

For further information about the Oxford County Democrats, visit www.oxforddems.org or visit the Oxford County ME Democrats Facebook fan page, or call County Chair Newell at 875-2116.

The Oxford County Democrats were out in force for the Oxford Hills Chamber dinner on Feb. 5 at Hebron Academy to celebrate the recognition of Marge Medd’s years of service to the Oxford Hills. Ms. Medd received the Community Service Award.

Oxford County Democrats at Chamber Dinner

Shown in the picture are Rep. Mike Carey of Lewiston, Andrea Quaid of Congressman Michaud’s staff, Rosa Scarcelli, candidate for Governor, Congressman Michaud, Laura Ordway of Bridgton, candidate for Senate District 13, Colin O’Neill of Oxford, candidate for House District 100, Steve Rowe, candidate for Governor, Rep. Terry Hayes of Buckfield, candidate for re-election in District 94, and Russ Newcome, Norway selectman and candidate for House District 95. Also in attendance was Roy Gedat of Norway, candidate for County Treasurer.

OXFORD COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAUCUSES
SUNDAY, January 31, 2010
TOWN CAUCUS LOCATION Time CONVENOR
Albany Telstar HS 4:00PM Allison Rosenblatt
Andover Congregational Church 3:00PM Bob Duplessie
Bethel Telstar HS 4:00PM Mike Broderick
Brownfield Community Center 2:00PM Rose Wells
Buckfield Municipal Bldg 3:00PM Terry Hayes
Byron Mt. Valley HS 1:00PM John Patrick
Canton Municipal Bldg 4:00PM BJ McCollister
Denmark Denmark Library 2:00PM Brian Grennan
Dixfield Mt.Valley HS 1:00PM Jennifer Plante
Fryeburg Legion Hall 1:00PM Rose Mahanor
Gilead Town Office 2:00PM Cynthia Handlen
Greenwood Telstar HS 4:00PM Rosemary McLean
Hanover Telstar HS 4:00PM Henrietta List
Hartford Hartford Town Hall 1:00PM Anita Pottle
Hebron Hebron Town Hall 6:00PM Daniel Eichorn
Hiram MSAD 55 MS 3:00PM Jim Hannaford
Lovell Lovell Town Office 3:00PM Carolyn Carter
Mexico Mt. Valley HS 1:00PM Jim McHugh
Milton Telstar HS 4:00PM Scott Billings
Newry Telstar HS 4:00PM Wendy Hanscom
Norway Town Office 1:00PM Roy Gedat
Otisfield Town Office 2:00PM Maureen Howard
Oxford Town Office 2:30PM ChrisPottle
Paris Town Office 1:00PM John Jenness
Peru Mt. Valley HS 1:00PM Dave Buck
Porter MSAD 55 MS 3:00PM Pam Pinault
Roxbury Mt. Valley HS 1:00PM John Patrick
Rumford Mt. Valley HS 1:00PM John Patrick
Stoneham Waterford Town Office 5:00PM Skipp Green
Stow Lovell Town Office 3:00PM Carolyn Carter
Sumner Sumner Town Office 2:00PM Don Berry
Sweden the Shorey’s home 6:00PM Kathiann Shorey
Upton Telstar HS 4:00PM Cathy Newell
Waterford Waterford Town Office 5:00PM Skipp Green
West Paris West Paris Town Office 3:00PM Andrew Kronstadt
Woodstock Telstar HS 4:00PM Mary Ellen Gartner
Lincoln Plt Telstar HS 4:00PM Cathy Newell
Magalloway Telstar HS 4:00PM Cathy Newell
All Democrats are invited to attend. Those wishing to register to vote
& enroll as Democrats, including those who will turn 18
by Nov. 2, 2010, may do so at the caucus location 30 minutes prior
to the event or at their town office. For a complete list of
caucus locations go to www.mainedems.org.
Paid for by the Oxford County Democratic Committee, Box 187, Greenwood 04255, Roy Gedat, Treas.

The Oxford County Democrats held a training and meeting at the Crescent Park School in Bethel on Sunday, January 17 with 28 attendees from 20 towns in the county. Rep. Terry Hayes of Buckfield conducted a session for candidates for legislative and county office, and Anya Trundy of the Maine Democratic Party presented a session for campaign volunteers. Final plans for the January 31 Maine Democratic Party Caucuses in Oxford County were reviewed and County Chair Cathy Newell announced that the caucus packets will be distributed to individual town convenors during the week of January 24. The caucus is open to all registered Democrats, with an opportunity provided for 30 minutes prior to the start time for voter registration and party enrollment by those not enrolled in a party. It was announced that plans are underway for events featuring the gubernatorial candidates prior to the primary in June.

There are several regional caucus locations with the towns of Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Roxbury, Byron and Peru caucusing at Mt. Valley HS at 1 pm, the towns of Bethel, Woodstock, Greenwood, Newry, Milton, Albany, Hanover, Upton, Lincoln and Magalloway Plts caucusing at 4 pm at Telstar HS, the towns of Stow and Sweden caucusing together at a time and place to be determined, and the towns of Hiram and Porter caucusing at 3 pm at the Middle School. Individual caucuses will be held at 3 pm in Andover at the Congregational Church, Brownfield at 2 pm at the Community Center, Buckfield at 3 pm at the Municipal Building, Canton at the Municipal Building at 4 pm, Fryeburg at the Legion Hall at 1 pm, Gilead at the Town Office at 2 pm, Hartford at the Town Hall at 1 pm, Hebron at the Town Hall at 6 pm, Lovell at the Town Office at 3 pm, Norway at the Town Office at 1 pm, Otisfield at the Town Office at 2 pm, Oxford at the Town Office at 2:30 pm, Paris at the Town Office at 1 pm, Sumner at the Town Office at 2 pm, Sweden at the Shorey’s home at 6 pm, Waterford at the Town Office at 5 pm, and West Paris at the Town Office at 3 pm. Plans for Stow and Stoneham are incomplete. Anyone willing to assist with either town may contact County Chair Cathy Newell. A final list of caucuses will be officially posted in the Sun Journal the week prior to the January 31 caucus date.

The business of the caucus is the election of State Convention delegates, the election of local and county committee members, and the opportunity to meet and support Democratic candidates for state, legislative and county offices. Further details including names of caucus convenors are posted on the Oxford County Democrats web site, www.oxforddems.org, and on the Oxford County ME Democrats Facebook page. County Chair Cathy Newell may be contacted at 875-2116.

The Oxford County Democrats will meet on Sunday, January 17 at the Crescent Park School in Bethel at 2 PM for a computer-based training for candidates and volunteers. Those planning to attend the training must RSVP to County Democratic Chair Cathy Newell by January 12. Following the training there will be a brief business meeting starting around 3:30 and an opportunity for networking.

The following schedule of times and places for the January 31 Maine Democratic Party Caucuses in Oxford County has been released. The caucus is open to all registered Democrats, with an opportunity provided for 30 minutes prior to the start time for voter registration and party enrollment by those not enrolled in a party. Any person enrolled in another party who wishes to participate must go to their town office and switch parties by January 12 to be eligible. In the case of inclement weather, Wed. February 3 will be the preferred snow date, although individual towns will have the option to select another date within 10 days of the original date.

The Oxford County Democrats held a combined training session and business meeting on December 6 at the Crescent Park School, in Bethel with excellent participation. BJ McCollister of the Change that Works campaign conducted a briefing on health care, organizing attendees to take action on the subject. BJ is from Canton ME and is the organizer for the western Maine region. He has conducted house meetings during the past few months and will continue to work on healthcare and other issues in the coming months. Mary Erin Casale, field organizer for the Maine Democratic Party conducted the Caucus Convenors training session, attended by over twenty of the convenors for the January 31 caucus meetings to be held for all Oxford County towns. She will do a follow-up session by phone for the towns unable to attend.

Following the trainings, the County Democrats held a social time with Rosa Scarcelli of Portland, one of the candidates in the gubernatorial primary. Scarcelli spoke at the start of the County Committee meeting stressing her commitment to job creation based on her business experience. Former Commissioner of Economic Development John Richardson arrived later in the meeting and also addressed the group, highlighting his legislative record and his work in economic development since leaving the legislature following a term as Speaker of the House.

Roy Gedat of Norway presented the Treasurer’s Report and County Chair Cathy Newell announced the launch of the Year End Fundraising appeal. The minutes from the August meeting were approved. State Representatives Helen Rankin of District 97, Matt Peterson of District 92, and Sheryl Briggs of District 93 were introduced and the Oxford County Democrats for their support. Cathy Newell paid tribute to activist Rich Plante of Mexico who recently passed away.

Julian Federle, State Director for Organizing for America spoke about the Obama agenda, specifically health care reform. He succinctly outlined the aspects of the healthcase bill currently in the Senate and corrected several of the misconceptions in circulation.

Cathy Newell and Mary Erin Casale spoke about the plans for the January 31 caucus. A snow date will be established this year and all caucuses will occur on January 31 between the hours of 1 and 8 PM. There will again be regional gatherings in Rumford and Bethel for area towns. Caucus convenors include Albany; Allison Rosenblatt, Andover; Bob Duplessie; Bethel; Mike and Eileen Broderick, Brownfield; Rose Rogers-Wells, Buckfield; Rep. Terry Hayes, Rumford, Byron, Roxbury; John Patrick & Rep. Matt Peterson, Canton; BJ McCollister, Denmark; Mari Hook and Carol Farnsworth, Dixfield; Jon Albrecht and Jenni Plante, Fryeburg; Rose Mahanor, Gilead; Cynthia Handlen, Greenwood; Rosemary McLean, Hanover; Henrietta List, Hartford; Anita Pottle, Hebron; Daniel Eichorn, Hiram and Porter; Rep. Helen Rankin, Lovell; Carolyn Carter, Mexico; Jimmy McHugh and Jarrod Dumas, Newry; Wendy Hanscom, Norway; Roy Gedat and Julie Peterson, Otisfield; Maureen Howard, Oxford; Christopher Pottle, Paris; John Jenness, Peru; David Buck, Stoneham; Kaitlin LaCasse, Stow; Jim Wilfong, Sumner; Don Berry, Sweden; Kathiann Shorey, Waterford; Skipp and Judy Green, West Paris; Andrew Kronstadt, Woodstock and Milton; Nancy Willard and Mary Ellen Gartner, Upton, Lincolt Plantation and Magalloway Plantation; Cathy Newell. Details of locations and times for all caucuses will be publicized in the coming weeks. All convenors welcome assistance from others in their town to make the caucus an event that will be effective in building a strong organization for 2010.

The Democratic State Convention will be May 21 and 22 in Lewiston. Barbara Arsenault of Rumford is on Platform Committee, Eileen Broderick of Bethel is on the Permanent Organization Committee, and Mike Broderick of Bethel is on the Credentials Committee. Democratic State Committee Steve Hayes of Buckfield and Rose Rogers-Wells of Brownfield were re-elected.

Additional information about the Oxford County Democrats is available on the web site, www.oxforddems.org, or on Facebook. All individuals interested in electing Democrats are welcome to become involved.  E-mail County Chair Cathy Newell, cathyn@megalink.net