THESE PEOPLE NEED YOU!

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1 THESE PEOPLE NEED YOU! PATTY MURRAY ADAM SMITH NORM DICKS SUZAN DELBENE DAWN MORRELL JOHN THOMPSON VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! READ ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND OTHER NOTES PLUS UPCOMINGS (PAGE 2) AND PAY YOUR DUES TODAY! 25th Legislative District Newsletter October Issue 2010

25TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC (LDD) OFFICERS President/Chair: Louis Tibbs Tel: (253) 848-5496 Email: LTibbs3@comcast.

com Secretary: Melissa Thompson Tel: 970-7339 email: melissathompson26@yahoo.com Parliamentarian: Cliff Allo Tel: (253) 208-8167 Email: cliffallo@blarg.

com State Committeeman: Jerry Beckendorf Tel: (253) 845-7702 email: JerryB62@comcast.net State Committeewoman: Ellen Zulauf Tel: (253) 845-9370 email: eazul@msn.com Pierce County E-Board Reps: Pos.

gov Representative Dawn Morrell (253) 840-4604 email: morrell.dawn@leg.wa.gov For all other elected officials: Legislative Hotline: DEMOCRATS CONTACT INFO DNC: www.democrats.

net Pos 3: Melissa Thompson Tel: (253) 970-7339 Email: MelissaThompson@yahoo.com FOR THE LATEST INFO AND/OR COPIES OF THE FOCUS CHECK OUT THE 25TH LDD WEBSITE AT:::www.25dems.

2 25TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC (LDD) OFFICERS President/Chair: Louis Tibbs Tel: (253) Vice Chair: Vacant Treasurer: Luanne Green Tel: (253) Ass't Treas: Harold (Al) Gray Tel: (253) Secretary: Melissa Thompson Tel: Parliamentarian: Cliff Allo Tel: (253) Sergeant-At-Arm: Eric Renz Tel: (253) Membership Chair: Ray Green Tel: (253) State Committeeman: Jerry Beckendorf Tel: (253) State Committeewoman: Ellen Zulauf Tel: (253) Pierce County E-Board Reps: Pos. 1: Charley Stokes Tel: (253) TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIALS Senator Jim Kastama (253) Representative Dawn Morrell (253) For all other elected officials: Legislative Hotline: DEMOCRATS CONTACT INFO DNC: WA State Dem Party Pierce Co. Dem Party www. piercecountydems. org PIERCE COUNTY E-BOARD REPS: Pos 2: Carolyn Merrival Tel: (253) Pos 3: Melissa Thompson Tel: (253) FOR THE LATEST INFO AND/OR COPIES OF THE FOCUS CHECK OUT THE 25TH LDD WEBSITE AT::: 4 Oct Mon E-Board meets at 7PM at Fire Station 66, th St. E., Puyallup 7 Oct Thu 25th LDD meets at the Puyallup Library. Bring a friend. 16 Oct Sat DEADLINE for FOCUS articles, pictures, etc. 1 Nov Mon E-Board meets at 7PM at Fire Station th St E., Puyallup. 4 Nov Thu 25 LDD Meets at Puyallup Library. 13 Nov Sat DEADLINE for FOCUS articles, pictures, etc. You are invited to submit your meetings/events to be included in the Upcoming Events. 25th LDD Newsletter Page 2 Oct Issue

FROM THE CHAIR The state Democrat Party has made endorsements regarding ballot measures in the November election. As the 25 th Legislative District Democrats, we also support these endorsements.

3 FROM THE CHAIR The state Democrat Party has made endorsements regarding ballot measures in the November election. As the 25 th Legislative District Democrats, we also support these endorsements. At our September 2 nd meeting our guest speaker, Heidi Park, informed our membership about each ballot measure. If you would like more detailed information regarding these ballot measures, I would recommend that you visit the Washington State Budget & Policy Center website at The following is a summary of each ballot measure and what our endorsement position is as 25 th LD Democrats. Referendum 52 is Healthy Schools for Washington. Vote Yes on Referendum 52. Initiative 1053 concerns tax increases imposed by state government. Vote No on Initiative Initiative 1068 concerns marijuana. Vote Yes on Initiative Initiative 1082 concerns industrial insurance. Vote No on Initiative Initiative 1086 concerns ending a temporary excise tax on beer. Vote No on Initiative Initiative 1098 concerns establishing a high-earners state income tax and reducing other taxes. Vote Yes on Initiative Initiatives 1100 and 1105 concern liquor. Vote No on both these initiatives. I would encourage all our membership to share this information with others who are uninformed or misinformed regarding these important state ballot measures. It is important that all Democrats vote and get involved in this 2010 election. We cannot afford coasting through this November election. The ramifications of these state ballot measures will impact each of us for a long time! Each of us need to get out the vote for our Democrat candidates. None of us want to face the alternative of a Republican-controlled Olympia and Washington DC. Louis 25th LDD Newsletter Page 3 Oct Issue

By Joan Cronk Heidi Park from the Win/Win Network addressed our group and advised us regarding the upcoming election. No on 1053 No to California Style Gridlock.

4 By Joan Cronk Heidi Park from the Win/Win Network addressed our group and advised us regarding the upcoming election. No on 1053 No to California Style Gridlock. Win/Win says that things are tough here, but Washington is still doing better than many other states. This was supported by B.P. to the tune of $65,000. No on 1082 No to Insurance Industry Fine Print. This was written by the ultra-conservative Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and the insurance industry. Initiative 1082 would allow private insurers to set their own rates with virtually no oversight. I-1082 would cost state and local governments $250 million over the next five years and jeopardize the well being of our work force. No on 1100/1105 no to risky insurance in hard liquor sales. Under this initiative, the number of outlets selling hard liquor will explode from the current 315 to at least 3, 350, according to the state auditor s report. Every gas station, mini-mart and convenience store would be allowed to sell hard liquor near schools, parks and in high crime areas until 2 a.m. These outlets are 400% more likely to sell to minors compared to state stores, according to data from alcohol enforcement stings. Currently there is 600 M generated to the State by liquor sales. Education and health care would suffer. No on Don t repeal the soda and candy tax. $300 M funded away from State. American Beverage Association supports this. Yes on Cut Taxes for the Middle Class and small business. Bill Gates Sr is leading the effort to reform our tax code with this initiative because he wants what is best for Washington. He knows we can t educate our children or care for seniors unless the wealthy are asked to pay their fair share. Yes on R-52 for Healthy Schools. Kids need a healthy environment in order to learn. Many of our aging school buildings are riddled with maintenance problems. Voting Yes on R-52 is a win for kids, school, taxpayers and jobs. Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson addressed the group, asking for our endorsement. She said she has modernized the Auditor s Office and accomplished a lot in eight months. She has 53 staff and said they are all great employees. 25 th LDD very own Steve Merrival spoke on behalf of Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist asking for our endorsement. Steve works with Mark and said the County needs a person of his stature. Steve knows firsthand the challenges of the Prosecutor s Office. 25 th LDD member and candidate for the 25 th District House of Representatives John Thompson spoke to the group saying it was going to be a uphill battle and he needs money and volunteers. He also asked everyone to work hard on his campaign, and Dawn Morrell s campaign. My biggest concern is for Dawn s race, he said. 25 th LDD endorsed all three candidates and donated $500 to Julie Anderson s campaign and $500 to Mark Lindquist s campaign. Also we had previously awarded John Thompson campaign funds. Representative from Adam Smith s campaign spoke and said this is a difficult election for Democrats. They are looking for help in the campaign, as is the campaign for Susan DelBene. Their representative said they were pleased with the primary results. He said in Pierce County in the 8 th District Democrats and Republicans are within 5% of each other. This is huge, he said. We have to bridge the gap. Lona Watts, campaign manager for Dawn Morrell s campaign said there will be doorbelling event on September 19 from She encouraged members to write on the TNT blog about Hans Zeiger and his policies. Next meeting is scheduled for October 7. Guest speaker will be Mike Egan speaking on Inventing the Future. Support the 25th LDD by coming to the monthly meeting at the Puyallup Library at 7PM. There are some very interesting speakers and information that pertains to you. See ya October 7? 25th LDD Newsletter Page 4 Oct Issue

My two partners and I also noticed that there are fewer folks coming by to give us a hard time. Maybe they haven t found us yet!

5 IMPRESSIONS OF THE DEMOCRATS FAIR BOOTH I have spent two visits to the Puyallup Fair booth and am scheduled to make a 3rd this Thursday. I m impressed with the large number of Patty Murray supporters even among folks who might lean Republican. My two partners and I also noticed that there are fewer folks coming by to give us a hard time. Maybe they haven t found us yet! We did encounter one woman JOAN CRONK ANNE JACOBSON who told us Obama is a Socialist. When we asked her what a Socialist is she had no idea. When these Tea Party folks are faced with the facts they refuse to believe them. They don t want to be confused with the facts. I personally believe the Tea Party movement may indeed be a gigantic gift to the Democratic Party in that they push out moderate candidates like Tea Party O Connell did with moderate Mike Castle in the Delaware Senate race. However, we still must work even harder for our candidates. We need to write letters to the editor, make phone calls, canvass precincts and wave signs. Cliff Allo and I appeared in some print and TV Suzan DelBene ads. I hope all of us find several chunks of time commitment to assist Dawn Morrell, John Thompson, Suzan Delbene, Adam Smith, Norm Dicks, Patty Murray and the many good County Council candidates who have a real chance to win if you assist them. So call their offices, volunteer your time and realize as Congressman Jim McDermott says if you aren t tired the day after the election, you didn t work hard enough. Jerry Beckendorf PIERCE COUNTY DEMOCRATS COORDINATED CAMPAIGN OFFICE We asked you to volunteer but then where and who do you contact? The Democrats Coordinated Campaign Office person to contact is Josh Cole at and the office location is at 717 Tacoma Ave S. in Tacoma. The do phone banking weekly from 5-8:30 PM and canvasing is on Sat from 10-2 PM and 2-6 PM; and, on Sunday it is 12-5 PM. If you want to help out a particular candidate then here are the contacts for more info or call the Demo Coordinated Campaign Office: PATTY MURRAY: or check the website at ADAM SMITH: or check the website at NORM DICKS: or check the website at SUZAN DELBENE: or check the website JOHN THOMPSON: or check the website DAWN MORRELL: or check the website 25th LDD Newsletter Page 5 Oct Issue

6 VOTERS INFO FOR JUDICIAL CANDIDATES Nonpartisan Election: In 1912, Washington votes amended the State constitution, adopting nonpartisan elections as the way to select judges. Court Levels and Jurisdictions Supreme Court: The state s court of last resort, the Supreme Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeals and other lower courts. Through its rulemaking authority, it also administers the state court system. Three of the court s nine justices come up for election every two years. Justices serve six-year terms. Voters in all 30 Washington counties may vote for candidates for the Supreme Court. Court of Appeals: The Court of Appeals hears most of the appeals that come up from the county-level superior courts. A total of 22 judges serve the court in three, multi-county division headquartered in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. Candidates run in one of three county groupings, or districts, within each division. Only voters registered within their districts can vote for them. Judges serve staggered six-year terms. Your voters pamphlet and ballot will tell you which Court of Appeals positions you can vote for. Superior Court: Superior courts are the state s courts of general jurisdiction. They hear felony criminal cases, civil matters, dissolutions (divorces), jurisdiction. They are organized by county or counties within their district, and only voters within that district can cast ballots for them. Judges serve four-year terms. Your voters pamphlet and ballot will tell you which Superior Court positions you can vote for. District Court: Judges of courts of limited jurisdiction-district and municipal courts-hear misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases where damages amount to less than $50,000, small claims, traffic cases, and requests for domestic violence protection orders. District court judges are elected at the county level and serve four-year terms which begin in off-year election years. Those appointed mid-term must run in the next primary or general election to retain their positions. Candidates run within their counties, and only voters within the county can vote for them. Municipal Court: Municipal court judges preside over courts in cities or towns and hear criminal misdemeanor cases and traffic cases involving municipal ordinances. In many cities and towns, municipal court judges are appointed by the mayor and/or city council. Where municipal judges are elected, they sit for four-year terms. (To access the complete Judicial Voter Pamphlet online, visit the Washington Courts web site at: 25th LDD Newsletter Page 6 Oct Issue

7 25 TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT FINANCIAL REPORT September 15, 2010 By Luanne Green, Treasurer Period reported: August 1 31, 2010 Beginning Balance: $ 3, Expenses: US Postmaster stamps (Focus mailing) Total Expenses: ( $ 44.00) Income: 28 th LDD Booth Donation Washington State Democrats - Event Donation Booth 1, King County Central Committee Booth Donation Balance as of August 31, 2010 $ 4, Checking A/C Balanced, C-3 s filed, Next C-4 due 9/10/2010 AND SPEAKING OF FINANCES How come you pay extra to get something put on your hamburger but they don't take off the price if you get something taken off of it? Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then pay to look through a telescope to look at things on the ground? My luck is so bad that I bought a million lotto tickets and won one dollar! Since the recession they've changed the sign: Keep Off The Grass, to Don't Eat The Grass! It would save us a lot of money if supermarkets had an aisle marked "Unhealthy Stuff!" What if the hokey-pokey is what it's all about? REMEMBER TO JOIN THE MONTHLY 25TH LDD MEETING AT THE PUYALLUP LIBRARY - AND ALSO ENJOY COFFEE AND SWEETS! 25LDD Newsletter Page 7 Oct Issue

8 HAVE YOU PAID YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES? IF SO, THANK YOU - IF NOT Use this form to recruit friends and neighbors to join you in helping our Democratic party. Name: Address: Phone: ( ) Zip: City/ Precinct: Dues: Evergreen (includes Senior, outside district, etc) $10 per member; Rainier $25; Chair's Voice $50; Senators Club $100 (can be paid in installments.) Please send dues to: 25th LDD, POBox 73594, Puyallup, WA Well, you should be if you want the truth about politics by Audrey and Frank on their radio show Fridays at 1200 to 1 PM on KLAY 1180 AM! And if for some reason or other you miss it then go to There is a link on the right hand side of the screen that says: Frank and Audrey. Tune in or be tuned out. 25th Legislative District Democratic (LDD) PO Box Puyallup, WA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

AND WHY NOT WHEN SHE IS THE BEST OF ALL THE REST!

DAWN MORRELL AND WHY NOT WHEN SHE IS THE BEST OF ALL THE REST! DEMOCRATS SWEEP INTO COMMAND OF BOTH THE US SENATE AND US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.! THE DEMOCRATS ALSO INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS IN THE WASHINGTON