News
Please join your fellow Washtenaw County Democrats next Thursday, July 18, from 5 to 8 pm at 910 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor, and take home your favorite collectible from Doug Kelley’s Democratic Archive, before the house and grounds are listed for sale next month.
We’ll have a final wine-and-cheese reception with Doug from 5 to 6 pm (free admission, please RSVP to Doug’s son Peter who is hosting). After that Doug will return to his new home at Glacier Hills, 1200 Earhart Road, #312, and his remaining political collection and home furnishings will go up for sale from 6-8 pm with the first $1,000 going to the Washtenaw County Democratic Party.
We are following Doug’s wishes regarding his collection. Doug has been collecting political memorabilia for 75 years, since he was 15 and worked as a page at his first national political convention. As he directed, certain items from his collection have already gone to Monticello, the Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park, the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, D.C., and the Clements and Bentley libraries at the University of Michigan. Thousands of his treasures remain and will be offered in this sale.
This private presale, next Thursday night, July 18, will be followed by a public estate sale from Friday through Sunday, July 19-21, at which you are also welcome. To inquire about specific items or categories, contact Aaron’s Estate Sales, 248-915-8888, aaronsestatesales@gmail.com
This will be your last chance to browse the collection, visit with Doug in his Democratic Archive, and take home your favorites to benefit Democratic activism here in Washtenaw County.
Please RSVP for the reception starting at 5 pm next Thursday, July 18, at 910 Sunset Road, so we can prepare accordingly:
PeterLKelley@gmail.com, cell 202-270-8831
MDP, News
The DNC is putting on a series of trainings,beginning with this on outreach to rural constituencies.
You are welcome to sign up for this Wednesday at 4pm ET.
This is an hour long web-based training. It’s part of a series of Cultural Competency and Outreach sessions hosted by the training arm of the DNC, the Best Practices Institute. Rural is the first training in this series followed by Disability, LGBTQ, Labor, Latinx, Youth, Native Americans, Veterans, African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Women over the next 6 months.
Featured Events, Issues, News
A number of WCDP members spoke at the Impeachment Rally organized in Ann Arbor by P. Deisha Myles with MoveOn.org. Speakers included Eli Savit, candidate for County Prosecutor, Michelle Deatrick, DNC Committee Member, Deisha Myles, Cheryl Farmer, former mayor of Ypsilanti, and Jeffrey Taite Bronze Eagle. Excellent points were made, including the important point that “shining a public light on the many abuses and crimes that the president has committed is essential, independently of the probability of the Senate finalizing the procedure. In the case of Richard Nixon, the House pursued an Impeachment Inquiry that concluded with a recommendation to impeach, and as the details became known, public support went from only 17% to overwhelming approval of impeachment. Far from distracting from the electoral process, such a public trial can only help to educate the public.” To see photos and Eli’s speech: https://www.facebook.com/chipwaqua
News
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival, a 21-night music and arts festival, is currently seeking volunteers to help implement our Festival Footprint Initiative to become a zero-waste event.
Volunteers will monitor waste receptacles at the festival to ensure that compost and recycling streams can be properly managed. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to volunteer.
Volunteer shifts are available from 5-8 pm and 7:30-10:30 pm each night of the festival (Tues-Sun June 14-July 7, 2019). All volunteers are eligible with each completed shift to earn complimentary tickets or other prizes.
Sign up to volunteer here: https://bit.ly/2VuXqUf
Link to FaceBook post: https://www.facebook.com/AASummerFest/posts/2500053720005039
News
Our Party of Action events are a place for newbies and veterans to get together to discuss issues and actions with like-minded Democrats. We will do things like writing postcards and sending texts, while we learn more and better ways to make a difference on the issues that matter to us, in a relaxed and friendly environment.
This event is co-hosted by Cheryl, Ericka, Margaret, and Joanne, bringing together organizers from WCDP’s Legislative Programs & Membership, as well as community activists from Michigan Resistance and other groups. Why so many people and groups? Because there are many pathways to activism, and these people represent just a few.
Whether you want to learn what first steps work for you, or are a long time organizer looking to share your insights and make new connections, we welcome you. We can do work on behalf of Democratic voters, do issues and legislative advocacy, talk about the differences between campaigning for a specific candidate versus an issue or voters as a whole, and much more. The format of these events is casual.
Do you know a lot about collecting signatures for a ballot initiative? Let us know you’d like a little time to share your perspective. Have you ever testified in Lansing and want to empower others to do the same? We’d love it if you joined us. Until the primaries, we cannot do work in support of any candidate for any office, but everything else is on the table.
Sign up or just drop in! We will have planned actions and the materials needed, but we invite you to bring your own to share. Snacks and soft drinks provided.
6-8PM on Wednesday June 12, July 10, and August 14, with more to come in the Fall!
News
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party (WCDP) Executive Board has passed a Resolution in solidarity with the people of Benton Harbor, the parents, students, teachers, and administrators of the Benton Harbor School system, and the Berrien County Democratic Party. The resolution calls on Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature to delay a shutdown of Benton Harbor High School until further discussions can take place with local parents, leaders and administrators. Any closure of schools will have a long-term negative impact on Benton Harbor’s children and future citizens to build viable futures and will also harm the local community. A Democratic solution must not bow to the Republican playbook of denying basic services to those whose ability to pay has been reduced by economic factors beyond their control.
As the Executive Board of the WCDP, we urge the Governor and the legislature to take all steps necessary to find a solution that does not further negatively impact the Benton Harbor community.
See the text of the Resolution here.
News
Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton
cordially invites you to attend his
Annual Clayton Classic Golf Outing and Fundraiser
Friday, June 7, 2019
Washtenaw Golf Club, 2955 Packard Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Registration, photo op, and continental breakfast from 7:30 am – 8:30 am with an 8:30 am shotgun start. Lunch served on the course. Awards and a buffet immediately after. Contact Katherineawyatt@aol.com.
Special opportunity for veterans or first responders– a donor is offering to sponsor a team of 4. If you are a vet or a first responder, please contact Kathy Wyatt ASAP to be part of this for free!
Anishinaabek Caucus, MDP, News
The Anishinaabek Caucus of the MDP, chaired by Andrea Pierce, has issued at statement in support of Gov. Whitmer and Atty General Nessel’s proclaimed intention to shut down the dangerous oil pipeline under the straits of Mackinac, and in support of ending negotiations with Enbridge over a possible utilities tunnel.
As a Supreme Court decision last week made clear, the treaties passed between the US government and the indigenous tribes of this land are still valid, despite the many instances where they have been violated. Neil Gorsuch actually cast the decisive 5th vote, affirming that a member of a Crow tribe in Arizona had the right to hunt on National Forest land. In Michigan’s case, it’s the fishing rights that are a major factor, and previous US Supreme Court decisions have also affirmed that the right to fish includes the right to preserve a viable habitat for fish. The Caucus is pointing out that under the existing treaties, now affirmed to be the supreme law of the land, that is, overriding any conflicting laws, the Federally recognized tribes must be an important part of any decision.
Read the full statement here.
News
The Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Board has recently had two vacancies occur – one in Social Events and one in Communications. If you are interested in filling one of the vacancies, please email WCDP Chair Chris Savage right away (chrissavage123@sbcglobal.net). We anticipate holding an Executive Committee soon to fill these positions.
Our role of our Social Events team is to plan/organize social events for our members. If you like planning parties and get-togethers each month, this may be the job for you!
Our Communications team is responsible for our website, email newsletters, press releases, and for producing flyers, graphics, and other written & visual materials to represent the WCDP. A good candidate for this position will be fluent in WordPress website design & maintenance, have great written communications skills, and be able to work in a fast moving environment to produce content quickly and with style and panache.
Both positions are Executive Board-level positions and require attendance at monthly meetings as well as participating in frequent email communications as we conduct the day-to-day business of running the County Party. Again, if you are interested, please contact Chris Savage as soon as possible.
News
As part of our Outreach to the under-served communities in Washtenaw County, we support the efforts of the Ypsi Gathering Place. They are in need of clothing and supplies for the spring and summer season. Matt Hoostal has shared the following:
The Ypsi Gathering Space (YGS) is a cooling center for our community members experiencing housing or food insecurity. We are located at 76 N. Huron (at the Riverside Arts Center on the intersection of Pearl and Huron) in Ypsilanti.
As we are 100% volunteer run, we rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers. Our wish list items are attached. We are open Friday 5-8:00, Saturday 12-5:00, and Sunday 3-6:00. We will be holding volunteer trainings every Saturday from 1-2:00 pm at YGS. For questions about donations or volunteering, please contact Kim at
kimdaley12@gmail.com.
News
At the May 4 membership meeting, a Resolution in support of two Congresswomen who have been the target of hate campaigns abetted by the President. The full text is here. The Resolution, presented by WCDP member Kathleen Murphey, states our support for
- the right of freedom of speech for all Congressmen and Congresswomen, but, given the above stated circumstances, especially for Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
- the right for Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib to be addressed, by those that don’t agree with them, with dialogue, not threats of violence.
- and for Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib for courageously carrying out their duties to the Constitution, to the U.S. House of Representatives, and to their constituents in the face of these death threats against them.
Featured Events, News
It is with deep sadness that we received news this past week that Ypsilanti City Councilmember Peter Murdock passed away. His loss will be felt by many including his wife Grace and his other family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in the days and months ahead.
The following tribute was posted on Facebook by County Commissioner Ricky Jefferson. It captures our feelings so perfectly that we asked Ricky if we could share it with our membership and he has graciously agreed.
“
–The Honorable Peter J. Murdock
Councilmember, City of Ypsilanti
The Man, The Mayor, The Mentor
My friend William Simmons and I would greet Pete with respect to his political prowess by addressing him as “The Wizard.” No one has efficiently served Ypsilanti, or has affected city government as long or with such genuine dedication as Mr. Murdock. Pete and Grace together would always make themselves known and would reach out to everyone who had an interest in the activities of Ypsilanti. Whether it was discussing governing policies or supporting a family issue, Pete would share the community insight and expertise that he possessed to help cover all of the intricate aspects of an issue which could lead to a better outcome. Pete’s counsel was sought after by aspiring politicians looking for sound advice on campaigning or historical information on longstanding issues.
A kind and gentle man, Pete would not impose his will in an attempt to oppose those who may have had a different opinion. What he would do was listen to the pros and cons, expound on all the facts, give his honest opinion, and proceed to make his case. The political intelligence Pete used to make tough decisions was fueled less by speculation and driven mostly by diligent research. He gave all he could give as a faithful public servant. He gave his utmost loyalty to Grace and he gave his best to all of us who gleaned from his wisdom. He was a gatekeeper of the welfare and the interest of the citizens of Ypsilanti.
Pete’s death signals the end of a generational era that links us to past political giants upon whose shoulders we stand to help us govern by reaching for greater heights of integrity, dignity and servanthood to all residents of this great city.
Your presence will be greatly missed, but your work lives on. Rest well, my friend!!! Well done!!!
Grace, thank you for sharing Pete with us. You have our heartfelt sympathies and I pray for God to comfort your heart, bring peace to your mind and strength to your spirit in the difficult days ahead.”
https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/annarbor/obituary.aspx?n=peter-j-murdock&pid=192804728
