Held at the Hosmer House in Sudbury Center. Susan Fargo (our State Senator for another year, to be replaced due to redistricting by Cheryl Jacques) told us how she worked with other Senators to override many Swift budget vetoes and save important human services.
Sarah Cannon Holden of Lincoln, candidate for Lt. Governor, spoke about her candidacy and about clean elections and the lawsuit before the Supreme Judicial Court to force the legislature to fund the law passed by the voters (the Constitution gives the legislature two choices in this situation: repeal the law or fund it; they have done neither).
Jack Duffy, Chair of the Wellesley Democratic Town Committee talked about the new West Suburban Democratic Coalition, of which Wayland is a member, and our first major event, the Gubernatorial reception, forum, and debate to be held in Wellesley on January 5, 200.
The Democratic Town Committees of Acton, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston sponsored a forum for the Democratic candidates for Governor on Sunday, October 28, 2001, from 4 to 6 PM at the Concord Academy Chapel.
The candidates attending were Bill Galvin, Steve Grossman, Shannon O'Brien, and Warren Tolman.
In addition, two candidates for Lieutenant Governor spoke: Sarah Holden and John Slattery.
The forum was moderated by Eric Van Loon, a member of the Concord Democratic Town Committee.
This was the first in what we hope will be a series of meetings with candidates for statewide office. Warren Tolman answered questions from the audience. He is extremely well informed about, and takes clear progressive positions on, the major issues confronting Massachusetts. In particular, he discussed:
Clean Elections Warren Tolman continues to support the Clean Elections measure that was passed overwhelmingly by voters in Massachusetts, including Wayland and surrounding towns. He is disappointed that the legislature has not provided adequate funding, as called for in the referendum.
Education Warren is strongly committed to public education. He went to public schools and so do his children. He is a former schoolteacher. He feels that MCAS have a role in evaluating student progress, but should NOT be the sole criterion for graduating from high school.
Massport should be totally reorganized and its sole function should be operating Logan Airport. Other functions, many of them patronage functions created by Weld/Cellucci/Swift should either be abolished or given to other agencies.
Transportation Warren feels that it is unfair to fund the Big Dig through turnpike tolls, since these are paid only by commuters from the Western suburbs, and not from other areas. He also feels that we need to provide viable public transportation for commuters travelling from Boston to offices around route 128 and beyond., He feels that train stations in the suburbs must provide adequate parking to discourage driving into Boston.
Warren Tolman comes from a family of very modest means. He was brought up in a housing development, attended public schools and college in Amherst. All the programs that enabled him to achieve success were the result of the policies of the Democratic Party. He has always been a committed Democrat.
Over 50 people attended this very successful event. Not only Wayland, but Dover, Natick, Needham, Sudbury, and Wellesley were represented.
There was a lot of good conversation and enthusiasm.
Roger Lau, of John Kerry's office attended. As did two state senate candidates, vying for Cheryl Jacques seat: Jim Klocke and Dan Matthews, who each spoke briefly.
Here are photos from the picnic:
Jon Saxton, who hosted the picnic, talks to Judi Garfinkel and Larry Brown..
Jack Duffy, chair of the Wellesley Democratic Town Committee, and his wife Carmen Chico; and the chair of the Needham Democratic Town Committee, Mary Ellen Herd.
Jim Klocke, candidate for State Senate
Dan Matthews, candidate for State Senate
This was an exciting event. All the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor spoke. Organizations were well represented in booths outside the hall.
For photos taken at the convention, click here.
Our Committee organized itself in order to play an effective role in the upcoming state elections, according to the four goals listed on our home page.
Associate Members: It was moved and voted unanimously to set aside 5 Associate Membership slots for Young Democrats, including Mike Schor who was present. It was moved and voted to elect Alice Shafer as Associate Member.
Affirmative Action Officer: Russ Ashton was elected to this position.
Volunteers: The following members agreed to take the following leadership roles:
Michael Bate, Committe Chair, attended a joint meeting with the Wellesley Democratic Town Committee and adjoining town committees, including Dover, Natick, and Sherbourne.
This meeting focused on Clean Elections.
A presentation was given by representatives from Mass. Voters for Clean Elections: Chad Molnar, Organizer, and Tony Winsor, Steering Committee Member. They reported that the main challenge facing the Clean Elections initiative, which was passed overwhelmingly by voters in 1998, is funding by the legislature. $10 million per year is required - a small sum compared to the cost to the taxpayers of influence purchased by large campaign contributors.
We also agreed to work together on other issues confronting our towns.
Our caucus, which was open to any registered Democrat in Wayland, selected a full slate of delegates, plus two alternates, for the Democratic State Convention to be held in Springfield on June 2. Elected delegates, which were required to have equal numbers of men and women, are:
In addition, Michael Bate and Russ Ashton are ex-officio delegates, as WDTC chair and state committeeman, respectively.
ALTERNATES elected were:
On Wednesday, February 28, Democratic State Committee Chairman Phil Johnston appeared before a joing meeting of the Wayland Democratic Town Committee and the 5th Middlesex Area Democrats.
He called for Democrats to organize at the grass roots to take back the governorship in 2002, and the White House in 2004. He attacked the right wing agenda of Cellucci, Swift, and Bush, and said that the Republicans stole the White House in the last election.
He said that elections are not won solely by advertising on television, radio, and newspapers. Grass roots activity is essential for any successful campaign.
The Wayland Town Crier reported on his appearance.