[PenDems (170)] FYI, Custer event

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From: Jacqui Gerenz [mailto:jgerenz@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:40 PM
To: pendems+owner@googlegroups.com
Subject: postponed

Custer County Democrats have postponed our "Evening with the Artists" scheduled for tonight (29th) at Crazy Horse Monument.  We will re-schedule and advise.

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[PenDems (169)] Open Letter to SD Dems from Judy Olsen Duhamel

October 25, 2009

Dear Friends,

As we draw closer to 2010 I hope you are as excited and as motivated as I am when it comes to furthering the priorities that we as Democrats hold dear. As a party, it’s more critical than ever that we work together on behalf of South Dakota families and businesses.

The fabric of our party is vibrant with passion and energy . . . and there is no shortage of good ideas. Those qualities are what make us strong. Democrats have traditionally been a party that avoids litmus tests and remains open to diverse viewpoints—an approach that yields success. I’m asking that we do just that--------respect diverse points of view,

I’m sorry to address an uncomfortable subject, but I am compelled to write after reading a recent essay by Sam Hurst that you may have seen. As passionate as he is---and we all know that he is passionate and articulate---Sam’s attacks on Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin are unfounded and misplaced. I like Sam and admire his talent, but I must take a moment to express my thoughts about our exceptional Congresswoman---------clearly a rising star on all levels.

Please, let’s not forget what a strong leader, committed advocate, and tireless champion Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has been for us on critical priorities since she arrived in Congress.

* She serves on the Agriculture Committee, where she fought tirelessly to ensure that the new Farm Bill fairly represented the interests of our farmers and ranchers. One of her signature accomplishments in that fight was in achieving a new program to benefit “Beginning Farmers and Ranchers”.
* In her relatively short time in Congress she has already ascended to become the Chairwoman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee for Economic Opportunity, where she works to ensure that our male and female veterans have all the benefits they deserve when they return from their service. A key focus for the Congresswoman has been concentrating on the unique needs of female veterans to make sure that the VA reflects the changing demographic of our military. And just this past week she traveled to the White House to join President Obama for a signing ceremony for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency signing ceremony for the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act--a critical bill, which is now law, that will help ensure that resources for veterans are not affected by legislative delays in the yearly budget process.
* She also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee which allows her to represent the interests of South Dakota’s nine sovereign Sioux tribes. No one, and I do mean no one questions Stephanie’s commitment and results when it comes to advocating for Indian Country. Whether it’s law enforcement, health care, education or economic development, Stephanie IS a dedicated advocate and partner on these issues.
* Stephanie has been a top leader in the House on establishing energy independence and, in particular, working for a strong new renewable fuels standard that includes aggressive goals for advanced ethanol made from inputs other than corn. As we all know, this not only helps our environment, it helps our economy and our national security as we strive for energy independence. It’s also worth noting that Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Stephanie to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming in order to ensure that rural America has a seat at the table.
* Our Congresswoman is also a strong voice for fiscal responsibility--an issue that all South Dakota Democrats understand. Stephanie has also been a leader in communicating the idea that the deficit didn’t magically appear when President Obama took office-----it resulted from years of wasteful spending under President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress. But regardless of who caused it, she’s committed to ensuring American’s fiscal security—for your children and grandchildren.
* Just recently, you may have read in the Argus-Leader or the Rapid City Journal about her work to raise awareness about domestic violence. In South Dakota, this is a particularly acute problem in Indian Country. Recently, in Rapid City our Congresswoman braved the cold to hand out purple shawls and in Sioux Falls, she organized and hosted a roundtable for brave victims of domestic violence to tell their stories and provide courage and inspiration to others.

Whether it’s supporting our ag economy, fighting for those who have served our country, representing Indian Country, working for energy independence, guarding our tax dollars, ensuring that women can make decisions about their own health care without government interference, or drawing attention to critical issues like domestic violence, it is clear to me that our Congresswoman is fighting for the issues that matter.

Of course, South Dakota does have a diverse Democratic party, and we aren’t going to agree on every issue. That has always been true regardless of who has represented us in the House or the Senate, and it is true of both political parties. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Particularly on the issue of health care, while many of us may disagree on elements of this bill, it’s important to know that Stephanie is working to ensure that South Dakota gets treated fairly. I’d ask you to consider that fact that her comprehension of the complexity of health care issues is far greater than the understanding most of us have.

Like all Democrats and most South Dakotans, she recognizes that the current system is unsustainable. I have heard her say many times that “We can’t afford not to reform health care”. I know she is committed to serious reform that makes health care more affordable and available for all. She proved that last year when she helped pass a strong reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. And now, she is working productively with House leadership to craft a bill that will not only reform our health care system, but keep health costs down, and improve coverage. You know how deeply she cares and I know how deeply she cares. At a minimum she deserves our respect.

Thank you all for your continued passion, involvement and investment in South Dakota, the state that we love. Please, let’s not forget in the heat of these battles the one fight we have already won---------we have a smart, aggressive, talented and effective rising star in the United States Congress working hard every day for us.

Genuinely,

Judy Olson Duhamel

[PenDems (168)] Pendemorandum 10-29-09

PenDemorandum
Good Morning on this Snowy Thursday!
The Pennington County Democrats had a productive meeting Thursday the 22nd.  Jenny Sorenson reported on the Black Hills Pow Wow in Deanna's absence.

Karen Hall gave the wrap up on Oktoberfest.

Two groundbreaking decisions were made Thursday evening.  The Pennington County Democrats have voted to increase the membership on the executive board.

The new positions are;
Pennington County Young Democrats
Native American representative.

We are very excited about the additions to the E-Board.

I have attached a letter from Judy Olson Duhamel, past chair of the SD Democratic Party.  Judy writes in support of Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin, outlining some of her many accomplishments.  I believe it is important to bring an open mind to the debate and I thank Judy for her comments.

REMINDER:
November 19th, 7 pm
922-1/2 E. St. Patrick

Check out the 'NEW' office and meeting room.
Presentation on city government and volunteer opportunities
Patti Martinson, ward 1 will attend.

Thank you for all you do !
Jeff Nelsen
Chair
Pennington County Democratic Party
605-390-9966 (c)
jeff_n2@msn.com

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[PenDems (167)] FW: DRAFT PenDemorandum for Meeting Notice

 PenDemorandum 

NEW MEETING TIME, NEW MEETING PLACE!

Pennington County Democrats will meet for our regular monthly meeting on Thursday, October 22, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.) Building, 922 ½ East Saint Patrick Street, Rapid City.   Our county party office is in the building, which is located next to the Labor Temple, and one of the perks of rental is using their large conference room.  Please join us for this second meeting in our new location, and note the new time.

WITH APPRECIATION

Thank you to all the volunteers and all the attendees who made Oktoberfest a great event, despite the weather!  Please join us at our regular monthly meeting Thursday night to hear about how things went.

 

TOPICS & DISCUSSION

Free medical Clinic, November 21st.

Update on health care reform.

Independents vote in our primaries !

Precinct men / women selection process

ETC

 

Join  your fellow dems for an informative evening.

Thank you all,

 

Jeff Nelsen
Chair
Pennington County Democratic Party
605-390-9966 (c)

 

 

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[PenDems (166)] Custer county Event !

PenDemorandum

An evening with the Artists

appreciating our South Dakota Roots

Thursday, October 29th, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy Horse

Live Music, Appetizers, and Cash Bar

Adults $15 Students $7.50

Tickets available at Moran Law Office or call 673-2841

Tickets also available at the door

(admission to Crazy Horse for this event is waived!)

Sponsored by the Custer County Democrats

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SHS Oktoberfest Speech Rebuttal

This an open letter to Rep. Herseth Sandlin from our own Sarge Preston

Dear Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin:

Thank you for coming to the Pennington County Democrats Oktoberfest. It was educational to hear your viewpoints.

What I brought away from your presentation was:

1. The health care lobby, in spending over $600,000 dollars daily on lobbying Congress, has been effective to some degree, though I want to believe it has affected you little.

2. The health insurance efforts against the public insurance option prove that it will work. You quoted the President on several occasions. Remember he also said that, “They (Republicans) say the government cannot run anything. Then why are they afraid of a little competition from the public option?”

3. You failed to make a case for keeping insurance premiums affordable. You indicated that “competition” will keep policies affordable. Not true. So called competition has not worked very well in the past 5 years with 70% plus increase in premiums paid by South Dakotans. You never mentioned price controls, antitrust enforcement, or any other provisions to keep premium costs under control.

4. You know that the insurance industry will get around the “competition” fantasy by merging (which Congress seems to have to stomach to address), colluding on prices, and lobbying Congress to continue to enjoy the profits they desire at the expense of our citizens health and our economy.

5. You seem to not be aware that corruption is occurring in some rural electric coops, which will happen in insurance coops without a public option safety net.

6. Triggers? The Medicare part D plan, which was written by the pharmaceutical industry during the Bush Administration, has a trigger that has never been pulled. This has caused a severe hardship for many of my Medicare patients. Why will a trigger provision written by the insurance industry be any different?

7. You seem to totally dismiss the fact that we have already given up what nearly every other industrialized nation provides for its citizens; health care. Let’s not give this away as gift to the insurance industry. Why with more money to lobby even harder and produce ever more antireform propaganda will there be a time in the future to get this right?

Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin, it time to stand with the Senator Johnson and the leadership of the House, and help produce a bill with a strong public option. The time is NOW!

Robert C. Preston, MD
Member, Pennington County Executive Board
Member, South Dakota State Democratic Central Committee Executive Board

[PenDems (165)] FW: Herseth Sandlin to Attend Oktoberfest!

 PenDemorandum 

Although her visit will be brief, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will be stopping by to see us at Oktoberfest on Sunday!

Again, we’ll be INSIDE the Old Governor’s Mansion at 3777 Anderson Road in Rapid Valley, a good thing since snow is now forecast.  The planned order of events is as follows:

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.    Food and drink in the lower level of the Mansion
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.    Stephanie arrives and greets people downstairs as they finish lunch
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.    Stephanie speaks briefly to the assembled crowd upstairs in the living room 
                                    (It’s unlikely that she will take questions because she has to leave by 2:45.  If you have concerns, please try to catch her before she speaks.)
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.    Introduction of speakers and keynote address by Steve Jarding, eminent campaign manager and political strategist
3:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m     Remarks by local elected Democrats:  Suzan Nolan and Bret Swanson, school board, and Malcom Chapman, city council
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.    Porchcrop plays in the lower level

After the speeches, please stop by the items donated for the silent auction and if something strikes your fancy, write down a bid. 

The fabulous band, Porchcrop, will set up downstairs while the speakers finish their program, and will start up immediately following the program.  Got some dancing shoes? 

(NOTE:  All proceeds from the event, including admission, will go toward 2010 election efforts.  Ticket prices are $20.10 per person, $30 per couple, and $15 per senior or student with ID.)    

We hope to see all of you there.  It’ll be lots of fun!

 

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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[PenDems (164)] Map to Nyla's

Sorry group, let's try the map as a jpg insert!

<<...>>

Double click on the jpg, it should open.

Manual directions;
20751 Shirt Tail Gulch Road
Deadwood, SD

Take Boulder Canyon Road to Shirt Tail Gulch RD.

From Sturgis: right hand turn 9 miles west of Sturgis
OR ……...
From Deadwood: left hand turn 1 mile east of the hwy 85 turn off to Spearfish

Nyla's cell number is; 605-381-9717

I hope that clears this up.  Thanks for your patience.
Jeff

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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[PenDems (162)] Pendemorandum

PenDemorandum
FYI; courtesy of Nyla
FUN RAISING PARTY FOR BEN "BJ" NESSELHUF
FREE FOOD! FREE DRINKS! LOTS OF FUN!

Friday October 9th, 6 pm
Nyla and Tom Griffith home - map attached
20751 Shirt Tail Gulch Road, Deadwood, SD
Nyla's cell (in case you get lost) 605-381-9717

Ben "BJ" Nesselhuf is running for South Dakota Secretary of State. Show your support by showing up!
Bring a donation if you like but more importantly bring everyone you know to meet Ben and have a great time.

Campaign donations will be accepted but not required.

Benjamin J. 'BJ, Ben' Nesselhuf is a Democratic member of the South Dakota Senate, representing the 17th district since 2004. Previously he was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2000 through 2004.

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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[PenDems (161)] Pendemorandum -- Oktoberfest to Be Held INSIDE This Year!

 

 PenDemorandum 

OKTOBERFEST INSIDE THE OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION on SUNDAY!

Remember how cold you were at last year’s Oktoberfest?  During last week’s hearty South Dakota winds, the big tent at the Old Governor’s Mansion, our Oktoberfest venue, was shredded and is no longer usable.  Rather than huddle outside on what may be a cold and snowy day, we will celebrate Oktoberfest INSIDE the Mansion this year!   

Date:  Sunday, October 11, 2009
Time:  1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Place:  INSIDE the Old Governor’s Mansion, 3777 Anderson Road, Rapid Valley

Activities: 

·         Silent Auction – We have an intriguing array of items for the silent auction this year, donated by local businesses and individuals.  (Thanks to all of you!)  Bring your checkbooks, bring cash, because there are things you’ll definitely want to bid on!

·         50/50 Ticket Sales --  Buy a chance to share equally in the proceeds by purchasing tickets.  Winner drawn at the end of the event!

·         Live Music – weather permitting

·         Great Food – Burgers and buffalo brats and dogs, homemade salads and desserts, cash bar.

·         Great Speakers –

o       Steve Jarding, our keynote speaker, is a nationally recognized political operative and strategist.  Recently, Jarding has made numerous appearances on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews and worked as a senior advisor on Jim Webb’s successful campaign defeating Virginia Senator George Allen, which turned the balance of power in the Senate. Jarding’s role in the winning Warner and Webb campaigns show he is the leading political mind for a Democratic southern strategy.

o       Local elected Democrats, our own rock stars!

Tickets:  $20.10 per person, $30 per couple, $15 seniors and students with ID

All proceeds will go toward 2010 election efforts.  We hope to see you there.

Please join us for a rousing, warm, and cordial good time!

 

 

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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[PenDems (160)] Test Message

Only a test message, real information to follow.
Jeff

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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Shocking I say--no Capitalism in Rapid City

Sorry, no theaters are available within 40 miles of zip code 57701 that are playing the movie "Capitalism: A Love Story" on Friday, Oct. 2.

Please try:

- extending your search range, or
- entering a new zip code, or
- choosing another date.

If after trying different options and your movie still does not appear with showtimes, your movie may not be playing nearby for the options you chose.

Ya think?

[PenDems (159)] Celebrate!

 PenDemorandum  

OKTOBERFEST 2009 !!!

 It's that time of year when the Pennington County Democrats celebrate being just that – DEMOCRATS!  

 We're celebrating under the big tent at the Old Governor's Mansion again this year.  We'll have great food, fabulous music, and an exceptional keynote speaker, Steve Jarding, author of Foxes in the Henhouse:  How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland and What the Democrats Must Do to Run 'em Out.  Steve is a nationally recognized campaign manager and political strategist, and a former Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.  He managed Jim Webb's winning senatorial campaign as well as Mark Warner's winning gubernatorial campaign, both in Virginia.  He gives a rousing speech, and it's one you won't want to miss!  We'll also introduce our locally elected Democrats – they're our rock stars here!  We've also invited Democrats from Lawrence, Meade, Custer and Fall River Counties to join us, with part of their ticket proceeds going back to their county parties.  Let's ALL gear up for 2010 – there is MUCH TO DO!

Here are the details:

WHEN:             Sunday, October 11, 2009

                        1:30 – 5 p.m.

WHERE:           Old Governor's Mansion

                        3777 Andersen Road, Rapid Valley (dress warmly and hope for good weather – we'll be outside under the tent)

TICKETS:         $20.10 per person

                        $30 per couple

                        $15 seniors and students with ID

KEYNOTE:       Steve Jarding

MUSIC:             Porchcrop

FOOD:              Buffalo burgers and brats, sides and desserts (and a little something for vegetarians, too)

 

Want to help?  Contact Karen Hall at 348-426 or karen_hall350@msn.com.  

 

POWWOW BUFFALO FEED!

The 23^rd annual Black Hills PowWow is coming up next weekend, too.  The South Dakota Democratic Party, in conjunction with the PenDems, will host a FREE buffalo feed on Saturday night.  We hope that you will all join us there for this cultural celebration with citizens of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations following an all-day State-Tribal Relations Forum. 

Here are the details:

WHEN:             Saturday, October 10, 2009

                        5 – 7 p.m.

WHERE:           Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

TICKETS:         Free!

If you are interested in volunteering to help with the Buffalo Feed, please contact Deanna Dowlin at 430-5715 or deanna@dowlin.com.  

 

Please join us for these fabulous fall events!

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The PenDemorandum is a publication of the Pennington County Democratic Party. Please forward it along to your friends! Back issues are posted at http://pendem.org -- click the "Blog" link.

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