West River Blue Blog

Friday, August 28, 2009

[PenDems (154)] Apologies for date confusion

END OF BUSY WEEK

With apologies to all for date error: both the county party meeting
and the wake for Sen. Kennedy were on THURSDAY evening.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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.

To subscribe, send a message to pendems-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe, send a message to pendems-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pendems
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

Thursday, August 27, 2009

[PenDems (153)] Pay respects before you come to supper

WALSH HOSTING IRISH WAKE FOR SEN. KENNEDY

Bill Walsh has invited West River Democrats to join in paying their
respects to the life and work of Senator Ted Kennedy, beginning at 5
p.m. Thursday August 28 in the downstairs room at Dublin Square.

Stop in before coming over to the Labor Temple for the August County
Party pot luck, meeting and forum on health care.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

[PenDems (152)] Busy Week Continues

FUND RAISER REMINDER

Don't forget the the event to support Congresswoman Stephanie-Herseth
Sandlin tonight at Bill and Judy
Duhamel's. The event runs from 6pm to 7.30pm this evening. For more
details you may contact Katy Hayes @ 605-332-1901, email
katy@stephanieforsouthdakota.org, Judy Duhamel or Bill Walsh, who is
co-hosting the event.

YOUNG DEMS ENERGY CANVAS SATURDAY

The Black Hills Young Democrats are sponsoring a canvassing shift for
Repower America on Saturday, August 29th at 11:00 am.

Repower South Dakota is organizing canvasses across the state to
encourage members to go door to door in their neighborhoods asking
friends and neighbors to support comprehensive climate and clean
energy legislation this year. The 11:00 am shift will be sponsored by
the Black Hills Young Democrats. Whether you are a young Democrat or
young at heart, join us to push for clean energy legislation. Contact
Michael Pyle, of the Black Hills Young Democrats at 605-254-5302 or
Edie Renner from Repower America: 605-641-7794.

Monday, August 24, 2009

[PenDems (151)] Friday morning Health Care forum in Rapid City!

We don't think Congress is moving too fast.

We think it's time for Congress to get the job done!

Friday, August 28th at 8:30 AM, Surbeck Center Ballroom, SDSM&T, Rapid City

Tell Senator Thune,

We Support President Obama's Plans for Change!

Quality, affordable health care for everyone,

including a public health insurance option.

South Dakota's Congressional Delegation Needs to Hear from YOU!

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson - Toll Free - 1-800-537-0025

U.S. Senator John Thune - Toll Free - 1-866-850-3855

U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin - Toll Free - 1-866-371-8747

South Dakotans For Health Care Solutions!

Friday, August 21, 2009

[PenDems (150)] PENDEMORANDUM FOR AUGUST 21-28

SHOW UP! STAND UP! SIGN UP!

The Central States Fair has grass, straw, dust, tents, food, music and
lots of folks, not much "astroturf."

Democrats from SDDP and West River county parties, Volunteers in
Organizing for America, volunteers from South Dakotans for Health Care
Reform, and organized labor are all at the Fair making a final push
this month to gather grassroots support for President Obama's health
insurance reform policy.

We still need volunteers for some shifts on every day of the Central
States Fair. Don't assume "somebody else will do it." Contact Ritchie
Nordstrom to sign up for a shift <ritch@rushmore.com>.

HEALTHFUL FOOD & HEALTH CARE REFORM ON THURSDAY'S PEN DEMS MENU

Join Pennington County Democrats for a picnic supper and panel
discussion this Thursday. Find out what's really going on with Health
Care Reform from advocates in the midst of the action.

Doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, consumers and activists will
provide information and answer your questions.

Pennington County Dems are hosting a picnic and panel discussion on
health care reform on Thursday, August 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the AFL-
CIO Labor Temple, 922 E. St. Patrick St. We'll provide the chili.
Bring something to share.

REP. HERSETH SANDLIN TO SPEAK AT CHAMBER LUNCH

The Rapid City Area Chamber's Young Professionals Group - Political
Awareness Subcommittee (PAS) is hosting a luncheon with Rep. Stephanie
Herseth Sandlin on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The event will be from11:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn.

The event is open to the public for $20, $15 for YPG Members. Email
rsvp@rapidcitychamber.com or call 343-1744.

SOUTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATS
AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FAIR

Join the Party at the State Fair BBQ Fundraiser, Friday, September 4,
2009 4:30 - 7pm at the Izaak Walton Clubhouse (also known as the
Sportsmen's Club) in Huron. Tickets are $20. Founder's Club and
Student Discounts apply. RSVP to erin@sddp.org. The State Central
Committee meets the next day and meetings are open to all members of
the Democratic Party. Find out what's happening.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

[PenDems (149)] PenDemorandum for August 2009

CALL GOVERNOR ROUNDS ON BOGUS APPLES AND ORANGES ARGUMENT

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, what will keep our GOP
governor from mixing apples and oranges in his bogus arguments against
reforming health care for South Dakotans?

In an interview with the Rapid City Journal,
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2009/08/10/news/local/doc4a7f5751dd121262737460.txt,
Rounds tries to argue against health care reform by pointing to
problems with the Indian Health Service.

While no South Dakotans would disagree that Indian Health Care needs
reform, too, trying to stop President Obama's health care policy by
changing the subject is part of the nationwide corporate campaign to
take attention away from the real issues. It is part of the same
script that finances protesters who are aligned with the corporate
lobbyists and insurance companies who are trying to stop reform. These
are the people who got us into this mess to begin with, and South
Dakota's Governor is part of that industry.

August is the critical time. Call or write TODAY to tell Governor
Rounds, Rep. Herseth-Sandlin, Sen. Johnson and Sen. Thune that South
Dakotans want the same cure for our sick health care system as all
Americans—affordability, access, and quality.

Fight back! Click here to email, call or write:

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/
http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/contact.html
http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email
http://johnson.senate.gov/contact/
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/site/fight

MEET ME AT THE FAIR!

The Pennington County Democratic Party will join forces with other
West River county parties to staff a booth at the Central States Fair
from noon, Friday August 21 to noon on Sunday, Aug. 30. Ritchie
Nordstrom is chairing the effort to recruit staff to tend the booth
from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Ritchie is looking for your ideas to make
the booth attractive, and your time to meet and greet neighbors and
friends. Please sign up for a two-hour shift on any of the days of the
fair, to help set up on the 21st or take down on the 30th. You can
contact Ritchie at ritch@rushmore.com.

HEALTH CARE TOPIC OF AUGUST COUNTY MEETING

Find out what's really going on with Health Care Reform from advocates
in the midst of the action.

Watch this site for more details.

SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER BEGINS CAMPAIGN

State Senator Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls is running for governor
of South Dakota!

The campaign website will launch soon, but in the meantime, supporters
can join Sen. Heidepriem's Facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122462618768#/group.php?gid=122462618768

This group serves as an official meeting place for all of his
supporters. You can show support for the campaign, offer comments or
ask questions of Scott. All are also encouraged to use this group to
organize community-wide door-to-door campaign events with family and
friends, or any number of other events to celebrate and support
Scott's campaign.

Heidepriem for Governor
431 N. Phillips Ave., Suite 400
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

You can check out news from the South Dakota Democratic Party
Newsletter at http://sddp.org/ or download a copy of the latest
newsletter, Tatanka Blue.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

[PenDems (148)] PenDemorandum for July 2009

No County Party Meeting in July

The Pennington County Democratic Party will not meet this month, so
use your time in July to contact South Dakota members of Congress to
urge them to support health care reform. Here is a link you can use to
take action: http://blog.healthcareforamericanow.org/hcan-sd/

Sarge Preston, Pennington County State Committeeman, was one of a
group of West River activists who went to Washington, D.C. in July to
take the case to the Capitol for Health Care for America Now!

We are planning a panel on health care for the August meeting with
invitations out to this group and others. Watch this site for details,
including announcement of the time and location of the August meeting.

Leadership Retreat and Training

West River country party leaders and activists are meeting this
weekend in Keystone for a West River Retreat and training workshop.
County chairs and vice chairs met in Aberdeen at McGovern Day and
decided to form an association to share information and communicate at
the county party level. Thanks to Senator Tim Johnson, Steve Jarding
will lead a special training to prepare county party leaders in South
Dakota for next year's election cycle. There are openings for precinct
committeemen and women who want to participate. Contact Executive
Director Erin McCarrick, erin@sddp.org or call the State Party Office
at (605) 271‐5405)

SDDP Constitutional Revisions

Work on revising out state party constitution is underway. Thanks to
many of your great suggestions,
new ideas are being incorporated to be more inclusive, more
transparent and worthy of the excitement
of South Dakota Democrats. Pennington County Central Committeewoman
Suzanne Martley and Attorney Linda Lea Viken have begun the first
drafts, incorporating many of your ideas. On June 20th a group of a
dozen volunteers across the state met to f discuss key points and
further refine a draft for consideration. This ad hoc
group will complete its work by July 15th and make their report the
Executive Board. By early August the
Executive Board will make their recommendations to the full State
Central Committee meeting at its
next meeting for deliberation, amendment and adoption.

Check Out the New Website

Thanks to Nyla Griffith, West Regional Executive Board Member, for re‐
designing and launching the new state website at www.sddp.org. This
new website gives the state party the ability to connect with
Democrats all over South Dakota for events, volunteer activities,
organizing and other outreach. County parties have been invited to
link up with the new look, so watch for a new website for Pennington
County Dems, too.

West River Field Director Position Open

The Democratic National Committee has reinstated The State Partnership
Program, which helps fund Democratic employees in all 50 states. South
Dakota will have two new field positions, including a West River Field
Director. The two Regional Directors will help achieve the goals of
the SDDP during 2009. In 2010, the Regional Field Directors will
manage the campaign efforts of the SDDP for their region for the South
Dakota State Legislature, state races for Attorney General, Secretary
of State, Auditor, Treasurer, the Governor's race, the U.S. Senate
race, and the race for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

[PenDems (147)] County Party Meeting at Dunn Brothers

Fourth Thursday means the Pennington County Dems are meeting.

Join us at 6 p.m. at Dunn Brothers' Coffee at 719 Omaha Street (7th &
Omaha) for coffee, cookies and conversation. The program topic
tonight is a report from the National Young Democrats conference in
Houston. Kristin Aschenbrenner attended, and will report on the
conference and what it means to the growing Young Dems of South Dakota
organization.

Friday, June 19, 2009

[PenDems (146)] Vikki Powers Park Volunteers

For those interested in helping complete the Vikki Powers Memorial
Park on Sunday, the Penn Dems have offered to show up for the noon to
4 p.m. slot, but volunteers of all skill levels are needed from 8 to
noon as well. If you have experience using power tools, or just want
to help out by serving food or raking or signing people in, they can
use our help for as much time as you can spare.

Volunteers should bring to the site (If they have them): a hammer,
tape measure, a nail apron, a pencil, safety goggles, and work
gloves. Drills and extension cords are also always needed on
site.There will be 12 captains for the project. These captains will
work every shift/hour of the project.

When volunteers arrive to work, they will sign in at the volunteer
check in table, be assigned to a captain, and then the captain will
assign a specific duty to the volunteer.

The organizers will provide lunches.

Thanks to all who go out Sunday to pitch in!
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

[PenDems (145)] June 21: Build community by helping build a park.

The Pennington County Democrats are assembling a crew to assist with
the construction of the Vikki Powers Memorial Park. This is a
community park created, supported and constructed by volunteers—850 of
them in 7 days.

Join the fun and support construction of this park and playground in a
part of town that is home to many of our voters and constituents.
Learn more about the park here: http://www.vppark.com/index.php

We need volunteers to serve on a shift from noon to 4 p.m. or 4 to 8
p.m. Sunday, June 21. You need not be a skilled carpenter (but if you
are, please come along); they have jobs for all skill levels.

If we provide a crew for at least four hours, we get our organization
name on a brick in the "wall of honor."

Please sign up to pitch in. Email cwoman@pendem.org Include your
email, phone, and preference for the noon to 4 or 4 to 8 shift. We
will work the shift with the most volunteers, or maybe both if we have
enough interest.

This is a chance to demonstrate that Democrats share community values.
Let's put our hands to work for the community.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

[PenDems (144)] County Meeting, McGovern Day, Hooray for Erin and Kristin!

PenDemorandum

May 28, County Party Meeting

The Pennington County Democratic Party will hold its regular meeting
at 6 p.m. Thursday May 28 in the Helen Hoyt Room at the Rapid City
Public Library. Agenda: Election to replace a vacancy on the executive board,
city elections, and preparation for the State Central Committee
meeting in Aberdeen are on the agenda. Also, we need to set up carpools for
McGovern Day - over in Aberdeen on Saturday...

May 30, McGovern Day in Aberdeen
Features Congressional Delegation

Sen. Tim Johnson and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin are featured
speakers at McGovern Day in Aberdeen May 30. The event will include
workshops, a review of proposed constitutional amendments and a
special session for Young Democrats.

Lunch begins at noon at the Ramada Convention Center, 2727 6th Ave. SE
in Aberdeen. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Cost for the lunch is $25.00; dinner
$50.00. To register, RSVP to sddems@pendem.org
605-393-7658. Payment at the door will be accepted by check, credit
card, or cash. For room reservations contact the convention center
directly at 605-225-3600 http://www.ramada-aberdeen.com

June 2, Rapid City School Board Election

Be sure and vote before or on June 2 in the school board election!
Although this election is non-partisan election, many PenDems
have been active in bringing school issues to the forefront.
Eric Abrahamson, along with other interested folks, have
been keeping the dialog going by encouraging discussion and
public participation from his great nonpartisan website:
http://ourrapidcityschools.org -- check it out!
At that site you can learn about the issues and the candidates.
Also, two PenDems, Suzan Nolan and Curt Pochardt, are
candidates in two of the races. Vote!

Celebrating our new and former State Executive Directors
and President of the South Dakota Young Democrats

The gifts, inspiration, and legendary work of our own Erin McCarrick
and Kristin Aschenbrenner are becoming more well-known outside
the halls and glens of PennDemdom! Erin has been selected
as our new State Party Executive Director, following the very successful
tenure of Rick Hauffe. Kristin Aschenbrenner has been elected founding chair
of the South Dakota Young Democrats. (We will miss Erin from our eboard,
but it's a small big state so we are thrilled to be able to benefit from her
talents in her new post.)

Come to McGovern Day and give them all a rouse!

Lawrence County Democrats update
Check out their events in the coming weeks, posted at
at http://www.pendem.org (right side of the page).
Other West River County parties are invited to send event info
to democrats@pendem.org -- we'd love to post it too!

LINKS

Thursday, May 07, 2009

[PenDems (143)] Thomas Heald services Friday

Thomas "Tom" Heald, 37, Rapid City, died Monday, May 4, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was born June 2, 1972, in Rapid City, the son of Jim and Shirley (Johannes) Heald. He grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Stevens High School in 1989. Tom worked with his father as a survey assistant and was a columnist for the Rapid City Weekly. He had been a member of the Senior DeMolay. Tom loved playing trivia games and contests, liked working with his computer and watching movies. Survivors include his parents, Jim and Shirley Heald and a brother, Tim Heald, all of Rapid City; aunts and uncles, Ken and Donna Heald and Phylis and Fernando Gomez, all of Green Valley, AZ, and Jerry Johannes, Huron; and nephew and niece, Tyler and Victoria Heald, Box Elder. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 8, at the South Canyon Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Bruce Thalacker officiating. Burial will be at the Mt. View Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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.

Monday, May 04, 2009

[PenDems (142)] Sad news

Thomas Allen Heald, Rapid City Weekly News columnist and son of Shirley and Jim Heald of Rapid City, passed away Sunday night. Thomas was a dedicated volunteer at Penn Dem events, a great writer and seeker of truth. We will miss him and extend our sincerest wishes to his family. The funeral will be on Friday, May 8, at South Canyon Lutheran Church, 700 44th St. No memorial yet established. Osheim Catron Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
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.

Friday, April 24, 2009

New Officers in Pennington County!

On Thursday our new party leaders were elected!

Chair: Jeff Nelsen
Vice-Chair: Erin McCarrick
Treasurer: Sondra Bray
Secretary: Kristin Aschenbrenner
Committeeman: Robert "Sarge" Preston
Committeewoman: Suzanne Iudicello

Thursday, April 16, 2009

[PenDems (141)] Events next week - McGovern Day update

Pendemorandum

Thu April 23: Employee Free Choice Act Rally!
(**Meeting location updated**)
4:30 pm, **Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St**
SHOW SOLIDARITY

Area Democrats are encouraged to join the labor unions of Rapid City
at a rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, at the Rapid City Labor Temple, 922 E. St. Patrick St.
Mark Anderson, President of SD AFL-CIO, is the featured speaker.
Accompanying Anderson will be organizers who have been working to
form unions.

Interested persons can call Ritchie Nordstrom, president of Rapid City
Central Labor Body, for more information at 605-721-6398.

Thu April 23: PenDem Meeting
(**Meeting location updated**)
6:00 pm **Rapid City Public Library**
Elections and EFCA!

Precinct men and women have the opportunity this month to elect a new
executive board of the Pennington County Democratic Party.
Precinct men and women, along with Democratic county and
legislative officeholders, vote for the officers in April of odd-numbered
years, according to the South Dakota Democratic Party Constitution.
The County Central Committee may also fill vacant Precinct Men and
Precinct Women positions. The newly elected chair, vice chair,
state committeeman and state committeewoman will vote in the
upcoming State Democratic Party special election.

Democrats interested in serving as precinct man or woman in their
neighborhood, or in running for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, or
Treasurer of the County party, or for State Committeeman or
Committeewoman are encouraged to attend the monthly meeting
at 6 p.m., Thursday April 23, at the Rapid City Public Library.

Elected positions are for two years or until successors are elected.
Nominees need not be precinct committeemen or women,
but only precinct committeemen and women may vote.

Mark Anderson, President of South Dakota AFL-CIO, will speak
on the Employee Free Choice Act following the brief business meeting.

McGovern Day: Postponed
Regretfully, the 2009 McGovern Day and State Central Committee
meeting which had been scheduled for Saturday, April 25, in Aberdeen,
has been postponed. We are sorry for any inconvenience this
postponement may cause. Stay tuned for the new date, which the
SD Democratic Party will announce as soon as they can.

CHAMPAGNE, CHOCOLATES AND
SEN. SCOTT HEIDEPRIEM:
HOW STIMULATING!

Sen. Scott Heidepriem wowed a crowd of about 70 local Dems at the annual
Champagne & Chocolates event in late March with a scathing review of the
state legislature's approach to receiving support from the American Recovery
& Reinvestment Act, also known as President Obama's "stimulus package."

Despite early rhetoric about refusing federal stimulus funds for South Dakota,
Gov. Mike Rounds was one of the first to get in line with a hand out.
According to the state's recovery website: "South Dakota is at the forefront
of all states in getting the federal stimulus package implemented in the state
budget." Touting openness and transparency (from the state that just this
year was forced to make public business open to the public) the website
features a table showing use of the recovery money in line items.
(See: http://recovery.sd.gov/)

Sen. Heidepriem told a different story, detailing the ways the Republican-
controlled legislature used the money to offset what would have been
budget deficits, requiring use of trust accounts and other "rainy day" sources
of revenue. As a result, South Dakota avoided using its own resources,
funded state programs with the federal money, and socked millions
away in trust accounts.

Ten a Month for 2010 continues
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010

Friday, March 27, 2009

Pennington County Dems Look Forward (and Back)

(From left) Abrahamson, Finch, Ross (moderating), Petersen, and Davis.

A freewheeling discussion on Democratic electoral politics in West River followed the Pennington County Democratic Party meeting March 26.

After two organized efforts that led to significant building of the West River Dems in focus and numbers in 2006 and 2008, but few victories, have left PenDems puzzling over why many of our candidates have come up short in votes against demonstrably less-qualified and less-experienced opponents.

Denise Ross, the well-known SDPR "political junkie" and host of the well-regarded Hog House Blog, (and proud new mom!) moderated the discussion. It was interesting to hear her non-partisan perspective and political analysis, and the insights the panelists had a lot to offer.

Eric Abrahamson gave us the lowdown on the results in District 32, Dennis Finch on District 33, Bonny Peterson on District 34. Also, PenDem activist Jay Davis, who though not a candidate in 2008, talked about District 35 and gave an overall analysis. There was talk from the panelists about the possible "Palin effect" of the week of the election working against us among low-information voters, the "split ticket" effect of Republican Herseth and Johnson voters who chose not to vote for more Dems down the ticket, and party-line voting that is so common among last-minute voters. Our legislative candidates did far better among early voters, which may have meant that those that are interested in politics and informed find our candidates more appealing to those who show up to vote party line on election day. Money raised and spent appeared to have made no difference in some races. The possible effects of redistricting during the 2010-2011 Legislature was also discussed.

In 2010 Pennington County Dems will be there speaking the truth, you can bank on that.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Martin Yeung named to National Dem Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2009

Rapid City businessman named to DNC presidential primary reform board

RAPID CITY – Business consultant Martin Yeung of Rapid City will represent upper Midwestern states on the 37-member commission that will recommend changes to the Democratic Party’s rules for the 2012 presidential nominating and delegate selection process.

Governor Tim Kaine, D-Va., who also serves as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee, appointed Yeung to the Democratic Change Commission, which will be co-chaired by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

“This commission will focus on reform that improves the presidential nominating process to put voters first and ensure that as many people as possible can participate,” Kaine said in a DNC media statement.

Kaine said he hopes the commission will be able to work with its counterpart in the Republican National Committee to make the delegate selection process and nominating process more accessible to voters.

Cheryl Chapman, the South Dakota Democratic Party interim chair, said Yeung has significant experience in working with grassroots voter programs as well as national politics, including an assignment to work in the White House during President Bill Clinton’s tenure and as a special assistant on a congressional staff. Yeung manages Yeung, Inc., of Rapid City which operates two restaurants. He was a delegate last year to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

“Martin Yeung is a tremendously talented young man who has a wealth of experience in grassroots organizing as well as in federal government issues and business,” Chapman said. “He’s ideally suited to express the wishes of voters to reform the presidential primary and delegate selection process and make it more fair and accessible to voters.”

Yeung said he didn’t expect to be named to the commission, which includes elected officials, academics, state party leaders, labor, business and other leaders.

“This is a challenge and a great honor to have been chosen to serve on such august commission,” Yeung said. “The presidential primary process has needed to evolve for a long time. South Dakota should have its voice heard and voters should feel like their vote is valued. I look at it as an opportunity to reform primary elections so that voters in both major political parties will benefit.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

[PenDems (139)] PenDems and C&C! (Thurs/Fri!)

UPDATE: Sign up for Champagne and Chocolates on Facebook!

Pendemorandum

Thu March 26 PenDem Meeting
(**Meeting location updated**)
6 pm. **Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St**
The Numbers Game: Looking Back
How many new Democratic voters registered in Pennington
County? Did they vote in November? How?
Join us for a panel discussion on the numbers, featuring
SDPR's "political junkie" and Hoghouse Blog writer
Denise Ross as moderator, and panelists Eric Abrahamson,
Jay Davis, Jeff Nelsen and Theresa Spry.

Fri, March 27, : C&C
Victory in 2010
Prairie Edge, 5 to 7 pm
You are invited to an evening of dessert and politics with
Democratic Senate Caucus leader Scott Heidepriem.
Our annual Champagne and Chocolates event will feature
the path forward to 2010. The evening features dessert,
beverages and information on Organizing for America,
President Obama's national policy campaign, and on the
grassroots strategy for the South Dakota Democratic Party's
path to the governor's mansion.
Admission: Donation, $15, $10 Students/Seniors,
Or simply sign up for Ten for 2010!
See the flyer: http://qurl.com/cz2ph

PenDem Elections coming up in April
Pennington County Democrats will elect chair, vice chair,
secretary, treasurer, state committee man and woman at
the monthly meeting in April. If you are interested in running
for any of these executive board slots or want to serve as a
precinct man or woman, come to the March meeting or contact
any E-board member [link to our email]. The meeting is set for
Thursday April 23. Chair, Vice Chair, Committeemen,
Committeewomen, and Legislative District Chairs will be
eligible to vote in the special state election April 25 during
SDDP's McGovern Day meeting and event in Aberdeen.
Pennington County Democratic Party Chair (and
Acting State Chair) Cheryl Chapman will be a candidate
for the top spot in the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Ten a Month for 2010 continues
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can
join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month
will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010

Saturday, March 21, 2009

[PenDems (137)] PenDems and C&C next week!

Pendemorandum

Thu March 26 PenDem Meeting
6 pm. Labor Temple, 922 E St Patrick St
The Numbers Game: Looking Back
How many new Democratic voters registered in Pennington County? Did they vote in November? How? Join us for a panel discussion on the numbers, featuring SDPR's "political junkie" and Hoghouse Blog writer Denise Ross as moderator, and panelists Eric Abrahamson, Jay Davis, Jeff Nelsen and Theresa Spry.

Fri, March 27, : C&C
Victory in 2010
Prairie Edge, 5 to 7 pm
You are invited to an evening of dessert and politics with Democratic Senate Caucus leader Scott Heidepriem. Our annual Champagne and Chocolates event will feature the path forward to 2010. The evening features dessert, beverages and information on Organizing for America, President Obama's national policy campaign, and on the grassroots strategy for the South Dakota Democratic Party's path to the governor's mansion.
Admission: Donation, $15, $10 Students/Seniors, Or simply sign up for Ten for 2010!
See the flyer: http://qurl.com/cz2ph

PenDem Elections coming up in April
Pennington County Democrats will elect chair, vice chair,
secretary, treasurer, state committee man and woman at the monthly meeting in April. If you are interested in running for any of these executive board slots or want to serve as a precinct man or woman, come to the March meeting or contact any E-board member [link to our email]. The meeting is set for Thursday April 23. Chair, Vice Chair, Committeemen, Committeewomen, and Legislative District Chairs will be eligible to vote in the special state election April 25 during SDDP's McGovern Day meeting and event in Aberdeen. Pennington County Democratic Party Chair (and Acting State Chair) Cheryl Chapman will be a candidate for the top spot in the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Ten a Month for 2010 continues
You can still get on board, and we need you -- you can join at any level, but just $10 (a few lattes worth) a month will help grow the Democratic Party in the Black Hills!
http://www.actblue.com/page/pendems2010

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.

Champagne and Chocolates!

Click for a printable flyer