Page County Democratic Committee

Meeting Cancelled!

Since many people will be out of town or busy with family and friends this coming holiday, our committee meeting for July is cancelled. Please note we will have our next committee meeting on August 1 at 7:00. I don’t have a location yet but will get additional information out the closer we get to August.

Coffee and Conversation:

This Wednesday June 30 I will be having a coffee and conversation meeting at 1:00 at Main Street Bakery. Bring your ideas and your smile. If this time frame doesn’t work for you and you would like to get together, call me at 540-272-4264 and we can arrange an additional meeting to make sure we meet if you want to.

Volunteers Needed!

We’ve held several events this year and I want to say many many thanks for those who have donated so much time and effort to make our committee work. As much as I love seeing everyone I want to see more of you. Your committee needs you to help with working the concession stand at the Wranglers game on July 17, the County Fair, and elections. Please contact me.

Shenandoah County Democrats:

We have enjoyed strong support from our neighboring counties, by working together on common issues and by socializing together at events brings us closer together as Democrats in the Valley. Terry McAuliffe will be the guest speaker at the picnic. Join me as I go ‘over the the mountain’ to Woodstock to enjoy the friendship of fellow Democrats.

Come out and enjoy our traditional pot luck Annual Picnic. New residents, visitors, friends, and guests are welcome.

Saturday, July 17, 5:00 pm
Edinburg Town Park, large shelter on left just before swimming pool

The Town Park is behind the old red brick school building. From Stoney Creek
Boulevard, take Picadilly Street and Town Park Avenue.

Bring a covered dish – entree, salad, or dessert.
The Democratic Women’s Club provides bread, drinks, and table decorations.
Please bring lawn chairs in case the crowd fills up the Picnic Shelter.

Terry McAuliffe will be our featured speaker. Terry is a top national Democrat fundraiser, political consultant, and a successful businessman. He served as Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2001-2005.

Other speakers are Dave Mills, Executive Director of the Virginia Democratic Party, and Bruce Elder, Staunton, Virginia Councilman. We will also have a 50-50 drawing, and at the end of the picnic we take a group picture.

We all have a good time. Join us. All welcome.

Please come to our annual GIANT yard sale!

Date: Saturday, June 5

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: VFW Post 621; Rte 211 East

Household good including small appliances and small furniture. Holiday decorations. Pottery and glassware. Toys, puzzles, games and play equipment. Linens and fabrics. Frames and Pictures. Jewelry and accessories (hats, purses, belts, scarves). Books, videotapes, CD’s, DVD’s. Outdoor and garden. Sports equipment. Electronics, cameras. Hardware and tools.

We will pick up donations. For information and pick-up of items to be donated call Bill King (540) 743-1066

Senator Jim Webb ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006 on a platform of “Jacksonian Democracy,” committing to restore a basic level of fairness to the American people.

Since taking office, his steadfast commitment to this goal has not gone unnoticed.

Last week, Senator Webb was invited to visit Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, and received the “2010 Andrew Jackson Presidential Award for Citizenship and Leadership. The recognition honors national leaders who embody the legacy of Andrew Jackson by demonstrating a “dedication to the furtherance of our American democracy and to sound governance principles.”

Below is an excerpt from Senator Webb’s speech:

In terms of accomplishing change in America, there is no political leader in our history whom I admire more than Andrew Jackson.
When I think about Andrew Jackson, I am struck by the unique impact that he had on this country. His presidency was the first that did not come out of the landed English aristocracy in the South or the English American elite in New England. He was the first Scots-Irish president, the first “bottom-up” president, and he faced enormous challenges inside the existing political structure. Thomas Jefferson said he was a dangerous man, unfit to be president. John Quincy Adams called him a barbarian. When it is said that he changed the face of American politics, he really did.

This was an individual who sincerely and fiercely cared and believed in protecting the working people—the people who carried the load of society. He was forced to confront the powers that threatened the very fabric of our society. I think about his accomplishments and the way he faced these issues when I face similar issues in the U.S. Senate today.
He prevented the creation of a permanent aristocracy in this country. He knew how to govern. He knew how to lead. He knew how to make decisions. And, people knew he meant what he said.

Legislation creating the Second National Bank came before him that would have allowed a permanent aristocracy, accountable to governmental force. An overwhelming majority of Congress and the press agreed that this legislation should go through.

Andrew Jackson knew that if he vetoed this legislation, they were going to try to veto him. But he did.

Scholars agree that this was the most important presidential veto in American history. Pulitzer prize winning historian Vernon Louis Parrington called it the most courageous political act in American history.

In his veto message, Jackson said:

“Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth cannot be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every person is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society-the farmers, mechanics, and laborers-who have neither the time nor the means of securing favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.”

The truth of that statement resounds today in numerous pieces of legislation we face in the United States Congress. The courage that it took to confront the forces of entrenched interests in order to challenge the conscience of all Americans also exists today. That is my duty. I continue in that tradition. That is the reason that I so respect this great leader. And, it is also the reason I am so grateful to receive this award.

Webb for Senate
www.webbforsenate.com

This is the video I mentioned at the meeting last night. Don’t forget to scroll down for information about the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on April 29!

The Page County Democratic Committee Premiere Event of the Year

WHERE:   Stanley Fire Hall, Stanley, Virginia

WHEN:      April 29, 2010

TIME:        6:30 pm

COST:        $20.00/person*

Keynote Speaker: Ben ‘Cooter’ Jones

Ben Jones is an actor, writer, musician, businessman, and political pundit who lives on a farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage productions. Ben is well-known for his role as ‘Cooter’ on the international hit show The Dukes of Hazzard, and for the two terms he has served as congressman in the United States Congress.

Guest Speaker: Kai Degner, Mayor, Harrisonburg, Va

Kai Degner currently serves as mayor in the City of Harrisonburg, after having been elected in a Democratic sweep of three City Council seats in 2008.  He is a champion of open government, sustainability, and citizen involvement.  He has a Masters in Business Administration and an undergraduate science and technology degree from James Madison University.

 Live Auction:

We will have a live auction to end the evening, our auctioneer is none other than Kenneth Plum, from Shenandoah. Ken Plum is currently a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 36th District (a large part of Fairfax County which includes the town of Reston). He was selected as chair of the House caucus on January, 14, 2009, and previously chaired the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Join Lauren Gilbert at the Young Democrats table

Young Democrats are vital to the growth of our Committee. Lauren Gilbert, of Alexandria, Virginia, will graduate this spring from James Madison University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Political Communications. While at JMU, Lauren served as the President the JMU College Democrats, as well College Caucus Chair of Virginia Young Democrats.

Veterans Table

Page County is home to many veterans, we honor your service and have set a place for you at our table.  Please join us.

* For tickets contact Tom Ford at 540-272-4264.
A limited number of complimentary seats are available for young Democrats.