ISLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATS: April 2022 Newsletter
The Island County Democrats publish a monthly newsletter, which we are posting here. We believe that the statements made by the leadership of each party is of general public interest.
Message from ICD Chair, Joseph Busig
Respectfully,
Joseph J. Busig
Chair, ICDCC
[Ed. Note: this section of the newsletter was blank, except for Mr. Busig’s closing.]
News from ICD
Upcoming Events
ICD E-Board Meeting
When ~ Thu, May 5, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where ~ via Zoom
Contact Chair, Joseph Busig for an invite icdchair@gmail.com.
10th LD Democrats Meeting
When ~ Sat, May 21, 10am – 12pm
For more information, contact chair@10thLDDemocrats.org.
Holland Happening Parade and Festival
April 29 – May 1
Oak Harbor
ICD E-Board Meeting
When ~ Thu, June 2, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Where ~ via Zoom
Contact Chair, Joseph Busig for an invite icdchair@gmail.com.
CONVENTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 25 @ 9AM
The Washington State Democratic Convention will be both online and in-person. Attendees will have to declare which they prefer in April.
Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26 = WA State Dems Convention weekend!
While the actual convention is Saturday (and that’s when attendees must attend), there are optional events—like trainings and issue-centered Caucuses—on Friday, and Committee Members likely meet Sunday.
Stay safe out there and let’s go get Democrats elected.
For more information, contact chair@10thLDDemocrats.org.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
I have always loved public service and policy work. After 30 years as a social worker, I learned that there is nothing more satisfying than helping people to access the help they need to thrive or building resilient and healthy communities. I also learned that to achieve these goals, it is important to move upstream of individual challenges and build strong policies that serve the best interests of people. As a County Commissioner, I’ve learned that work is still important. Whether I am problem solving with staff to help community members or working on public policy to strengthen and protect our islands, I work hard to stay focused on the goals of strong and efficient government services that serve people first. My work continues to focus on protecting healthcare access on our islands as I partner to connect Whidbey Health to resources to survive this crisis, identify strategies to strengthen their organization and assure critical access to care. Our Broadband Action Team is preparing to pursue yet another round of grants to expand internet access and reliability. Finally, the work to protect the environmental assets of our county is critical. But to continue to do that important work, I have another big job…get re-elected to serve you another four years. And I need your help. I hope you can join us.
- On April 30, at 10 am I would love to have you join us with a furry friend (dog, not person) for the Oak Harbor Holland Happening Parade. We will be #22 in line and have matching scarves for dogs/people.
- Ping me if you want to join any of our house party events happening on both islands.
- Meet us on May 16 to celebrate “Filing Week” when I officially file to continue to be your County Commissioner. That event will be at Coupeville Rec Hall at 4:30 pm.
- We have many volunteer opportunities so please go to our website at www.janetstclair.com or email me at stclair4islandcounty@gmail.com.
Campaigns are won with strong teams. Let’s work together so I can keep working to serve you!
Janet St. Clair, Island County Commissioner
Elect Janet St Clair | Facebook
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Friends,
We’ve had a great couple of weeks on both the legislative and campaign side. I’m excited to share some updates.
In 2019, I helped advocate for $1,000,000 to be invested in historic preservation projects inside Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Due to the pandemic, there had not yet been a public celebration of the 12 historic preservation grant recipients. On April 21, my team and I toured Coupeville with building owners and other elected officials to view the vital work of this preservation investment.
The campaign is also in full swing. We are knocking on doors six days a week, and Beth is looking for doorbelling buddies. Email beth@votedavepaul.com to join us for this vital community engagement work!
We will also be walking in the Holland Happening Parade on April 30th. We’re number 48 in line, come walk with us to get a free Dave Paul t-shirt. Email Beth (beth@votedavepaul.com) to RSVP—and tell her your T-shirt size.
We have some exciting fundraisers coming up as well, check out our website (www.votedavepaul.com) for more information.
Message from 2nd CD Congressman Rick Larsen
I am proud to serve the people of Northwest Washington and to represent your voice in Congress. Being your representative is the honor of a lifetime. And as a dad of two boys who represent the fifth generation of Larsens to call this region home, I take the future of this community as personally as you do.
Our region is special, and so are our neighbors. I am inspired by the strength and resilience of the workers, families, students, and small business owners across Northwest Washington. It is what motivates me to work hard on your behalf each and every day.
And as I launch my re-election effort, I will work just as hard to earn every vote and continue our fight for what’s right in the other Washington.
Because we must keep fighting for an economy that works for everyone. We must keep fighting to end the dominance of big money in our political process. And, now more than ever, we must keep fighting for federal legislation that protects a woman’s right to choose.
Just as we cannot let up this fight, this fight will not be won with my voice alone. It will only be won with your voice and the voice of your neighbors joining together in a chorus. And that’s what our people-powered campaign is all about.
Our campaign kicks off on Monday, May 2, at Dancing Fish Vineyards 1953 Newman Road, Freeland, WA 98249. Will you join us?
RSVP now by emailing delaney@ricklarsen.org and add your voice to the chorus.
Rick
News from the Washington State Democratic Party
The sad return of 1970s-style Anti-LGBTQ Propaganda
You’ve probably seen stories about the growing anti-LGBTQ movement among conservatives this year. Some of this is legislative, like the “don’t say gay” bill in Florida that has been widely condemned for depriving LGBTQ students [who are likelier to need support and encouragement than most] of the chance to have their identities discussed or even alluded to in a positive, affirming manner by trusted classroom teachers, or the anti-trans legislation in Texas that directly attacks transgender young people and their families.
Besides the legislation, there’s also a broader cultural argument they’re making. People like conservative activist Chris Rufo are now arguing that we need to “cancel Disney” for being insufficiently anti-LGBTQ. The ultra-conservative Family Policy Institute here in Washington, run by former GOP Sen. Mark Miloscia, which seeks to ban abortion and same-sex marriage, sent out an email blast earlier this week with the subject line “If you don’t raise your kids, Disney will.” The email warned “Disney is attempting to convince our children that sex should be talked about without parental consent and that devious sexualities are okay to be explored.”
What these bills and cultural arguments are implying is the same sort of stuff that anti-gay activists like Anita Bryant were saying in the 1970s. They want people to think that LGBTQ individuals are dangerous to children and corrupting our society. Bryant explicitly campaigned for it to be illegal for gay people to be teachers. Republicans today cover their intentions a little bit more because they know that being too overtly homophobic would backfire on them, but bills like the one in Florida making it all but impossible for an LGBTQ teacher or school employee to be out have effectively the same underlying goal.
Republicans are setting up the Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell decision so that they can end nationwide, legalized same-sex marriage. Obviously here in Washington, same-sex marriage was passed by the legislature and supported by voters in 2012, but an Obergefell repeal would be catastrophic nationally.
We need to be clear-eyed about what Republicans are up to. Just as “critical race theory” was a scheme to undermine trust in public schools and to prevent teachers from being able to teach the truth about America’s history, this seems to be a plan to force LGBTQ people back into the closet in public life. We need to make sure this overreach works against them. We need to have the backs of our LGBTQ friends, family, neighbors, and to make it clear what the Republicans are trying to do.
Voters don’t want to fire teachers for being gay or to end same-sex marriage, so let’s let folks know that. Let’s not be caught unawares about what conservative legislators in states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona are pushing. The stakes are too high for anything less.
– From your WSDCC Members, Fe Mischo and Albert Ondo
Message from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Last week, a BBC article was published that discussed a scientist that mapped coral reefs to find reef species that would be most resilient to climate change. A non-profit, The Nature Conservancy, funded the research to find these resilient coral species. Particularly interesting is the idea of weeding out organisms for resiliency rather than either changing things to make sure as many species survive; the idea that the more biodiversity the more resilient our eco-systems as a whole become.
This article appears to show that, in many ways, organizations, governments, and powerful individuals may not be asking about systemic changes or preventative measures that can be made to stop and reverse the fatal effects of climate change. In places like Palestine, Ukraine, and Somalia, a government that is currently in a legal dispute with a U.S. company over the company’s claims on oil scouting rights, we see the impact of global apparatuses, militarism, demands for fossil fuels, and also, opportunities for systemic change. When it comes to climate change, we are all dependent on this change or unfortunately we will all suffer a great loss much like (and including) the diverse range of coral species, for example.
It is important to continue to ask, in what ways can we avoid having to weed out and live in scarcity? How can we reverse and recover from the impacts of human behavior on the very ecosystem we belong to? And finally, in what ways can systems be shifted and changed to avoid massive loss, avoid worldwide grief?
May 5th at 6:30 PM the DEI committee will be hosting an educational summit about mental health in Island County and the State, how mental health legislation can be improved in this state, and what accomplishments have been made in the current mental health system. We are happy to announce panelists from the Washington State Senate, Washington State Representatives, community organizations, and Island County behavioral health. We look forward to being with you then!
The meeting is via Zoom Webinar. To register contact Rachel Colston at rachcolston@gmail.com
The ICD DEI Committee
Other News
Join the National Women’s Political Caucus of WA for Movers and Shakers 2022!
The NWPC of Washington brings together current elected officials, candidates (and aspiring candidates), consultants, campaign managers, politicos, new and long-time organizers, allies, business leaders, and lobbyists for drinks, appetizers, connection, and conversation.
We’ll inspire, motivate, and showcase the sheer number of women across Washington making an impact in every area of politics, business, and nonprofits.
Sponsor proceeds and donations directly support women candidates running in the 2022 election cycle.
Event details:
What: Movers and Shakers 2022!
When: Saturday, April 30 @ 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Washington Athletic Club | 1325 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Appetizers, drinks, and desserts will be served.
COVID-19 Requirements & FAQs
*We will follow all CDC guidelines and mandate ALL health recommendations.
All guests must be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test to attend. Vaccine cards and tests with IDs will be checked at entry. We also ask that all guests take a rapid Covid-19 test before attending and remain home if positive or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
Interested in sponsoring this amazing event?
Contact NWPC-WA President Olgy Diaz, Immediate Past President Emily Wicks, or just click the link below!
[Ed. Note: Sponsorship link omitted]
Cheers to a women-powered ’22!
Please share with your network of strong, female electeds, candidates or potential candidates!
Hope to see you there!
– Jessica Wadhams & Robin McGee
NWPC-WA Training Committee Co-Chairs
Donate
Your generous contributions will directly help ICD:
- Host local community education and information events
- Coordinate local Democratic Party volunteers activities
- Train and inspire PCOs to action
- Provide tools, materials and space for local Democratic Party planning and organizing
For the biggest bang for your buck, mail your checks to:
[Ed. Note: donation information omitted]
