ISLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATS: March 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, particularly as we enter an election year.
Message from ICD Chair, Joseph Busig
P.C.O. Information
This message is somewhat of a read, but resourceful if you’re interested in becoming a P.C.O. Below you’ll find what a P.C.O. does, how to become one, and how to get involved. As Filing Week approaches it’s important we have a strong base of P.C.O.s, Members, and volunteers to ensure an engaged organization and successful election cycle for our endorsed candidates. Your local party needs you!
A Precinct Committee Officer (P.C.O.) represents the party constituency of a precinct. Meaning that you represent the Democrats, and Democratic voters, of your precinct and neighborhood in the Local Party Organizations (L.P.O.) within your congressional, legislative, and county boundaries. When you are a P.C.O. for Island County, you are automatically a Member of the Island County Democratic Central Committee (I.C.D.C.C.) and 10th Legislative District Democrats as defined in their respective bylaws.
An Elected P.C.O. is someone who files to be the P.C.O. for their precinct during Filing Week through the Washington Secretary of State’s Office. The term is every two years. There are two main statutory duties given to an Elected P.C.O. These are replacing an elected official of the same party due to a vacancy and participating in the L.P.O. Reorganization Meetings which cover amending bylaws as well as electing new Executive Board Officers. As an Elected P.C.O., you are important to the success of your L.P.O. Attending monthly and quarterly meetings, serving on committees, introducing resolutions, shaping local and state party platforms, getting out the vote (G.O.T.V.) efforts, endorsing candidates, volunteering for endorsed candidates, volunteering for party events, canvassing your neighborhood, advocating for local/state/national Democratic values, community outreach, and educating voters are just some of the things you can do and help with!
In 2022, Filing Week will be from May 16th to May 20th. Filing closes sharply at 4:00 P.M on May 20th, so make sure to file as soon as possible. There is no filing fee to pay when filing as an Elected P.C.O. If you want to be an Elected P.C.O., the easiest way to file is online. However, you can file at the Island County Elections Office which is located on 400 N. Main St. Coupeville, WA and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. After filing, and if you are the only P.C.O. who has filed as a Democrat in your precinct, you will receive an email confirmation and letter from either the Secretary of State’s Office, the Island County Elections Department, or the Island County Auditor’s Office certifying your status as an Elected P.C.O. If it is a contested P.C.O. race, meaning two or more people have filed in the precinct, your name will appear on the ballot in the August Primary Election where voters will decide who their P.C.O. will be. The state party requires that P.C.O.s on the ballot receive at least 10% of the highest vote total for a Democrat in the precinct. Your term will begin December 1st of the same year.
If your precinct is vacant after Filing Week, appointments will be made by the I.C.D.C.C. Chair at their discretion. An Appointed P.C.O. is recognized by statute as someone appointed by the county or legislative district L.P.O. chair to fill the vacancy due to resignation of an Elected P.C.O. or if no candidate ran for the position and the precinct was made vacant. Appointed P.C.O.s are granted Membership within I.C.D.C.C. and the 10th L.D. Democrats. However, they are not granted the aforementioned statutory powers Elected P.C.O.s are given.
If you are currently an Appointed P.C.O., please consider filing as an Elected P.C.O.! If you are currently an Elected P.C.O., please consider refiling! If your precinct is currently vacant and you are interested, please reach out so we can talk about filing! If you know that you will not seek reappointment or are an Elected P.C.O. who is not seeking reelection, please let me know. It is crucial that we fill vacant spots to ensure local Democratic success, especially before Filing Week.
Here are some resources to do some supplemental research:
WA Secretary of State Candidate Filing
WA Secretary of State P.C.O. Elections
WA State Democrats 2018 P.C.O. Handbook
Island County Elections Department
I appreciate you taking the time to read this long message! Please reach out if you are interested in filing to become an Elected P.C.O. Stay safe and stay well!
Respectfully,
Joseph J. Busig
Chair, ICDCC‘
News from ICD
Labor News
Unionization has increased notably in the last few years, especially among those aged 25-32. In Skagit County, farmworkers are showing their power through organizing at Roozengaarde, a part of the Washington Bulb Company, in Mount Vernon, WA. Farmworkers are fighting for better working conditions, wages, health protocols, and dignity. At their March 22 strike over 70 workers showed up. Alongside workers were members of the community and people from around the state joining the picket line.
Across the nation, Starbucks workers have made history in a unionization surge. Starting in Buffalo, New York workers were empowered by Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and inspired by action from local SEIU members. Since their successful unionization there have been eight other unionized stores. One of the eight unionized stores nationwide is located right in Seattle within the district of Interim-CEO Howard Scultz. In addition, filings for union elections with the NLRB have surged to over 150 stores across the country including some in Washington. Starbucks Workers United has led a successful mobilization effort, and have proved unions can be won, despite constant anti-unionization suppression from the Starbucks Coffee Company.
Overall, our support of labor unions must never waiver. We are in a time of increased unionization, the likes of which we haven’t seen in several decades. It is especially energizing to see the largest unionizing group is among those aged 25-32. These are wins for working-class people and the broader struggle for economic and labor justice. We know that worker led unions are what guarantees living wages, more safe working conditions, benefits, opportunity, and dignity. I stand in solidarity with those seeking to unionize across Washington and the entire nation. I am eager for the labor movement to be brought more locally, and I am hopeful for Island County to grow its union strength.
Signed,
Joseph J. Busig
Chair, ICDCC
Article Links:
KING5 — Tulip Farm Workers Go On Strike One Week Before Popular Mount Vernon Festival
Jacobin — How the Starbucks Worker Organizing Model Can Accelerate Unionization Across the Country
Whole Washington News
Whole Washington has begun to collect signatures, and needs your help! Consider volunteering to help collect signatures or donate to help Whole Washington purchase needed resources. Every dollar and every signature counts. Let’s get universal healthcare on the ballot this election! Then, let’s make history as the first state to pass universal healthcare in the country!
[Ed. Note: volunteer and donation links omitted]
Next E-Board meeting
Next ICD E-Board meeting is Thursday April 7 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Contact Chair, Joseph Busig for an invite icdchair@gmail.com.
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
“Everybody needs beauty…places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”― John Muir
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans came together to recognize the importance of clean air and clean water. Earth Day was founded. Today, we recognize the interconnectedness between the well-being of our water, land and air is intrinsically tied to the well-being of people. We recognize the interconnectedness between nature, the creatures that inhabit our forest, fields, rivers, oceans, and sky are critical for all. Francis Bacon, a philosopher of the 1600’s is attributed with the idea that man has dominion over nature. What we know today is that man and nature are deeply connected. Dominion as a notion of control has been superseded by an understanding of stewardship.
I invite you to join me on April 14 at my annual Earth Month Town Hall where we will celebrate and learn about how we partner together to protect our air, land, and water. We will be joined by guests from Northwest Clean Air Agency, WSU Extension and Island County Marine Resources Committee. Join us online April 14, 3:30 pm for a Virtual Earth Day Town Hall.
As a board member of the Ecosystem Coordination Board and Salmon Recovery Council, I also invite you to learn more about Puget Sound Partnership and our work to protect and restore our Salish Sea. Enjoy this presentation on the State of the Sound and join me to protect our precious Puget Sound:
Report: https://stateofthesound.wa.gov/
Let’s celebrate Earth Day with the intention to protect our islands for future generations.
Janet St. Clair, Island County Commissioner District 3
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Friends,
Here’s a quick update on my work to support ferry commuters and our community.
The Clinton/Mukilteo route is up next for full restoration of two-boat service. I recently had ferry officials visit the route with me to discuss the ferry restoration plan and thank ferry employees for their service.
This session, I’ve worked directly with the Washington State Department of Transportation and with the Ferry Caucus to find innovative solutions to the challenges our ferry service faces. Our ferry system has been underfunded for decades, and I pushed hard for the state’s transportation budget to fully fund our ferry system.
Like other agencies, our ferry system has seen a wave of retirements over the last two years—with many more employees eligible to retire soon. I’m pleased to report that the legislature provided significant funding for workforce development, recruitment, and retention of ferry staff.
The legislature invested a historic $1.1 billion in the building of four new vessels, ferry preservation and support, and ferry operating account support. The budget also includes funds to convert existing ferries to hybrid-electric vessels. These are the kinds of investments our ferry system needs in order to build back our fleet to 25 vessels.
We need your help! We are still looking for volunteers for a variety of Team Dave activities, as well as folks who are willing to host house parties. [Ed. Note: contact and donation links omitted]
As always, it’s an honor to serve you,
Dave
News from the State Party
When democrats win – We ALL win! This week was the 12th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which (among several life-changing, life-saving changes) lowered health care costs for millions and made it easier for Americans with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. Since then, President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan has built on the success of the ACA.
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan building on the success of the ACA, 239,000 people in Washington who get insurance through the marketplaces established by the ACA are now seeing reduced health care costs – no thanks to every single Republican member of our Washington State Congressional delegation, who unanimously voted against the American Rescue Plan.
Now is the time to unite and support our Democratic Candidates every race – in every place to keep our momentum going!
Thanks for all you do!
– Fe Mischo and Albert Ondo, your Island County SCMs.
Message from ICD Vice-chair, Matthew Colston
To the Membership of the Island County Democratic Party,
I am somberly announcing my resignation from the Island County Democratic Party as the 2nd Vice Chair. This is due to a great and many changes upcoming in my life. Firstly, I have finished my capstone project for my Master’s of Natural Resources at Oregon State University and have earned my degree. Secondly, I have left my position at Island County to begin a new career at the state level. Finally, I am going to move from Island County within this election year. That all being said, I wanted to ensure that the party had an opportunity before election season to ensure functionality. I will serve as a PCO until I move.
In my tenure we have had successful local elections with most of our endorsed candidates elected. We have a strong labor committee and my co-chair Suzanne Turner is working with our local unions and regional level organizations. After scouting, there is potential for the party to headquarter itself in Coupeville, the county seat. We have made the website more accessible for new users. We have recruited more PCOs from a more diverse pool than ever before including those of the proletariat. However, there is so much more to be done and it must be done with someone who is committed to this party as an ideal, not just an organization.
At times I have been frustrated with the inner workings of the political infrastructure here in Island County, the State of Washington, and the United States writ large and have often found myself disenchanted with the politics of our capitalist society. I have, however, never served alongside such dedicated comrades. Joseph Busig, a true comrade, alone is an inspiration and an organization like ours is lucky to have someone as dedicated and with as much vision as he. The Executive Board of this party is made up of some of the best and most committed people you will find and I want to thank them for the honor to serve with them. I want to thank you all for the pleasure to serve you as your 2nd Vice Chair.
As a socialist and a card carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, I believe in true democracy, the ability for the masses to have a say not only through the ballot box, but also in the control of the means of production, and in decisions made in foreign policy. As the human built world is consumed by the climate crisis, a global pandemic ravages the lands, and our nation teeters on the brink of a nuclear conflict, I encourage all of you to take a second to talk to your neighbors. That’s how I approached being a PCO when I started in 2019. Politics are not just about some high flying rhetoric and concepts. It’s about material interest, it’s about building your communities ability to be resilient. I often might seem like a pessimist but I truly believe in us, in the ability for great kindness and the capacity for us all to do what is right. I refuse to believe that hominids evolved on this planet for a couple of million years just to render the planet sterile over petty ideals of 3rd quarter returns or imaginary lines in the dirt. For all of our sakes and for all of those born and unborn, I hope I am right.
In Solidarity,
Matthew Colston
ICD | Fmr. 2nd Vice Chair
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
[Ed. Note: donation information omitted.]
