March 2006	The Addison Democrat Newsletter of the Addison Township Democrats
Newsletter Date                                                                                                          Volume 1, Number 1
March 15 7:30 PM DuPage Democratic Headquarters 1000-6 North Ave Rohlwing Rd. and North Ave. In This Issue Notes from the Chairman March Meeting Reminder: Early Voting ATDO Endorses Joe Vosicky In the Running February Meeting Minutes · an Effective · An Article for This Template Upcoming Meeting:	Notes from the Chairman A very special THANK YOU to Robert Peickert and the breakfast committee for a job well done. Never before have I seen so many Democrats under one roof talking to all of the candidates, enjoying a great breakfast and just good fellowship. Bravo, Bravo. Legislative Breakfast Highlights The registration committee was all set and ready to go at 8:15.  At 9:00 we welcomed the Guests and Democratic Candidates, followed by an invocation from Rev. Gene Birmingham and pledge of Allegiance by Jay Zito, USMC. A very fine breakfast was served with plenty to eat.  Sharing with us at this event were, candidates for Governor, 6^th Congressional District,  State Representative, and DuPage County Board.  All candidates gave fine presentations, with questions and answers. Mary and Julie Cudden, our Publicity team, did an outstanding job with the news media, press releases and contacts.  Addison Television televised and recorded the entire morning affair.  It is being televised on channel 6, the Addison Scene.  The Addison Village Hall electronic signboard carried our ad for the last 6 weeks.  Hundreds of people traveling east and west on Lake Street each day could view this sign and can now spell Democrat.  This event moved the Addison Township Democratic Organization out of the shadows, and right out on Main Street. Let’s all join together and maintain the momentum that is building within the Democratic Party.  Be sure to vote, and vote early Again thanks to Bob and Pat Peickert, Mary and Julie Cudden, Jim and Barbara Allamian, Angelo Chrysogelos, Steve Nelms, Gene Birmingham, and Joe Vosicky. A great job, by a great team Recruitment:  April will be recruitment month for new precinct committeemen. All precinct committeemen terms expire on March 21^st.  Newly elected precinct committeemen will assume office on the 22^nd of March.  All other precinct committeemen will have to be appointed to two-year terms.  We will have several precincts open, and need to fill these positions as soon as possible. We also need volunteers for a search committee.  Anyone willing to volunteer, or who would like to have more information on what is involved, please contact me at 630-832-1525 Art Remus, Chair March Meeting:  Edwin Eisendrath Featured Speaker Please join us at our regular monthly meeting on March 15, when our featured speaker will be Democratic gubernatorial candidate Edwin Eisendrath.  Mr. Eisendrath, a former Chicago alderman, former Federal housing official, and current college vice president launched his campaign in order to “restore honor, integrity and independence to the Statehouse”.  Running against an incumbent of your own party is decidedly an uphill battle.  Come and get an idea of what motivates this interesting candidate.  It should be a lively discussion.  Refreshments will be served. Reminder:  Early Voting We now have “Early Voting” in the State of Illinois. Early Voting for the March 21 primary election will be allowed from February 27^th through March 16^th. In Addison Township, our Early Voting location will be: Addison Township Office Gym 401 N. Addison Rd, Addison, IL The hours will be: M,W,TH,F 8:30 am – 4:00 p.m., TU 8:30 am – 7:00 p.m., SAT 9:00 am – 1:00 p.m. ATDO Endorses Joe Vosicky Joe Vosicky, Democratic candidate for State Representative – Illinois House District 46, was endorsed unanimously by the ATDO membership at the February meeting.  Joe Vosicky is an attorney, in general practice since 1981. He teaches at the John Marshall School of Law, and has served as an arbitrator in Cook and DuPage Counties. On the issues: · Joe cares about hands on education, and wants to see smaller class size, an increase in the amount of state funding, and a lower property tax burden for homeowners. · Joe promises to work toward a balanced state budget, with open and direct accountability. · Joe cares about decreasing the high costs of health care and the ridiculous costs of prescription medicine. · Joe wants good jobs for Illinois, with a variety of industries and businesses to keep our state strong.  He would provide incentives for small business start-ups, and reward companies that stay in Illinois. If you would like to work with us to get Joe Vosicky elected to the Illinois House, please call 630-629-1125, or send an e-mail to: vosickyjf@aol.com. In the Running:  Profiles of Potential Presidential Candidates A Woman for President? Will a woman run for President in 2008?  According to The White House Project, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that advances women’s political leadership, it’s 99% certain.  Recently, Parade Magazine profiled eight of the most intriguing Presidential prospects, both Democrat and Republican: Hillary Rodham Clinton, 58 – Democrat, Senator, New York The former First Lady is running for her second Senate term this year.  She has already made a mark, focusing on defense issues (Armed Services Committee), homeland security, education and labor, and gets high marks for being engaged in all aspects of the Senate.  Mrs. Clinton has reached out to Republicans to cosponsor bills and share issues, but has a reputation as a staunch partisan behind closed doors.  She recently delivered a stinging criticism of the Bush Administration’s handling of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Susan Collins, 53 -- Republican, Senator, Maine Collins has been focused on homeland security, especially intelligence reorganization.  She has worked to overhaul the campaign-finance system, believing that a lack of funds is a huge obstacle for anyone trying to enter and change politics.  She also favors going after fraudulent corporate accounting schemes.  Collins is a known for her independence, straight talk and willingness to cross party lines.  She got her start working for former Sen. William Cohen (R., Maine). Shirley Franklin, 60 – Democrat, mayor Atlanta, GA In city government since 1978, Franklin was elected mayor in 2001.  Upon taking office, she faced an $82 million budget deficit and a crumbling sewer system that would have cost $20,000 in fines each day.  She tackled both, dubbing herself the     “sewer mayor” to get residents focused on the city’s failing infrastructure.  Along the way, she has largely undone the massive corruption of Atlanta’s government.  Franklin has been on lists of the world’s best mayors and has won praise from all quarters, including the business community, and community organizations. Kay Bailey Hutchison, 62 – Republican, Senator, Texas Hutchison received more than 4 million votes in 2000 and is up for re-election this year.  She has said she may be interested in running for President someday.  Hutchison has been a staunch advocate of ending the federal tax penalties on married couples and has sought financial protection for homemakers.  A leading voice on airport security, she pushed through reforms, but they had not yet been implemented by 9/11.  She’s a hawk on foreign policy and a proponent of space exploration. Janet Napolitano, 48 – Democrat, Governor, Arizona Napolitano, running for a second term this year, has faced budget crises, an influx of illegal immigrants and a prison hostage crisis.  (She negotiated, ignoring advice to storm the prison.)  A former attorney general with a no-nonsense reputation, this breast cancer survivor has worked to curb frivolous malpractice suites and brokered compromises with the Republican legislature to pass her budgets.  She’s not a supporter of across-the-board tax cuts, but managed to increase state spending on education without raising taxes. Condoleeza Rice, 51 – U.S. Secretary of State The first black woman to become Secretary of State, Rice spent the ‘90s at Stanford University as a professor and administrator.  Now she has embarked on an ambitious plan to restructure America’s diplomatic corps and rebuild relationships frayed by the Iraq war.  Rice wields tremendous influence with President Bush – often spending weekends with him at Camp David – and has been his leading voice on Iran and North Korea.  She frequently is credited with the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive action, and her stern demeanor has led some to dub her “the warrior princess”.  First Lady Barbara Bush gave Rice’s possible Presidential candidacy an endorsement last month. Kathleen Sebelius, 57 – Democrat, Governor, Kansas A Democrat in traditionally Republican Kansas, Sebelius is up for re-election this year.  Her top-to-bottom review of government spending upon taking office in 2003 netted some significant savings.  She also worked with the GOP legislature to solve a difficult school funding issue (a judge’s ruling required the state to spend more on education) without tax increases.  Sebelius has been listed as one of the nation’s best governors. Olympia Snow, 58 – Republican, Senator, Maine Snowe is very popular in her state and respected by her Senate colleagues.  She’s fashioned herself as a leading budget hawk and someone who wants to change the tone of heated partisan rhetoric.  Snowe has fought for health funding and research, and she worked with members of both parties to provide better assistance and opportunities for poor mothers.  As chair of the Small Business Committee. She’s sought to remove federal red tape and make health insurance easier to access and more affordable. February Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order on February 15 at 7:30 P.M., Pledge of allegiance followed. Motion to reverse order of meeting, present candidates to speak first, then followed by business meeting Chair introduced Alexander Giannoulias Candidate, Democrat for Illinois State Treasurer.  As a banker he feels the State should use money to make money, also that the State Government is mismanaged. Candidates for 6^th Congressional District Tammy Duckworth, talked on Veterans Affairs, Health Care, need a plan in place to bring our troops home now, Lindy Scott, talked on security, finding common ground, schools overtaxed, Federal assistance/day care centers Christine Cegelis, talked about healthcare, environment, / technology, schools and college education. Candidate for County Board District 1 Robert Peickert talked about the campaign for County Board District 1 and plans For a fundraiser after the primary. Convene Business Meeting · Treasurer’s Report accepted MC · E-mail list growing, needs follow up · DuPage office needs someone to answer office phones · Chair commended Barbara on a fine newsletter · February 21^st last day to register voters · February 27^th first day of early voting, Addison Township will vote at 401 Addison Road, Addison, IL. · Chair entertained a motion that Addison Township Democratic Organization endorse Joe Vosicky for 46^th Illinois Legislative District, MC · Chair presented for consideration the idea of an award to be presented each year for all around activity, to be named the” Don Bernson Award” discussion, MC · Discussion on York St. Pat Dinner, · Bob Peickert made the motion that ATDO purchase a table MC · Bob Peickert reported on the Breakfast committee meeting, Angelo and Steve doing great with the Ad Book; looking at 150 people, expect a good turn out. · Chair commended Mary Cudden on reaching out to the News Media, and for the message on the Village electronic news sign. · Steve talked about his trip to Springfield, and the need to reach out to all of the unions Meeting adjourned at 9:05.                                                                                     Respectfully,                                                                                       Jan Remus
The Addison Democrat is edited by Barb Allamian. Please send news and story ideas to: barballamian@aol.com