Decatur Democrats to meet Feb. 11

The Decatur Township Democrat club will hold its February monthly meeting on the 11th. Dinner/social time is 5:45 p.m. with the meeting set to begin at 6:30. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz St.

There will be two speakers on the program. Beth White, Marion County Clerk, will address the club about the historic 2008 election season which will include three sets of elections. The second speaker will be candidate for the 7th District Congressional seat, Andre' Carson. Carson will talk about his plans for the 7th District when elected.

Also on the agenda will be a review of the Decatur Township Democrat Club Constitution and By-laws that were last updated in 1983. The club also will ask for volunteers to sit on committees and work with appointed committee chairs to further the club's mission. The club also invites candidates for the Feb. 16 slating convention to participate in candidate's time. Candidates: please keep your comments to two minutes or less.

Former City-County Council candidate Steve Terrell will serve the Mardi Gras-themed dinner. The even-numbered precincts are asked to supplement Terrell's legendary culinary skill with desserts, drinks, and other sides.

Dinner is free, and the club welcomes everyone. Dues are just $5.00 per year. You can also join our booster club for just $25.00 per year.

Nearly 60 Democrats and Friends Ring in 2008 at Decatur Township Democrat Club Meeting

The room was so full, club officers had to bring out more tables. It's a good problem to have for the Decatur Township Democrat Club. With the third-largest meeting attendance in club history, the club kicked off the 2008 year with a bang and another jam-packed program.

After a brilliant dinner provided by the club and the club members, speaker Nels Ackerson, candidate for U.S. Congress in the 4th District, gave a wide-ranging talk about his plans for a new direction if he is to be elected to Congress. Under new precinct configurations, six of Decatur Township's 15 voting precincts fall into the 4th District. Nine of the precincts fall into the 7th Congressional District, and Andre' Carson, Democratic Nominee for the March 11 Special Election, was on hand to lay out his vision for his term in Congress.

The club then heard from several elected officials and sitting judges. Among them were David Orentlicher of the Indiana House of Representatives, Superior Court Judge Jose Salinas, and Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes. The incumbent judges from the Marion County Superior Court on the 2008 ballot also spoke at the meeting Judge Gerald Zore, Judge David Shaheen, Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, Judge Annie Christ Garcia, Judge David Dreyer, and Sally McCarty (for Judge Pat McCarty). Candidates for the 2008 Superior Court also were given a chance to speak. They included Mark Batties, Angela Davis, Garland Graves, Jeff Marchal, Alex Murphy, Jim Osborn, and Vicky Ransberger. Candidates for Marion County Circuit Court Steve Poore and Lou Rosenberg also spoke. Poore sent regrets for Superior Court candidate Doug Stephens who cited a family conflict for missing the meeting.

The club then elected new officers for the 2008 year: Jon Easter, President; Mary Hall, Vice President; Mike Cesnik, Secretary; Mary Wolf, Treasurer. Outgoing three-term President Paul Fox handed the gavel to Easter after the election. Before handing over the reins, Fox explained the effects of the re-precincting on Decatur Township. He also talked extensively about the organization of the special election on March 11.

It was a great night to be a Decatur Township Democrat!

Andre Carson wins Caucus, Democratic nomination for Special Election

City-County Councillor Andre' Carson, the grandson of the late Julia Carson, has won the Democratic nomination for the upcoming Special Election to determine who will fill out the remainder of Congresswoman Carson's term. Carson prevailed on the first ballot at this morning's caucus of the 7th District Precinct Committeepeople. The caucus took place in the auditorium at Shortridge Middle School at 10:00 a.m.

Carson won with 223 out of 439 votes cast. State Representative David Orentlicher finished second with 123 votes. None of the other six candidates approached the support of the top two candidates. Caucus-goers voted for their candidates of choice on the I-Votronic voting machines. Members of the Marion County Election Board, Marion County Clerk Beth White, and representatives from ES&S, the Ivotronic machine manufacturer were on hand to make sure voting moved smoothly.

PCs checked in, signed in and were given credentials and wristbands. Credentials were checked at the auditorium door and again before voting. Both a signed credential and wristband were required to vote. Credentials were hole punched after the voting in case of a second ballot. One was not necessary.

RESULTS
Councillor Andre' Carson-223 Votes (50.7%)
State Rep. David Orentlicher-123 Votes (28.0%)
County Treasurer Mike Rodman-27 Votes (6.1%)
State Rep. Carolene Mays-26 Votes (5.9%)
Councillor Joanne Sanders-21 Votes (4.8%)
Marshall Principal Jeffery White-8 Votes (1.8%)
Ice Miller attorney Randle Pollard-6 Votes (1.4%)
HR Professional Stephanie McCabe-1 Vote (0.2%)

The following Decatur Township Democrats participated in the caucus. Bob Bourne (PC in 18), Mike Cesnik (PC in 17), Tom Collester (PC in 15), Ruth Drook (PC in 6), Jon Easter (PC in 16), Della Hicks (PC in 14), Ray Kennedy (PC in 13), Everett Owens (PC in 5), and Patty Rigsby (PC in 9).

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE RESULTS AND THE CARSON NOMINATION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH COURTESY OF "WILSON46201" ON YOUTUBE.

Decatur Dems meet Jan. 14; Ackerson to speak

The Decatur Township Democrat Club will meet January 14th. The featured program speaker will be Nels Ackerson, candidate for the U.S. Congressional seat in District 4. Club dinnertime is at 5:45 p.m. with Ackerson set to speak at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 S. Foltz St. Club dues are just $5.00 for the year. Dinners are always free! Come on out and bring a friend.

The club has a full agenda with this being the first meeting of 2008. We are anticipating a large number of judicial candidates as well as other candidates for office with the party convention set for next month. We will do our best to give all individuals wanting to speak a chance to do so. Due to time constraints and the length of our agenda, we ask that candidates keep their remarks under two minutes. Please plan accordingly. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

District 7 Special Election set for March 11

The parties have agreed to set Tuesday, March 11, 2008 as the day to elect a new Congressional Representative in District 7. Governor Mitch Daniels has set the date with an Executive Order. The winner of this election will fill out the remainder of Congresswoman Julia Carson's current term. The Democratic nominee is City-County Councillor Andre' Carson. His campaign website is www.andrecarsonforcongress.com.