Ipswich Democratic Town Committee

Thanks to all those who attended the Ipswich Democratic caucus on February 11. We elected the following people as delegates to the state Convention (June 2, Springfield): Meryl Baier, Laura Gresh, Sean Gresh, Richard Howard, Paul L’Herrou, David Pauley, Carolyn Style. And as alternates: Amanda Donovan, Faith Evans, Jack Manderson.

The Ipswich Democratic Caucus will take place on Saturday, February 11 at 9:30 AM at the Ipswich Public Library, 25 North Main St. All Democrats registered in Ipswich no later than December 31, 2011 are eligible to participate. The purpose of the caucus is to elect delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held on June 2 in Springfield. Convention delegates will nominate candidates for the 2012 U.S. Senate Democratic Primary. For further information, contact Ipswich Democratic Town Committee Vice-Chair Diane Young at 978-356-2938, email djy10@columbia.edu, or visit www.massdems.org

The annual breakfast of the IDTC is Saturday, January 21, 10-noon at Ascension Memorial Church on County Rd. We’re honoring the Ipswich Humane Group (our local animal shelter) with our Community Service Award. Sponsorships are available at the Platinum level ($200, special recognition, 2 complimentary tickets), Gold level ($100, recognition, 1 complimentary ticket), and Silver ($50, recognition, 1 complimentary ticket). Regular tickets are $30. Buy your ticket online through ActBlue or contact Sherry Hurley (hurley13@aol.com, 978-356-3173).

Our rivers sustain us, but are we using them sustainably? What can we do to make sure there is enough clean water for people and nature? How is climate change affecting our rivers and our water supplies? Do dams and culverts make flooding worse?

On Saturday, November 19, Kerry Mackin will talk to us about the state of our local rivers and the issues of climate change, clean water, and dams. Kerry is the Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association and co-founder of the Mass Rivers Alliance.

We meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Collins Room of the Ipswich Public Library. Kerry’s talk and the business meeting that follows are open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Want to know what the Massachusetts Democratic Party has to say about the environment? Read the party platform.

Saturday, January 21 is our fifth annual Call to Action breakfast, a fundraiser for our election year headquarters, and an opportunity to recognize one of the many organizations that contribute to Ipswich’s civic and social life. In past years, we’ve given our Citizen’s Action Award to Turn the Tide, the Ipswich Recycling Advisory Committee, Ipswich Caring, and the Ipswich Food Bank. Ticket information to come.

We’re meeting Saturday, October 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Collins Room of the Ipswich Public Library. We’ve got a full agenda, including “How to Market Democrats.”

The IDTC Executive Committee met earlier this month to go over plans for the fall. Our monthly meeting dates are set through January–see the calendar on the sidebar. Our Program Subcommittee is considering the topics of redistricting, term limits, social media, and financial literacy.
The Membership Subcommittee is looking at various types of memberships, so that we can accommodate all those keen to participate in IDTC’s work. The membership slate for 2012 is due to the Town Clerk this November, for election in March.
The Publicity/Communications Subcommittee is working on getting more info on this website, a decal to publicize IDTC, and enlivening our Facebook page. If you like to talk about political news and issues, become a fan.

We sent six delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s annual convention in Lowell on June 4. Jim Clark, Amanda Donovan, Jack Manderson, David Pauley, and Diane Young served as elected delegates and Kathy Bruce, IDTC Chair, served as an ex officio delegate.

The convention adopted an Action Agenda for 2011 that encourages community conversations President Obama’s accomplishments and Sen. Scott Brown’s voting record. Delegates got to hear six announced candidates for senator: Tim Conroy, Marisa DiFranco, Alan Khazei, Bob Massie, Herb Robinson, and Seti Warren. Our delegates went to workshops on health care costs, the economics of green technology, youth violence, fundraising, communications for town committees, and message strategy.

You can hear more about the convention at our monthly meeting, Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. at the Ipswich Public Library.

The state Democratic Convention is in Lowell this weekend. Ipswich will be well represented by a slew of delegates: Al Boynton, Kathy Bruce, Jim Clark, Amanda Donovan, Jack Manderson, David Pauley, Lorraine Seaton, Victoria Simmons, and Diane Young. We’ll adopt an action agenda for grassroots action, hear from the U.S. Senate candidates, attend workshops, and meet a lot of excited Democrats. Get the lowdown on the convention at our next committee meeting, Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. at the Ipswich Public Library.

Read the Platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party here.

Haven’t rsvp’ed yet? Call Patience Wales, 978-356-5951.

Conversation and Music in the Garden
Saturday, May 21, 4-7 pm
10 Hodges Way, Ipswich
$25 per person
Talk with Congressman John Tierney and state party chair John Walsh. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and music by Hixville Swing Trio. See you there!