In This Issue

• Bulletin Board
• Chair's Corner: Precinct Delegates
• Take My Name Off Your List

Bulletin Board

Berkley Democratic Club Meeting
May 20, 2004
Anderson Middle School - Media Center
Beginning at 8:00pm

Elections
School Board - June 14, 2004
Building Maintenance millage proposal is on the ballot

State Primary - August 3, 2004
Winners in this election will be the candidates for state and national offices on the November 2, 2004 Election ballot

- Ralph Conklin

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Chair's Corner

Precinct Delegates

Berkley is divided into seven Precincts and each precinct is allotted a specific number of delegates based on past Democratic voting strength. There are 607 precincts in Oakland county. Typically, there are between one and three delegates in each precinct.

They are called delegates because within the party structure they can attend the county convention and vote on the issues before the assembly. In that sense they are the elected delegates from their respective precincts. They may also present themselves for other leadership positions within the State Party Organization.

Republicans have a similar process and, thankfully, they are not that well organized in Berkley. Occasionally, they have contested elections in their precincts and campaigning for the position sometimes occurs. Extreme right-wing splinter groups try to use the precinct delegates to advance their views in the Republican party. Berkley's 1st precinct had a contentious battle for the Republican precinct delegate in the last election.

Essentially, the precinct delegate is the contact person for the party in each precinct. They are expected to be aware of local political issues important to the voters and make them known to the club and county organization. On the other hand, they are the local representatives of the Democratic party in the community. In that capacity they advance the values and perspective of the party.

At election time they assist candidates in their campaigns. This is often done by helping distribute literature, recruiting and registering democrats, and getting out the vote on election day.

The Democratic Club in Berkley actively recruits candidates for each precinct position. In the history of our club few have taken the position of precinct delegate as seriously as has Polly Haggis in the 4th Precinct. Polly exceeds all the goals one might set for a precinct. She is the persistent and persuasive voice of the Democratic party in her precinct. Candidates for office come to know her as a tireless worker and a passionate advocate of the principles of the Democratic party.

While the efforts of all Democrats deserve appreciation, Berkley Dems know that Polly Haggis sets a high standard for the rest of us. The damage done to our nation by Bush in less than four years should be sufficient to motivate all of us work hard for the next seven months. Precinct delegates are challenged with the task of leading that effort.

- Phil O'Dwyer, Chair

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Take My Name Off Your List

It is that time of year again. I don't know how it happens to a long-time Democrat, whose grandfather, a party member, would not plant a rose called "The Herbert Hoover" in his flower bed ever if it was the flower of the year. You probably are wondering to what I am referring. I received the annual request to RENEW my membership from the Republican National Committee. To make things worse, it was followed by a second letter to contribute money to a "Stop the Hate Speech Campaign" that was attacking the current president.

The leading paragraph of the recruitment letter was "I don't want to believe you've abandoned the Republican Party, but I have to ask... Have you give up? Our records show we have not yet received your R.N.C. membership renewal for the critical 2004 presidential election."

Renew my membership?! I never have been a member of this group and I certainly agree with the words that were cited in the second letter that described the George W. Bush Administration - "miserable failure, World Bully, and calling the Bush presidency a nightmare."

Why am I receiving these letters from R.N.C.? The only plausible reason is my name was placed on a republican candidate's donor list. Who could do that? When I was a member of the city council, I attended several function concerning city problems, which were sponsored by Oakland County Executive L. Brooke Patterson, who might believe that people who are elected to city government would be inclined to support the republican point of view. Maybe he is the one who gave my name to receive these messages seeking support. They wasted their time and postage.

After receiving these communications, I did write two checks - one to the Michigan Democratic Party and another to the Kerry campaign. I know my grandfather would have been proud that this BUSH is not being planted in my garden either. Ever if you haven't received requests from the other party, you could follow my lead - make monetary contributions to Democratic candidates. Help get the Democratic message to all American voters.

- Ralph Conklin

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