Culver City Democratic Club – 62 Years
General Membership Meeting – Veterans Auditorium Rotunda
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
- Call to Order at 7:10 pm by President Lee Sanders
- Pledge of Allegiance – led by the CCDC Immediate Past President Bill Wynn.
- Approval of January 8, 2014 Minutes: moved to approve by Dave Weisman, seconded by Neil Rubenstein; motion passed.
- Officer Reports
- Treasurer’s Report (Eric) Total funds as of January 31, 2014 are: $1,719.71.
- Membership (Diane) – You can now pay your dues online: ActBlue.org/CCDCmembership
- CADEM (Lee S.) – Reminder of CADEM convention in Los Angeles on March 7-9, 2014. We are in Region 14 of California. You may attend the convention as an observer if you are not a delegate or county committee member. Lee discussed pre-endorsements at the various meetings.
- LA County Central Committee (Report from Ronnie Jayne) – County Committee voted on the CC Council race to endorse Jim Clarke and Jeff Cooper.
- Correspondence (Stephen) – will do a press release on this candidates’ forum.
- Announcements
A. Guests included: Jared Morgan, Scott Houston, Taylor Bazley, Randy Arizmendiz and Solomon Rivera.
B. Jared Morgan, assistant with Karen Bass’ campaign asked for signatures for her campaign.
C. Jeffrey Prang running for the Los Angeles County Assessor re-introduced himself.
- Congressperson Karen Bass was able to attend and spoke a few words from the podium.
E. Executive Board Meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at Pat Levinson’s home.
- Installation Luncheon: Reminder of Installation Luncheon on Feb. 23, 2014 at the Courtyard by Marriott, 6333 Bristol Parkway, CC. Meghan Sahli-Wells is the Democrat of the Year; Karlo Silbiger is being honored with the Trudy Cherness Award for Service; $40 for the Luncheon, Tom Camarella will be Emcee; free parking. See Ronnie Jayne for Ad Book.
- Program: Culver City Council Candidates Forum: Gary Abrams, Jim B. Clarke, Jeffrey Cooper, Christopher Patrick King; each candidate opened with 2 minutes on their platform; the panel took questions from the audience, which came in the form of 4 x 6” cards, and read by President Lee Sanders. Stephen Murray assisted with organizing the questions. Lee acted as panel facilitator. Questions about the following topics were included: relationship of City Council with CCUSD; fracking; lack of voters in elections/consolidated elections; what can the city do to make up for the loss of local redevelopment funds; identify Culver City’s future and issues; affordable housing and cultural diversity; what are candidates’ reading materials and sources for news; “nuisance” taxes; and pensions and liability to the city. Candidates had 90 seconds to make final statements. An endorsement requires 60% of the total eligible/valid voters. 1st ballot results: Total 58 ballots, 0 invalid ballots, candidates needed 35 votes to be endorsed. Gary Abrams, 3; Jim B. Clarke, 35; Jeff Cooper – 23; and Christopher Patrick King – 36. Therefore the endorsements of the CCDC are: Clarke and King. No need for a second ballot.
Motion to adjourn moved by Martin Goldberg, seconded by Jonathan Friedman.. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Pat Levinson, Recording Secretary