President’s Message for July

We had a tremendous turnout of Broward Circuit Court candidates and interested voters for our judicial candidates’ forum at our June meeting. Our newsletter editor and corresponding secretary, Joanne Sterner, developed appropriate and insightful questions which she asked the candidates. There were varied and thoughtful answers and explanations from the panel. We received many compliments from candidates and voters alike saying that the question and answer format made the program much more interesting and educational.

We’ll continue with judicial candidates at our meeting this month when we host the County Court candidates. There are 20 candidates for 9 seats. Three seats are open, and the remaining six are incumbents being challenged. These races will be decided at the primary election on August 24, unless a candidate doesn’t get a majority of the votes. Then there will be a runoff at the November 2 general election. Also attached is the article by Anne Siren from The Pompano Pelican which discusses the judicial races.

We attended the Florida State Democratic Jefferson-Jackson weekend Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17. Friday evening was a fundraiser for Alex Sink, candidate for governor. It was the kickoff of “Women for Alex” to engage women in getting Alex elected. Saturday afternoon, the State Democratic Women’s Club held its caucus where Alex came and spoke. Her campaign introduced the concept of women having house parties for Alex, which will be held during Women’s Week of Action, August 15-21. We again heard from Alex at the JJ dinner that evening. We hope that all Democratic women will be involved in getting Alex elected as our first woman governor.

When we go to the State Democratic Women’s Club quarterly meeting on July 23, there will be a fund raiser for Loranne Ausley, who is running to fill the chief financial officer position that is being vacated by Alex Sink. We have committed to raising $100 from our club for Loranne, so we are asking our members to write a check for at least $10 to take to the fund raiser. Please make your check payable to Loranne Ausley Campaign and bring it to the June meeting or mail to Joanne Sterner, 2215 Cypress Island Drive, Apt 603, Pompano Beach 33069. We also heard from Loranne at the JJ dinner.

We are certainly fortunate to have two dynamic and impressive women who will be leading our state after winning their elections on November 2: Alex Sink for governor and Loranne Ausley for chief financial officer.

This year the Democratic Party is heavily emphasizing absentee voting with a new name of voting by mail, also known as voting from home or voting in your pajamas. It’s an easy and efficient way to cast your vote. You don’t have to be out of town to vote by mail. You can request the ballot by going online to http://www.browardsoe.org/content.aspx?id=30 or by phone 954-357-7055. One ballot request will be good for all elections through the next two general elections. Be sure to take advantage of voting by mail. No need to wait in line on election day.

Continue to call your Congress members to ask them to get us out of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and no war in Iran or Yemen! Keep the pressure on President Obama to end the wars, especially the Iraq war this August 2010. Our culture of never-ending war has got to stop!

I hope you’ve made plans to come and meet the County Court judicial candidates. Remember that these judges make decisions that could affect your life. We all need to make informed voting decisions. I look forward to seeing you there with many of your friends.