May 2020

We are very pleased to announce that Cassimir Svigelj is the new Treasurer of the Rocky River Democratic Club!

We enthusiastically congratulate and welcome Cassimir as a Club Officer.  You may remember Cassimir’s strong candidacies that tell of a man who cares deeply about improving the lives of the citizens of our community and state.  As fellow Club officers, we look forward to working closely with Cassimir to elect Democratic candidates in this most important election year.

Also by majority during the May 26th meeting, the Club voted to approve its updated Bylaws and Constitution. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MAY 26TH MEETING VIA ZOOM

Andrew Bemer, Law Director, City of Rocky River
Mr. Bemer reviewed the operations of various city departments and agencies during the state-mandated shutdown.  He addressed the city’s Charter Review that is done every 6 years, and the final steps in the process to get it on the ballot for the General Election. He noted the significant payroll tax loss of $900,000 to the city’s budget since the onset of the pandemic.  Governor DeWine also plans to cut $805,000 to Rocky River schools from the State’s funding pool while the State of Ohio has a budget surplus of $2.7 BILLION (that’s not a typo).   Mr. Bemer encouraged residents to visit the City of Rocky River’s website at www.rrcity.com for the wealth of information it provides.

Aaron Godfrey and Monique Smith
Both Aaron and Monique addressed the changes the pandemic has brought to traditional ways of campaigning.  Rather than knocking on doors and in-person gatherings, reliance will be on social media, phone banking, and mailings.  They also noted the significant advantage that incumbents have in elections.  While their Republican opponents may try to appear moderate to voters in our community, they, nonetheless, wholeheartedly espouse the Trump Republican agenda.

It is difficult for candidates like Monique and Aaron to come right out and ask for donations to sustain a costly virtual campaign against their well-funded Republican opponents.  On their behalf, the Rocky River Democratic Club asks you to consider making a donation of any amount to each of their campaigns.  We realize that these are financially challenging times and that there are many worthy causes.  Donating to help a Legislator win can bring big changes in our lives; and it is one of the most important contributions we can make. Whether it’s $5, $10 or $20, it’s our cumulative strength in numbers that makes a difference.

Donate to Aaron Godfrey, Democratic candidate for the United States Congress, District 16, click HERE.

Donate to Monique Smith, Democratic candidate for State Representative of Ohio House District 16 – Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Rocky River, Westlake, click HERE.

Giving Tree Project
The Giving Tree Project provides free face masks to community members who do not have access to them or cannot afford them.  The project began with local attorney Kira Krivosh, State Senator Nickie Antonio and a group of volunteers.  The first donation event was in Rocky River on May 28th, and the organization plans the next donation event in Lakewood in the coming weeks.   Masks are free and are replenished daily on a first come, first serve basis.  If you are interested in becoming a sewer, they provide kits with fabric and instructions. If you do not sew, they need fabric cutters and additional volunteers. For more information and to volunteer, please send an email to GivingTreeProjectRR@gmail.com

ELECTION 2020

Vote by Mail for November 3rd
Even though you voted by mail in the primary, unfortunately, you’ll need to repeat the application process for November 3rd.

You can submit a vote by mail application NOW to receive your vote by mail ballot at the appropriate time for the November 3rd General Election.  

• Online: To request or print a vote by mail application from the Board of Elections website, click HERE
• Phone: Call the Board of Elections and request that a vote by mail application be mailed to you. Phone: 216-443-8683
• Email: Send an email to the Rocky River Democratic Club and we’ll deliver an application to your home.  Email: submit@rockyriverdems.org

On the vote by mail application, please remember to: 1) select General Election, and 2) write the year “2020”

CLUB MEETINGS:
Thank you to those who joined us during the May 26th meeting.  Because it was done on Zoom, we would love your feedback.  If you have 15 seconds to answer 3 quick questions, it would be most helpful.  Please click HERE.

The next meeting of the Rocky River Democratic Club is scheduled on Tuesday, June 30th at 7 PM.  We’ll provide more information soon in a separate email.

• Online: To request or print a vote by mail application from the Board of Elections website, click HERE
• Phone: Call the Board of Elections and request that a vote by mail application be mailed to you. Phone: 216-443-8683
• Email: Send an email to the Rocky River Democratic Club and we’ll deliver an application to your home.  Email: submit@rockyriverdems.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

Rocky River City Council Meetings
We can now attend Rocky River’s municipal city council meetings online. As our community faces the social and economic impact of the pandemic, engagement with local city government is more important than ever.  City council meetings are usually held on Monday’s at 7 PM.  To receive a link to the livestream, check the council meeting schedule on the City’s municipal website HERE; or email Councilwoman Christina Morris at cmorris@rrcity.org

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City Club of Cleveland
Return to the Ohio Statehouse: What Policy Priorities Will Prevail?
Friday, May 15, 12:30 PM (web meeting)
The pandemic has cost Ohio’s government about $1 billion in lost revenue, resulting in Governor DeWine’s announcement of $775 million in budget cuts over the next two months. As Ohio lawmakers return to work for the first time since March 25, what policy responses will be prioritized?  Speakers: Nickie J. Antonio, Ohio Senate, District 23 and Matt Dolan, Ohio Senate, District 24.  For details on the livestream, click HERE.

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Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus
11th Annual Brunch and Conversation: The Urgency of 2020
Saturday, May 16, 11:30 AM (web meeting)
Keynote Speaker: U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, along with Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and U.S. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge.  To register for this free webinar, click HERE.
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Next Meeting of the Rocky River Democratic Club
Tuesday, May 26, 7 PM (web meeting)
Join us via Zoom for the next Club meeting.  We’ll provide more information about the meeting in a separate email.  To receive the link, please send an email to: submit@rockyriverdems.org
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Gerrymandering and Ohio: What to Expect
Thursday, May 28, 7 PM (web meeting)
Ohio is a highly gerrymandered state, and our congressional District 16 is like the piece of a jigsaw puzzle that helps to ensure a Republican advantage from rural areas.  Rocky River itself is divided into two congressional districts!   Watch national and local experts share their concerns and perspectives.  Cosponsored by Common Cause Ohio and the League of Women Voters-Greater Cleveland.  To register and receive the web link, click HERE.

Monique Smith resides in Fairview Park and combines her political experience, having served as a Lakewood Councilwoman, with corporate experience in marketing and sales for some of Ohio’s best-known companies.  Our district voted Democratic in the 2018 midterms.  Let’s have a Democrat represent us in the Ohio Statehouse.  To go to Monique’s website, click HERE.

Rocky River Democratic Club Dues:
The entire Club is volunteer-driven and all member dues are used to promote Democratic candidates. You probably received a door hanger or postcard produced and distributed by the Club.  It’s at our local level where grassroots efforts take place.  This is the time of year we ask for member renewals.  Dues can be paid online on our website, or the form can be downloaded from our website and dues paid by check.  To renew, please click HERE. Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Analysis of the Primary and What to Expect in November Featuring Leadership of the County and State Democratic Parties
Tuesday, May 5, 7 PM (digital town hall)
Join Shontel Brown, Chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, and David Pepper, Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, for an analysis of the April 28th primary and a preview of efforts in our area to elect Democrats in November.  The digital town hall will be moderated by Erik Meinhardt, President of the Lakewood Democratic Club.  To register and receive a link to the meeting, click HERE.

Governor DeWine has outlined his plan to reopen Ohio amid the Covid-19 pandemic.  Click HERE for more information on:

May 1: all nonessential medical procedures at hospitals that do not require an overnight stay will be allowed to resume
May 4: Offices, construction and manufacturing
May 12: Retailers and service companies

Please also check the City of Rocky River municipal website HERE for local updates.