Club Updates

Our meeting will be held both in-person at the Rocky River Public Library as well as via Zoom.  All health protocols of the Library will be followed. For in-person, masks and proof of vaccination are required (e.g., your CDC Vaccination Record Card).

Featured Speaker:

ANTHONY PERLATTI
Director, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections 

Mr. Perlatti will provide an update on voting in this year’s election.  He will also address the impact of changes to voting regulations in Ohio and across the country.  We are all aware of the efforts to restrict voting rights; and the need to be informed and vigilant to protect those rights.

Candidates for Rocky River Director of Law and Rocky River City Council:

For Director of Law:
MICHAEL J. O’SHEA

For City Council:
JEANNE GALLAGHER (Ward 3)
LISA M. HAVEMANN (Ward 1)
CHRISTINA MORRIS (At Large)
STACEY SCHRANTZ REID (At Large)
KATIE L. TIMMONS (At Large)

To attend the meeting, please first RSVP and
CLICK HERE

You’ll be able to select the Library or Zoom.

• The Library, at 1600 Hampton, has an in person limit. RSVP’s are on a first-come, first-served basis.  Vaccination status will be checked at the sign-in table.

• If you attend via Zoom, we’ll send you the actual link to the Zoom meeting on October 12th.

VOTE 2021
For Rocky River Mayor, Law Director, City Council, and School Board

October 5th: Early Voting begins

VOTE BY MAIL:
A majority of Rocky River Democrats voted by mail in last fall’s Presidential Election.  It’s the same process and easy to vote by mail in this year’s local election.

• To print a vote by mail application from the Board of Elections website, CLICK HERE.  You’ll have the option of printing an application pre-filled with your name/address, or a blank application form.
• Or, call the Board of Elections at 216-443-8683 and ask that they mail the application to you.
• Simply complete the application and mail it to: Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Once the Board of Elections receives and processes your application, they will send the official ballot to you in the U.S. Mail.

VOTE EARLY IN-PERSON AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

If you’re downtown, you can vote in-person early at the Board of Elections at 30th/Euclid beginning October 5th.  To view the complete in-person voting schedule at the Board of Elections, please scroll to the bottom of this message.

VOTE IN-PERSON ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND IN ROCKY RIVER

There will be three in-person voting locations in Rocky River on November 2nd.

To check your voting location on the Board of Elections website, CLICK HERE or call them at 216-443-8683.

As things begin to return to normal, we look forward to seeing you in person after the long time apart. Please join us for plenty of food, friends and fun!

To RSVP (optional) — it will help us order the right amount of food, please CLICK HERE.

For more information, please send an email to: [email protected]

The Cabin in beautiful Elmwood Park is very spacious and suitable for those who are comfortable indoors or outside on the covered patio.

We’re thrilled and delighted with the outstanding Democratic candidates running for Rocky River City Council and Director of Law this year.  We look forward to them joining us for this celebration.

(in alphabetical order):

JEANNE GALLAGHER, Elect for City Council, Ward 3
LISA M. HAVEMANN, Elect for City Council, Ward 1
CHRISTINA MORRIS, Re-elect for City Council, At Large
MICHAEL J. O’SHEA, Elect for Director of Law
STACEY SCHRANTZ REID, Elect for City Council, At Large
KATIE L. TIMMONS, Elect for City Council, At Large

A big thanks to everyone who signed the above candidates’ petitions!  It was our collective signatures submitted to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections that places the candidates’ names on this year’s November 2nd ballot.

Featured Speakers:

CONGRESSWOMAN MARCY KAPTUR

With introduction by:
Rep. Monique Smith (D – OH House District 16)

Rep. Kaptur will address January 6th, the Biden/Harris administration, Congressional dynamics and legislation, her committees, redistricting, and allow time for Q&A.

Rocky River is divided Congressionally (it should not be) and Rep. Kaptur represents the approximate geographic area of the city north of Detroit Avenue; with her district also including Lakewood, Bay Village and beyond.  To visit Rep. Kaptur’s website, CLICK HERE.

MATTHEW DIEMER, Democratic candidate for Congress

Mr. Diemer is running for Congress in next year’s midterm elections.  The approximate geographic area of Rocky River south of Detroit Avenue is currently in Congressional District 16 that is now represented by Anthony Gonzalez. Congressional redistricting takes place this year and geographic districts are expected to change.  Mr. Diemer will share the key components of his campaign platform and allow time for Q&A. To visit Mr. Diemer’s website, CLICK HERE.

To receive the Zoom link for the Tuesday, May 25th Club meeting at 7 PM, PLEASE FIRST RSVP AND CLICK HERE.   

Our Zoom account is limited to 100 attendees. RSVP’s are on a first-come, first-served basis.  The actual Zoom logon will be provided on May 25th.

THEME: THE ENVIRONMENT

Featured Speakers:

GRANT GOODRICH, Executive Director, Great Lakes Energy Institute, Case Western Reserve University.   Their mission: advancing energy initiatives including energy storage, solar, and emerging technologies.

RICH SNYDER, Director, Public Safety-Service, City of Rocky River.  Focus: the environment in our community.

JIM ROKAKIS, Senior Advisor for Land Banks, Western Reserve Land Conservancy.  Their mission: To provide the people of our region with essential natural assets through land conservation and restoration.

In April 2019, the Rocky River Democratic Club was pleased to co-host a meeting on Climate Change at the Don Umerley Civic Center that was attended by over 150 residents of our community and surrounding suburbs. Our community joins people around the world in recognizing the existential threat posed by climate change.

To receive the Zoom link for April 27th, please first RSVP and CLICK HERE

EARTH DAY 2021
Last Thursday, April 22nd, was Earth Day 2021.  The President hosted a climate summit with 40 world leaders; and his infrastructure plan addresses climate change in a big way.  Many local organizations participated in Earth Day with a variety of activities.  The following in our own community is still open.

City of Rocky River
Trash to Treasure Contest.  Turn a piece of unwanted waste into something fun. Drop off entries at Memorial Hall between now and April 29th. Judging will be on April 30th, and winners will be displayed at the Civic Center from April 30 – May 7.  For more information, visit https://www.rrcity.com/rocky-river-blog/2021/4/14/trash-to-treasure-contest

Featured Speakers:

DR. MICHAEL SHOAF, Superintendent, Rocky River City School District  

Dr. Shoaf will provide an overview of the operating levy that will be on the May 4th ballot, provide a general update on schools, and answer questions. 

More information about the school levy and how to vote on May 4th is below.

FAYTH SIMS, Organizer, Rocky River Black Lives Matter
STACEY REID, Representing the Club in the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio’s workshops 
Both Ms. Sims and Ms. Reid will share information and perspectives on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion in our community.

HEATHER MACALLA, Representing the League of Women Voters and Common Cause

As the majority party, Republicans will draw Ohio’s Congressional districts this year.  It will determine voting outcomes in our state for the next ten years.  Rocky River is divided across two Congressional districts; and both look like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Ms. Macalla will provide an overview of redistricting and how we can help shape Rocky River’s Congressional district that will go into effect for next year’s Midterm elections.

To RSVP for the March 30th Club meeting, please CLICK HERE.  You’ll receive the actual Zoom link on the 30th.

VOTING 2021

MAY 4TH: SCHOOL LEVY

The operating levy for the Rocky River School District will appear on your May 4th ballot as follows:

• Register online with the Board of Elections, CLICK HERE or call them at (216) 443-8683
• Register at the Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton

Vote by Mail:
You must proactively request a vote by mail ballot 

• Online: Request a vote by mail application from the Board of Elections. CLICK HERE
• Phone: Call the Board of Elections at (216) 443-8683.

• Even though this is a local, Rocky River school levy issue, you can cast your vote at the Board of Elections located at 2925 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
• For the complete early in-person voting schedule at the BOE, scroll to the bottom of this message.

ROCKY RIVER DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

Tuesday, February 23, 7 PM via Zoom

Featured Speakers:

LIZ WALTERS, Chair, Ohio Democratic Party
Ohio was once considered a key battleground state.  Democratic Party losses in the state over the last several election cycles have many political experts wondering about Ohio’s future when compared to Arizona and Georgia.  Ms. Walters will share her vision about the political future of our state; and most importantly, will listen to our feedback during the meeting. This is our opportunity to let the leadership of the Ohio Democratic Party know our thoughts about how Democrats can win in Ohio.

STATE REP. MONIQUE SMITH, (D – Fairview Park)
Rep. Smith will serve on the following committees in the 134th General Assembly: Commerce and Labor, Economic and Workforce Development, and Technology and Innovation.  She will provide an update on the activities of those committees and provide her perspective on Ohio Government as she begins her freshman term as our Representative. 

CLUB BUSINESS:

Officer Elections:
Officer elections will take place for the Rocky River Democratic Club (RRDC).

The current Club President, Secretary and Treasurer are willing to serve another two year term.  However, new leadership and the potential energy it brings is always welcome!  If you would like to run for any of the officer roles of the RRDC — President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer — please submit your name, the officer role, and a brief description about yourself to: [email protected].

RRDC Officer requirements: resident of Rocky River, registered Democrat as verified by the Board of Elections, and current dues-paying member.  For a complete description of the duties and responsibilities of Club officers, please see the Club’s bylaws by CLICKING HERE.

Membership Dues:
Club dues are payable in March for the upcoming year.  Dues allow the RRDC to promote voting in every election that takes place in Rocky River.  For example, in last year’s General Election, the Club produced custom door hangers and postcards.  Your membership dues make a difference!

Rates per year: 
Family: $30 / Individual: $20 / Senior: $10 / Student: $5

Two convenient ways to pay Club dues:
1. Safely and securely online by CLICKING HERE.  Select the appropriate level on the right side of the screen and pay via credit card.
2. Print the member form and mail a paper check.  To print the member form, CLICK HERE.

To receive the link to the Club meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 7 PM via Zoom, please CLICK HERE.