Club Updates

Susan Moran Palmer was the featured speaker at our May 22 Club meeting.  She is the Democratic candidate for the United States Congress, District 16, which includes much of the Westside, including Rocky River.  Susan shared her vision about preserving healthcare, growing jobs and wages, saving public education, addressing the opioid and gun crises, and much more. 

We know that we need to turn Congress blue to save our country from the extremes of the current Administration.  Help elect Susan to make that happen.  For more information, to volunteer or contribute, click HERE.

SAVE THE DATES!

For Cassimir Svigelj
Friday, June 15, 7 – 10   PM
Home of Mark Dent
247 Clark Street, Berea

Cassimir Svigelj is the Democratic candidate for State Representative, District 16.  Unlike the Representatives currently in the Ohio Statehouse, Cassimir will fight for every constituent in Rocky River, North Olmsted, Fairview Park, Bay Village, and Westlake to guarantee that we have clean air, clean water, great educational opportunities, and great career opportunities for the jobs of tomorrow.

Join Cassimir for snacks and beverages.  The special guest will be State Representative Kent Smith.  Suggested donation is $20 (cash or check).  To learn more about Cassimir’s vision for our District and Ohio, click HERE

For the Bay Village Nasty Women
Wednesday, June 20, 7 – 9 PM
Rocky River Public Library
1600 Hampton, Rocky River

During the 2016 Presidential campaign, then-candidate Trump referred to Hillary Clinton as a “nasty woman” and as a result, the Nasty Women movement began.  The dynamic Bay Village Nasty Women group will meet on June 20^th to create strategies for high voter turnout in November.  Working with Democrats across the Westside, together we’ll make change happen in November.  The meeting is free and everyone is welcome!

For the Rocky River Democratic Club
Tuesday, June 26, 7 – 8:30 PM
Don Umerley Civic Center
21016 Hilliard, Rocky River

The next meeting of the Rocky River Democratic Club is scheduled on June 26, before taking a summer break during July and August.  More information about this meeting will be provided soon.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed to join a phone bank to call our Westside neighbors and get their commitment to volunteer later in the campaign.

The next phone bank will be held on Tuesday, May 29 beginning at 4:30 PM at the Democratic Party headquarters, 3615 Superior Avenue, Cleveland.  Pizza will be served.  Future phone banks will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 PM at 2625 Westmoor Rd., except on Rocky River Democratic Club meeting evenings.  For more information, contact Dave and Marianne at: (440) 333-3485 or [email protected]

Please share the above information with family and friends to grow the network of people who are committed to change in November.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MAY 8^th!

Please help spread the word about voting.

• Vote by mail ballots must be postmarked by Monday, May 7^th; or physically taken to the Board of Elections (BOE) by 7:30 PM on Tuesday, May 8^th.   The BOE is located at 2925 Euclid Avenue.
• If you do not vote your absentee ballot and instead decide to go to your assigned polling place on Election Day, you must vote a provisional ballot.

• Voting locations are open between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM.
• To check where to vote, click HERE
• To view your ballot in advance, click HERE 
• Encourage everyone to vote the entire ballot, including judicial candidates and Issue 1 and Issue 9.

• Emily Hagan for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
• Ashley Kilbane for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
• Cassimir Svigelj for State Representative, District 16

Tuesday, February 27^th at 7 PM
Rocky River Public Library
1600 Hampton

Featured Presentation:

Bay Village Nasty Women

It’s Election Year. Meet the Candidates!

The men and women who seek your votes for legislative and judicial offices will join us.  Meet and hear from those who wish to represent us.

Club Business

During the February meeting, the Club will discuss and vote to adopt the Club constitution and bylaws.  To view the documents, click here.

The first Club meeting of the year on January 30th got off to a resounding start with a full house and renewed enthusiasm.  We were joined by eleven candidates or their surrogates running for various offices this year.  It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the individuals who seek our votes.  We’ll continue to provide more information  about the important choices we have in the May primaries and November elections.

One of the critical votes we’ll cast in November is for the re-election of Senator Sherrod Brown.  A featured presenter was Cindy Demsey, Co-Leader of Sherrod Brown’s re-election campaign for Cuyahoga County. In attendance was Gabrielle Jackson, also a Co-Leader of the campaign.  Cindy highlighted Senator Brown’s progressive roots and concern for the welfare of workers.  He will need our help to win and nothing can be taken for granted.  A fundraiser for the Senator will be held on February 19th at the Market Garden Brewery on West 24th St.  Contributions range from $25 (student) to $500 (sponsor).  For more information contact Meg Yee at [email protected] or 916-799-2898.

Last March, the Club addressed the opioid crisis that, unfortunately, impacts families right here in Rocky River.  A critical tool to prevent overdose deaths is the use of Narcan.  To provide an update on this important issue, we were joined by community activist Barbara Folds and RRDC Treasurer Rob McRae.  Rob provided an update on the use of Narcan in city schools and circulated a petition to make the life-saving drug available to school nurses.  Barbara shared her personal experience and provided resources for families seeking help.  She emphasized that no one is alone in dealing with this terrible disease.  Resources are numerous and include:    Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services of Cuyahoga County, Project Dawn, and Dial 2-1-1 Program.

This is an important year politically and City Leader Steve Dever addressed the need for precinct leaders in Rocky River.  We have openings in 2B, 2C, 4A and 4C.  To check your precinct, click here.  Precinct leaders play an important role in the community and have an official role with the Democratic Party of Cuyahoga County, including the endorsement of county-wide candidates.  To learn more or to indicate your interest, please email [email protected].  The filing deadline is February 7^th.

President Mike O’Neil addressed two items that are important to the Club.  He asked members of the community to consider becoming official dues-paying members of the Rocky River Democratic Club.  The modest, annual membership can be paid securely on the Club’s website or a form can be downloaded and mailed with your check.  Mike also asked members to review draft versions of the Club’s bylaws and constitution; the documents can be viewed here.  We’ll discuss them at the next meeting with the objective of finalizing them this quarter.

Thanks to all of the candidates, presenters, and members who attended the meeting.  Please save the date for our next meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 7 P.M. at the Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton.