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.

ROCKY RIVER DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING
Tuesday, January 26, 7 PM via Zoom

Featured Speakers:

SHONTEL BROWN, Chairwoman, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party
Ms. Brown will provide an overview of the important issues the CCDP will address this year.

PAULINE TEREBUH, MD, MPH, Infectious Diseases, The Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Dr. Terebuh will provide an overview of the role the Board of Health plays in greater Cleveland, review the various Covid-19 vaccines and their protocols, preview the expected distribution timelines for population segments in our County, address the educational component of promoting the vaccine, and answer your questions.

STACEY HAYMAN, Outreach Coordinator, Rocky River Public Library 
During this time of Covid-19, Ms. Hayman will provide an overview of activities and programs available through the Library.

ANDREA MEDIATE, Organizer with the Rocky River Green Team
Climate change and the environment are important to our community.  Ms. Mediate will provide an overview of the Green Team’s activities and efforts in our community.  To learn more about the Rocky River Green Team, visit their Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

To receive the link to the Club meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 7 PM via Zoom, please CLICK HERE.

CONTACT ROB PORTMAN – THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

Sen. Portman statement on January 13th:
“…the attack on the US Capitol was an attack on democracy itself, and the President bears some responsibility for what occurred…If the Senate conducts an impeachment trial, among my considerations will be what is best to help heal our country rather than deepen our divisions.”

Please contact Sen. Portman and remind him that the process of healing begins with holding Trump accountable for his actions.  He should vote “yes” to convict Trump for – in Portman’s own words – “an attack on democracy itself.”

CONTACT SENATOR ROB PORTMAN
Our calls and emails DO make a difference!

Cleveland Office: 216-522-7095

Washington, DC Office: 202-224-3353

Email: use the online form at https://www.portman.senate.gov/meet/contact

• 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. Call: 216-443-8683

Early voting in Ohio begins in about 60 days.  Imagine how you’ll feel when you cast your vote for Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates shortly after October 6th!

According to polls this week, the race in Ohio remains a tie.  Every Democrat needs to vote this year.  Grassroots efforts have proven time and again to make a difference in voter turnout.  To achieve that goal:

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FOLLOWING:

POSTCARD WRITING
We need to reach Rocky River Democrats who live in apartment/condo buildings (a sizable number).  Postcards and a script will be provided; you provide the thirty five cent stamps.  This can be done from the comfort of your own home on your own schedule.  To volunteer for postcard writing, please send us an email by clicking HERE.

LITERATURE DROP
Many of you remember 2016 when you committed 2 or 3 hours to knocking on doors for Hillary Clinton.  Because of Covid-19, there will be no door knocking and interacting with our fellow residents; but we still need to get information to every voter.  Territory to cover will be reasonable and can be done at your convenience over several days.  To volunteer for literature drops, please send us an email by clicking HERE.

You’ve been waiting to do something to make a difference.  NOW IS THE TIME!  Both the postcard writing and literature drops are being scheduled for the week before and through Labor Day weekend when the State of Ohio is expected to mail absentee ballot applications to all registered voters.  

Featured Speaker:

STEVE CRAFFEY
Biden Organizer for Cleveland West Side and Eastern Colleges

When we meet next Tuesday, it will be 98 days until the most consequential election in generations, and 70 days until early voting begins on October 6th.  Despite recent national polls, nothing can be taken for granted.  In Ohio, the race between Joe Biden and the person in the White House is a tie.

Please join us on the 28th to discuss what we’ll do in Rocky River to ensure a Biden Victory, as well as support Monique Smith, Democratic candidate for our district in the Ohio Statehouse; and Aaron Godfrey, our Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress.

To receive the phone number and link to this meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 7 PM that will be held via Zoom, please click HERE.

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Michael G. Shoaf, Superintendent, Rocky River Board of Education.  Dr. Shoaf will discuss plans for the upcoming school year, the impact of budget cuts, and answer your questions.

Please feel free to share this with your friends and neighbors in the community; everyone is invited to participate.  To receive the phone number and link to this meeting that will be held via Zoom, please click HERE.

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 [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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.