Winnebago County Democratic Party December Meeting

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114142915319170   Winnebago County Democratic Party December Meeting     Public Event

Time	Wednesday, December 8 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location	Delta Restaurant 515 N Sawyer St Oshkosh, WI
Created By	Winnebago (WI) County Democratic Party, Jef Hall
More Info	Come to the monthly meeting! We will discuss spring elections. If you are interested in running for a local office we have all the info here: http://www.winnebagodems.org/p/elections.html We will also be planning out the next year. Bring ideas! -jef- Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party - Sara Stichert, Chair

Public hearings on high speed rail coming up!

Dear jef:
Many of you have asked 'what else can I do to help Save the Train in Wisconsin?' Well, here is your chance.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is holding a series of public hearings around the state in the next week, and these hearings could make or break the future of high speed rail in Wisconsin.
This is our chance to stand together and send a message loud and clear to our public leaders that Wisconsin supports high speed rail.
The meetings will run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will take place in the following cities over the next week:
Tuesday, Nov. 30 in La Crosse at the Best Western Riverfront Hotel, 1835 Rose St.
Wednesday, Dec. 1 in Eau Claire at the Best Western Trail Lodge Hotel, 3340 Mondovi Road
Thursday, Dec. 2 in Fond du Lac at UW-Fond du Lac
Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Madison at the WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street
We want the 13,000 jobs and the billions in economic development this project will create to stay in Wisconsin, and state officials have said these hearings are going to have a big impact in deciding the future of the project.
I hope you can make it to one of the hearings, and bring a friend with you! The more supporters of high speed rail we can turn out, the harder it will be to ignore our voices.
If you can't attend one of the hearings, you can still make your voice heard by signing our 'Save the Train' letter to Governor-elect Scott Walker at https://secure3.convio.net/pn/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=576.
Thanks for all you have done, let's Save the Train!
Scot, One Wisconsin Now

One Wisconsin Now is a new-media online network of citizens from across Wisconsin committed to advancing progressive policy, leadership, values and ensuring equal economic opportunity for all.

November 20 Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train – Oshkosh

MEDIA ADVISORY – November 18, 2010

November 20 Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train – Oshkosh

Who Paul Aird, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Frank Ingram, NEWRails; Janet Moldenhauer, Sierra Club-Fox Valley Group

When: 12:00 PM (NOON) – 12:45 PM

Where: Rainbow Park, Veterans Trail and Rainbow Dr.

Details: Oshkosh area business owners, elected officials, and activists will speak out to highlight the economic benefits of expanding intercity passenger train service in Wisconsin. Other similar events will take place in Milwaukee, La Crosse, Madison, and Eau Claire. The purpose of this statewide day of action to Save the Train is to urge Governor-Elect Walker to reconsider his decision to turn away $822 million dollars in federal grant funds to restore rail service between Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison. Declining this project will kill Wisconsin’s potential to create 9,570 permanent jobs, $173 million in additional household income, and $704 million in increased property values created by fully implementing passenger rail in Wisconsin. In addition to direct construction, rail engineer, maintenance, and operations jobs, this project will also stimulate tourism and business development in Wisconsin. (See http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/docs/mwrri-economic.pdf).

Extending the popular Hiawatha passenger train to Madison is the first step on a long journey toward economic prosperity. This project is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a plan that calls for a 3,000-mile passenger rail network serving nine states with frequent service and top speeds of 110 MPH. A modern, efficient rail network will create thousands of jobs, increase property values and reduce traffic jams. It will also reduce our dependence on oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take 500,000 cars off the road (see the Global Warming Task Force Report, page 153 http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/gtfgw/documents/Final_Report.pdf). Improving transit will also bring seniors and young professionals who don’t want to or can’t drive back to Wisconsin.

The statewide day of action to Save the Train is hosted by the Sierra Club and cosponsored by Civitáe, the Dane Alliance for Rational Transportation, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, NEWRails, ProRail, Madison Peak Oil Group, Transition Madison Area, United Transportation Union, Upstream Institute for Ecological Ethics, the Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice, WISPIRG & Wisconsin Urban & Rural Transit Association.

Founded in 1892 by John Muir, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEWS MEDIA: Members of the news media are encouraged to RSVP for this event by contacting Shahla Werner at (608) 256-0565. More information on statewide events for the Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train is online at:http://www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Issues/SavetheTrain.htm ###

Shahla M. Werner, Ph.D., Chapter Director

Sierra Club- John Muir Chapter

222 South Hamilton Street, Suite 1

Madison, WI 53703-3201

shahla.werner@sierraclub.org;

Phone: (608) 256-0565

Fax: (608) 256-4JMC

http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/

November 20 Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train

From the Sierra Club: http://www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org/PDF/112010_MA_StatewideTrain_Madison.pdf

MEDIA ADVISORY – November 18, 2010 November 20

Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train – Madison

Bob Lien, Owner, Lien Tech Inc, Steel Fabricator, Stoughton

Rep. Mark Pocan, AD 78

Scot Ross, Director, One Wisconsin Now

Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate, Environmental Law & Policy Center

Scott McDonell, Dane County Board of Supervisors

Mark Clear, Madison City Council President (invited)

When: 12:00 PM (NOON) – 12:45 PM

Where: 400 S. Hancock St (Intersection of S. Hancock and E. Wilson)

Details: Madison area business owners, elected officials, and activists will speak out to highlight the economic benefits of restoring intercity passenger train service to our capital city. Other similar events will take place in Milwaukee, Oshkosh, La Crosse, and Eau Claire. The purpose of this statewide day of action to Save the Train is to urge Governor Elect Walker to reconsider his decision to turn away $822 million dollars in federal grant funds to restore rail service between Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison. Declining this project will kill Wisconsin’s potential to create 9,570 permanent jobs, $173 million in additional household income, and $704 million in increased property values created by fully implementing passenger rail in Wisconsin. In addition to direct construction, rail engineer, maintenance, and operations jobs, this project will also stimulate tourism and business development in Wisconsin. (See http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/docs/mwrri-economic.pdf).

Extending the popular Hiawatha passenger train to Madison is the first step on a long journey toward economic prosperity. This project is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a plan that calls for a 3,000-mile passenger rail network serving nine states with frequent service and top speeds of 110 MPH. A modern, efficient rail network will create thousands of jobs, increase property values and reduce traffic jams. It will also reduce our dependence on oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take 500,000 cars off the road (see the Global Warming Task Force Report, page 153 http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotect/gtfgw/documents/Final_Report.pdf). Improving transit will also bring seniors and young professionals who don’t want to or can’t drive back to Wisconsin.

The statewide day of action to Save the Train is hosted by the Sierra Club and cosponsored by Civitáe, the Dane Alliance for Rational Transportation, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, NEWRails, ProRail, Madison Peak Oil Group, Transition Madison Area, United Transportation Union, Upstream Institute for Ecological Ethics, the Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice, WISPIRG & Wisconsin Urban & Rural Transit Association.

Founded in 1892 by John Muir, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEWS MEDIA: Members of the news media are encouraged to RSVP for this event by contacting Shahla Werner at (608) 256-0565. More information on statewide events for the Statewide Day of Action to Save the Train is online at: http://www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Issues/SavetheTrain.htm

###

Post Office Updates

Members of the Oshkosh Postal Workers Union (APWU Local 178) need your help. They will be holding an Informational Picket in front of the Oshkosh Post Office on 20th Ave in Oshkosh on Monday, November 22. From 7am to 10am and then again from 1pm to 3pm. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167742936580567

This informational Picket is the build up to the Postal Services Public Opinion Meeting that is being hold on Tuesday November 23, 2010 at the Reeve Memorial Union on the UW Oshkosh Campus. The Public Opinion meeting will start at 7pm. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176633562351874

Parking on campus around Reeve Union will be cleared for the meeting.

This is the Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Neenah/Menasha and Appleton communities opportunity tell the Postal Service that we feel the Oshkosh Distribution facility should remain open, and by closing this facility will make a big Impact on mail service delivery that would be felt in all communities with the 549 zipcode.

Moving in the Right Direction: High Speed Rail in Wisconsin

YAY BRUCE: Governor Doyle Appoints Bruce Dethlefsen as Poet Laureate

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Governor Doyle Appoints Bruce Dethlefsen as

Poet Laureate

 

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced the appointment of Bruce Dethlefsen as the Poet Laureate of Wisconsin.

“Bruce Dethlefsen is a dedicated and talented poet,” Governor Doyle said. “He has exceptional credentials and a devotion to poetry and representing our great state. I am confident he will be an outstanding Poet Laureate.”

The new Poet Laureate will succeed Marilyn Taylor. As Poet Laureate, Bruce Dethlefsen will choose and lead one large-scale project that contributes to the growth of Wisconsin poetry. He must also plan and attend at least four statewide literary events each year and perform in at least four government, state and civil events as requested by the Governor’s office, school systems and literary organizations. Dethlefsen will begin his two-year term immediately.

“I look forward to being an ambassador for the wonderful poets and poetry of Wisconsin,” Bruce Dethlefsen said. “Serving as Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate is a tremendous honor, and it represents a great opportunity to encourage and support local cultural and creative talent.”

Bruce Dethlefsen received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has written three books and recorded one CD. Dethlefsen is the recipient of multiple distinguished poetry awards. He spends much of his time organizing and leading workshops and judging poetry throughout Wisconsin.

Dethlefsen intends to use his position as the State Poet Laureate to bring poetry to new audiences around the state, promoting the writing and sharing of poetry.

- 30 -

New Leadership

Elections were tonight for the Winnebago County Democratic Party Officers.

The 2011 officers are:

Sara Stichert, Chair
Jef Hall, Vice Chair
Marcia Steele, 2nd Vice Chair
Paulette Feld, Secretary
Evelyn Rieckmann, Treasurer
Jane Speitz, 53rd District Chair
Joan Kaeding, 54th District Chair
Mark Westphal, 55th District Chair
Vern Rieckmann & Dick Schallert, 56th District Co-Chairs

A Message from Tom Nelson

Dear Friend, Thank you. I want to thank each and every one of you who took time this year to make donations, knock doors, stick up signs, make phone calls or simply offer encouraging words.  Your support went a long way in keeping our campaign running strong, winning a crowded primary and going on to run a strong campaign with Tom Barrett. While the result was not what we had hoped for, you can take solace in being part of a campaign that put the interests of working families and our communities ahead of the special and corporate interests.  Among the many issues that brought this campaign together, there was a common theme and purpose: standing up for working families and being a voice for the voiceless. A conservative activist, of all people, once said, “The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders.”  We should take this lesson to heart and redouble our commitment today to our values and priorities for the hardworking people and families of our state and country.  There is plenty of unfinished work ahead of us and -- in both victory and defeat -- the working families of our state need us to stand up for them. Thank you for everything. Sincerely,   Thomas Nelson

Authorized and paid for by Nelson for Wisconsin, Donna Seidel, Treasurer

After Tuesday, we know what voters want

By Mac Nachlas in the Baltimore Sun:

After Tuesday, we know what voters want

After devoting long minutes to careful analysis of Tuesday night's election returns, I now know what Americans want:

We want world class schools with teachers who are so dedicated that they will work for minimum wage. (Note: the best one should be in my neighborhood)

We want cheap, clean, efficient mass transit that goes through someone else's neighborhood.

We want fast, efficient, friendly government services provided by clerks who work happily for free.

We want "clean" coal and domestic crude that does not produce pollution or require digging or drilling.

We want Social Security benefits to go up and Social Security taxes to go down.

We want cheap labor from legal citizens who don't mind living in poverty.

We want government to deliver all these things — then cut taxes and then cut taxes some more. Mostly, we want what we want, and we want it now.

Personally, I want leaders who will tell us frankly that all these things are not possible, that the blessings of infrastructure and education given us by our fathers are wearing out. I want thinkers who can paint a picture of a greater America that could exist in 50 or 100 years, and then unite us with a roadmap to get there. I want America to have a shared vision and an understanding that we all benefit when we all contribute, and that we all suffer when we demand only for ourselves. I want leaders who will tell the truth: that there is no free lunch.

I only picked out my favorite 'wants' - Read the rest here.

Help Clean the Office, Gallery Walk, Letters

Hello Members and Friends of the Winnebago County Democratic Party,

Thank you for your votes, volunteer hours and support in the elections.  While they may not have turned out the way we hoped, we can be proud of the efforts we put in.

We still have a few tasks to complete for Elections 2010.  We need to return the office in a better condition than we found it.  We will be meeting anytime after noon on Saturday, Nov 6^th.  We will keep the office open through Gallery Walk to recruit members.  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121386347922451

We have also had a report of intimidating letters received by a volunteer.  Has anyone else seen something like this: http://www.winnebagodems.org/2010/11/gop-post-election-intimidation.html - please let me know.

Don’t forget to join the Democratic Party in the New Year: http://www.winnebagodems.org/p/join.html

Finally, if you are interested in running for a Spring 2011 elected office, get more info here and contact us: http://www.winnebagodems.org/p/elections.html

Thanks again for all your efforts.

-jef-

Jef Hall
Chair, Winnebago County Democratic Party
2nd Vice Chair, Democratic Party of WI
112 E Irving Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54901

920.203.6883
jef@jefhall.com
www.WinnebagoDems.org

Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Jef Hall, Chair

GOP Post-Election Intimidation

The following was sent via mail to one of our Democratic Volunteers:

Has anyone else gotten anything like this? The person who received it would like to remain anonymous, but it was sent to the attention of him and his wife by name. His wife is not listed in the phone book, so there had to be some research done on the part of the GOP operative.

If anyone else has seen or received anything like this, please let me know.

 

The text reads:

CSMCL*

November 3, 2010

Dear _______,

In case you missed it, attached is a copy of the November 3rd edition of The Appleton Post Crescent's first page.

Who knows, perhaps a couple more yard signs for your losing candidates might have turned the tide.

Now that the election is over, stop embarrassing yourselves-- crawl back in your hole and get lost, you sorry ass liberals.

Till Later,

The Staff at CSMCL

* Coalition in Support of Mentally Challenged Liberals

Statement from President Obama

Friend -- The results of Tuesday's elections were disappointing for a lot of us. But because of the work you all did, we won some key races in places all over the country. We have a lot to be proud of -- and a lot of work still left ahead. The President recorded a message yesterday thanking you for all you've done. Take a moment to watch it: http://my.barackobama.com/Nov4thThankYou Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Statement from Mayor Tom Barrett

Dear Friend, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Throughout our campaign I was inspired by your passion, your energy, and your generosity. Thank you for all the doors you knocked, the calls you made, and conversations you had with fellow Wisconsinites about the future of our great state. I will never forget the sweat, dedication and energy you put forth for our campaign. While the outcome wasn't what we had hoped for on Election Day, it doesn't mean that the challenges facing Wisconsin workers and families go away. During our campaign, I met proud Wisconsinites in every corner of the state - worried about jobs, worried about their communities, worried about their families and their future. It doesn't matter if you're from Superior, Platteville, Marinette or Milwaukee. The concerns are the same. That is why I have pledged to work with Governor-elect Scott Walker to rise above the politics, and move Wisconsin forward. I have always believed in getting things done, and as I always have, I will work with anyone to move the ball forward. I know we can get Wisconsin's economy working again. I'm an optimist -- it's just who I am. Future generations in Wisconsin are counting on us -- all of us, at every level, to get these things done. The campaign may be over, but our mission is not. I am going to keep fighting for progress on these issues because there is more work to do, and I ask all of you to join me. Thank you very much! Tom Barrett

Support us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter| Watch us on YouTube   Our mailing address is: Barrett for Wisconsin PO Box 510796 Milwaukee, WI 53203  Paid for by Barrett for Wisconsin, Catherine Shaw, Treasurer

Statement from Sen. Russ Feingold

Thank you

Friends,

Thank you. Thank you for your support over the years.  Representing Wisconsin in the Senate has been the greatest honor of my life and together we accomplished many great things. No one has ever had such a strong foundation of support as I have.  You gave me my backbone.

In the words of Bob Dylan:  "But my heart is not weary.  It's light and free.  I've got nothing but affection for those who have sailed with me." 

Forward!

Thank you,

P.S. You can view my Election Night remarks here.

Authorized and paid for by the Feingold Senate Committee | Daniel D. Hannula, Superior, WI, Treasurer

Was the Problem Turnout?

From Michael Tomasky

Turnout: explains a lot

Here, as far as I can see, are the three big top-line differences:

1. The 2008 electorate was 74% white, plus 13% black and 9% Latino. The 2010 numbers were 78, 10 and 8. So it was a considerably whiter electorate.

2. In 2008, 18-to-29-year-olds made up 18% and those 65-plus made up 16%. Young people actually outvoted old people. This year, the young cohort was down to 11%, and the seniors were up to a whopping 23% of the electorate. That's a 24-point flip.

3. The liberal-moderate-conservative numbers in 2008 were 22%, 44% and 34%. Those numbers for yesterday were 20%, 39% and 41%. A big conservative jump, but in all likelihood because liberals didn't vote in big numbers.

Add to these figures the fact that overall turnout was down by about a third, or more, from nearly 130 million to about 82.5 million. That's at least 45 million no-shows, and the exits tell us the bulk of them were liberal, young, black, Latino. If 25 million of these no-shows had voted, Democratic losses would pretty obviously have been in the normal range, and they'd still control the House.

DPW Chair Mike Tate's Statement:

Fellow Democrats:

First, let me start by thanking you for the money you gave, the doors on which you knocked, the calls that you made, the effort you put forth yesterday.

Facing stiff headwinds that howled against us across this nation, we absorbed an electoral defeat.

In the face of this, we could not be prouder of the campaigns and organization put together by Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett. They showed us how to run with honor and with a sense of hope for our future.

So now, we organize.

The Republican campaign of dissembling, of fear-mongering, of division was rocketed along by an unprecedented flood of shady money. It issued from the same craven and corporate sources that now hope to return our state and nation to the reckless and greedy policies that brought us the Recession.

We will not let them.

The stakes are high and therefore we will continue the fight for Wisconsin values. We will continue to organize and to win elections to protect our hard-won gains - and to prevent the wholesale dismantling of our middle class. We will be heard in the ongoing conversation about the direction of our country.

In the coming weeks and months, we will employ a combination of savvy, organization and sweat that will see us become more powerful by the day. We will learn from our mistakes. We will regroup. We will improve. And, with your continued aid and support, we will win. 
 
Sincerely,

 
Mike Tate
DPW Chair