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Volunteers Valued at ECDC

In 2006 and 2008 I organized the club’s campaign walks as a volunteer.  That is how I began to participate in the El Cerrito Democratic Club.  It was a discreet task with a defined goal – get the club’s endorsements to the residents of El Cerrito.  It was a way to help the club function and achieve its mission.  The club does not walk endorsements every year, just even years, however, we have other activities that do occur every year and your help would be appreciated.  Since this is an election year, with a few more activities than non-campaign years, we have even more opportunities for you to help!  Here is a list of six (6) volunteer opportunities in 2018:

  • Organize endorsement walks in May
  • Register voters at Loving Day in June
  • Staff our booth on the 4th of July
  • Assist at the endorsement forum on Saturday the 25th of August
  • Organize endorsement walks in September
  • Set-up and staff the Annual Dinner in October

Also, we would appreciate a helper to set up the monthly meetings and clean up at the end.  If you are interested in any of these tasks, please see President Janet Abelson or me at one of the next meetings or email Janet at ECDC.Pres@gmail.com.

On behalf of the Board, I thank everyone who plans to volunteer,

-Greg Lyman

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Review of Members Meeting – March 27, 2018

Meeting Commenced at 6:30 pm

Announcements

  • Maria Allegria, of the Contra Costa Democratic Club showed CADEM’s (California Democratic Party’s) announcement to honor ECDC, for Volunteer of the year award
  • Moved Crosby, seconded E. Brown to Waive 10-day notice rule to permit vote on Roosevelt Dinner advertisement – approved
  • Motion moved and seconded (Alegria/O’Connor) to take out a quarter page advertisement for the Roosevelt awards dinner, April 21, 2018, 6-9 pm, Concord Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (contracostadems.org)- approved
  • Al Miller Announcement: El Cerrito Library Foundation – For the first time the library will be open on Wednesdays. The First Wednesday Celebration will be on April 4, 2018 (4-6 pm). There will be a party at the Library – food, music and entertainment.
  • Joan Carpenter Announcement: The League of Women Voters West Contra Costa County is co-sponsoring with the County Library system an AD15 delegates candidates forum at San Pablo Library on April 23, 6:00 pm.
  • Ayore Riaunda running for Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller spoke – fight for good decent wages

ECDC Business

  • Minutes of Feb. 27, 2018 meeting moved/seconded (Allegria/Quinto) to approve– approved
  • Treasurer’s Report: Have a balance of $ 11,000. The club is financially stable. If members have not paid dues, please do so – Treasurers’ report approved
  • Ratification of Janet Abelson’s appointment of Hari Lamba as VP of Publications – moved/seconded (Miller/Lyman) to approve – approved

 6:45 Program Presentations

Lisa Tucker spoke on Regional Measure 3 (RM3) to be voted on by all nine Bay Area Counties in June.  Purpose is to help solve the Bay Area’s growing congestion problems.  The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) worked with the state Legislature to authorize this ballot measure to finance a comprehensive list of highway and transit improvements through an increase of bridge tolls over time on the region’s seven state-owned toll bridges. A handout brochure described transit, road and bridge projects that will benefit Contra Costa County, if approved. Question: Reduced fare for lower income folks? Answer: Transit will have lower cost, but toll will have to be fully paid. A number of RM3 projects were described by Lisa. Senate Bill 595 (authored by Sen. Jim Beall of San Jose) was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brown in fall 2017.  If approved by a majority of voters in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties, toll revenues would be used to finance a $4.45 billion slate of highway and transit improvements in the toll bridge corridors and their approach routes.

Presentations by the East Bay Regional Parks: Erick Pfuehler, Government Affairs Manager, and Lisa Baldinger, Legislative Assistant, presented and discussed the proposition on the June 5 statewide ballot – Proposition 68.  A “yes” vote would authorize $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects. $200 m for park districts, $21.25 m for SF Bay coastal conservancy, and $ 20 m for Measure AA. $ 725 m for parks for park poor neighborhoods. A number of other funding opportunities were presented.

Extension of East Bay CC Measure (2018 California Park and Water Bond & Measure CC Extension). This was adopted in 2004. There is a funding proposal for 11.5 added positions. 2004 allocations were $ 46m, and 2018 Final proposed allocations are $ 49m. Motion considered to consider in support of proposition 68 – Motion passed with one no vote. Motion to support other one – approved – 3 abstentions.

Rebecca Saltzman, El Cerrito art Director spoke on El Cerrito BART issues/SB 1 Repeal efforts and provided a brief update on issues impacting El Cerrito BART riders and stations.  Video shown – We’re Rebuilding. Showed track upgrades and replacements based on funding Measure RR Bonds issued $ 3.5 b. Independent oversight committee oversees the activity. She also provided information on efforts to place a proposition on the November ballot to repeal recently passed SB 1 (Beall) which raised the gas tax and will provide funding for a variety of road, transportation and transit programs and projects in the state. SB 1 funding projects were discussed – this money is needed for variety of improvements. New Train cars – they have ordered 775 cars. El Cerrito del Norte station will be modernized – expanded Paid Area and adding escalators. Bart.gov/betterbart. A new focus on fare evasion enforcement, higher barriers, etc. Cleaner stations, with 15 new cleaners, and deep cleaning nightly. Safety and security – hire more officers, increase visibility, and connect homeless to services. Get a Clipper Card Online. New youth fares. The noise reduction will focus on new wheel profiles and regular grinding of the track. New cars should reduce the noise. A number of questions were asked and answered. When they get a new train control system, they will be able to run more cars, so added funding in RM3 will help fund added cars.

Mister Phillips spoke about the 2nd Annual Building & Construction Trades Career Fair for middle and high school students, that will be held on Saturday, April 21, 11 am – 2 pm, at the Lavonya DeJean Middle School, 3400 McDonald Avenue, Richmond.  For more info contact Mister Phillips at (510) 307-7872, or at mister.phillips@wccusd.net.

County Candidates and Measure for ECDC Endorsement

The El Cerrito Democratic Club sought endorsement by its members of the following candidates and measures at the meeting on March 27, 2018.

The candidates included here are (1) Democrats running for positions in Contra Costa County and (2) the State Superintendent of Public Instruction — a non-partisan post where a majority vote on the June primary election will elect that candidate without a General Election campaign.

More information on Contra Costa County elections can be obtained at:

http://www.cocovote.us/wp-content/uploads/2018_CandidateGuide.pdf

Ballots: Votes received for each candidate

State:

  1. State Superintendent of Public Instruction
    • Tony Thurmond – 21 (Endorsed)
    • Marshall Tuck – 1
    • No Endorsement – 1

Contra Costa County:

  1. Contra Costa District Attorney
    • Diana Becton – 21 (Endorsed)
    • No Endorsement – 1
  2. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
    • Lynn Mackey – 20 (Endorsed)
    • No Endorsement – 1
  3. Contra Costa County Assessor
    • Gus Kramer – 8 (No Decision)                                                  
    • Geoffrey William Steele – 4
    • No Endorsement – 8
  4. Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller
    1. Ayore Riaunda – 21 (Endorsed)
    2. No Endorsement – 2

Regional:

  1. Regional Measure 3
    • Support – 19 (Endorsed)
    • Oppose – 2
    • No Endorsement – 1

Meeting adjourned around 8:15 pm

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REMINDER: ENDORSEMENT MEETING 6 PM TONIGHT!

Remember that our Club’s Endorsement Meeting will be held tonight at 6 PM in the auditorium of Harding School, 7230 Fairmount Avenue, El Cerrito. Please note that (sadly) NO FOOD is allowed in the auditorium. This is one of our most significant meetings of the year, so we hope to see you there!