Tooele County Democrats

Tis The Season!

2011-11-18T09:37:00.001-08:00

Tis the season to look outside of ourselves and see the needs of others. Why now? For a million results. It's getting cold outside. Economic times are tough. Because holidays such as Thanksgiving, the Feast of Lady Guadalupe, St. Lucia Day, Winter Solstice, Soyaluna, DongZhi, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Omisoka, and New Years are all coming up (Sorry if I missed any!). The reasons don't matter, but the people do! Let's "Put People First" this season and find ways to serve.

There are plenty of ways to serve. Throughout this season we will be positing any oppurtunities we find here. If you hear any any that you would like us to add, please email it (or take a picture) and send it to hazel.reed@tooeledemocrats.org so I can add it too! Please help us to make a bigger difference this year!

Kicking Cancer's Can 2011

2011-11-10T17:40:00.001-08:00

On November 5th 2011 Tooele Democrats showed up in force to help local resident Dani Thomas and her family raise money to "kick cancer's can". We began by shoveling snow from the sidewalk at Parker's Park. We brought our Canopy, some tables and chairs, 216 bottles of Soda, and 2 portable fire-pits to help out at this event. Luckily, the sun broke through and our fire pits weren't needed. After the carnival and race course set-up were complete, the Tooele Democrats, led by Kendall Thomas and Valerie Lee (seen below), began blowing up balloons to sell for a special ceremony at 11AM. After a brief speech in memory of Cancer Survivors everywhere (and remember that even cancer victims are Cancer Survivors) all the balloons were released into the air.

After the ceremony, races, and carnival concluded, the Tooele County Democrats were also there to help clean up.

Despite, the cold weather preventing us from being able to raise as much as we would have hoped, we are proud of what we were able to accomplish.

If anyone is still interested in donating to Dani Thomas, please go to http://kickingcancerscan.blogspot.com/ and click on the donate button.

This 5K run/fundraiser began in 2010 with a fund raiser to help the loved but now late Candice Heaps with her battle, and is now intended to be an annual event to support Tooele's beloved neighbors and Cancer Survivors. The recipient of this fundraiser will be selected prior to the race each year.

Thank you again to everyone who came out to support this endeavor. Thank you for "Putting People First"!

Taste of Tooele

2011-09-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love it when things come together nicely. After a work emergency that kept me from attending our planning meeting on Monday, I'll admit I was a little worried about how the Tooele Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (or The Taste of Tooele) would go. I was even more worried on Wednesday, the day of the expo, when I realized I was already suppose to be there; I had only one known volunteer, and our banners were still attached to our float.

Well, I pulled my delicious peanut-butter bars from the oven and prayed a volunteer with a food handlers' permit would show up. Then I stuffed the canopy, volunteer sign-up, and my three kids into the car and headed over to the Tooele City Park / Pratt Aquatic Center.

Expo volunteers were waiting to help me unload and set up. Rick (Vice Chair) was already there with our banner, "I'm In!" Obama materials and "Save the Stockton Sandbar" sign. Shortly after I finished setting up, Rose (a new Activities Committee volunteer who had come to Monday's meeting) showed up with a bowl full off blue ribbons and the food handlers' permit. Kendall Thomas (Activities Committee) also showed up to converse about how we can all work together on saving our sandbar.

By the end, the peanut-butter bars and blue ribbons were gone, the volunteer sign-up had a handful of names on it, and the masses were anxiously anticipating the Stockton Sandbar redistricting meeting at Tooele County Building on October 5th at 7pm.

The food was delicious, the people were friendly and exited to see us, the event was a complete success. Even Republican Senator Daniel Thatcher for SLC & Tooele (see below) stopped by to visit and graciously volunteered to take our picture (shown above).

Thanks again to all of those who made this event a success!

Remake, Restore, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2011-08-24T18:04:00.001-07:00

On the evening of August 11th the Tooele Democrats Activities Committee got together to remake, restore, and rethink various parts of our 2011 float.

After the Tooele Parade, en route to the Grantsville Parade, a wind storm tragically blew down much of our artistic Tooele County Skyline. Additionally, we decided our float should have a more esthetically pleasing side view rather than just from behind it. We also thought it may have appeared a little cluttered.

On August 11th, we made our backdrop more aerodynamic as well as easier to see from the sides. We also removed some inconsistent career props.

On August 20th we joined in the fun at Stanbury Days and test piloted our new masterpiece. For those who weren't too busy drinking our free water or basking in the chill and taste of our free Otter Pops, the Tooele County Democrats version of "Tooele Pride Countywide" could be seen.

As a creative interest sidenote, historic buildings featured on our float were the Tooele City Post Office, Tooele County Children's Justice Center, the Ritz Theatre, and the Tooele Pioneer Museum. Among other things, our float was designed using blue recycle garbage bags, reused boxes, some recycled wood, old sprinkler pipe, old table decorations, and the creative abilities of Tooele County Democrats. Thanks again to all who participated.

Remember: "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!"

Say the magic word...

2011-08-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

Generally when we hear the term "magic word" it is because someone is trying to convince a child to say "please". Saturday August 6th, 2011 at the Tooele County Fair we had the privilege of hearing many people use it differently.

"Come get some free watermelon" we called. "You just said the magic word" they responded.

Truly, "free" was a magic word this weekend. The county fair was bustling with dancers, music, clowns, livestock, businesses, and other variety shows. My family and I were able to find 2 "free" games which offered candy prizes in exchange for a few minutes of listening to a sales pitch. We did enjoy the entertainment, but I admit I was slightly disappointed in the lack of presence that the magic word "free" made at this event.

The watermelon we offered must have been refreshing in more ways than one. It was refreshing in the heat, refreshing in the dehydrated soul, and refreshing in the pocketbook.

We would like to express our gratitude to the directors of the livestock show, Jeff Williams and Bob Gowans, for allowing us the privilege of serving at this event. We would also like to thank many of the Tooele Democrats for donating time, supplies, and watermelons to make this event possible. The refreshing "free watermelons" were not free to them. Thank you for "refreshing" us all and "Putting People First" once again.

Join Us this Weekend!

2011-08-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

After a 14 hour day at work today, I have just now completed the TOOELE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT "Food Handlers Course". I am now properly prepared to join with my fellow democrats this weekend as we offer fresh watermelon at Tooele County Annual "Cattle Auction" this Saturday between 10am and 2pm.

Won't you come to the auction? Have a great time with the kids? Join us...and get some good fresh melon ? Look for us at the blue TOOELE DEMOCRATS tent.

John O'Donnell
Chair, Tooele County Democrats

Did you find us in Tooele? Did you miss us in Grantsville?

2011-07-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

After a month of preparation, our float was ready for Independence Day; or so we thought. The Tooele City Parade went smoothly. We were thrilled to hear so much cheering and to receive so little negative feedback.

Unfortunately, on route to Grantsville some wind took our float from a masterpiece to just plain pieces. Not to worry, it will be repaired for upcoming events.

Thanks again to everyone who donated their time and talents to our float or walking with us.

Putting People First: The Mancave Paulie Project

2011-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Paul has been diagnosed with Lemierreis Syndrome, a rare disease with only 160 documented cases in the last 100 years.

Today the Tooele Democrats joined many other local citizens and businesses in sponsoring an event to raise money to help out Paul during this difficult challenge. We donated soda and water and supplied many volunteers. Our volunteers took donations, made signs, passed out fliers, made snow cones, supervised carnival games, handed out beverages, and helped with setting up and taking down the tents, tables, and other entertainment.

Donations can still be made at Wells Fargo to the Mancave Paulie Donation Fund.

Thanks again to all who were able to attend and donate. Thanks for "Putting Paulie First".

Hear the news! Spread the word!

2011-06-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

"REPRESENT ME UTAH" will be staging an event prior to the Tooele Hearings on the 21st of June.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS, SPREAD THE WORD.........This is an important event for our county, our representation, our future.

Do not let what happened ten years ago, occur again. If reports are right, Tooele County was not treated fairly in the 2001 Redistricting. Then it is even more important now.

The 21st of June is the time to take a firm stand on the issue of "FAIR REPRESENTATION" for all of Tooele County. We deserve better.

The TEA PARTY founded its name based on the "original" TEA PARTY during which the notion of "No taxation without representation" was based. This battle cry is now as timely for all of us. HERE. NOW as fellow Tooele citizens, as common hard working people we stand united on a platform that serves all, irrespective of party affiliation.

Join me. And be part of the future of our county.

John O'Donnell, Chair
Tooele County Democratic Party

Gone but not forgotten...

2011-05-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

This morning we woke up early to support you in our local Tooele and Grantsville Cemeteries. Perhaps we arrived at little too early; we had to move the snow before helping to clean off the tombstones. One may think that the snow would have cleaned the tombstones enough, but hidden beneath the snow we found much work still to be done. We carved out overgrown grass, polished out lime stained pictures and names, and soaked our knees in the grass helping those whose knees would no longer allow them to perform this service for their loved ones.

Those of us who attended the Tooele Cemetery were privileged to attend the dedication ceremony of a new podium near the flag pole. We sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard other speeches and songs written to honor the fallen heroes of this great nation.

May we all remember those who have walked before us and may we live to carry on their legacies!

For those who were able to come help out, thank you again.

Putting People First On Memorial Day

2011-05-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day the Tooele County Democratic Party will be "Putting People First" at our local cemeteries.

We have arranged to help out at the Grantsville and Tooele City Cemeteries. We will be setting up booths in both cemeteries where we will have tombstone cleaning supplies (such as vinegar, empty milk cartons for carrying water, garbage bags, and grass cutting tools) available to anyone who would like to use them. We will also be offering our help to cut back the overgrown grass and clean the headstones for anyone who would like some help or training on how do this. We plan on being set up between 8AM and Noon on Memorial Day.

Grantsville City Cemetery (400 West Main Street) has also invited us to help set up chairs for their Memorial Day Presentation that will begin at 8:00AM. After the presentation we will have our booth set up in the gazebo.

Tooele City Cemetery (361 South 100 East) recommended we set up our booth near the main entrance under the trees.

We need your help! One Democrat in a cemetery can not effectively demonstrate that our party is truly "Putting People First". Lets show up in full force! To volunteer please email hazel.reed@tooeledemocrats.org or call Hazel at 435-843-2423.

A message from our new chair . . .

2011-05-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

I ask that you take the moment to reflect on those things that you hold dear to you. Honesty, trust and pride are always on folk's lists. The Democratic Party has always been the voice of those who, earn an honest living, taking care for those behind us, and ensure the safety of those before us. Democrats have always taken pride in them selves, the party and our country.

Democrats bring voice to conversations of reason. With plain talk we have spoken of our social commitment made to our senior citizens in the form of social security being there for them. We are strong in our stand not to change that commitment. Further, we believe that every American should have appropriate and adequate healthcare available to them. And, certainly that Medicare and Medicare that we have molded to be sure that our citizens do not have 3rd world county health service delivery.

We believe that we need to take care of our environment and be sure that we have safe air to breath and food to eat. We believe that federal regulation is required to keep all of us safe. Be it mining inspections, monitoring off shore oil drilling to keep our miners and shores safe. We believe in the humanity of all with respect to immigration and ensuring a pathway to citizenship for those who have been within the USA and are part of the productive patchwork of our labor force.

In Tooele, we need to be sensitive to the needs of those who have no voice, no power and no money in influence governmental operations. We pledge to be at the ready to assist those in need and wish to have voice in the conversation that makes this country strong. We believe in the strength and have passion for our county and of the hard working families that are its fabric.

Help the Tooele Democratic Party! Come join us in our ponderence of the times. The search to answers to questions from those with little clout but who deserve an answer. Come join us as we explore ways to make things continually better through effective, open and compassionate governance. Join us as we promote our elected officials to open its meetings to the public that allows for a critical review of decision making that is the right of each and every citizen. Lets open our minds to great things. Lets open our eyes to a new vision and lets open the doors of our elected offices of Tooele County.

Our immediate goals for the next quarter:

Actions that will ensure UT HB 116 remain intact. Utah County Republican Party voted at their recent convention to repeal this UT bill that allows families to remain intact. Our officials think it is the right thing, the Utah Compact thinks that it is the right thing, and the LDS Church has endorsed HB116 as the human and right thing to do.
Lets pressure republicans in congress to stop taxpayer subsidies for the Oil Companies that are now reporting excessive profits on the backs of Americans.
Lets raise the volume of the cry. STOP JOBS LEAVING AMERICA. And Tooele citizens save the gas money and shop here in Tooele. Support our local businesses, close to home. BUY AMERICAN

If you support these things; if you are concerned over the future? JOIN the discussion. Come to a meeting and let's be heard.

John J. O'Donnell
Chair, Tooele County Democrats

Introducing Our Youth Representatives

2011-05-03T12:35:00.001-07:00

We would like to introduce our new Youth Representatives for the Tooele Democratic Party. Each Representative's duties will include attending monthly Central Committee Meetings, organizing Young Democrats, putting together registration packets for graduating students, helping out at various community events and service projects, and organizing a political themed essay contest.

Kylee E.

Activities: Student Teacher and Teacher's Aid, Landscaper, Color Guard, Key Club, and Bowling.

"Why would I be interested in being a Democratic Party Youth Representative? The answer is simple, this would be an extremely beneficial program I could represent to get my foot in the door and give my life-long career a good start. I am very confident in my choice in becoming a Politician in the near future. I am young and need as much experience, help, and opportunities as I can get my hands on. I believe this to be a chance so grand I would be a fool to not do everything in my power to obtain it. I believe this to be the beginning step on my long path to becoming something and someone great. I am a hardworking, dedicated, you democrat who's beliefs are well thought through, knowledge backed, and obtained through factual reasoning. I am very passionate about what I believe to be right and wrong. I am opinionated, loud, and argumentative; but that doesn't mean I don't listen to reason and know all the sides of the issue. My hopes and dreams are large and will take much time to aspire to. There are no boundaries to what I hope to accomplish within my life time."

Olivia J.

Activities: Varsity Debate, National Forensics League, Varsity Mock Trail, National Honors Society, Soccer, Key Club, MESA, Art Teacher, and Climbing Club.

"My number one motivation is my dream of one day being like those important people in our history books that have made the world a better place, addressing the public with utmost confidence that nothing to too great (or too terrible) enough to stand between liberty and the people of our nation. Former President John F. Kennedy once said, "I look forward to a great future for America--a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose." I look to these words to remind me of the shape that I hope to help form the future into, even if starting is by putting together registration packets for graduating students. Those words inspire me to always work hard for a better future and becoming (a) Democratic Youth Representative would be a fantastic way to begin that future."

We still need Youth Representatives from several High Schools in
Tooele County. All interested applicants need to send a resume and a short letter (up to 500 words) indicating why they are interested in being Youth Representatives for the Tooele County Democratic Party.

Emergency notice: 5k run against violence on Apr. 30th CANCELLED

2011-04-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

From Karen Kuipers:

Please help us get the word out. The "Run Against Violence" will NOT be held this weekend (Saturday April 30th). Due to several challenges that have recently developed, it has been determined that the cause will be best served if the race is postponed until September.

Prize sponsors and those who have pre-registered will be contacted via the contact info given on their registration forms, and their donations or registration fees will be returned. Participants & sponsors may also opt to have their donations applied to support the rescheduled race, which will have details finalized by the end of May.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and appreciate the continued support of community efforts to raise awareness & provide advocacy for victims of domestic violence & sexual assault. The Tooele County Domestic Violence Coalition is looking forward to seeing everybody at the September event. You can get updates at http://www.runagainstviolence.blogspot.com

***************************************
For those who are excited to run this weekend, there is another local 5K race available to support. The "2011 Stansbury Stride 5K Run" sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 1816 (based in Stansbury Park) is holding a run that starts Saturday, April 30th at 8:30am. For more information on the Stansbury Stride, contact: troop1816@gmail.com
--

Thanks to everyone who signed up to volunteer or participate; we'll stay on this for the reboot in September.

Convention tomorrow!

2011-04-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Just a last minute reminder that CONVENTION IS TOMORROW! We'll be electing our Executive Committee for the next two years and all offices are open for nominations! Be at the Tooele Senior Center at 7:00 (6:30 if you're a precinct chair or vice-chair to help greet and credential people).

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Tooele County Democrats; Putting People First

2011-04-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

The goal of the Tooele County Democrats' Activities Committee this year is to go into our local community and demonstrate our motto "Putting People First" in action.

In a community where needs are plentiful and funds are few, we must consider what we as Tooele Democrats have to offer and where our services can be used the most. Perhaps our greatest resource is an incredible group of individuals whom love their community and are ready and willing to make it an even better place to live.

On Saturday April 16th, 2011 some of those individuals joined with local salons (Urban Endz, A Cut Above, La Chic Image, Waves, Sheer Pleasure, and Sprinkle of Style) and the Bikers Against Child Abuse to raise money for the Children's Justice Center of Tooele. Together, we sponsored a hair Cut-A-Thon and were able to collect over $1000 for this wonderful organization. The Tooele Democrats supplied some entertainment and free soda pop for those participating in the event. We received multiple comments from people passing by that were excited to see that, despite our recent losses, we have not disappeared.

On Saturday April 30th, 2011 we will be co-sponsoring the Tooele County 5K Run Against Violence. http://www.runagainstviolence.blogspot.com/. Local Democrats are donating water and some soda pop for this event. We have also been asked to find 14 volunteers to run the registration, water stations, and other functions during this event. All net proceeds will benefit local victims and families of domestic violence and sexual assault. We still need more volunteers to fill this need. You, the Tooele Democrats are the greatest resource we have to offer this community! There will be a meeting April 26th at 6PM at Elton Park for all volunteers to receive their assignments. If you are willing and able to represent us at this event please call Hazel at 435-843-2423 or email hazel.reed@tooeledemocrats.org.

Also, please do the same if you find an opportunity for the Tooele Democrats to "Put People First" and show the citizens of Tooele County that we are still a powerful force for good and that we are not in hiding!

Responding to Mr. Sloan

2011-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

I hadn't thought to write before our convention, but there are times when a response is necessary. Chris Sloan's words in today's Transcript Bulletin must be responded to. Mr. Sloan, chairman of the Tooele Republican Party and subscriber to the Tooele Democrats blog, tells the citizens of Tooele that, after answering the Transcript's questions about what challenges lie ahead for the party, he decided that no one else in the thousands of Republicans in Tooele county is capable of carrying the party forward for the next two years. And yet, to quote his own blog post from TooeleGOP.org:

According to the Tooele Transcript, we “dominate” Tooele County. Whether or not you agree with that, it’s no time to rest. After the November election “massacre”, the Democrats are already hard at work to overthrow everything that we accomplished. They were embarrassed, and are very motivated to turn the tables. It’s time to take the next step in our evolution. To that end, I announced in our January Central Committee meeting that I would not be seeking re-election to the Chair post. It’s time for new leadership, leadership that can take us to the next level. That new leadership will be elected at the Tooele County Republican Organizing Convention being held at Tooele City Hall on April 28th at 7pm.

Mr. Sloan goes on to say that the Transcript is obviously pro-Democratic in its coverage. Why? Because it printed, in one issue this past week, three articles (two from non-Transcript guests) offering opinions regarding the pending redrawing of Utah's political boundaries. This isn't a county issue, it's a statewide concern. A hundred thousand Utahns signed the Fair Boundaries petition asking for their legislative leaders to employ a nonpartisan, common sense approach to this redistricting. I'd point out those words in quotes above. Those are the Transcript's. So is "Feckless," which they called my administration a year ago. Not kind words, not biased, not sympathetic to the Democratic party at all.

Mr. Sloan has "dominated" and "massacred" the Democrats. But his tantrum, given the Republican's most successful election in Tooele in decades, is an embarassment to the Republicans. I call upon all Republicans in Tooele county to follow Mr. Sloan's advice and elect new leadership before old leadership decides that new leadership will never be needed.

It's not personal. I'm stepping down, too. But if Republicans are going to be the party of power for the next few years, they need someone with integrity representing them or they can't be trusted with anything they say.

Who will save GRAMA?

2011-03-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading the newspapers or listening to local radio or TV news this past month, you've heard about House Bill 477. I've read over this bill, and all I can say is that something this massive (over 60 pages!) could not have been effectively read, much less discussed, in committee in one day's time.

As I understand it, the aim of the bill was to update our decades-old GRAMA laws, those laws which provide for government records to be stored and made accessible to citizens and organizations upon request. Back when GRAMA was passed, technology as we know it today was very different. Updating the law to cover cell phones, emails, and text messages makes sense. But somewhere in the process of updating, the intent was changed from "providing transparency and accountability in public service" to "saving a few dollars and providing privacy protection to public servants." In effect, instead of updating the law, HB477 reduced it to trivial meaninglessness.

Efforts are underway, by both liberals and conservatives, to collect enough signatures to repeal the law by referendum (nearly 100,000 from across the state). We'll need volunteers in Tooele to make this happen as well. If you're interested in helping, please sign up at www.savegrama.org.

The Tooele County Democratic Party Youth Representative Wanted

2011-03-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

The Tooele County Democratic Party is currently seeking a Youth Representative from each high school in Tooele County. The position will last through the summer until the beginning of the next school year. Ideal candidates would be interested in politics and serving in their community.

Each Representative’s duties will include attending monthly Central Committee Meetings and the Tooele County Democratic Convention (April 27th at 7:00 PM), putting together registration packets for graduating students, helping out at various community events and service projects, and organizing a political themed essay contest.

All interested applicants need to send a resume and a short letter (up to 500 words) indicating why they are interested in being Youth Representatives for the Tooele County Democratic Party.

Please include a telephone number and an email address with each application. Please send applications to 709 W. 770 N. Tooele. All applications must be received by April 21st. For more information, call 435-277-0336 or email tooeledemocrats@gmail.com

Central Committee Meeting Tonight - Cancelled

2011-03-07T16:50:00.001-08:00

As I was driving home, and passed the third accident between Stansbury and Tooele, the thought occured to me that precious as democracy is, wisdom dictates that we should try to travel less this evening if possible. Please stay safe and we'll work to reschedule this meeting.

UPDATE: We're meeting on Monday, March 14th at 7pm at the Tooele County Building. Hope to see you there!

Legislative Caucus tonight!

2011-03-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

Our final Tooele Legislative Caucus meeting of the session is tonight.

Where: House of Representatives (West building) downstairs, Room 30.
When: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 (probably)
Who is invited: You!

This is the best opportunity we have to hear what our elected officials are doing for us, what they plan to do, and give them feedback and ideas. I'll be there and I hope you will too!

Kids in cars, and the parents who stepped away...

2011-03-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Normally I am the first to become frustrated when I hear talk of yet another crazy law regarding how I am permitted to travel with my children. I still wonder which car seat company paid off the Utah State legislature to insist my future 7 year old be in a booster seat instead of using the seat belt lowering device my car manufacturer designed for the same purpose. I would also love to remove all forms of plastic from my wallet in an attempt to save money--if it weren't for the fact that the law would require me to drive to a gas pump, get all three of my kids out of their car seats, go in and prepay, put them back in the car while I pump gas (so they don't get hit by anyone in the parking lot), bring them all back in to the cashier to get my change (assuming of course that I don't have to pay extra for anything they knocked over or opened while we were waiting in line) and then buckle them properly in their car seats again. However, this time I think a new law would have been nice.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51348082-76/bill-parents-rep-cars.html.csp today the House defeated a bill that would make leaving children under 12 years old in a car unattended a Class C misdemeanor.

As previously mentioned, my gut reaction to this is to fight over-legislation, however this particular bill requires a closer look. Right now there are much worse penalties for leaving children unattended in cars. This law would potentially allow me to leave the kids in the car while I run in to pay for my gas (basically, I would risk a traffic ticket instead of child neglect/abuse charges). Personally, I think this sounds like a step in the right direction.

The State House of Representatives apparently thought this law would be encroaching on parental rights. I'm curious what rights they thought we would be losing, since the explanation appears to be giving me a little more leeway--not less. I wonder if they actually did their homework on this one to find out what is in the existing law before they decided to vote this one down.

I guess I'll keep plastic in my wallet and leave my seat belt shoulder strap adjuster unused for now.

Note: My comment about a car seat company paying off the legislature is purely sarcastic and not intended to be an accusation.

An unpublished letter to the Editor...

2011-03-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

The hurdles Utah public schools and teachers face are complicated by the enormous changes we face every year. In the Utah State Legislature this year, there are 110 bills which deal directly or indirectly with public education. Imagine if you faced this daunting number of changes every 12 months in your chosen profession!

I believe that policymakers have a difficult and thankless job, but I am struck by their lack of knowledge of public education: the hurdles we continuously jump over, the lack of a level playing field for ALL students and teachers.

I’m struck by the audacity of non-educators telling me--a professional, dedicated teacher--how to do my job, as well as the untruths spoken by some regarding what happens in my neighborhood school with teachers and my Association. Some Legislators make blanket statements, which may or may not be grounded in fact; impose legislation, which may or may not be based on proven practices; vilify teachers and my Association as the “problem” with our schools; then advocate redirecting public education funds toward private and charter schools, which benefit only the most privileged of Utah children while ignoring the neediest of my students.

It is clear that there are a few powerful legislators who are instrumentally dismantling our neighborhood public schools in favor of privatization and charter schools. Differences of opinion are no longer tolerated; opponents are viewed as enemies if not terrorists. What is it going to take for some of our elected officials to set aside the self-interests of a small group of people and represent their entire constituency? I hope it doesn’t mean losing our neighborhood schools who educate ALL children regardless of their circumstances.

Cheryl Dearing,
Schoolteacher

How public should public information be?

2011-03-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Senator Jerry Stevenson is trying to pass a bill that would make public employee salaries private if the employee makes less than $85,000 a year. Right now, anyone can go to http://www.utahsright.com/h_salaries.php and access the salary of any teacher, school janitor, or other public employee by name.

Short arguments for and against this bill can be heard at
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=400&sid=14558317 .

Hearing about this bill caused me to reflect on the strike in Wisconsin that has been making headlines recently. Many of the discussions I hear about these events are tied to the low wages teachers receive. Much of the power of the teachers union seems to be linked to public knowledge of their pay and benefits.

Additionally, as mentioned in the KSL video above, this bill would prevent public employees who make less than $85,000 from easily knowing each others salary. Although this may eliminate fighting amongst the teachers, it also promotes unfair pay. In my experience, discovering that a less experienced person makes more than you is terrible. It isn't a problem that should be fixed by adding secrecy. When I discovered that I was being underpaid, I was able to discuss it with my employer and make a plan to bring me up to a competitive wage. Wage transparency would have prevented my gross underpayment. I am not a public employee, but I would want to help any person avoid similar circumstances.

Would I want my meager wage displayed online for all to see? No. However, would I allow it to be online, if having it there empowered me to make more money and have public support when elected officials were attempting to write bills that take my rights away? Maybe.

I agree with Senator Stevenson that privacy is important, but I also believe that secrecy is disabling.

Afterward: Salt Lake Tribune reported on Feb 28, 2011 "The Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee chose not to vote on SB309 by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, ..., a move to essentially kill it...." For more of this artical click on the following website: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51329936-76/bill-employees-government-names.html.csp

Thoughts on the State of the State address 2011:

2011-02-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

The Transcript-Bulletin contacted me for a local Democratic response to the Governor's address last month. They didn't have enough space to cover all that I gave them, so I'm posting them here.

Economy: We may have only 7.5% unemployment, but many, many more are underemployed, and these go not only unreported, but reported as "job starts" that make it seem like our economy is doing better than it is. On a household-by-household basis, underemployed families are likely to cause more long-term problems (in our children's health and education, especially) than any other state-level economic concern.

Education: is always the state's number one priority, not only in dollars spent but in legislative time spent trying to "fix" it. The fact is that Utah has a high child population. This will continue to be the case for generations to come. Our workforce is likewise young and inexperienced, meaning lower-paying jobs, regardless of the Governor's vision of more post-secondary degrees, and less property and sales taxes collected to fund our children's education. Because of this, Utah is dependent on federal education dollars and has been for the better part of the last century and will be for the foreseeable future. Utahns need to come to grips with the fact that in order to capitalize on our education "investment,” we need to either export our educated children or bring more higher-paying jobs into the state--and this will probably cost more in infrastructure and pollution.

...Speaking of:

Energy: It sounds as though Gov. Herbert is putting his full support behind the coal industry, at the same time the federal government is poised to give out billions in federal support everywhere else. It's true, we do enjoy typically lower energy costs because of our mineral resources, but those resources will not last forever, and their deleterious health effects have now spread not just to the Cache valley, but over into Tooele valley as well. More work needs to be done to educate our adults on the need for conservation. Our overuse of fossil fuels--and energy in general--will make fossils of us all. On this point, both the Governor, President, and I agree: while it's a hot-button topic, especially among some of our downwinders, I do believe that Utah has the resources and capability to implement nuclear energy production safely and that it has the capability to reduce our smog and continue our energy independence without breaking the bank.

Healthcare: As Rep. Menlove knows, we have nearly 1 out of every 5 citizens of our state enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. These are people, like myself, who work full-time but don't have access to decent health insurance, are disabled and cannot work, or are children whose parents fit into one of the above categories. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 2/3 of those eligible for Medicaid applied in 2008 (the most recent year for which data is available), meaning that, if everyone who was eligible did enroll, those numbers would climb to 1/3 of the state's population. As with education, federal monies come into Utah--though at a lower percentage than in the past, because Utah's government wants to be "self-reliant," which means the poor, the working poor, and the disabled poor will continue to receive substandard healthcare, while the middle class pay more than 15% of their income just to stay out of that statistic. And then the governor says we're going to stay out of the federal healthcare overhaul by relying on our own high-risk medical pools which are too expensive for anyone who needs them to access--those who are using them now are literally "going poor" to try to avoid bankruptcy. Meanwhile, our providers are paid pennies compared to what insurance companies pay out, and more of them are rejecting poor patients outright rather than face bankruptcy themselves. This is nonsense and needs to stop. Utah's population is too small of a group for insurance companies to give decent coverage or rates. If the entire state were on a single group policy, we'd be IBM, and it would require a significant subsidy on the state's part (higher taxes, on top of individual premiums) to afford IBM's insurance plan. Federal Medicare may cover our elderly--as long as we can keep it funded--but we can't keep it funded if our workforce is disabled and dying. All of our spending and efforts in Education are useless if our children are too sick to go to school; if their parents are too overburdened, working 80 hour weeks with low-paying jobs, to participate in their education. The nonsense must stop, and Utah, as well as the rest of the Western states (with low populations) needs to get on board with the federal plan or face rising insurance and Medicaid costs, increased unpaid emergency room usage for the smallest things, and ultimately an across-the-board decrease in the quality and availability of healthcare.

Immigration: I maintain this is a federal issue; Utah's federal delegation, including our elder statesman, Orrin Hatch, should sponsor legislation in Washington that will provide for the principles of the DREAM Act--Hatch's own idea!--and provide a way for illegal immigrants to become legal immigrants--a way that doesn't reward only the wealthy, but rewards the industrious and the educated. We need a guest worker program as has been brought up time and again. We need to lean on employers who have been skirting tax laws for years by employing these people "under the table" to clean up their act. Inasmuch as our higher education facilities already require it, we should focus some education attention on bilingual education. English may be our primary language, but if we are to be a global economic force, we need to expand our horizons, and break down language barriers. Utah, of all states, should be most multilingual, most accepting of outsiders, and that will better position us for future positions of financial, governmental, and educational success.

I’m glad that on some points—education, energy, we agree. But I hope that in the mad rush to be “politically relevant,” we don’t lose sight of what makes us “Utahns.”

Results of our Central Committee Meeting

2011-02-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

We had a great meeting last night and I wanted to share some notes with the community.

Upcoming meetings:

March 3rd is the last Tooele Legislative Caucus meeting for the legislative session. If you're wondering what your legislators are doing on capitol hill or want to get some "face time" with them, this is the moment. The last meeting was well-attended by county leaders from the political, educational, and business sectors as well.
March 7th and 21st, the Central Committee will be meeting again at the county courthouse, this time in the Sheriff's meeting room, at 6:30 p.m. On the agenda: Committee Formation, Better Communication strategies, and a report from the Activities committee. We'll also be trying to disseminate some contact info on our precinct members.
April 7, 2011 will be our county organization convention. We've decided this will be a no-frills event, probably at the county courthouse auditorium. On the agenda: voting for county officers (Party chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer).

The motion was passed to have central committee meetings monthly for the time being, to be held on the second monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the sheriff's office meeting room. The hope is that by having these meetings at a regularly scheduled time and place, more participation can be acheived, though we're sensitive to making sure the meeting is over in time to get people home to their families.
Recruitment:

If anyone is interested in running for either state or county party office this year, please contact Toby Dillon. State party office candidates need to get their notification into the state as soon as possible and information for county party candidate eligibility needs to be addressed.
If anyone is interested in running for elected office in 2012, please contact Toby Dillon. Coordinating, training, campaigning and fundraising starts now.

Community Involvement:

Pat Jessie has been working to get the Stansbury Arts & Literature Society going. They recently held their second meeting. If anyone is interested in joining, contact Pat or Toby Dillon for information.

Communication:

We're going to focus our efforts on effective communication inside our party and with the media. If you're reading this, you're already part of the solution. Spread the word that tooeledemocrats.org is the place to go to get political news as it relates to Tooele.

Central Committee Meeting

2011-02-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

Tooele County Central Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 24, 2011, 6:30pm

You're invited to attend our County Central Committee meeting next Thursday (Feb. 24th) at the County Office Auditorium (downstairs) at 6:30 p.m.

On the agenda: planning for the county convention, running for state party offices, recruitment, and fundraising.

Join us!

Utahns for Public Schools

2011-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

From an email to Toby Dillon:

Friends:

I am involved in another matter of urgent nature. Some state legislators advocate changing the choice of school board members to partisan election. I believe the best needs of our children are served when school boards remain aside from partisanship. An organization of which I am a part, Utahns for Public Schools, is working to compile a list of citizens who likewise wish to retain non-partisan school boards. I am asking you to consider signing on. A simple response by return email is sufficient in this case.

The education of Utah’s children is best served by a non-partisan direct election of school boards by the people.

In the current system of selecting state school board members, a board of 12 people selects candidates in an easily manipulated system that denies much public involvement. Almost universally, people are suggesting the system be changed. I wholeheartedly agree. Republican legislator Jim Nielson is preparing a bill which would call for direct, non-partisan elections. I have endorsed his effort and support its passage.

However, some other legislators are poised to amend that bill to make the choice partisan, contrary to the existing system. While I would be extremely pleased to see the choice on the state level move to a direct election of the people (local boards already are), I am adamantly opposed to making the boards partisan.

Under such an approach, candidates for the school board would be chosen in the convention system. Education would become much more political, an approach which I believe the Constitution of the State of Utah discourages and which I believe would not be in the best interest of the children of the State.

The issue will certainly be debated and probably voted upon in the upcoming legislative session.

We are trying to gather a list of people who oppose the move to partisan school board elections at both state and local level. If you agree and would like to have your name included on such a list, would you please so indicate in a return email which you may send to me personally at: krb84010@aol.com.

A second request: If you have friends, Utah citizens, who you believe would also agree with this position, please forward the email to them.

Thank you for your interest and support in many matters.

Sincerely,
Kim Burningham

Change Starts with You

2010-10-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

Election season

2010-09-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

It is official Fall, and the leaves are changing. All around town the colors of Fall are showing up: red, white, and blue campaign signs cover fences and yards all up and down US 36.

First, a note from Tooele City Hall:

I visited City Hall this morning and spoke with the Tooele City code enforcement officer, Tim Fullmer, whose job it is to remove campaign signs from illegal areas, about where our campaigns can put signs. Most candidates are aware, but perhaps their volunteers are not, that it is illegal to put campaign signs in Tooele city parking strips (that's the area between the sidewalk and the road) as it is public property. There are also a handful of city-owned fields (across from the armory, at the corner of Main street and 700 S, and of course, public parks, where signs are not allowed.

Mayor Dunlavy has asked Tim to be "relaxed" in his enforcement during campaign season, but as responsible citizens, we should be aware of where we can put up signs and self-police. If the city pulls them up, Tim stores the signs at city hall. He doesn't make much of an effort to see whose sign it is, so asking is bound to produce a "come and see" response. For today, I've picked up all of our candidate's signs.

Where's the Party?

As we kick into high gear for the final month of the campaign, some people are asking, "What is the Party doing to help?" I interpret this as "how can I help?" and my response is: contact our local candidates and volunteer. Donate your time and money. The role of the Party at this stage is to provide volunteers and donations, to get our candidates elected. My role as Party chairman is to put the call out to all those who consider themselves Democrats: come and help! Old or young, rich or poor, just calling yourself a Democrat does not help win elections: come and help!

Donate your money to the Party or the campaigns. We're putting all of our available funds into campaigns. Contact our candidates (click on the link above titled "2010 Candidates" for contact information) and ask them how you can best help them.

Toby Dillon

Fill out the Census!!

2010-03-25T15:12:00.001-07:00

It's time to fill out the 2010 Census. It took me less than 5 minutes! It's easy and it's so important to everyone to fill it out! If you want a step-by-step walk-through, watch the video above, it will take you longer to watch the video than it will to fill out the form.

Let's get it filled out and sent back! Census information affects the numbers of seats Utah has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census data is also used to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like: hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works projects, emergency services, etc, etc, etc.

If you have questions, please contact 1-866-872-6868 or visit 2010.census.gov

Caucus information

2010-03-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

...And Done! I just finished filling all of the precinct packets, checking them twice, and making sure that no one is overlooked for tomorrow's caucus meetings. I've been fielding a number of phone calls this past week from neighbors who want to participate in the process of government. I thought I'd take a moment now to recap some of the questions asked and make one last plea for everyone everywhere to attend their caucus meetings.

Where and when is my caucus meeting? Depending on where you live, it is either at the Stansbury Park Clubhouse (Stansbury Park, Erda, Lakepoint); Tooele Courthouse auditorium (Tooele, Pine Canyon, Wendover, Grantsville); or Stockton Fire Station (Stockton, Ophir, Vernon, Rush Valley, Terra, Dugway, Ibapah). Caucuses start at 7:00 p.m. and run until 8:00 p.m., tomorrow night, March 23rd.
Who is invited to attend? You are! Everyone is invited to participate in the Democratic caucus meetings, regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof. You will not be required to join the Democratic party in order to let your voice be heard.
What are these for, exactly? Caucus meetings are the basic unit of democracy. At these meetings, we will elect precinct leaders and county delegates to send to the county convention. At the county convention, state delegates will be chosen to represent Tooele at the state convention.
When and where are these conventions, just so I can put them on my calendar? The Tooele County Democratic Party Convention will be Wednesday, April 14th at the Tooele County Courthouse auditorium at 7:00 p.m. The Utah State Democratic Party convention will be May 8th at the Salt Palace, registration starting at 8:00 a.m.
Do I need to bring anything to caucuses? Pens always seem to be in short supply, so you may want to bring your own, just in case. Also, donations via cash or check will be gratefully accepted.

Caucuses and Candidates

2010-03-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

March is upon us, and that means caucuses and candidate filings. For Tooele County Democrats, this is an opportunity to renew the party from the ground up: electing precinct leaders and county delegates is the foundation for everything we do, and essential to the success of our party and party-sponsored candidates. It is at this level that one voice makes all the difference. I'm Party Chair today because I went to my precinct caucus eight years ago.

This year, we are following on the success of the past and having our precincts meet in a few designated areas rather than try to manage multiple house parties. The advantage of meeting in larger groups in a more rural area like ours is that people who otherwise wouldn't see anyone else at their precinct meeting will be able to meet and mingle with other Democrats. As Party Chair, I plan to visit the various caucuses along the US 36 corridor personally, to try and greet as many of our citizens as I can. This is a time for coming together and supporting our county and state candidates.

Conventional wisdom holds that mid-term elections have been bad for the party in power. On a national level, this may hold true, but locally, we believe that we still have the best candidates and the county's best interests on our side. Now is the time for the party to rally behind them and get them elected.

The President Holds an Open Discussion Across the Aisle

2010-01-29T23:51:00.000-08:00

via whitehouse.gov:

Today the President did something unusual in American politics -- initiated an open dialogue with members of the opposite party. Visiting the House Republican retreat, he took questions on anything they wanted to talk about. He heard them out, acknowledged where they were right, and gave a genuine explanation where he felt they were wrong.

The 2010 State of the Union Address

2010-01-28T23:48:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

2010-01-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

In an email from President Obama...

2010-01-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll -- already in the thousands -- is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected, including tens of thousands of American citizens who are in Haiti.

Our neighbors in Haiti are racing to confront the enormous devastation -- and this community can help.

Click here for more information about essential relief efforts and ways you can help today.

Footage is pouring in of homes collapsing, Haitians carrying injured family members, and hospitals being overrun in what was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. Personnel from the United States and our partners in the international community are on the ground in damaged areas right now, working side by side with the Haitian people. They're providing much-needed food, water, and sanitation supplies, saving lives and helping local communities start to rebuild.

Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I encourage those who can to reach out and help. It's in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that has defined the best of our national character for generations.

Click here to find out what you can do:

http://my.democrats.org/Haiti

As this story continues to unfold, I hope you will continue to keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the many Haitian-Americans who have done so much to enrich our country and who are worried about friends and loved ones in this time of need.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

VIDEO: Service and Remembrance

2009-09-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

iparticipate.org

VIDEO: The President's Back-to-School Message to America's Students

2009-09-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

Obama's speech to our children

2009-09-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

"Much ado about nothing" comes to mind when I think about the overreaction of some few, vocal parents who feel that children in public school shouldn't be listening to the President of our country when he addresses them directly.

We have a public school system because we cannot do it alone. Our children need to hear things over and over again from different sources to confirm the truth. These same parents, who won't let their children listen to this man because they disagree with him on some few subjects, complain that our public school system doesn't teach values, doesn't teach character. I listen to this and say, "Yes, friends and neighbors, it does, but you won't let your children be taught."

Too often, we dictate to our teachers and education administrators that this subject needs to be emphasized while that is off-limits. What does this teach our children? That some things are too "dangerous" to know? I'm not too old to know that those are the subjects our children will seek out, without our help, and because they can't be taught in the safety of our schools, they will be taught "the hard way" on our streets.

I don't throw my support behind Mr. Obama because he's a black man from Chicago with a touching story and a prestigious university degree. I throw my support behind him because, as he demonstrates here now, he supports me, as a father and a citizen concerned about the welfare of our children, the future of our country. I didn't wade into the debate about whether our children should be allowed to listen to the President of our country give a talk to them about the importance of them taking responsibility for their education. There is no debate. There are only children who heard this speech, hopefully hearing echoes of what parents like me have been telling them for years, and children whose parents simply don't understand that good parenting requires the help of the community, and there is no greater figure in our community than the President of the United States. I pity those parents, and I cry for their children, for they have rejected the hope embraced in "Yes, we can" and cling to the failure of "No, we can't," not just today, but throughout their lives.

Our country is founded on hope. To take that away from our children is to deny them the very heart of citizenship and every right and blessing given by God to our nation. Thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership and inspiring words today, and may God plant those words into my sons' hearts and minds, inspiring them to be good students, productive citizens, and great leaders in the years to come.

Labor Day, More Than Just a Day Off

2009-09-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

reprinted from the Salt Lake Tribune, 9/7/09

Tribune Editorial

Labor Day: a day of leisure, one more three-day weekend, summer's last blast.

Though sometimes forgotten in the rush to the beach, lake, mountains and amusement parks, the day holds a far greater significance. It's a celebration of the industriousness of the American worker, who built a nation, won World War II and continues to set productivity records to this day.

It's a holiday born of the labor movement in the Gilded Age, when industrialists lived opulent lives and amassed great fortunes at the expense of an underpaid, uneducated and overworked work force.

At the end of the 19th century, many Americans, including children, labored 12 hours a day, seven days a week in sweatshops, unsafe mines, dangerous factories. Their reward? Enough money to live in squalor.

By the 1880s, they were ready to fight for their rights, for a fair share of the wealth, and for a much-deserved day off.

"There is no wealth without labor," early labor organizers argued. "Eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, eight hours of recreation," they demanded.

The day off came first. Labor Day was first observed in New York City in 1882 with parades, picnics, speeches and demonstrations. By 1894, when Congress approved the holiday for the District of Columbia and federal territories including Utah, 23 states had followed suit.

Today, despite rising joblessness, stagnant wages and a wide gap between rich and poor, Labor Day is less about activism, more about activities. And the movement that brought the holiday about -- organized labor -- has fallen on hard times. In 2008, just 12.4 percent of American workers belonged to a labor union, up a tick (.3 percent) from 2007, but down from 20 percent from 1983.

But the reforms these activists and organizers helped engineer -- safer work places, better wages, the eight-hour workday, child labor laws, regulatory agencies, workers compensation, etc. -- are a lasting legacy from which we all benefit.

The following observations are a tribute to their efforts:

"Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased."
- Adam Smith, 18th century economist

"We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned upon in public opinion and deceived by politicians. But notwithstanding all this and all these, labor is today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission is as certain of ultimate realization as is the setting of the sun."
- Eugene Debs, 1894, American union leader

"We should so live and labor in our times that what came to us as seed may go to the next generation as blossom, and what came to us as blossom may go to them as fruit."
- Henry Ward Beecher, 19th century American orator and abolitionist

"The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on."
- Elbert Hubbard, 19th century American philosopher

"Many times a day I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received."
- Albert Einstein

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."
- Ovid, ancient Roman poet and philosopher

"The end of labor is to gain leisure."
- Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher

"Constant labor of one uniform kind destroys the intensity and flow of a man's animal spirits, which find recreation and delight in mere change of activity."
- Karl Marx

"One cannot properly appreciate the human realities so long as one labors under the adolescent delusion that people get the fates they deserve."
- Nicholas Rescher, American philosopher

"Few can be induced to labor exclusively for posterity. Posterity has done nothing for us."
- Abraham Lincoln

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

"The Labor Movement: the folks who brought you the weekend."
- From a bumper sticker, 1995

Here's the sign you've been waiting for.

2009-08-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Neighbors,

Summertime is winding down and cold fronts are ushering in a new school year. The campaigns for municipal elections will start ramping up operations as the time for campaign signs draws near. This is the time when candidates need resources, especially money and volunteers, and that's where the Party comes in.

Election Season is coming up.

If you are waiting for a call to volunteer, consider this your call. A healthy democracy needs vigorous campaigns, whether partisan or not, and those citizens who are willing and able to serve are needed now and for the next few months leading up to the election. We also need election judges, poll workers, transportation providers and so on; there is plenty of work to do for the true patriot.

Tooele County Bipartisan Fundraiser

I am excited to announce that plans for the First Annual Craig Dillon BBQ have been finalized for Friday, September 25th, 2009. When I was elected party chair at our convention in April, I said that I wanted to bridge the partisan gap with our Republican neighbors and return civility and neighborly love to the political process - at least in Tooele, where so many of us depend on each other. I love a hot political debate over healthcare as much as anyone, but I love my neighbors more. This bipartisan fundraiser will bring the Tooele Republican Party and Tooele County Democratic Party together in an unprecedented show of neighborly love and appreciation, as well as give our local candidates a single forum where they can speak (briefly) to all of the political "movers and shakers" in the county.

The Republican contribution to this fundraiser is significant: they are covering the entire financial cost of setting this up. The Democratic contribution is no less important: we will be the ones with our feet on the ground - at least a half-dozen volunteers to help set up booths, chairs, tables, and take tickets. We'd also like decorations (the ones we had at the convention were great!) Most importantly, we need to fill these seats - so your participation in one form or another is greatly appreciated. Details will be posted to the website at http://www.tooeledemocrats.org/ as well as emailed to you shortly.

Fair Boundaries Initiative

Another volunteer opportunity exists in the form of collecting signatures for the Fair Boundaries Initiative. As of today, those petitions are ready to be distributed. As a Party, we have pledged our support for this measure and we will need every district covered. Organization is critical, and that's why we have precincts and precinct chairs to make sure that everyone who wants to has the opportunity to voice their support for this effort.

A brighter future for everyone depends on the efforts of those willing to volunteer their time and energy to good causes. As your Democratic Party Leadership, we encourage you to join in these efforts to bring new life into our communities. For those with a willing heart, here's your sign: VOLUNTEERS WANTED.

To volunteer for any of these outstanding causes or to get more information, email tooeledemocrats@gmail.com.

Yours,

Toby Dillon

Fill That Bus!!

2009-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

As you've probably heard, Grantsville Elementary School suffered some serious damage from a fire earlier this summer. The Tooele County Chamber of Commerce is working to help out the displaced students.

In an email from Debbie Winn . . .

Wal-Mart will be sponsoring a "Fill that Bus" supply drive for the Grantsville Elementary School in front of the Tooele Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Wednesday 8/12 - Saturday 8/15

10:00 am - 10:00 pm

There will be a School Bus placed in front of the Wal-Mart store and our goal is to fill the bus by Saturday with school supplies to be given to the Tooele School District.

We will also place a school bus in front of the Grantsville Elementary on Saturday 8/15 and try to fill that bus as well. Thanks for any support you can provide.

Stop by, do what you can. Let's help make the transition for the Grantsville Elementary students as seamless and easy as it can be.

Happy Birthday Mr. President

2009-08-05T23:32:00.001-07:00

So, I just realized that we missed Barack Obama's birthday on Tuesday. To make up for it, I wanted to post a picture that my son did in his first grade class on Inauguration Day.It says, "I feel so great for Barack Obama. I am going to go to a party today." So, there you go. My little boy, one of only two to "vote" for Barack Obama in their class election. :)

Volunteer Opportunity!

2009-07-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

The second annual Tooele Children's Health Connection is fast approaching, and this year is going to be even bigger and better than last year! Their goal is to serve 3X as many uninsured & underinsured children as they did last year, and they are going to need the support of the outstanding volunteers in our community to make it happen! They need both medical and non-medical volunteers, to assist with everything from registrations to food service to clothing distribution.

Volunteer shifts are from 8-10, 10-12, 12-2, and 2-4pm. Come and help for a couple hours, or for the whole day on Saturday August 8th! They also need assistance with setup on Friday August 7th between 2pm & 8pm. The event will be held at Northlake Elementary.

Please send an email to tclinccs@gmail.com if you are willing and available to help make this event a success! They need to know:

Your name & contact info (phone, address & email)

If you have any clinical / medical background.

If you speak spanish.

What times you are available. (Anytime Friday between 2pm & 8pm to setup, or Saturday 8am - 4pm.)

If you have any questions, or prefer to give your info over the phone, please call Relief Services at 435-843-9955 and ask for Ivette or LouAnn. You can also try Karen via cell phone at 435-830-7953. If you have mentioned in the past that you are interested, please call and confirm that they have you on their volunteer list.

Spread the word! Please send this to anyone you think is interested! Together we can make sure that every child in our community has the opportunity to start the school year healthy & prepared.

New directions, old needs

2009-07-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Dear neighbors,

As I write this, I'm at a public hearing regarding the forthcoming Fair Boundaries initiative, which seeks to create an independent redistricting committee. When I ran for Senate last year, this was really the only item in my "personal agenda," and it wasn't to consolidate my power (if elected) but to consolidate Tooele County's power on the state level, regardless of who we choose to be our elected leaders.

At our convention in May, we heard about this initiative and voted, as a body, to support Fair Boundaries in getting the petitions signed. From what I've heard, the County Republicans also have pledged their support. Currently, we expect to have petitions in hand sometime in August. I encourage everyone to visit www.FairBoundaries.org, become familiar with the initiative, and join me in gathering signatures and support for this effort.

This convention also saw a "changing of the guard," as we elected a new chairman, secretary, and treasurer. As an executive committee, we are grateful for our predecessors, Marianne Rutishauer-Andrus, Calleen Peshell, and Valerie Lee, for their dedication and time. As a party, we have relied on their leadership for longer than I remember and it's time to let them have their families and interests back!

As new leadership, we are asking for your support, in time and money. The purpose of the Party is to find and help elect people who will govern our county, state, and country well, and that is something that requires everyone's participation, not just a devoted few. Get involved: register with our website at TooeleDemocrats.org, become aware of what's going on in the community and how you can help out, and chime in on the debates of the day so that our leaders can know what is expected of them. This is a new day after a long, dark night in the land of the free. Let's not sleep in—let's get to work making the world a better place right now.

Toby Dillon

Utah Democrats Hold Annual Convention

2009-06-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

June 20th, 2009 @ 9:25pm
By John Daley, KSL-TV

MURRAY -- Utah Democrats re-elected Wayne Holland as chairman at their party's annual convention Saturday, giving him 87 percent of the vote.

That move comes as Democrats look ahead to what they believe could be their best shot in years at winning a statewide office in 2010.

House Minority Leader David Litvack said, "I've been an elected official for almost 10 years now, and I've never seen the type of energy, the type of hope we have as a party."

Democrats hold seats as Salt Lake County and City mayor. President Obama won Salt Lake County in 2008, and the party believes momentum is on their side, even in traditionally Republican Utah.

Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch thinks the time is ripe for Democratic heavyweights to make a run for governor and U.S. senator, both currently in GOP hands. "I'm really hopeful that Mayor Peter Corroon would run for governor. I think that would be fantastic. I think Sam is going to be a great candidate. I also hope Jim Matheson may consider that," he said.

Matheson, who left the convention early for his son's baseball game, hasn't revealed his plans.

Corroon is also staying tight-lipped. "Will I run for governor? It's not something I've considered. Never say never, I certainly will look at all possibilities in the future, but I still want to make sure I'm doing a good job for Salt Lake County," he said.

In the race for party chair, Salt Lake progressive Jeff Bell challenged incumbent Wayne Holland. Bell argued the party needs to improve its use of the Internet and targeted social media, and not be satisfied in picking up just two seats in the Legislature like in 2008.

"The world of politics is making a massive change. There's a lot of people, a lot of the younger people in the party that really, really want to see the party change with it," Bell said,

Holland focused on positive things that are happening within the party and the state. "The important number is democratic performance in this state now ranks third highest in the United States for us moving in the right direction," he said.

In order to have enough time and to raise enough money, Democrats believe they'll need their major candidates to decide whether they're going to run for those two big seats by the end of the summer.

courtesy: KSL-TV

Democratic Values

2009-05-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Following our convention Saturday, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the Republican party leaders here in the county. In the course of our wide-ranging discussion, I asked him, "What do you think is the difference between our two parties here in Tooele?"

"Obama," came his earnest reply.

"You're telling me that, in our county, our values and visions are so aligned that we have to reach out to a national figure to find something to be divisive about?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

As shocking as this revelation was, it didn't much surprise me. As I went around the state during my campaign last year, I heard from disaffected citizens that they were fed up with both parties and that many couldn't tell them apart. In my mind, this is both good thing and a bad thing.

It's a good thing because it means that, despite the name-calling and mean-spirited propaganda that we hear nationally, the reality is that civil dialogue is still possible between opposing parties here in Tooele. This further means that the spirit of compromise, upon which our country was built and is maintained, continues. We have not forgotten our roots.

It's a bad thing, because, as the minority party, we run the risk of assimilation and attrition from our more powerful competitors. If ideology doesn't convince someone to join the Democratic Party, the wealth and promise of power surely must appeal to them from the Republicans.

For those who want to get more involved in creating good government, may I suggest that you bring your chair over to the Democratic Party's table not just because of an ideological affinity, but rather because where there are fewer people, your voice is heard louder? If you want to see change, start with the minority party and build momentum.

For those who have joined the party, I encourage you to post your own thoughts on the subject. Why have you chosen to be a Democrat in Tooele? What do you hope to accomplish through this vehicle of change?