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BEXAR
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
MEETING OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, January 8, 2008
Prior
to commencement of the monthly meeting of the County Executive
Committee,
meetings were held by Senatorial Districts
19,
21, 24 and 26 for about 45 minutes beginning at approximately 6:15 p.m. The
time, location, purpose and composition of
these district meetings were announced prior to the beginning of the
regular
monthly CEC meeting.
The
first meeting of the Bexar County Executive Committee of the new year
(2008)
was held at CWA Headquarters, and was
called to order by the County
Chair, Carla
Vela at
approximately 7:05 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance to the United States
flag was followed by a moment of silence for soldiers fighting in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
The
following individuals were among the elected officials and candidates
recognized by the Chair: Thomas Rockeymoore, Anthony Zamora, Dan Ramos,
Stan
Ramos, Bobby Tejeda, Andy Lopez, Amadeo Ortiz, Larry Ricketts, Jay
Alaniz,
Margaret Montemayor, Jimmy Willborn, Lauro Bustamante, Frances Carnot,
Ruben
Cortez, Steve Walker, Ron Rangel, Monica Caballero, Ruth Jones
McClendon and
Roberto Rodriguez, newly appointed to the River Authority.
After these introductions, the agenda was
approved.
The
first order of business was the ballot order drawing which was
conducted
following an explanation by Madeleine Dewar of the system used. Thereafter, individual candidates (if
present) drew a number from the jar. The
lowest number was placed first on the ballot, the second lowest number
second,
etc.
John McConnell asked that
the
minutes of the December meeting be corrected to indicate that following
debate
regarding recommendation of a joint or separate primary, he asked for a
rollcall
vote rather than division of the house.
Thereafter, were approved as corrected.
Chair’s Report.
The Chair enumerated the accomplishments
of the Bexar County Democratic Party since May 2006 when we started
with no
known bank accounts, no money, no office and a few broken down pieces
of
furniture.
1.
Included in these accomplishments were payment of a past due AT&T
phone
bill and settlement of a $7,000 debt incurred by former County Chair
Rudy
Casias at the location on Wurzbach since this obligation was never
approved by
the CEC, Mr. Casias is solely responsible for the debt.
Search of local banks revealed four accounts
at IBC sufficient to pay the majority of the 2006 AT&T phone bill. The fifth IBC account was the 2006 Primary
account (approximately $99,000) and the Chair negotiated with the
County to
dismiss this debt.
2. A
federal PAC with a debt of $58,000 from a
lawsuit was dismissed with help from Mikal Watts and the
Federal PAC is in the process of being closed.
Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. Contreras presented his report
which indicates a operating fund balance at the end of December 2007 of
$19,057.23.
Committee Reports
1. Special Events/Fundraising
No report
2. Precinct
Chair Recruitment – Mark Camaan
reported the efforts of this committee and announced a training
sessions for
Precinct Chairs is scheduled for
Saturday, February 9th and Saturday February
23rd.
3. Campaign – Ian Straus stated
that the committee met and finalized the job description.
There will be a meeting to discuss the joint
campaign on Thursday at headquarters.
4. Primary – John Courage reported the committee
met last week and so far the election campaign is running as smoothly
as
possible. We received a compliment from
Jackie Callanen who said that the information we sent was the best she
has
received. Mr. Courage introduced the
members of the committee and stated we have submitted a budget request
of
$187,926.00 to the Secretry of
State. He reminded the group of the need
for poll watchers.
5. Budget
& Finance – Zada True-Courage
reported the audit report of the accounts found by the Chair. Fernando Contreras explained the three
accounts. Although we were unable to
account for approximately $2,933, it was determined that this was not
party
money and any excess would have be returned to the Secretary of State. Carla went to Commissioners’ Court and
arranged to settle our account for the money we had.
They accepted and our bill is paid in full.
6. Rules
– No report
7. Community Outreach – Ruth
Stewart reported on
the efforts of the BCDP in supplying needs of the Family Services
Assistant Center. We
want to contact every democratic club in Bexar County.
There was no unfinished or new business.
Announcements
1.
High School Project – Madeleine Dewar
2. Office
and Communication Committee Volunteers
– Madeleine Dewar
3. Dining with Democrats
party honoring Linda
Chavez Thompson, Texas Democrat of the Year – John Courage
Adjournment There being no further
business for
discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Humble, Secretary
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