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Two Town Halls Left for Rep. Kilmer
TACOMA, WA – To hear directly from residents of Washington’s 6th Congressional District, Representative Derek Kilmer has announced that he will be holding town halls throughout the region. Town halls are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to hear an update on Congress and ask questions.
“When I’m home it’s important to me that I hear from you”, said Kilmer “I hope folks will be able to join one of my upcoming town halls to share their ideas and concerns.”
Doors open a half hour before the start of each town hall. The schedule is as follows:
Statement in Support of Leslie Daugs
February 5, 2017
To whom this concerns,
This letter is in support of Bremerton City Councilwoman Leslie Daugs. Leslie has shown excellent leadership in her position on the Bremerton council. In addition, Kitsap County Democrats have voted her as a Vice Chair. We, the Executive Board and members of the 26th Legislative District Democrats, support Leslie Daugs’ exemplary involvement in our community.
In both the city council and the state-party positions Leslie Daugs has comported herself with grace and dignity. She represents the interest of working people and businesses in Bremerton and in Kitsap County, helping them in bettering their lives through her service. Her efforts in revitalizing the business climate along Wheaton Way in Bremerton is just one example.
Recently, Leslie participated at a local Kitsap County Democratic Party function. She impressed everyone there as being very knowledgeable about Bremerton and Kitsap County issues, as well as being very informed on state and national concerns. Her ability to comprehend this wide view of public matters makes her a unique and valuable asset in local politics.
Thank you for taking a moment to read this letter of support for Leslie Daugs. She has done good work in her past six years on the Bremerton city council. She is a bright star in public administration—join us in supporting her future efforts.
Sincerely,
Executive Board and members
Washington 26th Legislative District Democrats
Statement on HB-1178 and SJR-8205
February 3, 2017
For Immediate Release…
Legislative District 26 Democrats support maintaining the separation of government and religion. Local Democrats passed a resolution last night to oppose Washington House Bill HB-1178 and Senate Joint Resolution SJR-8205.
The bill, if enacted into state law, would allow religious observances on public (government) property. The resolution proposes removing language from the Washington Constitution that would allow churches and religious groups to apply for state funds.
LD26 Democrats met at their monthly membership meeting at the Givens Center in Port Orchard to draft the resolution opposing HB-1178 and SJR-8205.
Joseph Labrum of Port Orchard offered the resolution. He stated that the state of Washington would be granting special privileges to religious organizations that are not allowed by the federal constitution.
Anyone who has attended high school knows that students are susceptible to social pressure, both from their teachers and coaches and from their classmates. When a coach, a role model and an authority figure, holds public prayer at school events, the social pressure to join in can be overwhelming. Many students participate even when doing so is not consistent with their own beliefs. The Constitution prohibits public schools from putting that sort of pressure on schoolchildren.
Freedom of religion and belief guarantees that we can freely choose our beliefs because the government cannot compel us to fund or follow a specific faith, or any faith. This is true even where religious organizations propose to use public funds for good outcomes.
The citation for HB-1178 is “the protection of the rights of religious exercise and conscience from government discrimination act.”
The text for SJR-8205 removes the phrase “No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment.”
Tags:
Joseph Kennedy, Bremerton High School, football prayer, public moneys
Issues:
School prayer, government aid to religious activities
Contact: Dan Ransom, PE; Secretary
(509) 330-6398
k7mm@arrl.net
John Kelly, Chair
johnpatkelly@aol.com
February 2017 Meeting
Our February 2017 general membership meeting is Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the Givens Community Center, 1026 Sidney Rd, Port Orchard 98366. Our social time begins at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting called to order at 7 p.m. We will be forming into committee groups and creating plans for the upcoming year.
Our Pierce Vice Chair Cecilia Hardy resigned recently—we are sad to see her go and we wish her well. The Executive Board appointed Rick Offner as Interim Vice Chair and elections for this position will be held during our March meeting.
Bylaws Chair George Robison has submitted a draft proposal for bylaws changes, and you can view these by clicking here. You can find them alternately by navigating to “Meetings” and then to “Meeting Minutes”. We will vote on these proposed changes during our March meeting.
Please view our February 2017 meeting agenda!
We hope to see you at our February meeting, and bring a friend!
Washington State Democrats Central Committee Elections
During the Washington State Democrats Central Committee meeting held at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia on January 28th, 2017, new party officers were elected. Congratulations to all!
Chair: Tina Podlodowski
Vice Chair: Joe Pakootas
Secretary: Rob Dolan
Treasurer: Habib Habib