(Photo by Garry Goldsmith)
Waiting for that "surge" of energy by grassroots Democrats?
We found it in Johnstown last weekend when more than 30 Dems (not all of them shown here) turned out for the annual Firemen's Festival Parade. This for a small town parade which the party didn't even participate in until a few years ago.
The numbers are not yet where we want them to be, given the importance of the 2010 elections in terms of who controls the Statehouse and the Congress, not just over the next four years but over the next decade. But they're increasing with each festival and fund raiser and parade; a near overflow crowd, for example, turned out for Tuesday night's Democratic Club Meeting in downtown Newark.
What a difference between this year and 2004!
It was in the spring of 2004 that a few of us, frustrated at the lack of activism in Licking County for Democratic Presidential Nominee John Kerry, organized an informal Volunteers for Kerry group which by summer's end had recruited hundreds of new people for the campaign. George Bush's re-election that November was a bitter pill but instead of quitting the field, many of these volunteers hung around, joining the club or two new progressive organizations: LICOPAC (since 2005) and the Licking County Democratic Women's Caucus (since 2007).
Many of us decided not to choose. We joined all three.
There were misgivings at first that the existence of several different groups would fragment the Democrats and reduce the number of volunteers working for party candidates. But it's turned out not to be a "zero-sum" game. Instead, LICOPAC and the Womens Caucus brought new people into the fold and increased the variety of local political action.
LICOPAC, for example, took leadership in rounding up signatures for the gerrymandering reform issues on the 2005 statewide ballot, as well as for the support of Democratic congressional candidates This web site was also created to provide an independent voice on political developments in Licking County, one which supports progressive action and candidates but doesn't spare those Democratic officeholders who duck their responsibilities.
LICOPAC has never had a formal membership, nor a dues structure. We depend on those who like what they see, both here at at our Facebook page, to contribute as they see fit. And over time we hope to convert some of our readers into writers. Those whose thoughts can't be squeezed into the posting restrictions of other social media should contact me at dlore@johnstown.net
The county Democratic Women's Caucus is a more structured organization that over the past three years has put together a series of inventive programs on women's concerns, political and otherwise, and provided major support for club activities while reaching out to other community groups. The caucus worked closely and effectively with Obama supporters in Granville during the 2008 campaign. Men as well as women are welcome to join. More information is available at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Licking-County-Democratic-Womens-Caucus/385524358288
Finally, the county Democratic Club in recent years has dramatically increased its effectiveness, both in terms of campaign performance and community visibility. Membership is on the increase, and new efforts are being made not only to get out the message at election time but to make the club and the party a strong agent for change in Licking County over the long term. For more information, check out the club's newly remodeled web site at http://lcdemclub.com
In the photo above, you'll see activists from all three organizations coming together and working together to not only elect Democrats - as important as that job remains - but also to make Licking County a more diverse community where one's options are not limited to one party or one philosophy of government.
-- David Lore
NEXT UP: ALEXANDRIA ON SATURDAY, JULY 17 (Form up at 10 a.m. on the West side of town, on Rt. 37 at Hutchinson Materials)
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