New Harford Democratic Club Endorses Havre de Grace Candidates; Assists Formation of African-American Democratic Club

From the New Harford Democratic Club:

MINUTES FOR NEW HARFORD DEMOCRATIC CLUB

APRIL 4, 2012, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, ABERDEEN

President Ann Helton called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm

Ann led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Ann welcomed guests, including David Garrison, Carolyn Brooks, Kevin and Cheryl Fainsler, and Caledonia Henry.

Joe Smith spoke for the Democratic Central Committee: Upcoming events include The Earth Day activity at Aberdeen’s Festival Park. A democratic booth will be manned and volunteers at needed. Also upcoming the Barbeque Bash in Bel Air and the Farm Fair at the Equestrian Center. Volunteers also needed. Planning is proceeding for a fund raising breakfast in the fall, details to be announced at a later time.

Mark Szczcpaniak spoke for the Young Dems. He announced that he has been chosen the new secretary. The club will be working on efforts to support candidates for the fall elections. They meet next on April 18 at Sean Bolen’s in Bel Air

Jowanda Lucas spoke for the African-American Democratic Club. She said the club is in the formation stage but that they will be working with the NHDC on voter registration this summer.

George Harrison reported that the current treasury holds $13,846.65 in operating funds and $6707.07 in the club’s PAC. Members unanimously approved the report.

Ann requested approval of the March minutes. Approved unanimously.

Ann Helton was the featured speaker this month, reviewing the book “The Warmth of Other Suns”, by Isabel Wilkerson, a non-fiction account of the Great Migration of African-Americans from the agriculture fields of the South to the industrial factories in the North, as told through the trials and tribulations of three of those migrants, representing the six million men, women and children who made the trip, mostly on the railroads.

The Great Migration began as the First World War broke out in Europe and Northern factories, faced with a labor shortage due to the restrictions of European immigrants, looked to the south to encouraged subsistence farmers to come north. At first the southern landowners let them go, but with the ending of the war and the pace of the economy picked up, northern factories needed even more workers. Those workers who had gone ahead earlier encouraged their families and friends to join them, and the southern landowners began to realize they were losing those who would work the fields at low rates and there was no way to replace them. The result was a massive effort to restrict the migrations, resulting in many creative methods to get around restrictions on migration established by the white governed southern states. From the early 1920s to the mid 1930s more than three million black workers left the south and reestablished themselves in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and the many other cities in the industrialized north.

Ann announced that the Havre de Grace city election would be held May 8, with 7 candidates for three seats. The candidates run without party identification but there are two Democrats seeking seats: Joe Smith, treasurer of the Democratic Central Committee and a NHDC member, and Fred Cullum who has served on the City Council for a number of years.

Joe Smith spoke to the club about his candidacy, offering his expertise in human resources and management efficiency, especially with governments. He will be appearing before several candidate forums and will be doing door to door campaigning, particularly in Bulle Rock, where he is a resident. He said he would bring a fresh perspective to the council.

Fred Cullum was unable to appear, but Art Helton spoke on his behalf, pointing out that Fred has long time experience on the council and has proven himself as a hard working councilman.

Art moved that the Club endorse both Joe Smith and Fred Cullum for the Council. The motion was approved unanimously.

Ann announced that she is working on future speakers to discuss efforts to approve the Dream Act and Marriage Equality act that will be on the ballot as referendums.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm

Submitted by George Harrison