11.10.06
Minutes, 9/10/06
Mary Kay Green called the meeting to order at 9:15 AM. She introduced Debra Landis, who spoke on behalf of U.S. Senate Barbara Ann Radnofsky. The candidate is doing a lot of traveling lately, and was out of town on this date. She had sent a personal apology prior to the meeting stating that she could not attend. Ms. Landis distributed a Radnofsky position paper, entitled "Where I Stand"; a biography; and, personal highlights. She announced the campaign web site, which is www.radnofsky.com. Ms. Landis is a personal acquaintance of Barbara Radnofsky, and is a fellow civil litigator and trial lawyer. She commented that Barbara Radnofsky has always been well-prepared and respectful throughout her 30 year career. She was trained in mediation, and has taught mediation and practiced as a mediator. Her father was a NASA scientist. She grew up in the Houston area. Ms. Landis declared, "Now is the time. She (Barbara Radnofsky) is the lady that we need". She announced that Seth Davidson, who is her campaign manager, can be reached at (713) 858-6256 and seth@radnofsky.com
Mary Kay Green asked about the exact date of the scheduled upcoming televised debate between Barbara Radnofsky and Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Ms. Landis thinks that it has been postponed. Details are forthcoming and will be announced as soon as they are known.
Max Beauregard commented that he’s from Amarillo. Kay Bailey Hutchinson declined to denounce a Ku Klux Klan rally that recently took place there.
Mary Kay Green introduced Fred Lewis of the Neighbor to Neighbor PAC, which does grassroots organizing for Democrats. He said that Tom Craddick will be gone if Democrats win 5 seats in the Texas House. He predicted that Scott Hochberg (www.scotthochberg.com) and Hubert Vo are going to get reelected. He said that 2 Texas House seats are in play in Houston: Kristi Thibaut in 133 (www.votekristi.com) and Ellen Cohen in 134. He said that sooner or later these 2 districts are going to go Democratic. He declared that Houston has a golden opportunity to pick up these 2 House seats. He said that if you really want to make a difference, you need to get out and get people registered to vote. He said the reason why we win in the Austin area is because people there actually get out and work. He predicted that if we get and here in this city and work, we will win.
He urged us to go next Saturday at 9 AM to Hubert Vo’s headquarter’s at 11360 Bellaire in order to get deputized as voter registrars (www.hubertvo.com). He said the question is whether Houston is going to go Democratic in 4 years, or in 15 years. Inevitably, it will go Democratic.
Max Beauregard mentioned the online organizing tool, www.trueblueaction.com. He said we are trying to increase awareness in our area, the Heights. He announced that there is an exhibit at the Art Car Museum, 140 Heights (www.artcarmuseum), tonight.
Mary Kay Green announced that the Ellen Cohen campaign, 4950 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401, has called for volunteers (www.ellencohen.org).
She mentioned that volunteers are needed during the 38th annual Fiestas Patrias Parade, "El 38 Desfile de ‘Fiestas Patrias’", downtown next Saturday on September 16. Marchers will line up at 9 AM on Texas Avenue between Bastrop and St. Emmanuel behind Minute Maid Park. The parade will start at 10 AM in front of Minute Maid Park, and will end at the corner of Preston and Crawford.
She announced this year’s Johnson-Rayburn dinner, which will take place on September 30 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, at 6:00 PM. U.S. Senator Russ Feingold will headline the event. The hotel is located at 5150 Westheimer by the Galleria.The tickets are pretty pricey, $125 per person. Max Beauregard said this is a first-class event that usually brings 500 people. A "Silent Auction" will take place prior to the event.
Mary Kay Green related the Treasurers Report from Vicky Bellow that we have $779.25 in the bank.
Vicky Bellow pointed out that Russ Feingold was one of the first senators to speak out against the Iraq War and the U.S. Patriot Act (www.feingold.senate.gov, www.russfeingold.org).
Diane Mosier and 2 other members contributed a combined total of $400, which includes $200 that will allow us to have a separate table at the J.R. dinner and $200 for our personal (club) use.
Mary Kay Green reported that the Heights Festival is not going to take place this year due to some entrance liability issues. She asked us to consider having our own festival in lieu of the Heights Festival.
Diane Mosier said there will be a Dickens Street Fair in the Heights the first weekend in December. She suggested scheduling some events in the Boom Boom Room, a casual wine, panini, and coffee bar, which is located at 2518 Yale (713-868-4740). Jackie Harris, the owner, is a dedicated Democrat.
Mary Kay Green said part of the reason why the Heights Festival was such a benefit for us is that it was a perfect opportunity to register voters. Tuesday, October 10, is the last day to register voters.
Diane Mosier said the Heights Trolley stops at the Casa Ramirez folk art gallery, 239 W. 19th Street (713-880-2420). The owner, Macario Ramirez, is a dedicated Democrat. Mary Kay Green told us to plan on being there at the gallery on October 7 to register voters.
Max Beauregard announced upcoming speeches by George Soros on September 7 at the Hobby Center and Frank Rich on October 29 at the Wortham Center. He said that both of these speakers are incredibly critical of the Bush Administration.(www.progressiveforumhouston.org, PO Box 1722, Bellaire, TX. 77002).
Diane Mosier said to stay tuned for some upcoming "Keep Jessica Strong" events. She’s an incumbent Democrat who’s done the right thing. She’s fighting the good fight every day. She can’t fight Craddick by herself.
She said the Heights is the largest art district in the state. There’s tremendous potential to tap registered voters in this area. Good places to start are the Art Car Museum, Casa Ramirez, Redbud Gallery, and the Boom Boom Room.
Jim Rine announced that there will be free food from 7 to 10 tonight at the Art Car Museum. He brought subscription forms for the Crawford, Tx. "Iconoclast" to our meeting.
Jim Jennings criticized Progressive Forum speaker George Soros.
Mary Kay Green asked whether there were any other announcements. She said it’s incredible, but former Congressman Tom Delay has weighed in on who people should vote for on the dance competition TV program "Dancing with the Stars". He has e-mailed his supporters asking them to vote for country singer Sara Evans, who is a Republican and performed at the 2004 Republican National Convention. She said that Tucker Carlson is participating in this thing, as well. She asked, "why would we have expected Tom Delay to have gone quietly into the night?" She announced that we have gotten in a new shipment of Heights club t-shirts.
Jim Rine reported on a recent article from Truth-out.org entitled, "Bush Declares Eco-Whistleblower Law Void for EPA Employees" about the Bush Administration declaring itself immune for whistleblower protection under the Clean Water Act (www.truthout.org). This article was based on legal documents released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER, www.peer.org). The opinion and ruling releases nearly 2 decades of precedent. This administration has been chipping away quietly at environmental protections for years.
Mary Kay Green interviewed with the Houston Chronicle’s endorsement board yesterday.
She adjourned the meeting at 10:40 AM.
Henry Weissborn, GHDC Secretary
Mary Kay Green, GHDC President
October 14, 2006
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