South Portland Democrats http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/index/ en mattbeck13@msn.com Copyright 2009 2009-01-03T19:40:00-05:00 Michele Parry Launches Bid to Chair SoPo Dems http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/michele_parry_launches_bid_to_chair_sopo_dems/ Democratic activist Michele Parry has announced her intention to run for the role of Chair of the South Portland Democratic City Committee. The seat will soon become vacant in the wake of the announcement of the resignation of Deborrah Jabar from the post. “Barack Obama’s victory on November 4th marked the culmination of tremendous efforts by Democrats in South Portland, in Maine, and across America to create avenues to change,” Parry said. “I want to see our Party continue to grow and strengthen and surpass the amazing gains we made in this election.” Nominations for Chair of the South Portland Democrats will be accepted at our regular monthly meetings on Wednesday, January 28 and Wednesday, February 18. At the latter meeting, nominations will cease and a new Chair will be elected. South Portland Democrats interested in running for the position also have the option of notifying the committee by email at sopodems@hotmail.com

Ms. Parry is the first candidate to throw her hat into the ring to finish out the term of Chair, set to run until the next party caucus. Michele Parry joined TD Banknorth in 2004 and assists in the management of the Higher Education Group, focusing on educational clients. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, with a B.A. in English. Michele lives in South Portland with her husband, Jon Parry.

“Just as President-Elect Obama is building his team and preparing to assume the great challenges that face him come January 20th, we should likewise be preparing for what comes ahead,” Parry continued. “Now is the time to continue building on the grassroots approach that proved so effective for Democrats in this election year. As Chair, I will work diligently to keep this momentum going and focus on increasing community involvement and on fundraising activities. I know that you are all committed to the success of our party and I would greatly appreciate your support to help achieve it.”

The remaining officers of the South Portland Democrats plan to finish out their two-year terms, having been elected at the presidential caucus in February 2008. The other officers are: Matt Beck, Vice Chair; Alan Mills, Treasurer; and Tom Ayres, Secretary.

]]> 2009-01-03T19:40:00-05:00 Message from The Chair - Thank You and Happy New Year! http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/message_from_the_chair_thank_you_and_happy_new_year/ December 31, 2008 - Greetings South Portland Democrats!!! As we approach 2009 - which promises to be one of hope and change for our country - and as we continue to revel in our many Democratic victories throughout the nation, I warmly extend my thanks and appreciation to all the hardworking citizens of South Portland who gave their all to make these victories possible. I am stepping down as Chair of the South Portland Democratic City Committee and I officially announce the call for nominations for the position of Chair.  The nominations shall remain open until our February Meeting on Wednesday, February 18. At that time nominations will cease and a Chair will be elected. Anyone interested in running for the position of Chair may inform the committee by email before our next meeting on Wednesday, January 28, or at the meeting itself. We will be happy to post your intention to run on the official website of the South Portland Democratic City Committee and any biographical information or statement about your candidacy. Of course, you may also introduce yourself at our January and February meetings.

This has been a great learning experience for me. I have enjoyed working with all of the dedicated Democrats in South Portland and throughout our great State of Maine. I thank my fellow officers and sub-committee members for their unwavering dedication and support. It is now time to give someone else an opportunity to serve as Chair and bring forth new ideas and goals for 2009.

I look forward to continuing to participate in our committee’s grassroots efforts to bring out the vote and get our local Democrats involved on issues that are so important to the growth and well being of our community.  I’m most appreciative for the chance to serve.

Happy New Year and All Best Wishes to Everyone for Good Health, Happiness and Good Fortune in 2009!

Peace to You and Yours!
Deborrah

Deborrah Jabar
Chair, South Portland Democratic City Committee

]]> 2008-12-31T19:54:01-05:00 Larry Bliss Releases Video Thanking Voters for Their Support http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/larry_bliss_releases_video_thanking_voters_for_their_support/ Larry Bliss, the newly-elected 7th District State Senator, has produced a videotape thanking voters for their support. “I appreciate your trust and your confidence in me,” Larry said, “and I promise I will work hard for you.” Bliss reminds viewers of his pledge to continue working on issues that he’s championed during his previous tenure in Augusta. Before running for Senate, Bliss served four terms in the Maine House representing the 122nd District. Those issues include alternative energy & conservation; reforming Maine’s tax structure; encouraging economic development; and making sure that every citizen is safe and warm during the cold winter months.

Larry also pledged to work to help small farmers such as those in Cape Elizabeth, protect our marshlands, and work to find a solution to the unbearable truck traffic noise by the highways and near Broadway.

The video was produced by Harbor Light Films, a South Portland-based video production company. You can view it by clicking below:

]]> 2008-12-09T19:26:00-05:00 "America: Freedom to Fascism" Shown on Thursday, Dec. 18th in Wellstone Film Series http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/america_freedom_to_fascism_shown_on_thursday_dec_18th_in_wellstone_film_ser/ On Thursday, December 18th, we will be showing our next documentary for the Paul Wellstone series.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ONE WEEK EARLIER THAN USUAL AGAIN BECAUSE THE LAST THURSDAY IN DECEMBER IS CHRISTMAS DAY.  In January, we hope we can get back on track with showings on the last Thursday or Friday of the month. The film for December is “America: Freedom to Fascism” (2006). Running 105 minutes, it will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the South Portland Community Center in the Teen Center on the 2nd Floor.  Admission is free, though donations are always welcome. “America: Freedom to Fascism,” directed by Aaron Russo, investigates the creation of the Federal Reserve and the controversial legislation that requires all American citizens to pay income taxes. As the promotional description explains, Russo demystifies federal income tax and the creation of money through interviews with key members of Congress, a former IRS commissioner, tax attorneys, agents from the IRS and the FBI, and various authors.  The film has received mixed reviews; Mark Olsen from the Los Angeles Times, criticizes the film for straying from its original premise regarding the government’s right to collect money; he writes that “The film raises more questions than it could possibly hope to answer fully.” Another reviewer argues that every American needs to see this film, which he sees as “fast paced enough to keep most people interested all the way through.”

Please join us for a viewing and discussion of this documentary on Thursday, December 18th. Doors open at 6:00 and the film will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wellstone Film Series selections are shown at the South Portland Community Center in the Teen Center on the 2nd Floor.  Admission is free, though donations are always welcome. The Wellstone Film Series is a presentation of the South Portland Democratic City Committee.

More information about this amazing film can be found at http://www.freedomtofascism.com/ The original :30 TV commercial can be viewed below.

]]> 2008-12-03T13:33:00-05:00 "Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony" to be Shown for Wellstone Series on Thurs., Nov. 20th http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/amandla_a_revolution_in_four_part_harmony_to_be_shown_for_wellstone_series/ On Thursday, November 20th, we will be showing our next documentary for the Paul Wellstone Documentary Series.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ONE WEEK EARLIER THAN USUAL BECAUSE THE LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER IS THANKSGIVING.  “Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony” (2002) runs 103 minutes.  Doors of the South Portland Community Center Teen Room will be open at 6:00 p.m. with the film beginning at 6:30.  Admission is free, though donations are always welcome.  “Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony” is directed by Lee Hirsch; it won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002.  The thesis of the film is that protest songs were a major weapon in the forty-year anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.  “Amandla” means “power” in the Xhosa language:  “The word was hollered countless times during the decades of protests, funerals . . . and strategy sessions that finally forced the end of white rule in 1994, when Nelson Mandela was elected the country’s president” (Jonathan Curiel, reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle). Roger Ebert sees Amandla! as an “uplifting film that combines archival footage, news footage, reports from political exiles, visits with famous local singers, with a lot of music.”

Please join us for a viewing and discussion of this film on Thursday, November 20th. Doors of the South Portland Community Center Teen Room will be open at 6:00 p.m. with the film beginning at 6:30.  Admission is free, though donations are always welcome. 

To view a preview trailer of this amazing film, click here: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi280363289/

]]> 2008-11-11T12:55:00-05:00 SoPo Dems Next Meeting Set for Wednesday, December 10 http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/sopo_dems_next_meeting_set_for_wednesday_december_10/ GREETINGS SOUTH PORTLAND DEMOCRATS, We will not be having our usual 3rd Wednesday of the month SoPo Dems Committee Meeting in November, to give folks a rest from the campaign trail and to bask in the euphoria of our many victories, starting with the election of Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Hope is very much alive. Our Next Scheduled Meeting will be Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church in the Wright Pavillion (corner of Cottage Rd. & Sawyer St.) I’ll be sending out an agenda and our minutes from our October Meeting sometime in the first week of December. THANKS EVERYONE! Deborrah Jabar Chair, South Portland Democratic City Committee About the South Portland Democratic City Committee:

The South Portland Democratic City Committee represents more than 6,100 registered Democrats in South Portland. All registered Democrats are eligible to be members of the City Committee. Officers are chosen at the biannual February caucus. We meet every third Wednesday of the month at the Congregational Church in the Wright Pavillion (corner of Cottage Rd. & Sawyer St.) starting at 7:00 p.m. Please join us.

Our priorities are the election of our Democratic candidates, citizen education on key public policy issues, help state and national leaders formulate governing policy that furthers the needs of all citizens and to build the Party’s capacity. Task forces and committees pursue meaningful projects towards these goals including education, public office candidate search, press relations, voter outreach, special events and get-out-the-vote for Election Day. The work is challenging but always invigorating.

Citizens from all parts of South Portland and of all ages are working together for Democratic victories-please get involved by volunteering and/or contributing to our work. We coordinate our work with the Cumberland County Democratic Committee and the Maine and national Democratic Parties. We are part of a national movement of millions of citizens dedicated to a vibrant democracy and enlightened and responsible government. Every person’s effort and every vote make a difference.  We look forward to your guidance and seeing you at one of our meetings and events. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Deborrah Jabar, Chair
Matt Beck, Vice Chair
Alan Mills, Treasurer
Tom Ayres, Secretary

]]> 2008-11-11T12:40:00-05:00 Clean Sweep For South Portland's Democratic Candidates! http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/clean_sweep_for_south_portlands_democratic_candidates_bliss/ Larry Bliss has cruised to an easy victory in his bid to replace Sen. Lynn Bromley for the 7th Senate District seat. Terry Morrison has been successful in his quest to take Larry’s former seat representing the 122nd House District. Popular incumbent Jane Eberle easily won another term in the 123rd House District. Bryan Kaenrath was able to battle back a challenge from former Rep. Kevin Glynn and held on to his seat representing the 124th House District. Here are the results, as posted on http://www.mainetoday.com:

SENATE DISTRICT 7

Lawrence Steven Bliss 12,401 (63.86%)
Thomas J. Dunne 7,017 (36.14%)
_______________________________________________________

HOUSE DISTRICT 122
3 of 3 precincts - 100 percent

Terry Morrison, Dem 3,428 - 67 percent
Brian Durham, GOP 1,676 - 33 percent
_______________________________________________________

HOUSE DISTRICT 123
5 of 5 precincts - 100 percent

Jane Eberle, Dem (i) 3,685 - 71 percent
Peter Reynolds, GOP 1,521 - 29 percent
_______________________________________________________

HOUSE DISTRICT 124
3 of 3 precincts - 100 percent

Bryan Kaenrath, Dem (i) 2,243 - 56 percent
Kevin Glynn, GOP 1,780 - 44 percent
_______________________________________________________

To read the vote results posted by the City of South Portland,

  • CLICK HERE

    ]]> 2008-11-05T04:44:00-05:00 Prominent SoPo Democrats Backing Patti Smith's Bid for City Council Seat http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/prominent_sopo_democrats_backing_patti_smiths_bid_for_city_council_seat/ As Patti Smith campaigns for the Second District seat for South Portland’s City Council, she has picked up the support of several well-known city Democrats. Tom Blake, Mary Kahl, and David Jacobs have gone beyond offering mere verbal backing for Patti Smith - they’ve been circulating a letter urging like-minded folks to make a contribution to her campaign fund. SoPo Dems Chair Deborrah Jabar is also urging people to donate to the effort. The text of the letter follows: Dear South Portland Democrat Friends & Neighbors,

    This November, three city council seats are up for election, including the District Two seat being sought by Patti Smith. Patti has the knowledge, skills and professionalism to warrant your support and your vote. 

    South Portland needs councilors who will work together professionally and collaboratively; councilors with a long-term strategic vision and sound decision-making skills. We need councilors who will listen, look at the bigger picture, cut through the political bluster and ego, abandon narrow special interests and entrenched points of view, and make their decisions based on what is in the best interests of the City and its residents.

    Patti Smith—with her 20+ years of human resources, business management, and community volunteerism experience—will be just such a councilor.

    Patti believes in accessibility and transparency. We encourage you to contact Patti directly at: Patti@PattiSmithforSouthPortland.com or to visit her website at: http://www.pattismithforsouthportland.com for more information. 

    Because of our belief in Patti, we have agreed to help her campaign raise $1,500. This money has been earmarked for signs and literature to inform voters of Patti’s qualifications, positions and goals for South Portland. 

    To accomplish this we need your help! If one hundred of our neighbors donate $15 each we will accomplish our goal. Please mail your check (in any amount) to:

    Patti Smith for South Portland
    c/o Larry Matthews, Treasurer
    66 Parrott Street
    South Portland, ME 04106

    Long-term strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, prudent taxation, enhanced public transportation, protection of the environment and open spaces, safe neighborhoods, quality education, and fostering a progressive, sustainable local business environment are all key elements of Patti’s vision for our community. We hope you share this vision and can offer your support.

    Please join us in casting a vote for community, sustainability, and progress on November 4th by electing Patti Smith to the South Portland City Council.

    Thank you for your support! 

    Sincerely,
    David Jacobs Mary Kahl Tom Blake

    *****************************

    On behalf David, Mary and Tom I invite you to please join me in supporting Patti Smith and making a contribution to her campaign. Thanks very much for your generosity. 

    Deborrah Jabar

    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    As a reminder, all residents vote for all district seats in South Portland.

    The Patti Smith for South Portland campaign has produced a video touting her candidacy. You can view it by clicking below:


    ]]>     2008-10-30T16:13:00-05:00     Larry Bliss Senate Campaign Produces Two Videos for Final Week of Campaign http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/larry_bliss_senate_campaign_produces_two_videos_for_final_week_of_campaign/ As Larry Bliss makes his final pitch to voters in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough in his bid for the 7th District State Senate seat, his campaign has produced two polished videos. One is a straightforward description of Larry’s accomplishments in the Maine Legislature as the 122nd District Representative for the past eight years and a request for support. The second is more of a “public service announcement” that reminds voters to plan ahead in anticipation of a very busy election day.  The videos were both produced by Harbor Light Films, a South Portland-based video production company.

    Here is the link to the Campaign Video:

    Here is the link to the Public Service Announcement:

    ]]>     2008-10-29T12:38:00-05:00     SoPo Candidates Make Last Push Toward Election Day; SoPo Dems Pay for Newspaper Ads Run in Support http://www.sopodems.com/index.php/site/south_portland_candidates_make_last_push_toward_election_day/ Larry Bliss is seeking to replace Sen. Lynn Bromley for the 7th Senate District seat, while Terry Morrison is hoping to take Larry’s place representing the 122nd House District. Meanwhile, Bryan Kaenrath is looking for a second term representing the 124th House District, and popular incumbent Jane Eberle seeks another term in the 123rd House District.  As many South Portland residents cast their absentee ballots early, our candidates are still knocking on doors and handing out fliers while newspaper ads seek to boost their support among the electorate. The ads were paid for with funds raised by the South Portland Democratic City Committee fundraising team, primarily through our recent reverse raffle.

    “Now is the time to get friends, family and neighbors up off the couch and out on the campaign trail,” said South Portland Democrats’ Chair Deborrah Jabar. “We can all make a difference.” The South Portland Dermocrats would greatly appreciate your help, especially on Election Day, November 4. Call Deborrah Jabar -766-6651 or deborrahajabar@yahoo.com

    South Portland Democrats are urged to support our great candidates, and they would certainly welcome your help!

    To offer your assistance, you can directly contact the candidates listed below:

    Rep. Larry Bliss, Senate Race, District 7
    Contact: John Jamieson 239-8687 or Larry Bliss 799-8229
    Website: http://www.larrybliss.info

    Terry Morrison, House Candidate, District 122
    Contact: Denise Harlow 409-0870 or Terry Morrison 831-0828
    Website: http://www.terrymorrison.org

    Rep. Jane Eberle, House Race, District 123
    Contact: Jane Eberle 776-3783

    Rep. Bryan Kaenrath, House Race, District 124
    Contact: Bryan Kaenrath 409-7137
    Website: http://www.bryankaenrath.com

    As part of our committee’s support of our candidates, the following ad has been placed in local weekly newspapers, including the Southern Edition of The Forecaster as well as The Sentry. As a courtesy to the Cape Elizabeth Democrats, we’ve included another great candidate in the print advertising, House District 121’s Rep. Cynthia Dill.

    ]]>     2008-10-19T12:47:00-05:00