February 2010 Meeting President's Remarks
Looking Back: 2009 TDC in Review
How do voters get the information they need to be informed well enough to vote their principles?
We've all seen the slick color campaign flyers mailed to our homes, but those often omit
relevant information or even mislead! We see selected sound bites on television, but they are
often selected for the sensation they cause and not for their relevance.
I have found that I don't really know a candidate until I have heard him or her speak in person.
Similarly for the other issues such as voter initiatives and government bonds. I read the text
of the proposed law, but I often am able to form a better opinion after I have heard an expert
speak about the pros and cons of the issue.
That is the vital role of a Democratic Club such as ours. In this past year, our members and attendees
have benefitted from listening to candidates and speakers up close and asking questions. Let's
review what the Torrance Democratic Club (TDC) has done in the past year (2009).
January
Paul Arney from Congresswoman Jane Harman's (36th CD) office, Santa Monica Baykeeper's Tom Ford, and Diane
Moss spoke on the Proposed LNG Terminal in the Santa Monica Bay. Club member Jill Gilligan spoke to us about
then President Elect Barrack Obama's plans to use his grassroots support to help him make his changes real.
February
Torrance City Councilmember Cliff Numark spoke to us about City issues. Ted Lieu’s (53rd AD) field
representative Candace Allen spoke to us about State issues.
March
Judi Gerber spoke to us about the farming history of Torrance. Member Peter Burgis spoke about the
State Propositions Election coming up on May 29th.
April
Torrance School Board Member Al Muratsuchi spoke to us about Torrance schools. LAX Democratic Club
President Al Lay spoke to us about LAX Workers Health Care Coverage. San Pedro Democratic Club President
David Greene spoke to us about the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act.
May
We announced our annual high school scholarship essay contest. Torin Dunnavant of Tree People gave a
presentation. Candidate for the 53rd AD, Betsy Butler, addressed the club and answered questions.
June
We announced the three winners of our annual high school scholarship essay contest, with awards
of $200, $300, and $500 ($1,000 total). Member (now Vice President) Tom Newman spoke about Junior Reserve
Office Training Corps (JROTC) inroads in public schools. Candidate for 53rd AD, Kate Anderson, spoke to
members and answered questions.
July
Two candidates for the 53rd AD, Peter Thottam and Mitch Ward spoke and answered questions.
August
Candidate for 53rd AD, Nick Karno, spoke and answered questions. Ted Lieu's field representative, Candace Allen,
Spoke to us about the California budget crisis.
September
Maureen Cruise spoke to us about single payer health care. Rebeckah Kim, 36th CD Field Representative for
Jane Harman brought us up-to-date on the Congresswoman's activities in Washington. Al Muratsuchi, Torrance
School Board candidate for re-election spoke and answered questions. On a motion from the floor, the club
endorsed Al and he subsequently won re-election.
October
Marcy Winograd, candidate for 36th CD spoke and answered questions. On a motion from the floor, the club
endorsed her candidacy. Nick Karno, candidate for 53rd AD, spoke and answered questions. Tony Hale, Director,
Democratic Action Center, spoke on the upcoming 350 events at Wilson Park in Torrance and at Manhattan Beach
later that day. Candace Allen, Field Representative for Ted Lieu, 53rd AD, spoke about the State budget.
November
Bill Hedrick, candidate for 44th CD, spoke to the club and answered questions. Tobi Dragert spoke on
campaign finance reform. Jeff Gabriel, of Organizing for America, spoke about getting involved in
plitical campaigns.
December
Chris Garcia, candidate for Judge spoke and answered questions. Edgar Saenz, candidate for 53rd AD,
was on the agenda, but was unable to attend that night. He will speak to the club on March 10, 2010.
Summary
To sum up, we heard from seven different Democratic candidates for the 53rd AD in 2009 and we'll be hearing from
an eighth one (James Lau) in the near future. How does one decide who's best? How can you vote in the
primary election if you haven't heard them all speak?
We heard from candidates for School Board and for County Judge, and we heard members' results of research
on the ballot initiatives. For those who wish to become informed citizens and responsible voters, your
local Democratic Club is essential.
PresidentRemarks0210.html, this handcrafted HTML file was created January 18, 2010.
Last updated February 5, 2010, by
Rick Wagner.