Updates as it happened: 34th District Democrats’ meeting

(34th District Democrats’ champagne toast tonight to last week’s election wins)
7:10 PM: We’re at The Hall at Fauntleroy for the first 34th District Democrats meeting since the election, and planning a few as-it-happens updates: First, even before we entered the hall, flyers expressing concern about the new Seattle Public Schools assignment plan were being handed out by a volunteer on the sidewalk. Second, on the tables is text of a proposed resolution supporting the appointment of State Sen. Joe McDermott as Dow Constantine‘s successor on the King County Council. Third, the meeting started with a tribute to veterans, twinned with a memorial bell rung 12 times for the victims of the Fort Hood massacre last week. More as it happens. 7:28 PM UPDATE: The group just heard from County Executive-elect Constantine, who got 34th DDs support early on and expressed major thanks for that. He says he’s planning to move the swearing-in ceremony outside County Council chambers so more people can attend – around 4 pm on 11/24 at the First United Methodist Church downtown, which he had fought to change from demolition. 8:17 PM UPDATE: Before the three 34th District state legislators present a preview of what’s ahead in the new session, Sen. McDermott told the group he’s hoping to win the County Council job. 8:50 PM UPDATE: The 34th DDs have just approved a resolution urging that McDermott be appointed, and promising that members will start calling County Councilmembers to voice their support. The resolution makes a point of saying that the 34th District has a majority of the 8th Council District’s population (a reference to what’s been mentioned several times here tonight, that 11th District State Rep. Zack Hudgins is another potential candidate for County Council; even if he is appointed, 34th DDs chair Tim Nuse declared, Hudgins would find himself running against Sen. McDermott, and losing, in a year). 9 PM UPDATE: As the meeting draws toward a close, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen was introduced, and from the sidelines, he said, “I look forward to working with County Councilmember McDermott.” (A few minutes later, the meeting ended; look for breakout stories to come.)

yumpears November 11, 2009 (8:47 pm)

Doesn’t Sen. McDermott have a job (i.e. State Sen.)?

WSB November 11, 2009 (8:53 pm)

The path this group hopes for is: McDermott to County Council, Rep. Sharon Nelson to State Senate. (Not discussed so far, who would replace her as state rep.) We’ll have a followup story with more details as well as video of both the Constantine and McDermott speeches – TR

skipper November 11, 2009 (9:41 pm)

The 34th District Democrats are becoming more and more undemocratic. There are a few people in the organization that push things through without any kind of process that would bring the opportunity for fresh blood to emerge in the increasingly inbred organization.

seven November 12, 2009 (7:32 am)

Skipper – You should create a less partisan group where the leaders have a diminished capacity to push anything through. Something where dems, repubs, and the more common moderates work together. Maybe you can get some younger people in on that too but there are not too many of us under-35’s left in the westside.

Leslie November 14, 2009 (6:02 am)

Skipper –

Pls. state specifics and pls. get INVOLVED – do some of the heavy lifting and attend the mtgs. Am a former EBoard member and not always in agreemen, I have been encouraged to speak up, gather momentum for change and put my shoulder to the wheel to effect it. Truly – we need you – there is much much room for “new blood” – definitely don’t want an “inbred organization”.

Go to 34dems.org website and call Les Treall – Volunteer Coordinator and Tim Nuse, Chair,
for an assignment and start coming to the EBoard mtgs the third Weds of each month to stand up and get counted with your great ideas.

And yes, seven, we need more younger folks and more diversity – ideas for that – they are truly welcomed.

Thanks

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