Chairman's Message

Dear Clermont Democrats and our many Friends:

As we close-out 2008 and welcome-in 2009, I think it appropriate to assess the state of the party now and propose a few goals for what could be a promising new year.

While we fell short of our efforts to elect Democrats locally, the Party was triumphant in other areas of the state and nation.  In spite of our numbers deficiency in Clermont the Democratic Party now holds majorities in both Houses of Congress, the Ohio House of Representatives and all but one executive office in Ohio state government.  Also under the current Democratic Secretary of State, Ohio was spared the embarrassment of ongoing questions over the fairness of our election system.  And finally, on January 20^th Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44^th President of the United States!  Your hard work and commitment contributed to each and every one of these victories.  Congratulations!

Now...for the year ahead.  The Clermont County Democratic Party is not finished in its quest to Change Clermont.  Township trustee races are on our agenda in 2009.  I want each of you to give serious consideration to these races.  Let's fill every race with a candidate.  Be a candidate yourself or take it as a personal project to recruit a candidate.  Now is the time to be lining-up our slate for 2009.

Our efforts to expose ethics violations at the township and county levels are ongoing.  The Republicans dodged the bullet in the November election.  I am still at a loss to explain the lopsided results at the polls.  Maybe we failed to communicate the depth of the ethics lapses to the masses.  At any rate, we must find a way to do better in that area.

In the March Primary Election, we were all surprised at the number of voters choosing to vote Democratic.  Many of us believed it was a scheme or a fluke that would reverse itself in November.  The facts are that those numbers of "new Democrats" held-up in November.  We delivered those numbers and more to each of our Democratic candidates in Clermont County.  The problem was the massive numbers of "non partisan" voters who sided with the republicans.  We must find a way to touch those voters and persuade the ones with cognitive skills to see the light and vote for good government.

There are several ways we can execute a more effective plan for grassroots organizing.  For example, let's focus on specific groups.  If you are a teacher, organize a grassroots organization in the county comprised of teachers.  It can be elementary, middle school, high school, college instructors...private or public.  If you are a small business person, start a group of small business people interested in improving the climate for business even if you are not related to a trustee or commissioner. Discussions are already taking place regarding an organization of Catholics in Clermont County tapping the resources and influence of Lisa Schare who was instrumental in organizing Catholic Democrats of Ohio prior to the November election.

This is fundamental grassroots organizing.  Without it we are doomed to repeat the failures of the past.  Get on-board now and come to the January meeting with ideas and  plans to make this happen in 2009.

Also, please renew your membership in the Donkey Club right now.  Log on to www.ClermontDems.org and make your commitment online.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year and I will look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Sincerely,

Dave Lane
Chairman

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