WHAT’S INSIDE

• Black History Month – Clermont Freedom Trail
• Word From The Chair – Raymond Lembke
• What’s New From Clermont to Columbus and Beyond
• Southwest Ohio Democrats Family Meeting
• Say This, Not That- Control Your Democratic Narrative
• Run For Township Trustee
• What Is A Township Trustee
• Join The Donkey Club
• Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings
• Clermont County Democratic Party Committee Meetings
• Next Issue Publication Dates

Black History Month

Did you know that Clermont County played a prominent role in the Underground Railroad? Have you heard of Thomas Fee, Jr., Dr. William E. Thompson or Dr. John Rogers? Did you know you can explore the Clermont County Freedom Trail that includes 22 historical sites that were part of the Underground Railroad for free?

You can find the answer to all these questions and more by exploring the Clermont Freedom Trail. The Clermont County Visitors Bureau has created a mobile audio tour that includes 42 historical sites, 22 of which are approved to the National Underground Railroad Network and it’s free.

The self-guided tour includes venues in Batavia, Bethel, Cincinnati, Felicity, Maysville, Moscow, New Richmond, Ripley and Williamsburg. Simply sign up and you will receive a text or email with access to your free passport to a collection of curated venues that will introduce you to the rich history of Clermont County and beyond. There is no app to download. Your pass can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy one-tap access. SIGN UP HERE

WORD FROM THE CHAIR– Raymond Lembke

Under Article IV, Section Three of the Ohio Constitution, the General Assembly has the power to draw the court of appeals districts. Republican leaders in the General Assembly have announced their intention to redraw the district for the First District Court of Appeals. Republicans have stated that they intend to move our County and Brown County out of the Twelfth District Court of Appeals and put those two counties into the First District Court of Appeals. CONTINUE READING

What’s New From Clermont To Columbus And Beyond

Click on the headline to access the full article

Democrats vote to upend presidential primary calendar for 2024 but challenges persist

Members of the Democratic National Committee overwhelmingly voted to reshuffle the party’s presidential primary calendar, booting the Iowa caucuses from the early slate of states and boosting primaries in South Carolina, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan. CONTINUE READING

Corruption trial texts: OH AG Yost didn’t speak out against bailout because of utility support

In June of 2019, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost thought a proposed utility bailout was a bad law, but he didn’t publicly oppose it because of support he’d received from the bailout’s primary beneficiary, FirstEnergy, according to lobbyists’ text messages displayed in court on Friday. CONTINUE READING

Ohioans continue paying for House Bill 6 scandal as Householder’s corruption trial presses on

Ohioans continue to foot the bill of not just former Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder’s public corruption trial, but also the bill that landed him in federal court. CONTINUE READING

Commentary: Accuracy in Media pulls a stunt in Ohio to muddy the waters on Critical Race Theory

You’ve probably been reading and hearing lately about a right-wing organization called Accuracy in Media running clandestine sting operations in Ohio school districts. CONTINUE READING

Southwest Ohio Democrats Family Meeting

Time
Thursday, February 8
6 – 8pm EST
Location
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

Join Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters and fellow Democrats across Southeast Ohio for this virtual Family Meeting.

This Zoom event will include:

• Analysis of the 2022 election
• Overview of the party’s plans for 2023 and 2024
• How to get involved in your area
• Opportunities for Q&A and input

ALL good Democrats are welcome! Whether you have door-knocked or phonebanked for candidates before, stepped forward as a candidate, served in local office, help lead or belong to a local Democratic county party or progressive group, or are just fired up and want to get more involved, we would love to have you. REGISTER HERE

Say This, Not That- Control Your Democratic Narrative

Thu, Feb 23, 8:00pm–9:00pm EST
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

To win elections and support progressive issues, Democrats need to communicate with the most effective messaging. Join us as we discuss how we can frame our issues and promote progressive values in a way voters will embrace. Each workshop will provide background information, provide examples of good and bad messaging and time to discuss messaging on current topic. Multiple dates available.

REGISTER HERE

**This session has an accompanying workbook with activities to help you get started on your messaging. Grab the Workbook and Slides here
https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica.com/courses/say-this-not-that

Consider running for Township Trustee. This is an opportunity to test the waters for running to be an elected official on a smaller scale. Your campaign will be relatively small and confined to the boundaries of the township where you reside. The Nominating Petition and Statement of Candidacy For Township Office must be filed with the Board of Elections no later than 4 p.m. on August 9, 2023. You can download the Nominating Petition here. You can download the 2023 Candidate Requirement Guide PDF here.

What is a township trustee and what do they do?

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the day-to-day operation of township government activities, the township budget and other duties required by county, state and federal law. Many trustee duties are similar to those of city council members in other local governments. Ohio charges its townships with maintaining roads, the largest function of most townships. Ohio trustees can also set up parks in their jurisdiction, establish police services and run the township cemetery. Trustees can introduce levies for, and vote to regulate the township services and zoning boards. The trustees make these decisions as a board, rather than as individuals. LEARN MORE

Clermont County Townships Map

Join The Donkey Club

Our Donkey Club is our major source of funding and we hope you will become a member by joining. Member benefits below.

• A headquarters located centrally in the county in Batavia
• A bi-monthly e-newsletter
• A robust Internet presence on our Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Support for our Democratic candidates

Click the Donate button below and make your donation securely online through ActBlue or mail a check. Make Checks payable to: Clermont County Democratic Party (CCDP), PO Box 475, Batavia, OH 45103

Thank you for your support! Raymond W. Lembke, Party Chairman Clermont County Democratic Party

Clermont County Democratic Club Meetings

Monday, February 13, 2023
Day Heights Fireman’s Memorial Building
1313 OH-131
Day Heights OH 45150
7:00 pm Social Time
7:30 pm Call to Order

Come meet your fellow Democrats, learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities and hear the Statehouse update.

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY

Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings.

Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee

The first official Central Committee meeting will be Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7:00p.m. via Zoom. Please contact Ben Indino, Central Committee Chair at: benjamin.indino@gmail.com or Amanda Fox, Central Committee Secretary at: alvfox33@gmail.com for more information.

Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee

Next Executive Committee meeting will be Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm

This will be a hybrid meeting with choice of in-person at headquarters, 174 E. Main Street, Batavia, Ohio 45103 and via Zoom. Central Committee members are encouraged to attend.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR COMMITTEES

CCDP has four active committees. Each committee needs volunteers. Please consider getting involved. The strength of our party is our volunteers. You may contact the respective Chairs of each committee below by clicking on their name if you are interested in volunteering.

Finance Committee– Chair – Ben Brady

Events Committee – Chair – Katherine Lent

By-laws Review Committee– Chair- Gregg Conrad

Communications Committee – Chair – Michelle DeTemple
The Communications Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm via Zoom. The meeting scheduled for tonight, Feb. 7 has been cancelled due to a conflict with the Central Committee meeting. The next Communications Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:00pm

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICERS

Benjamin Indino – Central Committee Chair
Tracy Jo Small – Central Committee Vice Chair
Amanda Fox – Central Committee Secretary

Raymond Lembke – Executive Committee Chair
Elaine Barnett – Executive Committee Vice Chair
Chris Barnett – Treasurer
Bonnie Carlier – Executive Committee Secretary

STAY CONNECTED

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM – VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Like, share, comment and retweet our posts. Use the hashtags #OHDems #ClermontOHDems

This is your newsletter. We welcome you to submit news items, events, book reviews or anything else you feel is important to advance our Democratic values in Clermont County. If you have critiques about content or format please feel free to voice your opinion.

Next issue will be published Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, February 17, 2023. Send your submission with “CCDP Newsletter” in the subject line to our newsletter editor Cheryl Richards at: cheryl1richards@gmail.com

Share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter at clermontdems.org

Clermont County Democratic Party
174 E. Main Street P.O. Box 475
Batavia, OH, 45103
513-732-2378
clermontdems@gmail.com
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Christopher Barnett, Treasurer