A MESSAGE FROM THE TERMINATOR

Yes. That’s Arnold Schwarzenneger. This is a powerful message we need to hear right now. The video is a little over seven minutes long. Schwarzenegger drew on his childhood in Austria in the wake of World War II, warning of the threat posed by repeated lies and intolerance.
He then goes on to remind us of the strength of our American democracy and urges us to support soon to be President Biden. After the attack on our Capitol on Wednesday, January, 6, 2021 his words offer hope.

THE READING ROOM

We have an lot of work to do to heal and to strengthen our democracy. We will need all the tools available to be successful. Here we will share recommendations for books to guide us through the process. If you have a book you would like to recommend email us at clermontdems@clermontdems.org

The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind
by Jonah Berger

The Catalyst identifies the key barriers to change and how to mitigate them. You’ll learn how catalysts change minds in the toughest of situations: how hostage negotiators get people to come out with their hands up and how marketers get new products to catch on, how leaders transform organizational culture and how activists ignite social movements, how substance abuse counselors get addicts to realize they have a problem, and how political canvassers change deeply rooted political beliefs.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

by Timothy Snyder

A historian of fascism offers a guide for surviving and resisting America’s turn towards authoritarianism. The Founding Fathers tried to protect us from the threat they knew, the tyranny that overcame ancient democracy. Today, our political order faces new threats, not unlike the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. We are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience. On Tyranny is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.

Word From The Chair of the Clermont County Democratic Party – Raymond Lembke

I try to avoid using this forum to express my opinions about national politics. You all follow politics. Your views are, at least, as valid as mine. However, what happened in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday cannot be ignored. It is comforting to think that last Wednesday was an aberration and that January 6, 2021 was simply an isolated dark day in American history.

Perhaps not. READ MORE

RUN FOR TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE IN 2021

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.

As public officials, trustees must follow state law in carrying out their duties. Ohio, for example, sets standards for responsible trustees:
• They vote in the interests of their community.
• They attend township board meetings.
• They follow state laws on open meetings and public records.
• They know the township’s tax structure, its hiring and firing policies, and zoning and other rules.
• They know the state laws and standards that the township has to follow.

Twenty U.S. states, including Ohio, Indiana and New Jersey, use a township form of local government. Clermont County has fourteen townships: Batavia, Franklin, Goshen, Jackson, Miami, Monroe, Ohio, Pierce, Stonelick, Tate, Union, Washington, Wayne and Williamsburg.

Township trustees are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election, which will be next year 2021. Then only one trustee is elected in the next succeeding odd year, which will be 2023, the year before the next presidential election.

Serving as a township trustee is a part time position. Compensation for township trustees varies from approximately $8,000 to $20,000 a year depending on the township budget.

The fiscal officer is also elected in the year prior to the presidential election. The fiscal officer serves a four-year term but the term does not commence until April 1st following the November election in which they are elected. This extension allows for an audit of the books prior to the new fiscal officer taking office. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.

These are non-partisan elected offices. In other words, there will not be a party designation next to the candidate’s name on the November ballot.

Nominating Petition and Statement of Candidacy For Township Office must be filed with the Board of Elections not later than 4 p.m. of the 90th day before the general election. You can download the nominating petition here.

WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS

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House Speaker’s office requests resolution be drafted to expel member

The office of Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp has sought a resolution be drafted to expel a member of the state legislature. Though the request does not identify the member in question, this may mark the first step taken to remove from office Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, the former House speaker who was arrested last year on corruption charges for his alleged involvement in the nuclear bailout bill scandal. READ MORE

State Leaders Not Saying Much About “Armed March” To Be Held In Columbus This Weekend

The Washington Post reports far-right online forums have talked about planning the “armed march” and Columbus was specifically mentioned. State officials decline to discuss specific preparations but Attorney General Dave Yost says his office is aware of it. Stephanie Beougher with the Ohio National Guard says the organization has not been contacted to provide security yet. READ MORE

Meet The Six Candidates Vying To Be The Next Chair Of The Ohio Democratic Party

The Ohio Democratic Party will soon have a new chair. David Pepper resigned last month. Whoever succeeds him will lead a party that has been in the minority at the Statehouse for most of the last 20 years, and in the last decade has not won a state-level office, save for three Supreme Court Justice seats. READ MORE

Greater Cincinnati Day of Service Event

Sunday, January 17 – Monday, January 18
Virtual event
Join from anywhere

Greater Cincinnatians will participate in a variety of activities to mark the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris.
Sign up to learn more!

12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, January 17 MLK Day of Service Virtual Kickoff
9 a.m., Monday, January 18 King Legacy Celebration Virtual Event
10:30 a.m., Monday, January 18 Annual MLK Commemorative March and Motorcade
Noon, Monday, January 18 MLK Commemorative Virtual Program
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, January 18 Cincinnati Parks MLK Day of Service Multiple shifts and locations

MAKE IT MONTHLY CAMPAIGN!

During these challenging times we know many of you are hard pressed to make ends meet.

For now we are removing our donation levels and asking for small dollar donations. If you can spare $10, $20 or $25 it would be appreciated. If you could make it a recurring monthly donation that would be even better.

Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution we appreciate your support. Join online by clicking the Donation button below or join by mailing a check made out to CCDP PO Box 475, Batavia, Ohio 45103

COVID19 IN OHIO

Myths vs. Facts COVID-19 Vaccine

Curious about COVID-19 vaccines, their safety, and efficacy? Educate yourself by reading what is a myth, and what is a fact, about COVID-19 vaccines. READ MORE

Ohio COVID19 Vaccination Program

To see Ohio COVID19 cases by zipcode go here.

For information for COVID19 testing in Ohio go here.

For more information about the numbers in Ohio, what precautions you need to take and where you can find resources for testing, mental health assistance and employment visit the Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus Portal

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB NEWS

On Wednesday, December 30, 2020 the Quin-T Democrat Club donated $250 to the New Richmond Food Pantry. President Cheryl Richards, Vice-president Donna Hermann and Treasurer Deborah Cook presented the check to Ron Stang, representative of the New Richmond Area Ministries (NRAM) and William Bockhorst, pastor of the New Richmond Nazarene Church. NRAM is a cooperative of many local churches, schools, businesses, government, non-profit civic organizations and individuals that together want to build up our area community.

The New Richmond Food Pantry is currently operating at the New Richmond Nazarene Church located at 200 Hamilton Street, New Richmond, OH 45157. Distribution is every Wednesday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.

Donations may be dropped off at the New Richmond Nazarene Church on Sunday mornings in the front entrance. St. Peters Catholic church located at 1192 Bethel-New Richmond Rd, New Richmond, OH 45157 also has a collection box in its front entrance on Saturdays from 4:15 till 6:00, and on Sundays from 7:30 AM till 9:30. Cranston Presbyterian located at Union & Washington Streets, New Richmond, OH is open for its bread ministry on Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. You may contact Ron Stang to make other arraignments at 513-309-5340 or romakama@aol.com Money donations may be sent to NRAM treasurer, Art Kareth, 1430 Nick’s Place, New Richmond, OH 45157. Make checks out to NRAM and write Food Pantry on the memo line. We are a 501C3 organization.

CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY

Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Right now a lot of upcoming meetings are cancelled due to the concerns about COVID19. Remember this is temporary. We will get through this! Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings. Some groups are conducting virtual meetings while others are looking to outside locations.

Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee

Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee

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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. Next issue will be published Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, January 22, 2021. Send your submission to: clermontdems@clermontdems.org

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Clermont County Democratic Party
174 E. Main Street P.O. Box 475
Batavia, OH, 45103
513-732-2378

Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Judith Miller, Treasurer