What our committee does
To the editor:
Probably you and your readers have wondered what role the Gloucester Democratic City Committee (GDCC) plays in the political affairs of our state and nation. This letter is intended to define that role,
taking this November's election as an example.
At the national level it becomes more apparent every day that this year's election could produce a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and/or the Senate. This can't be taken for granted, of
course. Even our Sen. Edward Kennedy and Congressman John Tierney won't take their re-election for granted, likely as that is. But they count on us, the Gloucester Democratic City Committee, to help them contact supporters
in our community.
As Democrats see it, Democratic control of either the House or Senate will handcuff the Bush administration in its final two years. "Just think!" they say, "no more unnecessary and costly pre-emptive wars,
or flouting of foreign opinion and international agreements; no more ignoring of global warming, or wasting of environmental resources; no more spying on and lying to the American people; no more tax cuts for the rich
which reduce essential current expenditures and force our government to live on borrowed money, money that our children and grandchildren will have to repay, while our economy as a whole loses strength.
At the state level the most important goal this year is the governor's office. It is a matter of record that four Republican governors have left the state in just as bad a condition as they found it,
especially with respect to its provisions for housing, health, transportation and education, areas of prime importance to the future of the state.
Fortunately the Democratic Party has several experienced candidates seeking the job. The primary election will prove of great interest and the Democratic City Committee will, of course, do its best for the
winner.
How does the committee help Democratic candidates? In many ways:
* Getting the large number of signatures required to ensure a place on the ballot for candidates for election or re-election;
* Holding monthly meetings where voters are welcome and candidates can be introduced;
* Publishing and mailing a monthly newsletter concerning the meeting and other important developments;
* Establishing and maintaining an office where candidates or the needs of candidates can receive attention;
* Canvassing Gloucester homes to identify and inform sympathetic voters and urge their registration as Democrats;
* Participating in local events such as the annual Sidewalk Bazaar on Main Street and the July 3 Horribles Parade;
* Holding an annual Democratic brunch, which attracts virtually all candidates for state offices and many Democratic and independent voters not familiar with them;
* Helping on Election Day to get out the Democratic voters, by offering rides to the polls, monitoring each election site in the city and later in the day, telephoning voters not yet recorded as voting;
* Coordinating its efforts with those of the Democratic town committees in Rockport and Manchester.
Who helps the Democratic City Committee? The committee itself consists of volunteers who organize it and lead in its varied activities. Other volunteers work at such jobs as manning the office, canvassing,
installing yard signs and getting out the votes. Labor is not a costly item.
But money is obviously needed for renting the downtown office and the meeting place, acquiring essential equipment and materials and paying for large mailings and telephone bills. Hence some of the
committee's efforts go into raising money and most of that comes from its members and other local Democrats.
Robert L. French, member of the Gloucester Democratic City Committee and former Gloucester mayor
Rockholm Road, Gloucester
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Robert French's letter to the
Gloucester Daily Times July 14, 2006 |
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Gloucester
