DFL Senate District 39

Thank You!

2011-09-13T06:54:00.000-05:00

The 2011 IGH Days Parade Food Drive was a terrific success. Thank you to all of our terrific volunteers and donors. - Rep. Joe Atkins

Inver Grove Heights Days Parade Food Drive September 10

2011-08-31T09:18:00.001-05:00

This year's Inver Grove Heights Days Parade is on September 10 at 11 AM. It runs along Cahill between 65th and 80th.

Rep. Joe Atkins (D-39B) and Mayor George Tourville are again organizing the food drive, with help from Joe's son, Tom. Tom, now 17, serves as chair of the food drive, helping to organize it and get volunteers.

The effort seeks donations of food, household and school supplies, to help those in need in our area. Joe says the local food shelf that serves people in Inver Grove Heights, South Saint Paul and West Saint Paul are really short on food resources right now.

In addition Joe Atkins will be participating in the other IGH days events form September 8 - 11, 2011: IGH Days schedule of events (pdf). Joe is organizing or helping with the following activities:

Bike the Bridges Ride. Saturday, 4 PM, meet at Jersey's on Concord. This free, family-friendly, flat, 5.9-mile ride will go from Jersey's to the recently-renovated Rock Island Swing Bridge, then north on the bike trail to the Wakota Bridge, before returning via the same trail back to Jersey's.

Home Run Derby. Sunday, 11 AM - 4 PM, near Bremer Bank on Cahill. Come hit home runs off Joe in the Twins inflatable Target Field.

IGH Animal Hospital Pet Contest. Sunday, noon, Village Square

more at: http://www.ighdays.org/

Update on the Inver Grove Heights School Board Races withing ISD 199.

2011-08-31T08:34:00.001-05:00

A mini-version of Wisconsin is brewing in the ISD 199 school board race. There are the four seats that are open this year on the ISD 199 School Board. The District 199 Board of Education is comprised of seven voting members elected at-large from the total school community. The superintendent serves as a non-voting ex-officio member.

Four board positions will be open for election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. Board members serve four-year terms. There are 4 great candidates:
Micky Difronzo (incumbent), Keri Myran (incumbent), Allen Gerber, and Tom Begich.

This election is very reminisced of two years ago the State GOP got involved in the IGH School Board races, trying to elect a slate of three very conservative Republicans. We expect to see them involved in these races again this year. We've heard that SD39B GOP Chair Mark Westpfal is running along with Bridget Sutton (incumbent) who is GOP State Chair Tony Suttons wife. These are very uber-rightwing GOP that supported and helped crafted Emmer's failed run for office last year.

We will need your help to elect the four great candidates (Difronzo, Myran, Gerber, Begich) to the school board that promote education, support teachers and funding for our Minnesota schools.

Senate District 39 Committee Meeting

2011-08-16T08:29:00.000-05:00

Senate District 39 Committee Meeting

Date: Tuesday, August 23

Time: 7:00PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Dodge Nature Center, 365 Marie Avenue, West St. Paul (map)

Join Us!

Volunteer at the DFL State Fair Booth

2011-08-16T08:20:00.001-05:00

Will you be attending the 2011 Great Minnesota Get Together?

This year’s State Fair runs from August 25 through Labor Day, and the DFL is looking for volunteers to help staff the DFL pavilion. Come mingle with other DFLers, watch a panel discussion with some of our elected officials, help promote our candidates and issues, and when you’re done working, try something on a stick!

Many weekday shifts are still available; please visit http://dfl.org/statefair to sign up or call Emily McGann at 651-251-6312.

SD39 Central Committee Meeting

2011-07-14T06:49:00.000-05:00

Join with us! DFL Senate District 39's next Central Committee meeting will be July 26 at the Dodge Nature Center.

**Beginning June 13, Dakota County will be doing significant road construction along Delaware Avenue from Marie Avenue to Mendota Road (Hwy 110 frontage road). As such, the road will be closed to through traffic.

Download the map and directions (PDF)

365 Marie Ave

West St. Paul, MN 55118

We Support Governor Mark Dayton

2011-07-12T12:27:00.000-05:00

Friends: If you were able to make it to Governor Dayton's St. Cloud visit please share your experience and/or photos. Livestreaming now @ http://www.startribune.com/politics/minnesotashutdown/125412373.html

SD39 March Meeting Announcement

2011-02-27T12:50:00.004-06:00

SD39 volunteers, activists and officers.
Please join us Tuesday, March 22nd, at 7:00 pm for our Senate District 39 DFL Meeting. It will be held at the Westview Apartments Community Room, 435 Westview Drive, WSP 55118; you can can find a map here.
Questions call Nancy D. Breymeier W.651-224-3200 F.651-224-3400 C.651-492-0058

To be added to our email list contact Sue Rasmussen.

SD 39 October Meeting Announcement

2010-10-24T23:42:00.001-05:00

SD39 volunteers, activists and officers.Please join us Tuesday, October 26th, at 7:00 pm for our Senate District 39 DFL Meeting. It will be held at the beautiful Dodge Nature Center; you can find a map here. (Remember to use the Marie Avenue entrance!) Please remember that we will be electing a Treasurer and Secretary at this meeting. Questions call Nancy D. Breymeier W.651-224-3200 F.651-224-3400 C.651-492-0058

Join Rep. Joe Atkin October 2!

2010-09-30T07:03:00.000-05:00

Join Joe Atkin's on Saturday, October 2, 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM. We will be going door-to-door and leaving flyers. There will be T-Shirts, a light breakfast beforehand, and Subway sandwiches to follow.

A quick note on the T-Shirts...they are bright pink...In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Atkins for State Representative Committee is not accepting donations in October, instead asking donors to contribute to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

What: Door-to-door flyers

When: Saturday, October 2

Time: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Where: Joe's House, 2463 78th St. E, Inver Grove Heights, MN

We hope to see you there!

SD 39 September meeting announcement

2010-09-23T23:24:00.000-05:00

SD39 volunteers, activists and officers.

Please join us Tuesday, September 28th, at 7:00 pm for our Senate District 39 DFL Central Committee Meeting.

It will be held at the beautiful Dodge Nature Center; you can find a map here. (Remember to use the Marie Avenue entrance!)

Questions call Nancy D. Breymeier W.651-224-3200 F.651-224-3400 C.651-492-0058 or

South St Paul 'On the Road' Celebration October 2

2010-09-16T22:10:00.009-05:00

Come participate in ---On the Road---South St Paul's annual Fall Festival. There's a car show, arts and crafts, and local community booths along with the Annual Booya Contest that cannot be missed!

Join us on Saturday, October 2, 2010; 9:00AM.- 4:00PM along Southview Boulevard.

Our electeds ask us to join them at a table to share DFL info and spirit with the loal community that day. Senate District 39 plans to have a few people on hand all day long to pass out literature or candidate stickers, talk to passersby about our candidates and generally have a good time.

Your local DFL party unit needs your help to staff this table. Please contact SD Associate Chair Pete Cleary-- pcleary@dodgecenter.com if interested.

Inver Grove Heights Days Parade Food Drive September 11

2010-08-23T09:59:00.000-05:00

Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL -SD39B) invites you to Inver Grove Heights Days Parade Food Drive!

"Any help you can provide in spreading the word about the IGH Days Parade Food Drive would be much appreciated. While we look a little goofy pushing grocery carts in the parade, we have collected over 23,000 pounds of donations since starting it in 1997."

Inver Grove Heights Days Parade Food Drive
Saturday, September 11 at 11 AM
Location: Cahill Avenue, 65th to 80th St.

Here's a photo of our great crew of volunteers from 2009. We had members of the Simley HS National Honor Society, IGH BEST Foundation, Mayor Tourville and IGH City Council members, and other friends and family

Please donate a non-perishable food item, household or school supplies, for our local food shelf at Neighbors, Inc.

If you are interested in volunteering during the Inver Grove Heights Day Parade contact Rep. Joe Atkins or RSVP at the event listed on joe's facebook page.

Senate District 39 meeting

2010-08-22T21:28:00.000-05:00

SD39 Central Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday August 24th, 2010 at 7:00 PM. It will take place at Dodge Nature Center's Main Office Building, 365 Marie Ave. West St. Paul, MN. For directions see Dodge Nature Center website www.dodgenaturecenter.org

GOTV-Get Out The Vote Opportunities for Primary

2010-08-02T20:28:00.006-05:00

Wanted to pass on the SD 39 volunteer opportunities between now and the primary. Here's hoping you can attend one or two of them. Pass the info on to anyone else you think would be interested. These opportunities are organized by the DFL Coordinated Campaign Field Staff.

Thursday August 5th- Phone Bank from 5-9pm @ UFCW Union Hall

Saturday August 7th- Phone Bank from 12-8pm @ UFCW Union Hall
Door Knock from 1-5pm @ Jerry Kahlert's House

Sunday August 8th- Phone Bank from 12-8pm @UFCW Union Hall

Monday August 9th- Phone Bank from 12-8pm @ Eagan Office

Tuesday August 10th- GOTV from 10am-8pm @ Eagan Office

Addresses: UFCW: 266 Hardman Ave N, South St. Paul, 55075
Jerry Kahlert's: 6885 Benton Way, Inver Grove Heights, 55076
Eagan Office: 1970 Rahncliff Ct, Suite 400, Eagan, 55122

Please let me know which one you can make and if you find any other interested parties.

Kyle Edwards SD 39 Coord Campaign Staff person
651-210-5496

Senate District 39 meeting

2010-07-15T22:26:00.001-05:00

SD39 Central Committee Meeting will be held on July 27th, 2010 at 7:00 PM. It will take place at Dodge Nature Center's Main Office Building, 365 Marie Ave. West St. Paul, MN. For directions see Dodge Nature Center website www.dodgenaturecenter.org

Efforts to aid our elected officials in their upcoming campaigns will be discussed as will plans for activities over the summer months. To volunteer contact one of your senate district officers as noted in lower right column.

Fourth Congressional District Meeting

2010-07-15T22:20:00.001-05:00

The Fourth Congressional District Meeting will be Held on Monday July 19th at 7 p.m. at the Sunray Library in St. Paul. The address is 2105 Wilson Avenue. Come out and support your DFL candidates.

Temporary Part-Time campaign worker for Senate District 39 (Independent Contractor)

2010-07-04T15:26:00.002-05:00

This is a part-time, independent contractor position. As such, applicants should be aware that they are responsible for their own insurance, tax filings and tax payments, costs associated with the position and any other additional items consistent with state and federal laws that govern independent contractors.

Criteria for employment
1) Must be at least 16 years of age
2) Must have a drivers license
3) Must have access to transportation to assigned work areas
4) Interest in politics
5) Familiar with SD39

Payment will be $500/month, consisting of bi-monthly payments on the 15th and 30th of each month.

The position will last for four months total, Application deadline July 10th and position ends by November 10th. Work Hours will be determined by managers.

Please click on this link: for an application and e-mail the completed application to glass.brent@gmail.com

Kaposia Days Parade This Friday!

2010-06-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Please join Metzen/Hansen/Atkins group for the Parade! We will meet at Sen. Metzen's home in South St. Paul (312 Deerwood Court) and then boarding the flatbed to the Parade lineup near Lincoln Center. Wear comfortable shoes

The Parade starts at 6:30 PM. If you can't make it to Sen. Metzen's join us at the line-up.

Metzen / Atkins / Hansen are Unit # 19 in the Kaposia Days parade on Friday. The Unit numbers and line up maps are on the Kaposia Days website at www.kaposiadays.org. See the events page, and follow the links from there. For more information contact Suzanne Hansen at 651.451.1189

SD39 Seniors and Retirees Invitation

2010-06-06T17:04:00.003-05:00

Attention Seniors and Retirees of SD39

Monday, June 7th, 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Episcopal Homes
Coventry Chapel
1840 University Avenue W.
Saint Paul, MN

Congresswoman Betty McCollum invites you to
join her for a conversation about the recent health
care reform legislation passed by Congress,
including important details on how the new law
will impact seniors and retirees.
For more information call (651) 224-9191

Everybody Loves A Parade!

2010-05-24T09:26:00.002-05:00

We Need YOU! Summer is coming and community celebrations are on their way! Senate District leadership is committed to having volunteers marching in community parades to increase SD 39 visibility, support our candidates, and promote the DFL within the community. This is a great way to get involved (maybe for the first time!), have fun with like-minded people, and take a walk in the sun while helping out a great cause.

Dates and Details:

What: Kaposia Days Parade, South St.Paul
When: Friday, June 25th
Time: 5:00 pm staging, 6:30 pm start
Where: 12th Ave.South St. Paul

Contact: http://www.kaposiadays.org/

What: Inver Grove Heights Days Parade
When: Saturday, September 12th
Time: 11:00 am
Where: Cahill Avenue, between 65th and 80th Street
Meet-up time and place will be posted when they become available!

Please come walk with us, and bring some friends or family members. Kids are always welcome. If you have a SD 39 t-shirt please wear it! For questions or more information, please contact: Nancy Breymeier, nbrey@msn.com

While we welcome anyone who shows up, please contact us to let us know that you're coming so that we know how many to expect!

SD 39 Central Committee Meeting

2010-05-13T22:11:00.007-05:00

SD39 Central Committee Meeting will be held on May 25, 2010 at 7:00 PM. It will take place at Dodge Nature Center's Main Office Building, 365 Marie Ave. West St. Paul, MN. For directions see Dodge Nature Center website www.dodgenaturecenter.org

There will be an election for up to 3 Senate District Directors during the meeting. If you are interested in the office of director please contact Chair Nancy at nbreymeister@msn.com.

Efforts to aid our elected officials in their upcoming campaigns will be discussed as will plans for activities over the summer months.To volunteer contact one of your senate district officers as noted in lower right column.

Senate District 39 Central Committee Meeting April 27

2010-04-12T13:54:00.013-05:00

Senate District 39 will hold a Central Committee Meeting on April 27, 2010 beginning at 7 p.m.

Location is : Dodge Nature Center at 365 Marie Ave West, West St. Paul. Directions can be found at their website: http://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/

We welcome all new officers including Directors and Precinct officers. This meeting will be for information as well as planning.

Your officers look forward to sharing with each of you and beginning our joint experience.

SD 39 March Meeting- Change of Venue

2010-03-19T14:37:00.002-05:00

This month's SD39 meeting will be held on 3/23 at Amore Coffee on Smith Avenue in West St. Paul. The address is 879 Smith Avenue. See you all there at 7 pm!

DFL SD39 Caucus Notice

2010-01-29T11:33:00.004-06:00

We look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday, February 2 at 6:30 PM for our DFL caucus! The event will be held at Sibley High School (1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights.)

Nominations Screenings

2010-01-29T11:23:00.006-06:00

To screen for a position within SD39, call Frank Bakke at 612.414.6611 or email Tricia Daninger at daninger.tricia@gmail.com. Our screening meetings are February 8, 9, 16, & 17 - 6:30 PM at Perkins in West Saint Paul. Please complete the Screening Form (available by request by emailing Tricia or calling Frank) and bring 10 copies to your screening meeting. You can also email the completed form to Tricia, and we will bring the copies to your screening.

SD 39 Officer Positions and Duties:

SD Chair: Convene and preside over Senate District Committee meetings; act as official spokesperson for the district; responsible for party organization
Associate Chair: assume the duties of chair as required; assist the chair with party organization
Secretary: prepare meeting minutes, meeting announcements, post information to web site
Treasurer: maintain financial records, issue checks per central committee actions; comply with reporting requirements
Director: assist with specific tasks within the senate district, e.g. voter registration, campaigns, precinct building
State Central Committee Delegate: attend State Central Committee meetings. (This is the governing body for the state DFL between conventions).

Time requirements: monthly meeting and whatever other time you wish to commit to the organization.

Endorsement Committee

2010-01-04T13:10:00.001-06:00

If you are a candidate seeking DFL Senate District 39 endorsement through the caucus and convention process in 2010, or a DFL-endorsed candidate up for election, you are welcome to attend the monthly DFL Senate District 39 meeting to briefly address the group. Our monthly meetings are currently being held on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Accordingly, we have a meeting on Tuesday, January 26th, and the last meeting prior to the DFL SD39 convention is on Tuesday, February 24th. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held at the Westview Apartments Community Room in West St. Paul (Westview Avenue is a block south of Marie, and the Community Room is in the building on Westview Avenue a little more than a block of Oakdale Road).

Candidates need to contact us at nunezbendel@msn.com to arrange for your inclusion in our meeting agenda. You will be allowed five minutes to speak. We start promptly and adjourn the meeting as soon as business is completed.

Metzen, Hansen to Appear on Town Square Television - November 19th

2009-11-18T19:40:00.003-06:00

Town Square Television’s Community Channel 14 will host State Senator James Metzen, South St. Paul Mayor Beth Baumann, and State Representative Rick Hansen for a LIVE call-in Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 pm.

Mayor Baumann, Sen. Metzen, and Rep. Hansen will take calls from citizens of South St. Paul and the surrounding area about issues facing the city and the State of Minnesota.

The program will air LIVE on Channel 14 and online at www.townsquare.tv. Folks can call in questions live while watching the town meeting on Channel 14 or questions and comments can also be e-mailed ahead of time at http://www.townsquare.tv/contact-us.cfm.

DFL Caucus set for February 2nd

2009-11-02T19:00:00.000-06:00

The time is coming up fast for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Caucus. The DFL Senate District 39 Caucus Planning Committee will be making final arrangements over the coming weeks. The details are provided below.

What: DFL Senate District 39 caucus
When: Tuesday evening, February 2, 2010
Time: Check in opens at 6:30 pm with the precinct meetings beginning at 7 pm.
Where: Henry Sibley High School, Mendota Heights, MN

If you attended the DFL caucus in Senate District 39 in either 2006 and/or 2008, you may receive a postcard in the mail sometime in January to remind you of the 2010 caucus. The postcard will include the time and location of the DFL caucus, your precinct information, and the room number at Sibley High School that has been assigned for your Precinct Caucus. Please bring this postcard with you on caucus night to assist you in finding the correct room for your Precinct Caucus. Helpers will be on hand in the lobby to assist you.

If you would like to find your precinct information beforehand, refer to the Minnesota Secretary of State's web site. Note: The caucus WILL NOT be held at the polling place indicated on the Secretary of State's web site but at Henry Sibley High School.

This is your BEST opportunity to add your voice to our local political representation. Being selected a delegate on the evening of the DFL Caucus to represent your precinct at the DFL Senate District 39 Endorsing Convention is vital if you support a particular DFL candidate for Minnesota governor.

Check back here for future updates regarding the DFL Senate District 39 caucus night.

Calling for Volunteers

2009-11-02T18:55:00.000-06:00

As the DFL Senate District 39 Caucus and Endorsing Convention quickly approaches, we are in urgent need of volunteers to help us in the following areas:

Caucus Convener
Caucus Helpers (assist caucus attendees find their precinct room, run supplies to rooms, etc.)
Endorsing Convention Committees (Arrangements, Constitution, Nominations, Resolutions, and Rules)

We have a very quick turnaround this time between the Precinct Caucuses on February 2nd and the DFL SD 39 Endorsing Convention on February 27th. We hope to have people in place to help those who volunteer on Caucus Night to serve on one of the convention committees.

If you are able to help...THANK YOU! Please contact Nancy Breymeier so we can keep you in the loop for upcoming planning.

Call for Nominations for Leadership Positions

2009-11-02T18:54:00.006-06:00

Our Senate District has the following vacancies:

One Senate District Secretary
One Director

These two positions will complete the current term (until the DFL SD 39 Endorsing Convention on February 27, 2010). The SD 39 Constitution is silent on filling vacancies, and the State DFL Constitution is not precise as to filling Director (Executive Committee) vacancies, but it is a reasonable interpretation that we should fill the vacancies at an SD39 Central Committee meeting. Our next SD 39 Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15th, at Westview Apartments Community Room in West St. Paul.

Here is the procedure we will use to fill these openings:

We will put a call out for nominations for the two openings: Senate District Secretary and Director.
Nominations can be made to and accepted by any member of the SD39 Executive Committee. Please forward the nominations to Joe Nuñez and/or Nancy Breymeier.
We will allow time at the next Central Committee meeting (on December 15th) for brief statements or the reading of statements by proxy or otherwise (in case the candidate is unable to attend).
We will vote by secret ballot.

DFL SD39 Executive Committee Set for November 17th

2009-11-02T17:45:00.003-06:00

DFL Senate District 39 will hold an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009, at the Westview Park Apartments Community Room.

Below are the meeting details:

When:
Tuesday, November 17th - 7:00 pm

Location:
Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Tentative Guest: Dan Powers, DFL candidate for US House of Representatives, MN-02

DFL SD39 Carnival/Fundraiser Postponed

2009-08-25T23:50:00.003-05:00

The DFL Senate District 39 Carnival and Fundraiser that was announced would be held at the Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul on Friday, September 25th has been postponed until 2010.

We discovered that our event was scheduled during the Yom Kippur holiday. We chose to reschedule so it does not conflict with this most holy of seasons for our Jewish neighbors.

Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Representative Rick Hansen honored with River Hero Award

2009-08-25T23:25:00.003-05:00

Friends of the Mississippi River's Board of Directors honored State Senator Katie Sieben and State Representative Rick Hansen with their River Hero Award for their work to pass landmark legislation for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) was founded sixteen years ago to protect and enhance the Mississippi River Corridor in the Twin Cities, which is designated as a National Park as well as a State Critical Area. "This legislation is an enormous accomplishment for the river," lauded Peter Gove, FMR's board chairman.

Hansen (district 39A) and Sieben (district 57) were the lead authors of the Mississippi River Critical Area Reform bill that was approved by the legislature and signed by the Governor in May.

The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, a protected corridor that covers the Twin Cities metro area from Dayton to Hastings, was established by Executive Order in the mid-1970s. The new legislation serves to update and modernize regulations for the 30-year old law. The law directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking for the corridor and provides an appropriation of $500,000. The public rulemaking process will start by early 2010, and it will include mapping all the corridor bluffs and slopes and establishing new districts and development standards that better match the geographic character of the river.

"Updating the Mississippi River Critical Area will bring the standards and protection strategies into the 21st Century," said Hansen. "New tools, such as GIS mapping of bluffs and other corridor features, will ensure that the rules are clear for all parties involved in corridor development."

"The Mississippi is such an important amenity for the communities in my district and so I want to make sure that the scenic and ecological qualities of the river are protected for future generations," said Sieben.

According to FMR executive director, Whitney Clark, Sieben and Hansen guided the legislation through numerous obstacles and setbacks. "Representative Hansen and Senator Sieben deserve kudos for their willingness to listen to all the different interests and craft a bill with bi-partisan support that will make sure our river protections are strong," he said.

Friends of the Mississippi River is a citizen-based organization that works to protect and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities Region. For background on the Mississippi River Critical Area and the new legislation, visit FMR's comprehensive web page on the issue at MRCA Reform Fact Sheet.

CD 4 Vento Dinner and Silent Auction Set for October 4th

2009-08-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars for the DFL Fourth Congressional District's annual Bruce Vento Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction event. The event will be held at the Prom Center, 484 Inwood Dr, Oakdale, MN. (map)

Below is a schedule for this event.
Silent Auction & Reception: 4:00 - 5:30 P.M.
Dinner: 5:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Live Auction: 6:00 - 6:30 P.M.
Program: 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.

It is assumed all DFL candidates who have filed to run for the office of the Governor of Minnesota will be in attendance.

As always, our Senate District will have at least one table at the Vento dinner. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Associate Chair Nancy Breymeier at 651-224-3200 or via e-mail. Thank you!

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

2009-08-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

The White House has created a web site that debunks the rhetoric that is being promoted by those opposing health care reform. The site covers such topics as health care rationing, euthanasia, veteran's health care, the impact on small business, and Medicare.

Everybody Loves a Parade!

2009-08-09T23:36:00.023-05:00

Dates and Details:

What: Kaposia Days Parade, South St.Paul
When: Friday, June 25th
Time: 5:00 pm staging, 6:30 pm start
Where: 12th Ave.South St. Paul

Contact: http://www.kaposiadays.org/

Representative McCollum Talks Health Care Reform

2009-08-05T17:30:00.005-05:00

A new video is available on YouTube by MN Representative Betty McCollum regarding health care reform. Check it out at this link.

Rick Hansen Featured on MN Progressive Blog

2009-08-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Grace Kelly featured MN Representative Rick Hansen (SD 39A) in a Wednesday column on the MN Progressive blog. The article highlights Rick's focus on Clean Water Partnership grants.

"Representative Rick Hansen is one of the great legislators always working for the common good, especially the lakes and environment of Minnesota. Rick is reminding us all of new opportunities that comes from the dedicated funding that we passed in the last election."

Link

Our Condolences

2009-08-01T00:05:00.000-05:00

Our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Ken Beck, who passed away recently from cancer. Ken served as the Associate Chairman of DFL Congressional District 2.

Volunteers Needed for the Dakota County Fair

2009-07-30T00:41:00.000-05:00

We are looking for volunteers to help staff the DFL booth at the Dakota County Fair in August. DFL Senate District 39 is responsible for staffing the booth on Wednesday, August 12th, from 10 am to 10 pm.

Three shifts are available:

10 am to 2 pm -- open
2 pm to 6 pm -- Jane Miles and Coco
6 pm to 10 pm -- open

We need the booth staffed by at least two volunteers per shift. There is a heavy amount of traffic during the day and it is much easier with two people available to answer questions and fill balloons for handing out to the kids.

Please contact Associate Chair Nancy Breymeier at 651-224-3200 or e-mail her if you have questions or can sign up to help. Thank you!

Venue Change for July Central Committee Meeting

2009-07-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

The July DFL SD 39 Central Committee Meeting will definitely have a different 'flavor'--as in pizza pie!

Please join us at Old World Pizza in Inver Grove Heights, MN, for a casual get together. We'll discuss plans for our upcoming fundraiser in addition to other topics. This will also serve as a chance to socialize and have fun.

Below are the details:

What: DFL Senate District 39 Central Committee
Date: Tuesday, July 28th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Old World Pizza - Inver Grove Heights
Map

Note: Pizza buffet ends at 7:30 pm. The Senate District has reserved a group of tables at the restaurant. Please be prepared to pay for your own food and beverage selections. Dinner buffet costs $7.45 plus tax and tip. (Buffet does not include beverage.) Thanks.

DFL Communications Workshop-- Promises to be a HIT!!!

2009-06-25T17:52:00.001-05:00

Put on by CD 3, but we're invited!!!

WHAT: DFL Communications Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, Noon to 3 p.m.
WHERE: The Ridgedale Library (12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka MN 55305)

Bring Your Laptops!

This session will provide excellent communication that can enable you to have continuous voter contact, share the progressive world view, make it easy to plan events, increase attendance, and grow the number of voters who think of themselves as Democrats.

This workshop is designed for
*DFL Senate District Officers
*Precinct Chairs
*Associate Chairs
*"DFL Links" Community Forum Hosts
*Webmasters
AND other activists who work on events and projects and send out event notices and other communication!

The workshop will include methods and tools for:
*Communicating effectively within the DFL to enhance team work and make it easy to plan events and complete committee projects.
*Event planning and promotion - Maximizing the turnout at your events.
*Email - Effective messages, building email lists, and efficient ways to send email.
*Facebook - Identifying the social network and using it to broadcast event notices.
*Reaching out to Voters and Preparing the Way for our Candidates - Communicating progressive values and issues.
*Coordinating initiatives to multiply the influence of all of them.

RSVP: To Carol Woehrer: carolwoehrer@usfamily.net.

Kaposia Days Parade!!!

2009-06-24T00:23:00.000-05:00

SD 39 plans to be in STRONG attendance at the Kaposia Days Parade!!!

Please join us Friday night for Kaposia Days Grande (June 26th). The parade begins at 6:30 pm but our delegation will be lining up at 6:00 pm at Lincoln Center Elementary School (357 9th Ave N, South St Paul). Our entry number is #44.

Please come walk with us, and bring friends and family! Kids are **always** welcome. Bring your dogs (or cats that walk on leashes)! The more attention we generate the better. If you have a SD 39 t-shirt please wear it! We have a limited number of size mediums available-- call or email Joe Nunez for availability.

For questions or more information, please contact:
Joe Nunez, Chair at 651-455-4781, or nunezbendel@msn.com or
Victoria Cameron at 612-385-7026, came0056@umn.edu.

We welcome anyone and everyone who wants to join us! Right now the forecast is partly cloudy but with a high of 92. Please make sure to bring plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Thank you again for your participation and we look forward to seeing you Friday!

SD 39 Tie-Dyed Crew at West St. Paul Parade

2009-05-19T13:15:00.001-05:00

Members of DFL Senate District 39 participated in the West St. Paul Days parade on Saturday, May 16th.

It was a cool and invigorating walk along Robert Street, with a great turnout on both sides of the street. Jane and Sky Miles brought their two pups, which were a big hit with the kids.

Thanks to ALL who participated!

'Courageous Conversations about Health Care"

2009-05-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

You are invited to attend 'Courageous Conversations about Health Care,' hosted by Senator John Doll .

This event will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2009, from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, at Burnsville Civic Center/Town Hall (100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville).

Guest Speakers:

-Senator John Marty - What the bill will mean to us
-Dr. Jim Letts (Physicians for National Health Plan)- Learn why doctors prefer the MHP
-Nancy Breymeier (Metropolitan Independent Business Alliance) - Why businesses are struggling to provide health care benefits and how the MHP will help
-Senator Erickson Ropes - Why Canadians prefer their health care
-Kip Sullivan - author of "The Health Care Mess" with Q & A Panel

With Special Guests: Senator Jim Carlson, Senator Mary Olson, Rep. David Bly, Rep. Sandy Masin and many of the congressional and senate district officers.

What is it? The MN Health Plan (MNHP) would be a single, statewide plan that would cover all Minnesotans for all their medical needs. There is an intolerably high proportion of our fellow Minnesotans that suffer from lack of care. To alleviate the suffering, we must build a viable health care system that efficiently delivers comprehensive health care to everyone. Let's work together to pass the Minnesota Health Act!

For more information, please contact: Roger Gehrke or Ellen Lafans at 651-688-7049. This event is presented by Campaign for the Minnesota Health Plan.

DFL Women's Hall of Fame!

2009-05-18T19:17:00.000-05:00

The 10th Annual DFL Women's Hall of Fame Luncheon will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis. This is the only event that celebrates and honors women in the DFL that are everyday activists and leaders.

Date:

June 6, 2009 -- Awards Luncheon and Presentation Schedule:
11:15 am Sign in & Reception
12:00 pm Welcome & Special Ceremony Honoring 10 Years of DFL Women
12:15 pm Luncheon
12:45 pm 2009 Awards Presentation

Place: The Hilton Minneapolis Hotel, 1001 Marquette Street, Minneapolis.

DFL SD 39 will be sponsoring a table in support of this event. The SD has already paid for the table, but would gladly take donations of offset the price. If you would like to make a donation(luncheon tickets are $35.00) any amount will be appreciated (please make checks out to SD 39). Associate Chair Nancy Breymeier will be coordinating the registration for our table. For more information, please contact Nancy at 651-492-0058, or nbrey@msn.com.

Please contact Nancy or Victoria (612-385-7026, or came0056@umn.edu) if you would like to car pool. You can also take the lightrail train from Fort Snelling Station to Nicollet Mall Station and walk 5 (Minneapolis) blocks to the Hilton.

The 2009 Hall of Fame recipients have been announced. The 2009 Women of Distinction are: Jeanette Gloege, Vi Grooms-Alban, Grace Harkness, Beth Lareau, Joyce LeChaire, Becky Lourey, and Ruth Usem. A Posthumous Award will be awarded to Dorothy Jacobson. The 2009 DFL Rising Stars: Therese Barnett, Amy Korkemeier-Howard, Anjuli Mishra, Cordy Strand, Natalie Volin, Carol Woeher.

For more information about the luncheon, contact Tammy Tesky at 651-253-5513, or at mailto:Women. Please note that the DFL Women's Hall of Fame registration closes May 30th, and that a check must be received by that date in order to receive your seat. The DFL Women's Hall of Fame offers partial scholarships; please call Betsy O'Berry at 763-323-6775. Please visit our website at DFLWomen'sHallOfFame.org for more information.

Cinco de Mayo!

2009-04-24T11:31:00.002-05:00

It's parade time again! Join Senate District 39 as we team up with Congresswoman Betty McCollum at the Distrito del Sol Cinco de Mayo parade on Saturday, May 2. The parade starts at 10:00 AM, so plan to line up at the beginning of the parade route, Plato and Wabasha, by no later than 9:30 AM! Wear your tie-dyed Senate District 39 tee shirt if you have one! (There are a few size meduims left-- contact Joe Nunez (nunezbendel@msn.com, 612-743-7313) if you are interested in getting one!)

Hope to see you there!

Special Guest!

2009-04-24T02:38:00.002-05:00

Please join us at our next central committee meeting Tuesday, April 28th! In addition to conducting regular business, we will be welcoming special guest Paul Thiessen who is running for governor. This will be an opportunity to meet with a candidate face-to-face, hear his platform, and ask questions. Several candidates have contacted our senate district requesting time to appear at our meetings. Leadership will continue to make these arrangements when possible.

It should be a great meeting, hope to see you there!

Fundraiser for Rick!

2009-04-13T11:41:00.002-05:00

There will be a fundraiser for Representative Rick Hanson this Sunday, April 19, from 2:00 - 5:00. Special guests Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Mark Ritchie will also be in attendance at this event. Everyone is invited to come and show their support! It will be held at:

ACFW Union Hall
266 Hardman
South St Paul, MN

For more information please contact Mary Hinz at maryhinz@comcast.net

Hope to see you there!

Talk Show With Elected Officials

2009-04-01T17:23:00.002-05:00

Rick Hansen, Joe Atkins and the Mayor of IGH will accept calls during a talk show sponsored by Town Square TV, our Dakota County community station.

The show is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, from 6:30 to 8 pm.

The number to use to call in a question will be found at the bottom of your TV
screen when you go to the Town Square Station, Channel 14 on your cable network.

The show may also be viewed via the internet, at www.towsquare.tv

There will be for or five individuals ready to take the calls and que them for Joe and Jim. You need not give your last name, only your first; those taking the calls will probably want to see if the caller has a question or is calling to give a speech - needless to say, speeches are not welcome.

Please consider following the show and calling in questions on the issues of importance to our state: legislative plans for job creation, for the use of the federal dollars coming in, activity on the state budget, bills our legislators are sponsoring and why, anticipated actions with the parks, arts and water portions of the constitutional amendment funds, etc.

There are usually a flurry of calls at the beginning of this type of show and then a real drop-off in calls about midway through the show, so do not be discouraged if you do not get through on your first call in attempts.

Congratulations to our new leaders!

2009-03-27T01:14:00.002-05:00

Our March 24, 2009 meeting was a special Central Committee meeting, the purpose of which was to fill open directorships and State Central Committee delegate and alternate openings.

Our new directors are Paul Mandell, Tricia Daninger, and Tony Strouth.

As for SD 39 representation on the State Central Committee, Frank Bakke is now a delegate, and Tony Strouth and Pete Cleary are the first and second male alternates, respectively.

Congratulations to our new leaders!

SD 39 March Meeting

2009-03-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

Please note that the March meeting for our senate district will now be a special central committee meeting, the purpose of which is to elect directors to open three posts within the district. The April meeting will still be our normally scheduled Central Committee meeting.

Anyone interested in a directorship position is encouraged to contact SD Chair Joe Nunez at 612-743-7313, or nunezbendel@msn.com. This is a great way to become involved at the local level and we are looking forward to seeing new faces!

A threat to the status quo

2009-03-01T19:31:00.003-06:00

(Thanks to MoveOn.org for this post!)

Want to see what change looks like? Real change?

Well, here it is. Last week, President Obama unveiled his budget--his blueprint for America--and it's ambitious, amazing, and unapologetically progressive. As Paul Krugman said, it will set America on a "fundamentally new course."1

President Obama called his budget "a threat to the status quo," and trust me, the status quo noticed. Oil companies, big banks and insurance companies are already mobilizing to stop it.2

Unfortunately, most folks don't realize how far-reaching and progressivethe plan is--that's where we all come in.

Here are 10 really incredible things about Obama's plan. Check them out and then send them on to your friends and family so that millions of people will have the information they need to fight to make this vision a reality.

10 things you should know about Obama's plan (but probably don't)

The plan:
1. Makes a $634 billion down payment on fixing health care that will go a long way toward paying for a more efficient, more affordable healthcare system that covers every single American.3
2. Reduces taxes for 95% of working Americans. And if your family makes less than $250,000, your taxes won't go up one dime.4
3. Invests more than $100 billion in clean energy technology, creating millions of green jobs that can never be outsourced.5
4. Brings our troops home from Iraq on a firm timetable, finally bringing the war to a close--and freeing up almost ten billion dollars a month for domestic priorities.6
5. Reverses growing income inequality. The plan lets the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire and focuses on strengthening the middle class.7
6. Closes multi-billion-dollar tax loopholes for big oil companies.8
7. Increases grants to help families pay for college--the largest increase ever.9
8. Halves the deficit by 2013. President Obama inherited a legacy of huge deficits and an economy in shambles, but his plan brings the deficit under control as soon as the economy begins to recover.10
9. Dramatically increases funding for the SEC and the CFTC--the agencies that police Wall Street.11
10. Tells it straight. For years, budgets have used accounting tricks to hide the real costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush taxcuts, and too many other programs. Obama's budget gets rid of the smokescreens and lays out what America's priorities are, what they cost, and how we're going to pay for them.12

This is the change we voted for. President Obama has done his part, now we need to do ours.Can you pass this on to your personal network and then click here to let us know how many people you told, so we can track our impact together:
http://pol.moveon.org/budget10/?id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=15

Thanks for all you do.--Daniel, Tanya, Peter, Justin and the rest of the MoveOn team

P.S. Turns out there are way more than 10 amazing things in Obama's budgetand we couldn't resist sharing just a few more.

1. Stops unnecessary government subsidies to big banks, health insurance companies and big agribusinesses.13,14,15
2. Expands access to early childhood education and improves schools by investing in programs that make sure every child has a qualified, strong teacher.16
3. Negotiates for better prescription drug prices using Medicaid's tremendous bargaining power.17
4. Expands access to family planning for low-income women.18
5. Caps the pollution that causes global warming, and makes polluters pay to support clean energy innovation.19

Sources:
1. "Climate of Change," The New York Times, February 27, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/opinion/27krugman.html?em
2. "Obama Calls His Budget Sweeping, Needed Change," The New York Times, February 28, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51201&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=16
3. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=17
4. "Obama Expects Fight Over $3.55 Trillion Budget Plan," Bloomberg News, February 28, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51203&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=18
5. "Energy Budget Is Sunlight After Eight Years of Darkness," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51204&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=19
6. "The Economic Cost of War in Iraq and Afghanistan," The New York Times, March 1, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/weekinreview/01glanz.html
7. "Tax Cuts," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-tax.html
8. "Energy Budget Is Sunlight After Eight Years of Darkness," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51204&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=20
9. "Student Loans," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-edu.html
10. "Obama unveils budget blueprint," CNN, February 26, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/budget/
11. "Obama budget would boost SEC, CFTC, FBI," Reuters, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51205&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=21
12. "Obama's budget," Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51206&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=22
13. "Student Loans," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-edu.html
14. "Health Insurance Stocks Dive on Medicare Advantage Cuts," The WallStreet Journal, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51207&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=23
15. "Agriculture," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-agri.html
16. "Investing Wisely in Our Children," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51208&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=24
17. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=25
18. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=26
19. "Setting 'Green' Goals," The New York Times, February 26, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51209&id=15687-10040707-O.6WzSx&t=27

Local Legislators to Host Town Hall Meetings

2009-02-01T19:32:00.000-06:00

This year Minnesota is facing rising unemployment and a growing state budget deficit. Working to craft solutions for these difficult challenges and others, Rep. Joe Atkins, Rep. Rick Hansen, and Sen. James Metzen will hold several town hall meetings in the coming weeks to discuss legislative and community issues with the citizens of District 39. These meetings are free and open to the public. All citizens of District 39 are encouraged to attend.

Rep. Rick Hansen & Sen. James Metzen
Thursday, March 5, 2009
6:30 - 8:00pm
Mendota Heights City Hall
(Council Chambers)

Rep. Joe Atkins & Rep. Rick Hansen
Saturday, March 7, 2009
10:00 - 11:30am
South St. Paul High School
(Lecture Room)

Please contact Matt Swenson (MN House of Representatives DFL Caucus) with any questions, at (651)297-8406, or Matt.Swenson@house.mn

SD 39 Listening Sessions

2009-01-30T19:32:00.000-06:00

Senator Jim Metzen, Representative Rick Hansen (House District 39A) and Representative Joe Atkins (House District 39B) will jointly hold two listening sessions with constituents. Sponsored by Senate District 39 DFL, the listening sessions will give residents of the Senate District an opportunity to discuss budget priorities and other thoughts and concerns for the 2009 Minnesota legislative session. Congresswoman Betty McCollum will also be joining us at the listening session on January 31st. Each of the listening sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. and end at Noon. The first session will be on Saturday, January 31st at the Dakota County Wentworth Library in West St. Paul (199 East Wentworth Ave, just east of Robert Street). The second session will be on Saturday, February 7th at the Veteran’s Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights (8055 Barbara Drive). All residents of the Senate District 39 community are invited to attend regardless of political affiliation or belief.

Contact: Joe Nuñez
651-455-4781
nunezbendel@msn.com

or

Mary Hinz
651-451-0689
maryhinz@comcast.net

Please join us!

Five Days To Go!

2009-01-15T20:45:00.004-06:00

In five days our country will see the end of George W. Bush's reign in office and usher in an era of change. President-elect Barack Obama's historic victory has inspired millions to become engaged in the political process.

In this spirit, there is no better time to get involved with politics at the local level. SD 39 meetings are open to anyone in the community who is interested in attending. The meetings are a great way to hear about what's going with our local candidates, learn about events in our senate district, and find ways to volunteer your time for a great cause. Our monthly meetings are held at 7 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Westview Park Apartments community room (285 Westview Drive, WSP).

Please join us!

Volunteer Recognition!

2008-12-16T15:19:00.000-06:00

One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say "Thank You." In lieu of our regular SD 39 December meeting, our local elected officials will be holding a holiday gathering to recognize the contributions of senate district volunteers.

The dedication and hard work that SD 39 members made to the campaigns - Presidential, Senate, House, State House, City Offices, Special District seats - resulted in very successful outcomes and gives us all hope for a very different, though challenging, future.

Please join the SD 39 officers, Senator Jim Metzen and Representatives Rick Hansen and Joe Atkins for food and fun!

Event Details:

Thank You! Open House Event

(featuring specialty chili and munchables)

Sunday, December 21, 3 - 7 pm

Dodge Nature Center

1715 Charlton Avenue

West St Paul

Senate Recount Begins November 19th

2008-11-12T21:01:00.002-06:00

You can't help but hear about the news that there will be a state-mandated recount of the US Senate election between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. With Franken trailing (as of this writing) by only 206, it's still too close to call.

The Franken campaign is asking for help before and during the recount. They are planning to put lawyers and volunteers at each recount location to observe the process. Training is scheduled for this coming weekend (November 15th and 16th). They are also looking for contributions and housing for those who may be coming from outside the Twin Cities to observe the recount. Can you help? If so, go to the Franken for Senate web site for more information and to sign up.

If you would prefer to observe the recount on behalf of a non-partisan group, you can sign up at the Citizens for Election Integrity MN web site. They have joined forces with the League of Women Voters to oversee the Minnesota canvass and the MN US Senate race.

Let's help make sure every valid vote is counted and the true winner is sent to Washington.

Congratulations to our Elected Officials!

2008-11-12T20:06:00.004-06:00

Let's give a hearty congratulations to MN Representatives Rick Hansen (39A) and Joe Atkins (39B) for winning their reelection bids in 2008. We are all thankful that we will be represented by these fine men for two more years in the Minnesota Legislature.

Refer to the following links to look up election results by Senate District:
- SD 39A (Rick Hansen)
- SD 39B (Joe Atkins)

Rick Hansen won his race by receiving 12798 votes (or 60.35%) versus 8373 votes (or 39.49%) received by Republican opponent Bill Jungbauer. Note: There were 34 write-in votes for this race.

Joe Atkins won his bid for reelection by receiving 16291 votes (or 73.37%) versus 5876 votes (or 26.46% for Republican Christian Rieck. Note: There were 36 write-in votes for this race.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State web site, results are only for the selected region and may not reflect total votes for these races.

Old World Pizza serves as Election Night Venue

2008-11-12T17:15:00.002-06:00

Old World Pizza at 5816 Blaine Avenue in Inver Grove Heights served as the DFL Senate District 39 party site on Election Night (November 4th). Hosted by Joe Atkins and the Senate District, the event was a way to share in the excitement of the evening and to thank volunteers for their hard work with phone banking, door knocking, and all campaign assistance this time out.

The highlight of the evening, of course, was to witness history in the making with the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden as our next President and Vice President. We were thrilled to see our representatives in the Minnesota Legislature reelected (Joe Atkins and Rick Hansen). We were also thrilled to see our neighboring Senate District elect DFLer Mike Olbermueller ( SD 38B) to represent them in the Minnesota Legislature. Although we were happy to see US Representative Betty McCollumn reelected in Congressional District 4, we were disappointed that Republican John Kline beat out DFL challenger and Iraqi war veteran Steve Sarvi in Congressional District 2. And, of course, the biggest news is the neck-to-neck election for US Senate, with a state-mandated recount between DFL challenger Al Franken and Republican incumbent Norm Coleman to begin on November 19th.

To look up the results of specific races in the state, refer to the Minnesota Secretary of State's web site.

Thanks to everyone for your hard work this election season. Change is coming! We couldn't do this without everyone's help.

SD39 Contributes to Bruce Vento Annual Spaghetti Dinner Success

2008-10-30T22:30:00.000-05:00

The 4th Congressional District DFL held its annual Bruce Vento Spaghetti Dinner and fundraiser on Sunday, October 5th, at the Prom Center in Oakdale.

A number of Senate District 39 volunteers helped to make the event a success. As part of the event, each Senate District in CD4 was asked to provide a contribution to the Silent Auction. Members of SD39 contributed three baskets. Special thanks to Joe Nuñez and Nancy Breymeier for contributing baskets to the cause.

The SD39 basket was chosen to be auctioned off live by an auctioneer during the program. Our Minnesota Vikings "Tailgate at Home" bucket was auctioned off for $300. Thanks to Mary Hinz-Quillin, Therea O'Neal, and Jane Melander for adding items to the Vikings bucket as in-kind contributions in addition to what was purchased using funds allocated by the SD39 Central Committee.

Money raised from the sponsorship of tables and the silent and live auction at this event goes towards the distribution of sample ballots within CD4 for the upcoming election.

Calling for Volunteers - Rick Hansen's Campaign

2008-10-29T17:50:00.002-05:00

We're looking for volunteers to help re-elect Rick Hansen!

What: Our final door knock and literature drop before Election Day

When: Sunday, November 2nd at 6:00 am

Where: Meet at Perkins Restaurant, West. St. Paul - at the corner of Robert Street and Emerson Avenue (map)

Contact: Mary at 651-451-0689 or 651-357-7892; email maryhinz@comcast.net

Note: If you would like to door knock with Rick any time between now and Election Day, contact him at 651-260-8583 to set up a day and time.

Calling for Volunteers - Coordinated Campaign

2008-10-29T17:45:00.004-05:00

Calling all volunteers to help with the DFL Coordinated Campaign to support our local and national candidates.

Door Knocks and Literature Drops

We are targeting door knocking on the following dates before and on Election Day. Can you help us during any of the following shifts?

Saturday, November 1st
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 2nd
Noon - 4:00 pm
4:00 -8:00 pm
Monday, November 3rd
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
1:00 - 4:00 pm
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, November 4th (Election Day)
8:00 am - Noon
Noon - 4:00 pm
4:00 - 8:00 pm

SD 39A Door Knock efforts:

Meet at Darcy McKenzie's home at 1415 Cherry Hill Road, Mendota Heights (map). For more information contact Darcy at 651-554-0572 or by e-mail.

SD 39B Door Knock efforts:

Meet at Carolyn Metcalf's home at 8399 Claymore Court, Inver Grove Heights (map). For more information contact Carolyn at 651-457-8440.

You can also look up local door knock events and RSVP for a shift at GOTVforChangeMN.com.

Phone Banks

There are a number of Phone Bank volunteer opportunities in the coming days. Refer to the GOTVforChangeMN.com web site for phone bank opportunities and RSVP for a shift.

For more information about the Democratic Get Out the Vote effort in our local area, contact Laddie Messing at 651-329-6852.

SD 39 Annual Fundraiser at Drac's Pub

2008-08-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

Come join us for the Senate District 39 Annual Fundraiser with host Representative Joe Atkins!

Drac's Pub

6710 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights

(look for the big outdoors tent!)

Wednesday, September 3

7:00 - 10:00 PM

Featuring the Rockin' Hollywoods

One of the midwest's most popular bands, the Rockin' Hollywoods present "Solid Gold Rock & Roll" from the 1950's thru the 1980's with an energy and excitement that captivates audiences of all ages. They have drawn praise from the Beach Boys, whom they opened for in 1990 and 1985, and have worked with other greats such as Rick Nelson, Bo Diddley, Del Shannon, Gary Puckett, Four Tops, Neil Sedaka and many others.

This is a great family event that features a 'one dollar' meal deals for a burger, chips & pop. There will also be beverage specials, free t-shirts (while they last!) and fun contests.

Donations to SD39 DFL of any amount are welcomed. Donations to the local food shelf are also being accepted.

Come join the fun.

http://www.joeatkins.com/

http://www.dracspub.com/

Thanks, Volunteers!

2008-08-20T18:55:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all who volunteered to man the DFL booth at the Dakota County Fair on the day that was assigned to our Senate District--Thursday, August 7th.

Here's a BIG thank you for helping to answer questions and talk to residents of Dakota County at this big local event.

Call for Candidates for Director Positions

2008-07-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Our Senate District has the following vacancies:

Three Directors
One DFL State Central Committee Alternate (#7)

Steven Locke (Director and 1st Alternate to DFL Central Committee) and Maureen Kucera-Walsh (Director) have resigned.

The SD39 Constitution requires that no House District (39A or 39B) have more than 60%. (Nine of 15 if we have a full Directorship.) From our count, we have seven Directors from 39A and five from 39B, which complies with the criteria.

The SD39 Constitution is silent on filling vacancies, and the State DFL Constitution is not precise as to filling Director (Executive Committee) vacancies, but it is a reasonable interpretation that we should fill the vacancies at an SD39 Central Committee meeting. Our next SD39 Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22nd.

Here's the procedure:

We will put a call out for nominations for Director and State Central Committee Alternate.
Nominations can be made to and accepted by any member of the SD39 Executive Committee. Please forward the nominations to Joe Nuñez, Nancy Breymeier, and Victoria Cameron.
Nancy and Joe will sort through the House District issue to satisfy the 60% rule.
We will allow time at our next meeting for brief statements or the reading of statements by proxy or otherwise (in case the candidate is unable to attend).
We will vote by secret ballot.

Volunteers Needed for Mendota Heights Parade!

2008-07-08T22:30:00.000-05:00

Please plan to join Senate District 39A Representative Rick Hansen and other DFLers in a relatively short parade this coming Saturday, July 12th, in Mendota Heights.

Parade line up begins at 11 am at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota Heights just north of 110 on Hwy 13. The parade begins at noon.

Contact Joe Nuñez at nunezbendel@msn.com or 651-455-4781 for more details.

Minnesota DFL Party Summer BBQ set for July 12th

2008-07-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, July12th, please join the Minnesota DFL Party for a barbecue from 4 to 9 p.m. at DFL Headquarters (click here for a map).

The cost is $25 per person, or $10 for children 10 and under. A secure site to order tickets is given at the following link: Buy Tickets for: MN DFL Party BBQ

There is a rumor going around that the festivities will include a dunk tank.

Please join the following elected officials, candidates, and dignitaries for a Summer BBQ to benefit the Minnesota DFL Party:

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Al Franken
Representative Jim Oberstar
Representative Collin Peterson
Representative Betty McCollum
Representative Keith Ellison
Representative Tim Walz
Ashwin Madia
Steve Sarvi
Elwyn Tinklenberg
Mayor Chris Coleman
Mayor R.T. Rybak
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49
Laborers District Council of Minnesota & North Dakota
Teamsters Local 120
Matt Entenza
Minnesota Nurses Association
North Central States Carpenters

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us for fun, games and a celebration of politics while we support the DFL ticket for 2008!

When: Saturday, July 12
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Minnesota DFL Party Headquarters
255 East Plato Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55107

$25 per person
$10 for children 10 and under

For questions or to RSVP for the BBQ, please contact Sarah Helgen at shelgen@dfl.org.

New Leaders Elected at District Convention

2008-05-02T00:27:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the following people who were elected to leadership positions within Senate District 39 at the April 5th Convention:

SD 39 Officers
Chairperson: Joe Nuñez
Associate Chair: Nancy Breymeier
Secretary: Victoria Cameron
Treasurer: Pat Callahan
AAO: Lucy Buckner-Watson

State Central Committee
Joe Nunez - automatic
Nancy Breymeier - automatic
Cathy Hanson - 1st Female Delegate
Joe Lally - 1st Male Delegate
Jane Miles - 2nd Female Delegate
Terry Friedrichs - 2nd Male Delegate
Lucy Garrity - 3rd Female Delegate

State Central Committee Alternates
Theresa O’Neal - 1st Female Alternate
Frank Bakke - 1st Male Alternate
Jane Melander - 2nd Female Alternate
Connor Davis - 2nd Male Alternate
Skylark Miles - 3rd Female Alternate
--open-- 3rd Male Alternate
Lucy Buckner-Watson - 4th Female Alternate

Directors
Frank Bakke
Patrick Cleary
Connor Davis
Gordy Ericson
Lucy Garrity
Cathy Hanson
Maureen Kecera-Walsh
Joe Lally
Jane Melander
Skylark Miles
Theresa O'Neal
Mark Peterson
Michael Zellmer
-- open --

Resolutions Update

2008-05-02T00:05:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the DFL Senate District 39 Caucus on February 5th and presented a resolution to your precinct caucus! This is one way of making your concerns and issues heard by our elected officials and state party leadership.

Did you ask yourself what happened to your resolution after it passed at your precinct caucus last February? The resolutions were gathered together from all precincts in our District. Volunteers who stepped forward at the precinct caucuses formed a committee to sort the resolutions into categories, check for contact information, and confirm that the resolution passed. In some cases, the committee combined similar resolutions where appropriate. The Resolutions Committee voted to assemble the resolutions into a ballot to present for a vote at the District Convention on April 5, 2008.

The results of the vote taken at the District Convention were tabulated later that evening and 40 resolutions were forwarded to the State DFL Platform Committee before their due date of Tuesday, April 8th. The State Committee will, in turn, combine resolutions from throughout the state and present the new platform at the State DFL Convention in Rochester this coming June.

The 2006-2008 Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Platform can be found on the DFL web site by opening the DFL Party menu, and selecting menu option Party Documents.

The documents located on the DFL web site are given within two categories: Ongoing Platform and Action Agenda. The Ongoing Platform usually remains the same from one election cycle to the next unless there are amendments that are passed at the State level. Each item of the Ongoing Platform must have received at least a 60% affirmative vote at the State DFL Convention. The Action Agenda changes each election cycle. The Action Agenda states specific priorities for the next legislative session and are introduced at the precinct caucus level. They also must have received at least a 60% affirmative vote at the State DFL Convention.

The results of the vote taken at the Senate District 39 Convention on April 5th are published below.

Presenting the resolutions by ballot at the District Convention was a new learning experience for all of us. Thank you to everyone who voted and for your patience in the new process!

2008 Resolutions Report

2008-05-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

A total of 328 ballots were cast at the Senate District 39 Convention on April 5, 2008.

The ballot contained 92 resolutions. Our Senate District is allowed to send up to 40 resolutions to the State DFL Platform Committee, where they will be considered with resolutions submitted by other Senate Districts and County Units from around the State of Minnesota. The final party platform will be voted on at the State DFL Convention in Rochester in June 2008.

The resolutions listed below were sent forward from Senate District 39. The resolutions are listed by the number of votes received, with the one receiving the most votes listed first. The number within parentheses (e.g., #15) indicates the ballot number used on the Resolutions List.

Abolish the No Child Left Behind Act. (#15)
The DFL supports the removal of the majority of U.S. troops from Iraq as soon as safely possible. (#72)
The DFL urges that the U.S. restore adherence to the Geneva convention, restore habeas corpus and outlaws all forms of torture. (#75)
The DFL supports immediate action to stop global warming. (#16)
Oppose any constitutional amendment that prohibits or limits marriage, civil unions, and/or legal protections for same sex couples. (#8)
The DFL resolves that two people, regardless of sexual orientation, be allowed to be legally united in such a way as to allow for receipt of local, state & federal benefits to include, but not be limited to, filing of taxes and receipt of health care benefits. (#7)
The DFL supports renewable energy sources including energy-producing cellulose crops (instead of food crops) & wind-generated energy. (#21)
The DFL supports repeal of the Bush tax cuts for high income earners and corporations. (#82)
Condemn illegal and unconstitutional domestic spying using electronic means by agencies of the federal government on U.S. citizens. (#4)
Be it resolved that the Democratic platform endorse and sign the United Nations Resolution that recognizes children's human rights. (#1)
Adequately fund the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) by requiring the state to meet its legally stipulated 67% share of college instructional costs. (#12)
The DFL supports programs that remove tax incentives for corporations that utilize outsourcing as a major portion of their resourcing. (#63)
The DFL opposes the US Postal Service's subcontracting of letter carrier jobs through Contract Delivery Service. (#64)
The DFL supports full medical insurance for veterans' families even when a veteran is only temporarily disabled, or permanently disabled. (#92)
The DFL supports implementation of a universal health care plan with the passage of the Children's Health Security Act. (#40)
The DFL supports passage in 2008 of a plan, including the following legislation: 1) incentives for solar manufacturing and installation on public and private buildings, requirements for utilities to buy solar, and tax credits or rebates for individuals and small businesses installing solar; 2) state loan funds for schools and local governments to install wind, solar, geothermal, or energy efficiency improvements; incentives for homeowners and renters to install insulation, new windows, and other energy efficiency improvements, and high green building standards; 3) creation of Green Manufacturing Parks, which will attract green companies especially to areas which have lost manufacturing jobs; 4) investment in public transit and adoption of "clean car" global warming pollution low emission standards for new car manufacturing; and 5) workforce training for green collar jobs and requirements for prevailing wages or living wages for publicly subsidized jobs. (#80)
Be it resolved that at least one Medicare Plan D drug benefit plan be offered through Medicare, giving consumers the choice between a cost-effective public plan & a private for-profit plan; & Be it resolved that the Federal government be required to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of seniors & the disabled for lower drug prices for Medicare Plan D drug plans. (#47)
The DFL supports passage of emergency legislation that provides an accurate, auditable and observable count, on a paper ballot. Ballot counting machines shall maintain the integrity of paper ballots after the count and allow for calibration and audits by citizen election judges. All data, totals, software, ballots and other records of the vote, regardless of how gathered, counted or created, shall be the property of the People. (#34)
Be it resolved that Minnesota's minimum wage be increased to $7.90. (#62)
The DFL urges that the U.S. shall cease the detention of foreign nationals without right to trial, without right to an attorney, without being charged with a crime, and the U.S. will close Guantanamo Prison. (#76)
The DFL supports amending MN tax laws to grant the first $25,000 of retirement income be free of any MN taxation. (#85)
The DFL shall institute a Zero Waste policy to sharply increase waste prevention, reuse, recycling, repair & composting policies and decrease "garbage" volume, incineration & land filling. (#20)
The DFL supports elimination of the electoral college and support the direct election of the U.S. president. (#35)
Any legislator or executive official on the local, state, or federal level shall be prohibited from taking any gift or any campaign contribution from lobbyists, PACs, or special interest groups. (#28)
The DFL supports requiring that the prevailing wage shall be paid for construction jobs with federal or state monies attached, including a state certified apprenticeship. (#67)
A sitting president may not commit the US to a binding commitment beyond his term without congressional approval. (#30)
The DFL supports addressing the issues of the homeless through well funded community mental health services and affordable housing. (#60)
Universal health care provided to every American regardless of pre-existing conditions. (#44)
All national debates should be televised on broadcast channels and not exclusively on cable channels. (#27)
The DFL Party supports the United States Health Insurance Act (HR 676, also referred to as the “Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Bill”) which establishes universal & comprehensive health care administered by the federal government. (#43)
Increased funding for veterans pension and disabled vets, including reservists and guards. (#89)
The DFL supports officially recognizing the problem of human trafficking and supports legislation and education programs to address this problem. (#3)
Students age 21 and over should not be required to include their parents' or guardians' income and tax information to qualify for federal and state level financial aid. (#11)
The DFL supports the repeal of the Patriot Act. (#71)
The DFL urges Congress shall recognize we all came from immigrant stock and that immigration reform includes the following: a) clear path to U.S. citizenship for current illegal aliens; b) family reunification; c) legalization of future migration flows; d) protection of due process and human rights; e) protection of workers and employees. (#77)
The DFL supports increased funding for the continuum of services needed for Minnesota's homeless children & youth; the DFL supports accompanying changes in the child welfare, foster care, corrections & mental health systems - thereby insuring that all Minnesota's children & youth have safe, stable homes & the opportunity to thrive in community. (#52)
The DFL supports that every Minnesotan be provided with "those things that protect human dignity and make for a healthy life: adequate food and shelter, meaningful work, safe communities, healthcare, and education;" and that our State Government commit to end poverty by 2020. (#61)
The DFL supports special education students being counted as 1.5 (weighted) per pupil units for purposes of funding. (#13)
Citizens shall have the same health care available to them at the same cost as is currently available to all elected officials on the federal level (i.e. Congressmen, Senators, the President and Vice-President). In the event that Congress & the Executive Branch are unable to pass this, then they should be encouraged to pass a law which would end their privileged status with regard to health care. (#41)
The DFL supports the State actively working with other states to create a system of national district primaries to replace the current caucus/primary system; that the national district primaries will be no more than 4 weeks apart from each other; and that the right to be first will rotate from one district to another for subsequent national elections. (#32)

On behalf of the SD39 Resolutions Committee, thanks to all who submitted resolutions at your precinct caucus on February 5th.

Cinco de Mayo Events set for May 3rd

2008-04-30T01:50:00.000-05:00

Please join your Senate District colleagues for the Cinco de Mayo parade this Saturday, May 3rd. We will be marching with Betty McCollum, although some of us may be requested to be involved with Voter Registration activities along the parade route.

Wear your new SD39 shirts!

SD 39 Chair Joe Nuñez will be at the Pirks Coffee Shop on Saturday morning, May 3rd, at 8:00 am and probably leaving just before 9:00 am to get to the parade. Pirks is just off of Robert near Mendota Rd / Southview Blvd across the parking lot from Walgreens and next to Pep Boys.

For direction to Pirks, refer to the Google Map.

The following is a message from Melissa Jamrock of the McCollum campaign with information for this Saturday:

For the Cinco de Mayo parade on Saturday, we will be gathering with other elected officials and volunteers at the DFL Headquarters, 255 Plato Blvd E, St. Paul (map) at 9:00 am, and walking to the staging location (corner of Plato and Wabasha) at 9:30 am. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 am. The parade route is along Wabasha St. and Caesar Chavez St. and will end at Anita St. The route usually takes about 45 minutes to walk.

As I mentioned on the phone, there are also a couple of other volunteer opportunities for that day as well. The DFL has a booth they are looking for folks to help staff. The shifts are in two hour blocks from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. If anyone is interested in that, they should contact RoseAnn Zimbro at the State DFL. Her email address is rzimbro@dfl.org. Also, we will be doing some voter registration along the parade route, and folks who might be interested in doing that can just meet at the DFL HQ with the folks walking in the parade, and we’ll get them taken care of for that.

Kickoff Meeting for New District Leaders

2008-04-14T00:57:00.000-05:00

From Joe Nuñez, Senate District 39 Chair...
The first Senate District 39 Executive Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 22nd. Below are the details:

When:
Tuesday, April 22nd
7:00 pm

Location:
Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

During our first meeting, we will discuss leadership opportunities for directors and Central Committee delegates and alternates in various areas, such as AAO Outreach, Communications, Networking/Organizations/Outreach/Gatherings, GOTV/Voter Registration, Precinct Organization, Fundraising, Technology and Volunteer Coordination. Perhaps you have other ideas as well.

Please plan to come prepared to discuss these and whatever other goals you think the Senate District should consider in both the near term and long term.

Please contact me to confirm whether you can or cannot make it to the meeting.

Also, our first group "outing" will be to attend the Cinco de Mayo celebration on Cesar Chavez Street on Saturday, May 3rd. More information at our first meeting!

Thanks for helping us get off to a great start!

Candidate Events

2008-04-12T01:50:00.000-05:00

The space below is reserved for local events that we have been made aware of by the various candidates.

-------------

Note: SD 39 will strive to post local DFL candidate appearances, time permitting. Contact the DFL SD 39 Webmaster to add a candidate event.

District Convention Committees Follow-Up Meeting

2008-03-19T01:30:00.000-05:00

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27th, for committee members to touch base on the status of plans for the Senate District 39 Convention. If you have served as a co-chair or a working member of one of the Convention Committees, please plan to attend this meeting. A formal invitation will be sent shortly.

Below are the details:

When:
Thursday, March 27th
7:00 pm

Location:
Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Walking Sub-Caucus Training

2008-03-18T23:15:00.000-05:00

The walking sub-caucus method of selecting delegates to the state convention can be confusing for those new to the process.

Two identical training sessions are being offered by Senate District 39. The sessions are anticipated to last about an hour. A description of the walking sub-caucus can be found in your Minnesota SD 39 Endorsing Convention Call mailing.

The training sessions are scheduled for the following times:

Saturday, March 22, 2008
10:00 to 11:00 am
Westcott Library, Eagan
Saturday, March 29, 2008
3:00 to 4:00 pm
Wentworth Library, West St. Paul

For questions, contact Mary Hinz-Quillin, Acting SD 39 District Chair, at 651-451-0689 or by e-mail.

SD 39 Convention - April 5th

2008-03-18T22:45:00.000-05:00

If you were selected as a Delegate or Alternate Delegate to the SD 39 District Convention, be sure to put April 5th on your calendar. The convention will be held at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights. Registration begins at 8:00 am and the meeting begins at 9:00 am.

You should have received your copy of the Official Call by mail. It contains details about the District Convention.

Committee Update

2008-02-28T23:25:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help plan our next Senate District Convention. We had a terrific turnout at our Committee Kick-off meeting on February 12th! Thanks to everyone who was able to attend.

If you were unable to join us at last Tuesday's meeting, it's not too late to get involved! If you cannot remember which committee you volunteered for on Caucus Night, or have any questions, please contact Mary Hinz-Quillin (651.451.0689) or Jane Melander (651.340.8384). We will provide contact information for the Co-Chairs of your selected committee.

For meeting dates and information about each committee, refer to the committee posts below.

Convention Committees - Arrangements

2008-02-28T23:20:00.000-06:00

Co-Chairs:
Stephanie Nattrass
Dan Nichols

Next Meeting:
No work meetings planned at this time

Charter and Duties

Charter: Make all physical arrangements for the convention, for example: signage for precincts, facilities (e.g., directions to rest rooms), beverage and food, and the clean-up at close of convention.

Duties:

Formulate delegate seating chart (seating by precinct)
Make arrangements for two large areas in order to accommodate split of 39A / 39B and CD 2 / CD4
Make arrangements for needed equipment (e.g., projectors, sound systems, tables, chairs)
Determine food regulations at school, make arrangements for allowed food and beverage services
Determine how much to charge the candidates for table space (traditionally has been $25), how to determine location of candidate table (has traditionally been first come) and rules (re: distribution AND CLEAN UP of stickers, literature, etc.)
Determine sign rules for candidates (past limit has been 5 per candidate), use of blue painters tape, and communicate the earliest time that signs may be placed
Assist with issuing the call (mailing); recommend request for food shelf donations

Note: Sibley High School has been reserved for the SD 39 Convention on April 5th. State DFL requires recycling bins at any convention location. Sibley point person is Pat Callahan. He can also recommend a caterer.

Convention Committees - Credentials

2008-02-28T23:15:00.000-06:00

Chair: Theresa O'Neal
Associate Chair: Lucy Garrity

Meeting:
No work meetings planned at this time

Charter and Duties

Charter: Sign in delegates and assign delegate badges; manage the upgrade of alternates to delegate status; report delegate numbers to convention chair periodically by total Senate District 39, plus broken down by 39A, 39B, CD2, and CD4.

Duties:

Review delegate lists from caucus to certify delegates elected in a caucus not their own precinct
Make sure badges carry SD 39A or 39B and CD2 or CD4 designations (Note: Credentials sign in lists and badge labels will be produced from VAN.)
Have materials ready for delegate, alternate, visitor, campaign, press, worker floor passes
Be prepared to quickly assemble delegate counts
Recommend rules for campaigns tracking delegates present

Convention Committees - Nominations / Endorsements

2008-02-28T23:10:00.000-06:00

Co-Chairs:
Gary Davis - Nominations
Dana Babbitt - Endorsements

Meeting:
Waiting for confirmation on the next meeting

Charter and Duties

Endorsements

Charter: To interview and recommend endorsement when there is a contest for endorsement for Minnesota House seats in Districts 39A and 39B.

Nominations

Charter: Recruit, screen, and recommend candidates for the Senate District 39 district offices

Duties: Arrange for screening sessions that can be advertised in the call to the convention. Past practice has been to ask officer candidates to complete an information sheet designed by the nominating committee.

District officers to screen and recommend:

Chair
Associate Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Affirmative Action Officer
Directors (11)
State Central committee members (5 delegates and 7 alternates)

Must meet SD39 Constitution and Official Call state gender balance requirements.

Note: Elected at CD conventions but not screened: delegates and alternates to state convention (CD4: fourteen and CD 2: six) and double delegates to CD4 convention (fourteen).

Convention Committees - Resolutions

2008-02-28T23:05:00.000-06:00

Co-Chairs:
Jane Miles
Vincent Hyman
Bonnie Marron
Tom Norris

Work Meeting:
No work meetings planned at this time

Keep Sunday afternoon, April 6th, open on your calendar for a Resolutions Tabulation Party. Time and location still to be determined.

Charter and Duties

Charter: Prepare resolution presentation to delegates

Duties:

Sort by topic area; may choose to combine similar resolutions
Only 40 resolutions can be forwarded from the SD39 convention (state party rules)
Decide method of presenting resolutions: slate of 40, majority and minority reports, etc.
Decide voting methodology (e.g., paper ballot, voice vote)

Convention Committees - Rules

2008-02-28T23:00:00.000-06:00

Co-Chairs:
Leslie Sandberg
Joe Lally

Meeting:
No work meetings planned at this time

Charter and Duties

Charter: Recommend rules for the day

Note: Sample rules available in the call and from past conventions.

Call for Candidates

2008-02-27T23:30:00.000-06:00

This is an exciting time to be in the DFL. We are going to make history at the national level with the election of the first woman or African-American president. At the state level, we are going to send Norm Coleman packing by electing one of several excellent candidates. We have control of both houses of our state legislature and just passed a bill over the governor's veto that will start to clean up the mess that is our transportation system.

We can't maintain this momentum without strong grassroots support that starts at our local level. This support needs to come from experienced veterans of the process as well as from new faces with new ideas. It needs to come from people of all colors, from the young, the old, and all those in between. It needs to come from lifelong DFLers as well as those joining us from other parties and those new to the process.

If you are interested and have the energy to help build and keep momentum going, please consider running for one of the SD 39 positions. Please refer to the SD 39 Officer Position Descriptions sent with your Minnesota SD 39 Endorsing Convention Call mailing for more information on each post.

The Nominations Committee will be interviewing for the following positions, which will represent Senate District 39 for the next two years (until the SD 39 District Convention in 2010):

Chair
Associate Chair
Secretary
Affirmative Action Officer
Directors (a minimum of 11, although the Constitution Committee is recommending up to 15, depending on candidate interest)
State Central Committee Delegates (7)
State Central Committee Alternates (7)

Remember--a strong local organization will help ensure the continued increase of DFL seats at the Minnesota Legislature as well and keeping Minnesota Blue.

The Nominations Committee has scheduled the following times to interview (or "screen") people for the above listed positions:

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - DONE!
7:00 to 9:30 pm
Perkins Restaurant
1365 South Robert St
West St. Paul
Saturday, March 15, 2008
10:00 am to noon
Wentworth Library
199 East Wentworth Ave
West St. Paul

Please fill out the Senate District 39 Screening Form sent with the District Convention mailing or contact the Nominations Committee for an electronic form to fill out on your computer. If you fill out your form by hand, please bring 10 copies to the interview. If you prefer, you can e-mail your completed form to the Nominations Committee before your interview so they can make copies and bring to the screening meeting.

For questions about officer duties, contact Mary Hinz-Quillin, Acting SD 39 District Chair, at 651-451-0689 or by e-mail. For questions about screening for an office, contact Gary Davis at 651-357-6362 or by e-mail.

Come Learn to Party!

2008-02-24T23:20:00.000-06:00

This from the Minnesota DFL Party Outreach:

The Minnesota DFL Party invites you to a workshop to learn the next steps in how to fulfill your responsibilities and duties as a delegate or alternate to the Senate District Convention, and the basics of the MN DFL Party structure. Join RoseAnn Zimbro, Outreach Director, MN DFL Party for this informative workshop.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

6:30 p.m. – Registration
7:00 p.m. – Convention Training

Teamsters Local 120
2635 University Avenue West, #120
St Paul, MN 55414

Why Should I Come to the Training?

- Learn what to expect at your local convention.
- Gain ideas and strategies for the next steps in the process.
- Become familiar with the walking subcaucus procedures.
- Learn the rules and tools to become a successful delegate.
- Understand the basics of the party structure.

For more information, or to RSVP, contact:
Minnesota DFL Party Outreach Department
outreachintern@dfl.org

Senate District 39 Central Committee Meeting

2008-02-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

DFL Senate District 39 will hold a Central Committee meeting on Thursday, February 28th, 2008, at the Westview Park Apartments Community Room.

Below are the meeting details:

When:
Thursday, February 28th - 7:00 pm

Location:
Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Record Turnout at DFL Senate District 39 Caucus

2008-02-06T01:55:00.000-06:00

Thank You!

We had a record-breaking turnout at the DFL Senate District 39 caucus tonight. If you made the trip to Simley High School on Tuesday night to cast your vote for the Presidential Preference Ballot, thank you!

If you stayed for the caucus meeting tonight to select Precinct Chairs (and Associate Chairs) and select delegates to participate in the District Convention on April 5th, GOOD FOR YOU! Being elected a delegate to the District Convention gives you a voice of which candidate for US Senate will be considered for endorsement at the State Convention later this year. And volunteering to help at the precinct level or work on a committee for the April Convention strengthens us all. Besides, it's a great way to meet fellow DFLers and like-minded people in your neighborhood!

On behalf of the Caucus Conveners and planners, we'd like to thank everyone for your patience this evening. Frankly, although we were prepared for a large increase in turn out compared to 2004 and 2006, tonight's caucus broke all expectations. We thought we were being optimistic by expecting about 2,000 but we had approximately 3,000 come tonight, with a huge number of first time caucus attendees. Congratulations to you for participating and adding your voice.

Thanks again to everyone who participated tonight!

Join the SD 39 Caucus TONIGHT at Simley High School

2008-02-05T02:10:00.000-06:00

The DFL Senate District 39 Caucus will be held TONIGHT (February 5th) at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, MN (map). Below are a few topics regarding the caucus.

What happens at a Precinct Caucus?

The DFL web site contains an excellent summary of what you can expect at the February caucus. The MN Secretary of State web site also includes a link to the Minnesota's Precinct Caucuses brochure (in PDF format).

Who May Participate in Precinct Caucuses?

From DFL.org... Anyone may observe a precinct caucus. To be eligible to participate in the DFL precinct caucuses, you must satisfy the following requirements:

You must reside in the precinct.
To run for county unit convention delegate or alternate, or vote on the presidential preference ballot (in presidential election years), you must be 18 years old and otherwise qualified to vote by Election Day of that year.
You must not be an active member of any other political party.
You must agree with the DFL principles as stated in the State DFL Constitution and Bylaws.

How Can I Find Out Which Caucus to Attend?

The DFL web site contains a search function to look up the DFL caucus location and your precinct information based on your address of residence. The Secretary of State web site also contains a Minnesota Caucus Finder that will help you to identify in which precinct you reside and find out the caucus location and date for the main political parties in Minnesota.

It will save you time the evening of the caucus if you know your precinct. If you received a post card mail recently from the DFL with a reminder of the caucus date and location, bring that with you. We will also have assistants available at the school to help you find your correct precinct when you arrive that evening.

Despite the snow on Monday, it sounds like we will have moderate temperatures and good weather for Tuesday's caucuses. If you need assistance, be on the lookout for the DARTS van that will be on hand to shuttle people from their cars in the Simley High School parking lot to the entrance.

We hope you join us for this very important event.

In closing, we'd like to pass along our thanks to the administrators of Simley High School who have helped us so much in hosting this event. Thanks so much!

MN Young DFL & MN College Democrats 2008 Annual Convention

2008-02-05T01:00:00.000-06:00

If you are under 35 years of age and want to make a difference in Minnesota politics, join the Minnesota Young DFL (MYDFL) and Minnesota College Democrats for this year's Annual Convention.

When:
Saturday, February 16, 2008

Time:
- Registration opens at 10:00 am
- Convention opens at 12:00 pm

Location:
Lake and Plains Carpenters Hall
700 Olive Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Guests and press must check in on site.

SD 39 Convention Committee Kick-off Meeting

2008-02-05T00:15:00.000-06:00

For those who volunteered to join one of the SD 39 District Convention committees, there will be a kick-off meeting on Tuesday, February 12th, at the Westview Park Apartments Community Room in West St. Paul. Refer below for time and address:

When:
Tuesday, February 12th - 7:00 pm

Location:
Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

If you are unable to attend the kick-off meeting, please check back to this web site. We will post future committee meetings as we make plans for the District Convention.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered!

Date Set for Atkins Fundraiser, Pre-Caucus Party

2008-02-02T00:35:00.000-06:00

MN State Representative Joe Atkins is hosting a Pre-Caucus Party and Fundraiser immediately before the start of the DFL Caucus on Tuesday, February 5th.

Below is the write-up from his flier for this event:

"Please join us prior to the DFL precinct caucus on “Super Tuesday” for a fun chance to get together with friends and neighbors, meet some special guests, and participate in an informal straw poll for the Presidential and U.S. Senate races. Enjoy free appetizers, pop and draft beer as well.

"While this event is mainly about having a little fun before the precinct caucus, we will also accept donations to the “Atkins for State Rep. Committee” to help Joe run a strong, positive campaign this fall. Joe’s got a very serious opponent in 2008, who has already been raising money for several months to fund a nasty, negative campaign."

Below are the full details:

What:
Pre-Caucus Party and Fundraiser
Putting the "party" back in DFL Party!

When:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
5:00 - 6:45 pm

Where:
Drac's Pub
(at Drkula's 32 Bowl)
6710 Cahill Avenue East
Inver Grove Heights

Local, National Media to Cover DFL Caucus Night Party on February 5th

2008-02-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

On Super Tuesday we are, of course expecting record turnout at our precinct caucuses. It will be an extremely exciting way to officially kick off the 2008 election cycle and an important first step in organizing toward victory on November 4. Thank you for all of your hard work to ensure a successful caucus night.

Minnesota, while being the tenth largest Super Tuesday state, is tied for seventh for the number of delegates we will send to the Democratic National Convention in August. Given that we will have a real voice in determining the Democratic presidential nominee, our state will be highlighted by both the local and national media on Tuesday night.

You may know that the DFL Party is hosting a Caucus-Night Party in St. Paul where DFLers can gather with the presidential campaigns, candidates and elected officials. (Senator Amy Klobuchar is scheduled to speak at 10 p.m.) In addition to Caucus-Night Party coverage by the local media, National Public Radio has chosen Minnesota as one of the Super Tuesday states from which it will broadcast. We need your presence!

Minnesota DFL Caucus-Night Party
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Carpenters’ Union Hall
710 Olive St., Saint Paul

Click here for map

Thanks very much with any assistance you can provide with turnout, and feel free to contact me with any questions. Happy caucusing!

Donna Cassutt
Associate Chair
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Hansen Hosts Caucus Learning Sessions

2008-01-21T00:40:00.000-06:00

MN State Representative Rick Hansen is hosting three sessions for people to learn about the caucus process prior to the DFL 2008 Caucus on February 5th, 2008.

Below is a schedule of the learning sessions:

Saturday, February 2
10:00 AM
UFCW Local 789
266 Hardman Avenue N
South St. Paul, MN 55075

Saturday, February 2
2:00 PM
Famous Dave's (back room)
2079 South Robert Street
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Sunday, February 3
2:00 PM
Mendota VFW
1323 Sibley Memorial Hwy
Mendota Heights, MN

Meetings and Events

2008-01-14T00:45:00.000-06:00

Upcoming Senate District 39 Meeting

DFL Senate District 39 will be holding a Central Committee and Caucus Preparation meeting on Thursday, January 17th, 2008 at the Westview Park Apartments Community Room. A work session will be held before the meeting to update lawn signs for the February 5th caucus. Pizza will be served at the work session.

Below are the meeting details:

Meeting Times:

6:00 pm -- Pre-Meeting Work Session and Pizza Party
7:00 pm -- SD 39 Central Committee Meeting

Location:

Westview Park Apartments Community Room
285 Westview Drive
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Precinct Caucus Convener Training

2008-01-02T00:45:00.000-06:00

Four identical training sessions have been scheduled for those serving as Precinct Caucus Conveners for the DFL Senate District 39 Caucus on February 5th. All training sessions will be held at the Westview Park Apartments Community Room at 285 Westview Drive in West St. Paul.

Below is a schedule.

Wednesday, January 16th -- 7:00 pm -- Done!
Saturday, January 19th -- 10:00 am -- Done!
Wednesday, January 23rd -- 7:00 pm -- Done!
Saturday, February 2nd -- 10:00 am

Please contact Mary Hinz Quillin or call her at 651-451-0689 to let her know which session you plan to attend.

SD 39 Star - Skylark Miles

2007-10-25T01:41:00.000-05:00

A very belated CONGRATULATIONS to Skylark Miles, who was elected to serve as the National Committeewoman for the Minnesota Young DFL. As part of her duties, Sky represented Minnesota at the Young Democrats Convention in Dallas, Texas, this past summer. According to the CD2 web site, she will also be attending the Democratic Caucuses Convention where she plans to hear the best practices for involving people of color in the Democratic Party.

Congratulations from all of us, Sky!

SD 39 Star - Theresa O'Neal

2007-10-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Our own Theresa O'Neal was chosen as the recipient of the Fourth Congressional District's Party Service Award at the Bruce Vento Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, October 7th. Theresa was nominated by Rick Hansen, State Representative, SD 39A and Senate District 39 Chair Mary Hinz Quillin.

In Rick's nomination, he noted the following...

"Theresa O’Neal has been a stalwart volunteer for the DFL in Senate District 39 for many years. She is dependable, honest and is always there for the party and its candidates. Theresa has done all of the hard work; knocking doors, distributing literature, labeling envelopes, fund raising and working credentials.

"Theresa began working very hard in the early 1990s. She and Michelle Maloney worked in the apartments of West St. Paul to help DFL candidates. Over the years, Theresa brought more and more people into the party and to help volunteer.

"Theresa even wrote letters to the editor for me when I was running for Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor!

"I have seen Theresa drop literature at trailer houses in Inver Grove Heights at 3:00 am. I have seen her stand on street corners holding DFL candidate signs in the sleet and snow.

"She distributed door hangers for Clinton/Gore and Vento on the slushy election eve in 1992. She helped behind the scenes at conventions and attended the Clinton inauguration.

"Theresa has been recognized as a DFL Woman of Distinction in the recent past, she hasn’t gotten to many state conventions (hint…hint).

"I am proud to nominate Theresa O’Neal for this Fourth District Award."

In Mary's nomination, she wrote...

"I have only been active in SD39 for three years, being a transplant from Minneapolis/SD 62. During these three years, there has not been a single district event absent Theresa’s help. She is tireless in making sure party operations run smoothly, from making sure a meeting room is available and set up for district meetings to pulling pre-convention all-nighters in order to assemble convention delegate credentials. She is active in visibility events and does not let “little” things like significant back problems deter her from working parades for our legislative candidates.

"She and I worked GOTV on Election Day, November 2006. As we drove up and down the streets on our way to our targeted household, Theresa told stories of the folks who lived in homes we were passing, and what those folks’ ties have been to the DFL.

"Theresa is an example of the quintessential volunteer that makes for DFL victories – not a lot of flash and sizzle, not interested in being in the limelight, just doing all she can for the DFL - a heck of a lot of consistent hard work."

Congratulations on your award, Theresa!

Saturday, November 3: One-Year-Out House Parties

2007-10-23T23:19:00.001-05:00

From the DFL CD4 web site...

One-Year-Out Events

November 3rd:
On November 3, Democrats across the country will be gathering to kick-off the 2008 election cycle. Here in CD4, we will working on behalf of our 2007 DFL-Endorsed candidates in St. Paul and Maplewood in the morning, and then gathering in the evening for a CD4 Potluck Party. This is going to be a great way to meet other DFLers in the area, start organizing for 2008, and also help Get Out The Vote for our candidates this year.

Below you will find the various events we will be having. TO RSVP for any of these events contact Melissa at mjamrock@dfl.org or at 651-251-6305.

GOTV

Maplewood, 10:00am, Home of Peter and Kristi Fischer, 2443 Standridge Ave, Maplewood
St. Paul Ward 1, 10:00am, St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly, 411 Main St., St. Paul
St. Paul Ward 2, 10:00am, Saint Paul Gallery and Mad Hatter's Teahouse & Coffee Café, 943 W 7th St., St. Paul
St. Paul Ward 3, TBA
St. Paul Ward 4, 9:00am, Home of Rep. Alice Hausman, 1447 Chelmsford, St. Paul
St. Paul Ward 5, Home of Alissa Harrington, 1295 Matilda, St. Paul
St. Paul Ward 6, TBA
St. Paul Ward 7, Home of Joan and Wayne Wittman, 1498 Fremont Ave, St. Paul

CD4 Potluck
Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #10
1681 East Cope Avenue Suite A Maplewood, MN 55109
4:00pm - 6:00pm

November 4th:
One Year Out, One Bush Out

Dixies on Grand
695 Grand Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55105
6:00pm – 9:00pm

This event will feature live music by local artist Tim Mahoney and other local bands. Although this event is targeted for the Young Democrats, all are welcome to attend.

SD 39 Volunteers at the Bruce Vento Dinner

2007-10-09T00:30:00.000-05:00

We'd like to give a big round of thanks to the following people from Senate District 39 who volunteered to help on the Congressional District 4 Bruce Vento Spaghetti Dinner committee this year:

Lucy Garrity
Theresa O'Neal
Cathy Hanson
Sheri Weiss
Mary Hinz-Quillin
Jane Melander

These volunteers gave of their time and skills both before and during the event in the following areas: coordinated reservations for the SD 39 table, planned for and decorated the tables at the event, assembled the SD 39 silent auction donation, manned the registration and silent auction sign-in tables, and served as greeters. (If we've left someone out, please let us know.)

Thanks for your time and dedication!