Chair of CDP Visits More Counties
If you are regular reader, you will know that most of my weekends are spent revisiting the various county parties. This past weekend it was my pleasure to travel down to the valley again. Friday night a great group of Saguache County Democrats gathered at the Desert Sage Restaurant in Crestone to eat, have fun and talk about the “state” of Colorado politics.
Among the local Democrats were county commissioners Sam Pace and Linda Joseph, Sheriff Mike Norris, County Assessor Jackie Stephens, and County Clerk Melinda Myers. Rep. Rafael Gallegos came up from Antonito and spoke about the state legislative session.
We were joined by the new DNC-funded field director, Daryl Grant; Alamosa County Democratic Chair, Gigi Darricades; Rio Grande County Democratic Chair, Bennie Chacon; and Fremont County’s hardworking Dems. Judy and Ray Plumery. It was a lively group with lots of questions about delegate selection, convention and the current elected officials positions on the war in Iraq.
It was a particular treat to talk with Jennie Lopez. She has been a mainstay in the county for years and years. I also had a chance to talk with Parvin and Pat Johnson who are newer members to the community.
After spending the night with Esther and Chuck Grant (Esther is the able chair of Saguache County and Chuck is a former county commissioner), I followed Daryl over to Alamosa. We had lunch with about ten Alamosa County Dems who were planning the 4th of July float for this week. The theme is having fun in Alamosa County. One of the ideas was to focus on gardening and have huge flowers with the faces of the presidential candidates. I hope someone takes pictures.
Then I was off to La Veta for their annual Independence Day fair. I had missed the parade, but I heard that Rep. Wes McKinley was there. A lot of people came by the Democratic booth, so it was a fun place to hang out and chat. Former chair, Joan Breternitz was on hand, as was the new chair, Cindy Campbell. Huerfano County Democrats are working hard to increase attention to their efforts.
I headed back home to prepare for a few days off. (However, I will be making fundraising calls this week. That never gets a vacation). Hope you all have a great 4th of July. After all, Democracy is all about giving people access to the political process. May you have big floats, lots of flags, and most of all have fun.
Pat Waak