The Linn County Democratic Central Committee has seen a huge increase in turnouts for its monthly meetings since the start of the year.
Sixty-three people attended the Democrats’ Jan. 5 meeting, and about 80 showed up for the group’s Feb. 2 reorganizational meeting. By comparison, eight people showed up Oct. 27 for the Central Committee’s final meeting of 2016.
The organization’s next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in the Albany Public Library meeting room, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.
Nancy Greenman, the party’s newly elected co-chair, said she is excited by the surge in interest.
“People stop me to say, ‘I haven’t been active in the Democratic Party for years, but now I’m back. Just let me know what you need,’” Greenman said.
In addition to Greenman, the central committee elected the following officers Feb. 2: Richard Cundiff, co-chair; Nonie Harcombe, Forest Bosley and Bud Laurent, vice chairs; Jill Hearst, secretary; Mark Casebier, treasurer; and Wendy Nilsen, ambassador.
Greenman, Laurent and Garry Steffy were elected as delegates to the State Democratic Central Committee. Cundiff, C. Jeffery Evans and Genevieve Lynch will be alternates.
Casebier, Nilsen and Rebecca Winters were elected as delegates to the Fourth Congressional District Committee. Karen Cooley, Dan Thackaberry and Mindy Lowden will be alternates.
At their March 2 meeting, the Democrats will talk about effective use of political power in times of activism and resistance, hear a committee report on core beliefs and goals and vote on new precinct committee persons. All mid-valley Democrats and people who embrace progressive political values are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Greenman at (541) 990-2370, or Cundiff at (541) 683-1350.