This is the first issue of the Tulare County Democratic Party Newsletter. It is my hope that it will be the first of many. The newsletter will feature upcoming events, interviews and profiles of local activists, articles about issues affecting Tulare County and opinion pieces. Hopefully it will encourage and motivate people to take a more active part in local politics.

Tom Chamberlin January 12, 2018.

The Tulare County Democratic Women’s Club held their organizational meeting on 1/12/18. Nine women attended the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for February 8th at 1320 W Walnut in the TCDCC office. 5:30 to 6:00 networking and snacks, meeting 6:00 to 7:00pm.

Walk a Neighborhood. We have created small walk areas in Visalia. Each area consists of about thirty Democratic households. Each area takes about two to three hours to walk. You provide the activism and we will provide the materials and training.

The Central Committee office is up and running. The internet was installed and there are several over the internet phones for phone banking. We have been organizing our voter canvassing projects out of the office for several weeks now. Stop by the office at 1320 W Walnut in Visalia. Office hours are 11:00am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:30am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you have an activity or group that supports the Democratic Party call to see if the office is available for your meeting. The office will be closed from 9:30am to 1:00pm during the Women’s March on Saturday January 20th.

Importance of Voting
“Since local campaigns are kind of low key, voters somehow get the impression these elections aren’t all that important — but nothing could be further from the truth. Positions on the school board, zoning commission and library board shape the quality of life and future direction of our towns — the places where we live our lives — in ways that are vastly more direct than the federal government. Medicare for all certainly touches everyone’s life, but the impact of poor quality schools is more direct, and maybe even more important.

Somehow, voters don’t see it that way, which is why over 50 percent of registered voters will turn out for a presidential election, but the turnout in a local election is usually less than 10 percent. In many cases, it can be as low as three percent.

This has happened in many local elections, where extremely conservative and liberal groups were able to force their will on a much bigger majority — not because the majority agreed with them, but because the majority stayed home.

Democracy can still work with leaders that lean to the left or to the right, but leaders elected by a handful of voters isn’t democracy at all. Your neighbors, your kids and your property values are all counting on you to guide your town to a future that’s supported by a true majority. Find the time, make the difference and vote.

Patrick OConner Huffington Post 9/13/14

UPCOMING EVENTS
January 20th, 2018
Women’s March
Act for Women and Girls and other groups are hosting the event. It will run from 10am to 12pm. Check with ACT for Women and Girls for march route.

January 24, 2018
Visalia Democratic Club
China Garden Restaurant
1634 S Mooney Blvd
Visalia CA 93277
6:00 pm to 8:00pm

February 2, 2018
Tulare Democratic Club
Apple Annie’s
1165 N Blackstone St
Tulare CA 93274
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

February 3, 2018
Days of Action
TCDCC Office
1320 W Walnut Ave
Visalia, CA 93277 USA
The purpose of these Action Days is to register voters, recruit volunteers and increase voter participation. Every month until the election in November, the 1st Saturday will be a Day of Action.
Volunteer now to work on voter engagement.
8:30 am – 12:30 pm

February 2, 2018
McCarthy Mobile Office
25 E. Thurman Ave. (Upstairs Conference Room)
Porterville, CA 93257
10:00 am – 11:00+ am

February 2, 2018

Pizza With the CD 23 Democratic Candidates

The Pizza Factory
897 W Henderson Ave
Porterville, CA 93257
NOON to ?????

February 7, 2018
Stonewall Scholarship Fundraiser
Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse & Saloon
1470 N Cherry St
Tulare, CA 93274
$20 Donation Per Person

February 12, 2018

Tulare County Stonewall Democrats

Monthly Meeting
The Pizza Factory
3121 W Noble Ave Visalia, CA 93277
6:00 pm to 9:00pm

February 13, 2018

Porterville Democratic Club

Pizza Factory
897 W Henderson Ave
Porterville, CA 93257
6:00pm to 9:00pm

February 16, 2018

Liberally Speaking, An Evening with Steve Natoli

Lampliter Inn
3300 W Mineral King Ave
Visalia, CA 93291
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Donation $15.00
Mr Natoli will be reading excerpts from this book Liberally Speaking: Why Liberalism Is Right For America