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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted August 18, 2004 Text © 2004 Houghton County Democrats Press Releases.

Houghton County Democrats choose delegates

HANCOCK -- Houghton County Democrats have chosen delegates and alternate delegates to represent Houghton County at the Michigan Democratic Party convention Aug. 28 and 29 in Detroit.  

At the Houghton County Democratic convention held Aug. 14 in Hancock, Janet Gregorich, Janet Metsa, Robert Yeo, Wendy Owens, Mary Hunt, Vern Simula, Anton Pintar and Barb Turuc-Mills were elected to serve as delegates. Elected as alternates were Clarence McDonald, Mark Wisti, Carol Kurz, Ann Gregorich, Nancy Fenili-Romanini, Virginia Rosseau, Ruth Wisti and Mike Robertson.

Resolutions to be sent to the state party for consideration were also approved at the convention. Resolutions in support of an increase in the minimum wage, the development of a national health care program and the expansion of Pell Grants and other financial assistance programs for higher education were passed. Opposition to privatization of Social Security and calls for reform of the Leave No Child Behind Act and for the elimination of tax breaks for companies who outsource jobs or relocate headquarters overseas for tax purposes were also expressed through resolutions.

The Houghton County Democratic Party meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Super 8 Motel in Houghton. In addition, the group holds a discussion group during the third week of the month. 

This Thursday, Aug. 19, the Democrats will hold a discussion at 7 p.m. in the Motherlode Coffee House in Houghton. A second orientation will be held in the Motherlode Meeting Room for the "Get Out the Vote" campaign being conducted by the Houghton County Democratic Party. Volunteers can choose from a variety of projects in order to participate actively in this year's critical presidential election campaign. 

Projects include voter registration assistance, door-to-door canvassing, presentations to groups, outreach to young adults and family-centered voting facilitation. For more information on this campaign, contact Vern Simula at 906-288-3181.

The meetings and the discussions are open to the public.

The Houghton County Democratic Party headquarters office at 400 Reservation Street in Hancock is now open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays  and  from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Campaign signs, buttons and literature for Democratic candidates will be available. Anyone interested in the fall campaign is encouraged to visit. 

For more information call party chair, Janet Metsa, at 482-5665.

Resolutions Adopted by the Houghton County Democratic Party Convention
August 14, 2004 

1. Whereas the current minimum wage is too low to lift workers out of poverty, we resolve that the minimum wage should be increased.

2. Whereas many U.S. jobs have been eliminated due to outsourcing, we resolve that tax advantages for companies outsourcing U.S. jobs and for companies relocating their headquarters overseas to avoid paying their share of taxes should be disallowed.

3. Whereas it is unacceptable that 44 million U.S. citizens lack health insurance coverage, we resolve that it is time to join the developed nations and phase in universal health care for all our citizens. Toward that end, current programs for children and young adults, and Medicare for senior citizens, should be expanded immediately while a program of universal coverage is developed.

4. Whereas the Leave No Child Behind Act -- as presently constructed and underfunded by some 27 billion dollars -- has put most states in a bind to find funds to implement the program, relies too heavily on tests which restrict imagination, punishes schools falling behind rather than helping them, we resolve the act is in need of reform with input from local school boards and those they represent and from teachers who bear the cost of recertifications required under the act.

5. Whereas the Social Security retirement and disability insurance programs provide incomes for our senior citizens and for those unable to continue working due to disability, we resolve that these programs should not be privatized nor should the age at which retiring workers are eligible for full benefits be raised.

6. Whereas many citizens lack adequate income in their retirement, we resolve that Roth Retirement Plans be made available to more citizens, such as homemakers and students.

7. Whereas throughout the world land mine accidents have caused many deaths and serious injuries, we resolve that the U.S. should join the nations who ban land mines, pledge not to use, manufacture or distribute land mines, and pledge to clean up land mine sites already in existence.

8. Whereas the government has an obligation to protect the right of workers to unionize and whereas companies interfering with that right, whether here or in other countries, are in violation of human rights, we resolve that the U.S. government should support the right of workers to unionize throughout the world.

9. Whereas our future depends upon an enlightened and well-educated work force and the skyrocketing cost of college education has rendered student aid ineffectual, we resolve that federal Pell Grants and other government sponsored grants and loans be expanded, the role of community colleges be increased and programs, such as AmeriCorps, which allow students to perform community service in return for scholarships, are beneficial and should be expanded.

10. Whereas many who do not itemize their tax returns miss out on relief given to those who do and whereas many of those are senior citizens, students, single parents, minorities, low-income workers and renters, we resolve that those filers be allowed to deduct certain items, such as charitable gifts and medical expenses, from their taxable income.