Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
November 7, 2023
Bomber Mountain Civic Center, Room 108

Call to Order:

Chair Greg Haas called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda:

There were no additions to the agenda.

Attendance:

Greg Haas, Mary VanAuken, Lois Petersen, Kim McCoy, Vikki Chenette

Secretary Report:

The Minutes of October 3rd were approved and will be entered into the record.

Treasurer Report:

Dudley reported income and expenses for general and scholarship accounts as of 10/1/23, providing a Balance Sheet for filing.

Chair Announcements:

Three public lands issues before the public for comment: Sheridan Democratic Party is asking for letters before 11/13 to Deputy Director Jason Crowder of the State Lands and Investment Board opposing the Columbus Peak Land Exchange in Sheridan County. See: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WYOSLI/bulletins/378dad4.

Teton County Democrats are opposed to the Kelly parcel auction. There are several public hearing scheduled around the state. See: https://wyodems.net/kelly-parcel-land-auction/.

Public comment ends January 17th for the BLM’s proposed bonding policy revisions related to land around Rock Springs. For more info see:

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-extends-public-comment-period-draft-rock-springs-rmp-and-draft-eis.

Vanessa V. is giving away a grill with minor hail damage, and several upcoming Christmas Open House dates were around the community were shared.

Old Business:

Greg reported our Strategic Plan accessible on the Google Drive now includes results of last month’s discussion on JCDP’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Lois reported on plans underway for our November 30^th Meat the Future film night to benefit the William D. McIntyre Scholarship. Buffalo Theater reserved, $10.00 tickets available for purchase in advance or at the door, members, friends, and local media being contacted, and volunteers donating appetizers for the social hour. The gift basket raffle drawing will be held right before Valentine’s Day. Tickets will be $5.00 each or $20.00 for five tickets. The new Info cards will be available for outreach.

New Business:

Discussion of postcards mailed anonymously attacking Rep. Barry Crago. No action taken.

Kim won tonight’s Trivia Quiz $10.00 gift certificate from Margo’s.

Upcoming Meetings:

Our next meeting will be held December 5, 2023 at 6:00pm.

Comms Call on first and third Tuesdays at 7:00pm
County Officer Round-table Zoom Dec 13th at 6:00pm

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.

Columbus Peak Land Exchange public meeting #3 – November 13th at 2pm

1. If at all possible please attend this Public Hearing.
2. Please send an email or letter to Jason Crowder (his contact info is in the email) stating your position on the Land Exchange.

Below is the email from OSLI (Office of State Land Board):

Pursuant to Wyoming Statute 36-1-117, the Sheridan County Board of County Commissioners have formally requested a public hearing be held in Sheridan County for the Columbus Peak Ranch Land Exchange. Accordingly, the Office of State Lands and Investments (“OSLI”) will hold a public hearing on behalf of the State Board of Land Commissioners on November 13, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The hearing will take place at the Sheridan College, Kinnison Hall in the Whitney Center for the Arts, located at 1 Whitney Way, Sheridan, WY 82801.

The Detailed Analysis of the proposed exchange is available for public view on OSLI’s webpage at lands.wyo.gov, and within OSLI’s offices located at 122 W. 25th Street, Herschler Building Suite W103, Cheyenne, WY 82002.

Written comments are currently being accepted and will be presented to the State Board of Land Commissioners prior to its consideration of the proposed exchange. Written comments, along with any questions or concerns can be directed to Jason Crowder, Deputy Director, at 122 W. 25th Street, Herschler Building, Suite W103, Cheyenne, WY 82002, or by email at jason.crowder@wyo.gov.

OSLI Board eMail

There are lots of programs encouraging and supporting and educating women about running for office in Wyoming. Check out this page on the Hughes Charitable Foundation’s website:

https://hughescf.org/a-return-to-representation/

Run, Women. Run for office!

The Sheridan County Democrats recently posted an informative piece about Megan Degenfelder and her nasty accusations that Wyoming Educators and Teachers are teaching porn and bullying students.

Check it out here.

The WyoDems are doing a TikTok series about this as well. Check that out here.

Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting Agenda
November 7, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Bomber Mountain Civic Center, Rm 108

Draft Agenda

6:00pm Call to order and Pledge

6:02pm Approve Agenda

6:04pm Minutes (Secretary) & Money (Treasurer)

6:07pm Chair Announcements

Public Lands (LINK) in Teton County

6:12pm Old Business

William D. McIntyre Memorial Scholarship Update, Fundraiser-Film Night

Strategic Plan SWOT

6:32pm New Business

Trivia Quiz

6:42pm Announcements from the Floor

Upcoming Meetings

Next Monthly CCC Meeting – Dec 5, 2023 at 6:00pm

Comms Call – Tuesdays at 7pm 1st and 3rd Weeks

County Officer Round-table – Zoom – Nov 8, 6pm

ActBlue Training – AMA/Q&A – Zoom – Dec 13, 6pm

Other?

7:00pm Adjourn

Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
October 3, 2023
Call to Order:

Chair Greg Haas called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda:

There were no additions to the agenda.

Attendance:

Greg Haas, Mary VanAuken, Lorajane Kessler, Dudley Case, Sharon Case, Lois Petersen, Linda Wilson, Kim McCoy, Vikki Chenette.

Secretary Report:

The Minutes of August 1 were approved and will be entered into the record.

Treasurer Report:

Dudley reported income and expenses for general and scholarship accounts as of 10/1/23, providing a Balance Sheet for filing.

Chair Announcements:

Introduction to Deep Canvass Institute, a proven method to change hearts and minds Virtual Training to be held Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Johnson County Public Library Annual Benefit Auction ìAround the Worldî is Friday, Nov. 3.
Powder River Resource Council Annual Meeting and Dinner is Saturday, Nov. 4.
Public comment is open for the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed bonding policy revisions related to land around Rock Springs ends January 17th. More information can be found at:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/13853/570

Old Business:

Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends posted a Thank You to JCD on their website on 9/29.
Signage identifying our Adopt-a-Highway areas may be erected in October. Dates for 2024 clean ups are to be determined.
The William D. McIntyre Scholarship committee is planning a film night at Buffalo Theater plus a gift basket raffle to benefit the 2024 scholarship awards. The event would be open to the general public and held Thursday, Nov. 30, with the raffle drawing before Christmas. A motion to approve sponsoring the event and to allocate funds needed to promote and screen the film Meat the Future up to $350.00 from the Scholarship budget was seconded and approved by unanimous vote.
Greg shared a draft of the new, 2-sided colorful JCD information cards and solicited suggestions.

New Business:

Our next meeting will be held November 7 at 6:00pm.

Upcoming Meetings:

Comms Call on Tuesdays at 7:00pm on 1st and 3rd weeks.
County Officer Round-table Zoom November 7 at 6:00pm

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.

(2020, Documentary, 1hr 28min, USA)

Buffalo Theater, 235 S. Main St. Buffalo, WY
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 7pm (Appetizers at 6pm)

Imagine a world where real meat is produced sustainably without the need to breed, raise and slaughter animals. This is no longer science fiction, it’s now within reach. Narrated by Jane Goodall and featuring music by Moby, Meat the Future follows a visionary CEO, Dr. Uma Valeti, as he sets out to make his dream a reality for us all.

Doors open at 6 pm for complimentary appetizers. Theater concessions will be available for purchase. Movie at 7 pm. Admission: $10

Seating Is Limited to 100

Tickets are available in advance at Margo’s Pottery (1 N. Main St., Buffalo), and at the Theater door on Nov. 30th.

All proceeds directly benefit the William D. McIntyre Scholarship, awarded yearly to two Johnson County graduating seniors by the Johnson County Democrats.

Johnson County Friends Feeding Friends wrote up such a nice little piece about us! Check it out Here.

But really, y’all did all the work! We just followed directions and stuffed the bags full! I kept thinking about how excited I would have been to get one of those bags when I was a kid. *Big Smiles*

Thanks, JC-FFF, for the kind words.

From the “Hey, look what they’re doing over there” Department:

What Can Be Done About Real Estate Taxes?
WEDNESDAY NIGHT – 10/11/2023 – 7:00pm
Teton County Library’s Swap Meet presents Liz Storer and Dan Dockstader in a discussion with Q&A on this crucial issue. “Increases in property values continue to drive property taxes sky-high in Teton County, making it challenging for many in the valley to continue to live here. Legislators from NW Wyoming, where residents are being hit the hardest, responded by sponsoring successful legislation to expand the state property tax refund program, give counties the ability to implement their own refund program, and put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2024 to create greater flexibility in our property tax system. But there are more steps to consider; helping citizens understand Wyoming’s tax policy framework and the tradeoffs and challenges inherent in that framework can help them be effective advocates for this important issue.”

Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
September 5, 2023
Call to Order: Chair Greg Haas called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda: There were no additions to the agenda.
Attendance: Greg Haas, Lois Petersen, Dudley Case, Sharon Case, Suzi Black, Vikki Chenette.
Secretary Report: The Minutes of August 1 were approved and will be entered into the record.
Treasurer Report: Dudley reported income and expenses for general and scholarship accounts as of 9/1/23, providing a Balance Sheet for filing.
Chair Announcements: Powder River Basin Resource Council requests public comment for the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed bonding policy revisions.
Rodger McDaniel was guest speaker at SCDP’s annual potluck picnic on 8/12.
RUN WYOMING provides training for potential candidates for elected office.
Old Business:
Lois reported on our Adopt-a-Highway clean-up scheduled for September 16th or 17th.
Having received notice from two different college Registrar offices that our 2023 William D. McIntyre scholarship recipients have enrolled, Dudley mailed each their $500.00 scholarship award checks. The Scholarship committee will meet soon to consider fund-raising for 2024 awards.
Usage is up at Friends Feeding Friends (FFF) mini food pantry maintained by JCDP volunteers sited at Cornerstone Pharmacy .
On 9/20 at 5:00 pm anyone can join in our turn to help FFF pack food bags for kids to use on weekends.
Strategic Plan work will continue following tonight’s meeting. Officers have access to our Strategic Plan Draft via Google Drive.

New Business:
Upcoming Meetings:
Comms Call on Tuesdays at 7:00pm CCC 11/7 at 6:00pm
County Officer Round-table Zoom October 11th
Our next meeting will be held October 3rd at 6:00pm.
Announcements from the floor:
Suzi attended a recent Food Forest event at Thorne Rider Park, Sheridan.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.