San Juan County Democrats

Ranker opens B’ham HQ

tim — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:03:37 +0000

State Senator Kevin Ranker and his staff would like to invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the Bellingham district office this Thursday, August 26th from 4pm-6pm.

The address is 1108 11th street, suite 304c (above Fairhaven Bike and Ski)

New national ocean policy good for Washington

tim — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:59:36 +0000

OLYMPIA – After President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing the first-ever national ocean policy today, state Sen. Kevin Ranker, D- San Juan, said Washington is uniquely positioned to benefit from this unprecedented effort to coordinate national policy for our oceans and coastlines.
“Nothing has highlighted our nation’s dependence on healthy oceans and coasts more than the current BP oil spill disaster,” said Ranker. “A massive spill in the Puget Sound or on our coast is unthinkable, but it’s not impossible. It’s clear that we can and must do better in how we protect and manage our oceans.”
The new federal ocean policy framework includes marine spatial planning as a key element, which Ranker helped establish as state policy when his Senate Bill 6350 passed into law in the 2010 legislative session. Washington became only the second state in the nation to adopt this tool for balancing and regulating the multiple uses of shoreline and aquatic lands – which include fishing, aquaculture, shipping, recreation and potential renewable energy facilities – in a comprehensive manner.
“At the federal level, you have 20 separate agencies trying to implement 140 separate and sometimes conflicting laws governing specific activities like commercial fishing, coastal development, water pollution control, issuing oil and gas contracts – just to name a few,” said Ranker. “It’s time for a management structure to not only identify all the multiple management objectives but also to coordinate across agencies and with the states to help us uniformly manage our ocean resources and protect them from harm. That’s what we’ve done in Washington and our efforts will fit beautifully with the same approach now being adopted at the federal level.”
Over a year ago President Obama convened a task force of 24 federal agencies and ordered them to develop recommendations for a policy that protects, maintains and restores our ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems. Ranker testified before the task force at the White House Conference Center.
“Those who depend on our aquatic resources – those in fishing, shipping and energy, as well as conservationists and recreationists – know that protecting our marine resources means protecting Washington’s economy and our nation’s economy now and into the future,” said Ranker. “There’s no question that we need to repair the damage in the Gulf of Mexico, but we especially need to work towards the future now with the type of national ocean policy that, among other things, will help ensure that a similar disaster never happens again.”

4th Annual Old Fashioned Chili Cook-off

tim — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:48:37 +0000

Sunday, August 1, 2010 Noon – 4 PM

· Enjoy the beautiful SS Quarter Horse Ranch, 15216 Colony Road, Bow. Plenty of free parking, 30 minutes from Bellingham or Mt. Vernon

· Taste a variety of special chilies as part of a fabulous picnic lunch, and cast your vote for Best 40th District Chili 2010.

· Tour the Double S Barn and Training operations, watch Quarter Horse Riding Demonstration, and enjoy a bit of live entertainment

· Meet and hear from candidates and representatives

· And enjoy our first ever “Keeping it Blue I’m done with it! Auction”

(Bring something you’re ready to donate or offer a service to help keep our District Blue), Auctioneer, Tom Pasma

AND
Help make sure we send Democrats to Olympia and keep our State Solidly Blue

Please also bring desserts or salads to share, and lawn chairs

Tickets at brownpapertickets.com.
Recession Buster Admission (in advance) 7.00
General Admission (at the door) 10.00
Event Sponsor 25.00

This is a fundraiser for the 40th District Democrats to help keep our Legislative District and Washington State a deep true blue.

Directions at SSQhorses.com. Information at wa40dems.net

Roni Lenore, Chair, 40th LD Democrats

JULY 16 LWV forum, FH

tim — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:04:29 +0000

SJC League of Women Voters
Fri, July 16, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where Mullis Center, Friday Harbor

Primary candidates filed

tim — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:36:06 +0000

The filing period for State and local candidates is closed, and many have thrown in their hats.

For a complete list of primary candidates in all political preferences, go to http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/sanjuan/currentelection/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx?e=20100817

It takes a lot of commitment and courage to run for office. Democracy works from the grass roots up, not top down, so if we support the candidates we prefer, we’ll have a better chance at getting the government we want.

June 19-40th Dist. Primary Endorsements

tim — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:45:04 +0000

40th District Democrats will meet June 19 to decide whether to endorse candidates and issues in advance of the August 17 Primary Election.

The membership will first consider whether to do Primary Endorsements.

40th District Democrats may endorse none, one, or more than one candidate for positions which affect the entire District.

The 40th District policy allows that 40th District members “may” do Primary endorsements. Accordingly, the membership will first vote whether to endorse. If the membership votes to endorse, endorsement votes will proceed immediately with members as of June 12 eligible to vote.

House position 1 candidates Pasma, Lytton, and Boucher are all expected to seek endorsement. House position 2, incumbent, Jeff Morris has requested endorsement. Candidates for other races which affect the entire 40th, who would like to be considered for endorsement, should formally request endorsement by contacting Chair, roni.lenore@gmail.com.

The 40th may also consider endorsing propositions which affect the entire district, and it will also consider a resolutions policy and resolutions.

Who can vote: All Democrats who live in the 40th District and have current 40th LD memberships and attend the meeting may vote.

To be a member in good standing, membership applications must be for the 2010 calendar year, and must postmarked on or before by June 12. Membership applications are available at wa40dems.net.

Note: PCOs have automatic membership. Proxy voting is not allowed.

Meeting details: The Elks Club (downstairs), 710 Samish Way, Bellingham, Saturday, June 19, 2PM (Registration begins at 1:30).

Contact Information:

40th LD Chair, Roni Lenore

roni.beall@gmail.com

(510) 435-4747

June 12–SJC Dems 2nd Quarter Meeting

tim — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:59:41 +0000

Marilyn’s garden path at 11:30: For all Dems: Important pre-primary meeting.

Jay Inslee tackles oil in Puget Sound

tim — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:35:43 +0000

The images of the Gulf oil spill spreading into the Loop Current, and the foreboding warnings of oil hitting Key West and East Coast beaches should make one thing clear:

This isn’t just about the Gulf Coast. It is about all of our beaches, all of our water, and our economy.

When it comes to oil, it is never just about someplace else. It always comes back to hit the entire country — which is why we must seize this moment, when everyone can see right there on their TV and computer screens, exactly how our dependence on oil is a real threat to our entire nation.

Now is the time to demand action — we must pass a clean energy policy that makes sure we end this drill-spill-bill cycle by ending our dependence on oil.

Sign my petition to end our addiction to oil and pass comprehensive energy reform today!

We are working on legislation to protect the jobs and coastal commercial enterprises threatened by the spill. I am also co-sponsoring legislation to make sure taxpayers don’t have to pay one penny for the clean up — from Louisiana to Florida and now possibly up the East Coast. This bill will lift the liability cap that oil companies face from a mere $75 million to $10 billion.

In addition, I’ve asked the Obama Administration, joined by 78 of my congressional colleagues, to postpone any new drilling in the beautiful and delicate Arctic Ocean until we get answers about what happened with the Deepwater Horizon — and how a similar disaster can be prevented in the future.

To further advance the goal of preventing future spills, I will also be introducing legislation to require oil companies to use the best available automatic shut-off technology, as is already required in Europe.

We simply cannot afford to wait to end our dependence on oil.

Support comprehensive clean energy legislation that will end our addiction to oil. Sign my petition today!

This Gulf spill is a vivid, sad, and tragic reminder of the true costs associated with our addiction to oil.

Daily, we incur hidden costs associated with our addiction. We subsidize the security of commercial shipping lanes in the Middle East. We allow unabated emissions of greenhouse gasses without cost. We see our sea levels rising, oceans acidifying, and droughts worsening.

I am working in Congress to help the people affected by the Gulf spill and to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

But make no mistake, nothing we do to contain the costs of oil will be enough. Our only real path forward is to leave oil behind. It is time to embrace our clean energy future, to quit cleaning up oil spills, and start implementing clean energy solutions.

Click here to help me pass comprehensive energy reform now.

Thank you for your support on this crucial issue.

Jay Inslee
Member of Congress

Kris Lytton to hold an Open House in Friday Harbor

tim — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:32:24 +0000

Kris Lytton, candidate for the state House of Representatives, brings her campaign to the islands with an open house in Friday Harbor on Saturday, June 5. Lytton will be at the San Juan Island Library from 1:30 - 3:30 pm.

Lytton, who is currently President of the Anacortes School Board, announced her candidacy for the seat currently held by Dave Quall shortly after he revealed his decision not to run for re-election in the 40th District.

Kris has spent her life as an advocate for children and education. She says, “I support a progressive policy where the most vulnerable are helped and protected. Where the environment is a trust we share and preserve for the future. Where there is a strong public education system in which every child has the opportunity for a quality education. And it is the right of every Washingtonian to have a job that pays a living wage.”

Prior to entering public service, Kris spent several years in the private sector working in the financial and accounting departments of Shell Oil Company and Citicorp Executive Development Center. At Citicorp she was a Senior Financial Analyst and later, the Operations Manager. She knows about being accountable, and she understands the bottom line.

Over the past 15 years, Kris and her husband, Mike, of 21 years have raised their family in the 40th District. They have 2 children; Alex who is attending the University of Washington and Alan a sophomore at Anacortes High School.

Come meet Kris Lytton on Saturday, June 5, at the SJI Library in Friday Harbor.

Event Notice - June 5, 2010

Open House to meet Kris Lytton, candidate for the state House of Representatives, 40th District, Position 1, to replace Dave Quall, who isn’t running for re-election. Come meet Kris in an informal setting at the San Juan Library in Friday Harbor. Saturday, June 5, 1:30pm. More about Kris at www.krislytton.com. Contact Info: Art Shotwell, 360-299-8392, art@krislytton.com.

Art Shotwell, Kris Lytton Campaign
1004 Commercial Ave, PMB 349
Anacortes, WA 98221
360-299-0890
art@krislytton.com

Kevin Ranker/Leak in Puget Sound Op-Ed

tim — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:28:50 +0000

40th Legislative District May 21, 2010

Good Afternoon- I wanted to take this opportunity to share an OP-ED that I co-authored for the Seattle Times this week about a current environmental disaster unfolding in the Puget Sound that?while less tragic and sudden?is no less destructive.

We must find a way to ensure the long-term health of the Puget Sound for our marine industries, tourism, and children that will depend on its health for generations to come.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2011906378_guest20ranker.html