It was a sad parting for Lori as she is moving from North Platte prohibiting her from serving another term as the Chair of the Lincoln County Democrats. Lincoln County Democrats wished her well in her new adventures and thanked her for her years of leadership. With Lori as Chair the Lincoln County Democrats accomplished a variety of  projects including raising a record amount of money during the spring fund raising and award event known as the Neville Dinner. Thank you Lori, we will truly miss you. Lori received the 2010 Keith Neville Award for her service during the 2010 Keith Neville Award Celebration and Fundraiser.

As part of the Treasurer’s report Lori announced that our own Tom Brown, Treasurer of LCD, was awarded the 2010 Morrison-Exon Award during the May 15, 2010 Morrison-Exon Dinner. This is the top award giving to honor Nebraska Democrats who have served the party, state and country in an exemplary manner. Speaker said, “When I grow up I want to become a Democrat just like Tom Brown. Congratulations Tom an honor well deserved.

The next meeting of the Lincoln County Democrats will be Thursday, July 1, 2010 with dinner at 6:00 pm and the meeting beginning at 7:00. We meet the first Thursday of the month in  the Tiffany Room at the North Platte airport. Hope to see you there.

Annual Keith Neville Award Celebration and Fundraiser

The Lincoln County Democrats have selected this year’s recipient as

Lori Jensen

Lori is currently serving as our County Chair.  She is a professional social worker providing mental health services to children and families in our area.  Lori is a local small business owner and serves on numerous boards and committees that focus on enhancing the well being of others.  Lori is a citizen lobbyist/activist impacting public policy for social justice issues and a proud role model for Democrats in Nebraska.  Congratulations Lori!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS FUNDRAISER WITH YOUR GENEROUS HEART!

Your contribution supports Democratic candidates for public office; Democrat’s community involvement in the improvement of our community; and the advocacy/activist efforts on legislative policy issues important to Democrats!  Note:  If you cannot come to the celebration here is how to donate:

Contributions can be made by check to:  LINCOLN COUNTY DEMOCRATS

In care of:        Tom Brown, Lincoln County Democrat Treasurer
4241 North  Sand Road
Hershey, NE 69143

You will receive a Thank you confirmation from the Lincoln County Democrats!

The event is being held in the Patty Birge Room, attached to the North Platte Community Playhouse at 305 East 5th, North Platte. A brief social hour will begin at at 6:00 p.m., followed by a catered Lasagna dinner and desserts.

Mark Laker describes himself as a “moderate Democrat”. He’s not been a career politician, but a business person. Currently president and CEO of Agribusiness and Food Associates, LLC and Millenium Capital Advisors. LLC. Laker has special expertise in business development and job creation related to ethanol and biodiesel production, livestock production, food processing, grain processing and marketing, general agriculture and the credit/banking industry. In this largely agricultural state, these qualities could help Nebraska grow in our food and energy starved world.

During the event, a very prestigious civic award will be presented to a Lincoln County Democrat who has made outstanding contributions of time and effort to promote candidates and ideals of the Democratic Party. This year’s Keith Neville Award has been earned by Lori Jensen, local chairperson of the Lincoln County Democrats for the past two years. She is only leaving this post because she and her husband Nate are moving out of town. The Keith Neville award is named in his honor because he served as Governor during World War I and returned to North Platte as a business leader. He and later his family, were very active in supporting the Democratic Party through the 1990’s.

During her short tenure, Lori Jensen re-invigorated the local chapter, which meets once a month on the first Thursday of the month at the Airport Inn Restaurant for a dinner meeting. As there are no dues to belong, this award dinner is the only fund-raiser. A suggested donation to attend is $20.00 per person, and all are welcome.

From Marion Bahensky, 308-754-4454

Prepare yourself for wise voting in the

Primary Election.

Meet and chat with candidates:

Rebekah Davis

Congress

Janet Stewart

Secretary of State

Annette Dubas

State Senate, LD 41

Jane Kleeb

–Other candidates are invited–

April 18, 1-3 p.m.

1405 Koenig Street, Grand Island

Community Room – Parking in back of building.

Light Refreshments –Free will offering.

More information: 308-381-6092

2009 MORRISON-EXON DINNER

Saturday, June  20th 2009
VIP Reception – 5:00 pm
General Reception – 6:00 pm
Dinner – 7:00 pm
La Vista Conference Center
12520 Westport Parkway
La Vista, Nebraska 68128-2198

The Morrison-Exon Dinner is the Nebraska Democratic Party’s annual fundraising dinner, named in honor of Former Governor Frank Morrison and former Governor and Senator Jim Exon, for thier lifelong dedication to the State Party.  Proceeds from this annual fundraiser are used to help fund the operations of the Nebraska Democratic Party and to help assist Democratic campaigns.  This event also provides an opportunity for the Nebraska Democratic Party to reward and recognize their most dedicated supporters.  We hope you will be able to join us for this year’s dinner.

To make reservations visit the Nebraska Democratic Party site here.

Please attend this meeting if at all possible. We need you.

The 3^rd District Organization has been in existence for a couple years without bylaws or delineated goals and responsibilities. We need to find ways to strengthen county parties, develop leaders, recruit candidates for public office, and improve communication within and without the district. We can overcome our traditional handicap of isolation and distance by means of the internet. I have some ideas to present at the June 6 meeting, which you can accept, improve, or replace, but nothing can be done unless we have a substantial representation of 3^rd District counties. Our next meeting may not be until fall, so we will go more months without action unless we have a good turnout next Saturday. Let’s add to the election successes of Omaha, Lincoln, and Obama. Thanks. Marion Bahensky, Howard Co. Chair, 308-754-4454

Where:  Airport Inn

When:  Thursday, May 14, 2009    4pm

Who:  Jane Kleeb and the local SEIU members

Purpose – To talk about how the bill has the potential to change working situations for people locally in North Platte

For questions call:

Laura Larsen
Change that Works
Director of Community Outreach
Cell: (308) 249-4228
Office: (402) 731-2416

So what does all this mean?  Well, according to my favorite most crazy congressperson Steve King of Iowa (who also happens to be Republican, imagine that), we are now on the path to the “complete dissolution of society and religion.” 

Go figure. 

Then of course there is this interesting statistical extrapolation from fivethirtyeight.com predicting a turn in Nebraska public sentiment whereby we would be willing to support such a similar measure by the year 2014.  (Hard to imagine, but who’d have thought Iowa would make such a ruling.)

As for me, I don’t necessarily see the apocalypse on the horizon.  (In fact, it’s my hope that it has already occurred with very few takers.)  However, using my own discussions with my Iowan resident parents and the common attitude I see from people in this area of the state, I realize this is an issue that will likely resonate and drive political wedges for some time to come.  My hope, however, is for this issue to spawn needed discussions between the young and the old, the religious and not so much, the gays and the straights.  Ask each other why you believe this to be the new front of civil liberties or the destruction of society, and anything in between.  I, for example, have never really before talked to my parents about their feelings and beliefs concerning gays and lesbians.  (That despite my repeated attempts to convince my mother that I am gay to get her off my back about not having a girlfriend, which never seems to work.)  It is interesting to get their perspective on such issues considering their Democratic, Catholic and pro-life backgrounds.  It’s also something overdue and, admittedly, very frustrating at times.

All and all, understand that the world really can seem quite a bit different from only a few years ago (just look at these last eight years).  However, I have a feeling that the things that bond us will remain the same.