The Franklin County Democrats will hold an action session and potluck supper on Sunday, March 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Forster Memorial Building (the town office), in Strong. All registered Democrats and people interested in possibly becoming a Democrat are welcome, as well as those who want to serve their community in a non-partisan fashion.
FCD Chair Anne Geller, of Farmington, explained that “the County Democratic group is transforming itself into a community service and advocacy entity. The meeting is the first of a series of sessions at which people will determine action plans for issues they would like to focus on in the coming two years.”
The issues, she said, could include direct support of community members in need, such as food pantry donations and giving rides to appointments, working to make our towns more energy efficient or increasing the rates of re-cycling. Improved health insurance coverage, workers’ rights, and education reform are other issues that people might be interested in working on.
The spirit of the Franklin County Democrats was noted by former Maine attorney general Steve Rowe when he attended the Democrats’ recent pancake breakfast in Farmington. After hearing the attendees talk passionately about community and national issues that they want to work on, he said, “Our Party is about people. I feel blessed to come to an event like this. It is great that we stand for and stand up for women, children, and elders. As Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, ‘Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.’”
The March 29 action session process will begin with general brainstorming and move into prioritizing the brainstormed list and then selecting short-term and long-term projects. The next step will be to develop action plans (make task lists and timelines, match people to tasks, and determine resources needed).
For the meeting on Sunday, people are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Economic Ministry Food Pantry in Salem. Each month the Franklin County Democrats will donate to a different food pantry.
The Forster Memorial Building in Strong is 11 miles north of downtown Farmington. Take Rt. 4 to the intersection of Rts. 4 and 145. Continue straight across the bridge into Strong, on Rt. 145. The Forster Memorial Building is about ½ mile further on the right.
For more information or to share a ride, contact Anne Geller at 778-6672 or ageller@gwi.net.
