On Thursday the DWC’s Amanda Barge and Shelli Yoder will join other Monroe County Government officials and health experts in a summit to address the growing crisis of opioid dependence in our community and throughout South Central Indiana. Addiction to opioid pain medications and heroin destroys lives, tears apart families, blights communities, and places tremendous strains on the criminal justice and public health systems. Intravenous opioid use lies at the root of the tragic HIV outbreak in Scott County.
Infuriatingly, as Monroe County comes together to discuss how we as a community can help our fellow Hoosiers suffering from the disease of addiction, the president and his Republican enablers in the Senate are determined to ram through Graham-Cassidy. This bill threatens drastic cuts to Medicaid—a major source of funding for addiction treatment. Denied access to Medicaid-funded anti-addiction drugs and counseling, many low-income patients and their families would face a hopeless future.
As we look forward to learning from the summit how best to prevent and treat opioid dependence, we must fight NOW to protect the ACA. See this week’s action item below. Call Senators Donnelly and Young and demand that they vote no on Graham-Cassidy.
A recent snapshot of local government—your DWC-endorsed county councilors at work. From left: Cheryl Munson, Shelli Yoder, Lee Jones.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcement
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Applicants needed!
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners is seeking an applicant to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals. This is a quasi-judicial board which hears requests on variances and conditional uses in the application of planning ordinances on particular properties or developments. This is a fabulous way to learn about County Planning and Zoning and to have a lasting impact on our community. Applicants cannot hold an elected or appointed position in City/Town, County or State government. They must reside in the jurisdiction of Monroe County Planning (residence in Monroe County, but outside town and city boundaries). If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]).
The Board of Commissioners is also seeking applicants to the Environmental Commission and the Cemetery Commission. To apply for the Board of Zoning Appeals or the Environmental or Cemetery Commissions please complete the appropriate application - they are available through "Link to Board Application" at http://www.co.monroe.in.us/tsd/Government/Commissioners/MonroeCountyBoardsandCommissions.aspx
EVENTS:
Liz Watson for Congress
Tuesday, September 26, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Democratic Party Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.
Join local women leaders, including a number of current and former elected officials, in a fundraiser for Liz Watson's campaign. Food, drink, and musical entertainment by Pat Harbison and friends will be provided. Liz is smart, energetic, caring, and knows the law and how the legislative process works. In the words of former mayor Tomi Allison, "it’s time to send someone to Congress who can and will truly represent the people of the 9th District.” Please RSVP to Kathryn Doyle at [email protected] or (317) 935-7053.
First Annual Monroe County Government Opioid and Prescription Drug Summit
Thursday, September 28, 9:00 am
Monroe County Convention Center
Commissioner Amanda Barge, Councilwoman Shelli Yoder, and Monroe County Government officials are teaming up to provide leadership on this issue for this region. This event is for anyone who has an interest in this issue and being part of the solution. CEU's will be offered.
The event is technically sold out, but perhaps you'd like to sign up to volunteer your time.
Use this sign-up genius to see what you could do that day: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4da8ad2cabff2-south
If your organization wants to sponsor this event, please email Shelli at: [email protected]
If you are interested in presenting at the event, or having a booth, please email Amanda at: [email protected]
Monroe County Democratic Party - Frank and Roberta McCloskey Chairman's Fund Social Hour
Thursday, September 28, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Democratic Party Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.
Please join us at MCDP headquarters on September 28 to help support the Roberta and Frank McCloskey Chairman's fund. The fund will support party building initiatives to help us be competitive in an era when Democrats cannot afford to lose. We have a goal of $3,000 a month in recurring contributions to pay for our headquarters and hire an executive director in 2018. This event will recognize the role of our hardworking Party chairs in getting us this far, even as we look forward to the critical tasks ahead. So please join Pat Williams, Julio Alonso, Dan Combs, Lee Jones, Rick Dietz, Trent Deckard, and the officers of the Monroe County Democratic Party for this important event.
Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival Parade
Saturday, September 30, with line-up at noon and parade at 2:00 pm
Line-up at the Stinesville Church of the Nazarene, downtown Stinesville, 7635 W Main St, Stinesville, IN 47464
Parade season continues with another favorite fall festival in beautiful Stinesville. Additionally, MCDP is looking for volunteers for the booth at at the festival on Friday and Saturday. Please contact Pam Cook at [email protected].
Be Golden
October 5 - 7
Be Golden is a multi-day experience to inspire and empower individuals to lead unapologetically authentic lives. This conference is headquartered in Bloomington, but will attract women from across the US. The conference will provide space and time for individuals to explore a variety of experiences within large scale presentations and breakout sessions for personal exploration.
http://begoldenstaygolden.com/
Democratic Women's Caucus Breakfast Meeting
Friday, October 6, 7:30 - 9:00 am
Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Topic: "So You Want to Run for Office?"
Your Voice Matters Canvass
Saturday, October 14, at 11:00 am and noon
Meet at MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St., Bloomington
Help reach out to members of our community to ask “What do you want from your government?” We’ll go door to door to lend an ear to voters who want to express concerns about local, state, and national issues. Volunteers will first be trained on how to engage with voters, get a walk packet, and then return to debrief. You do not have to have canvassing experience to attend. If you are new to canvassing, you will be paired up with an experienced canvasser. If you have questions or would like to sign up to help, contact Matthew Metz or Jack McGrew or visit the MCDP Facebook page.
Jackson Screening
Sunday, November 5, 3:00 pm
Waldron Art Center's Whikehart Auditorium, Bloomington
Common Cause Indiana and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington's Reproductive Justice Task Force are sponsoring a screening of the film Jackson followed by a panel discussion. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Ceramics for sale. All proceeds benefit Common Cause Indiana in their fight to end gerrymandering.
NEW INFORMATION! Tickets available at Yarns Unlimited or by emailing [email protected]
Seats are limited, so reserve yours in advance!
ACTION ITEMS:
See our lead story today with regards to the Graham-Cassidy health care option and the opioid crisis.
Nancy Hutchens continues to count on you to do your part!
Here's a link to contact GOP Senators: https://trumpcaretoolkit.org/.
In addition, phone both Senator Donnelly (202-224-4814)
and Senator Young (202-224-5623) and tell them this is unacceptable.
Join the DWC. Renew your membership today.
The DWC is dedicated #1 to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership. Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership
Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.
Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/