Monday Morning News Nov. 17, 2014

We are not resting on the laurels of this year's electoral success but are looking ahead to city elections in 2015 as well as county elections in 2016. To encourage potential candidates, we will host two open houses in the coming months, so women who think they might possibly run for office can learn more about the process, receive encouragement and early support, and ask questions of experienced, progressive Democratic women. The first open house will be Sunday, Dec. 7th, 1:00-3:00 pm at Democratic Headquarters. The second will be Thursday, Jan. 16th, 6:00-8:00 pm in the same location. Mark your calendars for one or both!

In this issue:
Monroe County Plan Commission Hearing on Zoning Ordinance Tomorrow
Monroe County Democrats Club Lunch and Auction Tomorrow
Action Item: Support Net Neutrality

Monroe County Plan Commission Hearing

The Monroe County Plan Commission will hold a public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday November 18th at 6 pm in the Nat U Hill room (Monroe County Courthouse) on the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.

Public comment will be taken (likely with a 2 or 3 minute time limit). The Ordinance has been amended since Lee Jones and Julie Thomas presented the details to the DWC at a breakfast meeting a few months ago. The intention remains the same, however: to limit high density development in the rural portions of the county.

Typically community members who support a proposed ordinance will not attend a meeting to share a positive message about the proposal. Often, this is construed as a lack of support by the media. You are encouraged to attend the meeting to offer your comments - don't assume someone else will speak on your behalf.

The proposed ordinance and meeting agenda are available on-line here.

There are a number of items on our agenda, and it is unclear when the ordinance will be heard. For those of you interested in a major development on the corner of Sare and Rogers, see these additional elements for that proposal (which will also be heard on Tuesday night).

If you have any questions about the proposed ordinance or other items on the Plan Commission agenda, please contact Julie Thomas.

Monroe County Democrats' Club Luncheon and Auction - We just found out this is CANCELLED

The Monroe County Democrats' Club will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18, at 11:45 a.m. at the American Legion, 1800 W. Third St, Bloomington. This will be their annual Silent Auction and "Blue Donkey" (as opposed to White Elephant) sale. They will also celebrate our candidates from the recent election--and have a cake in their honor! 

The Club is seeking items for the fundraiser, which will support the local party! Previous donations have included home-made foods, political items, books, and other gently-used items. Items can be dropped off at Susie Hamilton's house on Winslow Road, or at Rita Drescher's house. You can contact Rita at 334-2962 or [email protected] for directions--or request a pick-up of your donation! Donations also accepted on the day of the event. 

This will be the last meeting of the year--and their only opportunity to raise funds for their annual picnic and for the support they can provide for our local Party. Come and support the Club and express your thanks to our candidates!

Action Item: Support Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication. President Obama came out in favor of net neutrality last week, and we encourage you to send a message to the FCC.

Within the next few months, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on rules that would allow Internet service providers to discriminate online and create pay-to-play fast lanes. If the FCC approves this plan, Net Neutrality will vanish. Please send your comments via www.savetheinternet.com.

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Send your items of interest to us at [email protected].