The Union County Democrats continued community outreach efforts in 2012. Some of our activities were the booth at the 2012 Union County Fair, participation in Celebrate La Grande and picking up litter on a section of Highway 82 between mile point 4.7 to 7.2.

You can volunteer to help with these and our 2012 Get Out The Vote efforts by stopping by the campaign office at 1304 Adams Ave. (previous Marie Josephine shop). The office is open Monday through Friday 12 noon to 6PM and Saturday 10AM to 12 noon until the election.

Dear Fellow Democrats,

Rep. Greg Walden is holding a town hall on Friday March 23, at 3:45 pm. It was originally planned for the Stampede Hall, but I understand the venue has been changed to the Elgin High school multi-purpose room.

This town hall is unusual for Walden for two reasons. First, there was advance notice that actually appeared in the Observer on Tuesday. Second, it is taking place in a public venue at a time when at least some constituents might be able to attend!

I have no doubt his new found desire to hold open town halls is a direct result of the successful “Where’s Walden?” action some of us held back in December. Perhaps the congressman is feeling a bit of heat in this election year?

We all understand that Mr. Walden is a conservative Republican. But voting against veterans’ benefits? Against extending unemployment benefits? Against injury compensation for 9/11 first responders? Against equal pay?

There are so many issues that Walden needs to be held accountable for. We Democrats in the 2nd District must hold the Congressman’s feet to the fire. Here are a few questions we might ask:

Union County Democrats Support
WALK FOR WARMTH OF NORTHEAST OREGON

Many families in Union County are hurting this winter. Cold weather and unemployment from the on-going recession have often led to heartbreaking choices between buying food or vital medications or paying for a home heating emergency.

All Walk for Warmth proceeds go to assist families in Union County. Walk for Warmth calls each of us to open our hearts and wallets to help families, friends, and neighbors through a difficult time.

Please join with other Union County Democrats to help and "Move Your Feet to Give Others Heat"!

Walk for Warmth 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Registration, 10 a.m. ~ noon
at the Maridell Center
1124 Washington Ave,
La Grande, Oregon

For more information, to become involved, or to make a donation, please contact: sherry.mendoza7@gmail.com or by phone at 541-805-8823.

Hello Fellow Democrats,

Now that President Obama has outlined his agenda for the year in his State of the Union address, I think it is safe to say the 2012 presidential campaign is officially underway! 

Union County Democrats will gather this week and part of our discussion will be about the 2012 campaign.  Please join us Wednesday, February 1st, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Sac Annex at 105 Fir Street.

Here are some key items on our agenda:

Please join us on MLK day!

The Union County Democrats are hosting an informal social gathering on Monday, January 16th, from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. in the Maridell Center at 1124 Washington Avenue in La Grande.

We’ll be serving hearty chili and cornbread along with fair trade coffee and good conversation.  Local film maker and musician, Mike Surber, will be there with his guitar, his voice, and some tunes… perhaps a few from the debut solo album he recently recorded.

So come and enjoy good food, good company, and good music.  Bring a friend or two.  Learn about local efforts in support of fair trade goods.  Learn how to support the Friday Backpack Program.  And learn about ways to help Democrats in this very important election year!

I hope to see you there,

Glen Scheele
Chair, Union County Democrats

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 16th!

Join with EOU students and community members for a march that begins at 11:00 am at Max Square in downtown La Grande.

Black Student Union President, Jamarkus Worles-Springfield, along with other members of the BSU, will welcome participants and lead the march. The route goes along Adams to Greenwood, then up 8th Street to the EOU campus, ending at the Hoke Main Lounge.

An open-mic program, along with light refreshments, will follow.  Everyone is invited to share a poem, song, or reading focusing on diversity, human rights, or related issues.

Please plan to participate in honor of Dr. King and his legacy.

Thanks,

Glen Scheele
Chair, Union County Democrats

Oregon supporters of a universal, single-payer health care system are looking east for inspiration, bringing Vermont activists to our state to outline how a grassroots movement there resulted in the successful adoption of a universal health care system last June. La Grande is a stop on a twelve city swing through Oregon by three members of the Vermont Workers Center, Kate Kanelstein, Sarah Weintraub and Mary Gerish. They will be joined by representatives from the events’ sponsors, Jobs with Justice and Oregon Single Payer Campaign, as they outline the strategies and tactics that worked in Vermont.

Wednesday, December 14th, 7:30 to 9:00 PM

“How We Won Health Care for All” Forum

The Union County Democrats were occupied on Highway 82 doing their part to clean up America. The effort took the group about four hours. The weather was perfect and the trash buildup was not too bad. The Democrats clean up their adopted section of Highway 82 three times a year.

Union County Democrats
Occupy La Grande!

Over the past few weeks Occupy Wall Street has grown from a handful of protesters in New York City to a national mobilization of tens of thousands.

Demonstrations of more than 20,000 are occurring in New York. 10,000 people marched and filled Pioneer Square in Portland. More and more Occupy groups are organizing and demonstrating every day. And now... Occupy La Grande!

At noon on Thursday, October 13, Occupy La Grande supporters will gather in Max Square. Our focus is the same as groups all across the country: Jobs, Not Cuts; Fair Taxes on Everyone; Hold Wall Street and Corporations Accountable.

We plan to march to Congressman Walden's office on Washington Avenue. We'd like to know where Mr. Walden stands on Contract for the American Dream. The contract outlines policies that will help rebuild the American Dream -- investing in our infrastructure, creating 21st century energy jobs, investing in public education, providing Medicare for All, making work pay, securing Social Security, returning to fairer tax rates, ending the wars and investing at home, taxing Wall Street speculation, and strengthening our democracy.

We will then walk to Wells Fargo Bank and read the official statement of the Occupy Wall Street protesters. We want to highlight the increasing role that banks and other corporations play in buying elections and distorting democracy. We want to highlight how this influence benefits the wealthy and harms working families and the middle-class.

Please join us. Share this information and bring your friends. Bring your signs to help focus our message: Jobs, Not Cuts; Fair Taxes on Everyone; Hold Wall Street and Corporations Accountable!

Wasn’t it great to be out at the Union County Fair – meeting good friends, enjoying the passing scene, and admiring the creativity and industry of our neighbors? The Fair is an enduring celebration of our way of life and our community.

The Union County Democrats were proud to be a part of that celebration again this year. As we do each year, we asked fairgoers to speak out on their most important issues. We counted 2,081 votes in our straw poll. That’s a 50% increase over last year and a new record of participation! Here is a breakdown of the tally: