This has been a busy month for the Kent County Libertarians, as it has been a busy election cycle for the statewide party. This explosion of activity was clearly evidenced by the Kent County meeting which took place on Tuesday, May 18th at the Touchdown Lounge in South Dover. For some time the Kent County meetings, such as they were, consisted of 2-5 people meeting together and having a meal and informal conversation about the direction of state and national politics, the Libertarian party and response, and whether or not the food at the Touchdown was good (it is). The most recent meeting saw over 20 Delaware voters in attendance, continuing a trend in which the meeting turnout has nearly doubled each month since March.
To take full advantage of our growing numbers, one of the primary items on the agenda for discussion was the suggestion to relocate the monthly meetings to the Uno Bar and Grill near the Dover Mall, in order to take advantage of the fundraising opportunities they are known to offer for many other civic groups. Concerns were raised that relocating the meeting would be a break in the county party's tradition and result in shifting business from a locally owned establishment with connections in the community to a chain without that distinction. As a result of these concerns, those present at the meeting resolved that the next monthly meeting will take place at Uno, and we will make an evaluation at that time where to hold our meetings on a regular basis.
A number of other fundraising ideas were discussed, including concerts, open houses, car wash events, Dover Downs roles, and a few others. Anyone who would like to assist in organizing any of these events should contact the County Chair. As the county party will now be participating in fundraising operations and handling money on behalf of its members, another part of the agenda was a discussion on the restrictions and processes which the party should put into place to restrain the impulses of those with access to funds and to inspire confidence in potential donors that their donations will be efficiently and effectively spent. Drafting and maintaining these rules and procedures will be an ongoing task in which all Kent County Libertarians will be welcome to participate.
Due to the time gaps between monthly meetings and in order to facilitate an ongoing, current conversation between the various members of the Kent County Libertarian Party, the party will be starting an online forum. These rules and procedures to ensure a transparent and effective financing system will be drafted and posted for comments on these forums; events will be posted; information on candidates for public office; information about the Kent County, Delaware, and National Libertarian parties; discussions of our founding documents, current laws, and current events; and much more will all be available on the forums. Please register at:
http://kcdelibs.forumotion.com/profile.forum?mode=register
Please use a variation of your name so that you can be identified by others and given the proper permissions for the various forum boards.
Also in attendance at the meeting were a number of candidates running for office in the local area. In addition to the County Chair, Will McVay, who is running for the 32nd District Representative seat, Jonathan Marango, Independent Party candidate for the 34th District, Tim Webb, Libertarian candidate for Kent County's 2nd Levy Court District, Jesse McVay, Libertarian candidate for Kent County Recorder of Deeds, Brent Wangen, Libertarian Party candidate for the US House of Representatives, and Jim Rash, State Libertarian Party Chair and candidate for the US Senate were all present and offered some brief remarks. As we continue to grow in size, we will continue to grow in strength and more and more candidates for public office will seek the ears of Libertarian voters.
The candidates were all familiar with an internet movement called the Rule Of Law Restoration, which is a pair of candidate and voter pledges not to violate the law or the Constitution while in office. This seems like a no brainer, but not all of the candidates have signed it! Check out their web site here:
http://www.ruleoflawrestoration.com/
Their remarks also focused on these necessary conditions for any free country to remain so. The importance of the Constitution, its enumerated powers, and the sovereignty of the states which formed it were also prominently featured.
See the candidate's web sites here:
Jim Rash - http://jimrash.com/
Brent Wangen - http://wangen2010.com/
Will McVay - http://wmcvay-de32.blogspot.com/
Jonathan Marango - http://www.facebook.com/jonsamarah
A brief conversation was conducted regarding the upcoming Libertarian National Convention. Not all of the proposals which will be under consideration are currently known, but the campaign for LNC chair, as well as recommendations to amend the bylaws and platform are largely known. Links to the various web sites for the LNC chair candidates and the recommendation reports for the described changes are below:
Platform: http://gatewaytoliberty.com/static/LP2010PCR.pdf
Bylaws: http://gatewaytoliberty.com/static/LP2010BRCR.pdf
LNC Chair Candidates (alphabetical):
Ernie Hancock - ErnestHancock.org
Mark Hinkle - Mark4Chair.com
John Jay Myers - JohnJayMyers.com/LNC.htm
George Phillies - NewPathForTheLP.org
Wayne Root - RootForAmerica.com
If you have any questions or comments, the delegates to the convention are:
Jim Rash
Will McVay - mcvay.will@gmail.com
Jesse McVay
Mary Pat McVay
Also discussed was the 32nd District Freedom Walk, wherein Will McVay, Libertarian candidate for this district, would walk a route through the 32nd District. In addition to raising the party's profile, these walks serve as a "Roving 32nd District Libertarian" meeting. Although there were very few willing to join in the walk, and only Will and his dog made it through the whole thing, the event still put the Kent County Libertarians in contact with the voters of the 32nd District to promote the party and Will's candidacy. The next such event will take place in June and will be planned and announced further in advance to attempt to address these issues. A larger group will draw more attention and encourage voters who had not yet considered the Libertarian Party to ask questions and join our conversation. Please look out for announcements on Will's Facebook page and blog for updates.
Thank you to all of those who attended. The next meeting will take place on June 15th, 7:00pm, at the Uno Bar and Grill near the Dover Mall.
-Will McVay
Kent County Chair
Libertarian Party of Delaware
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