Alamogordo Public Land Rally

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Members of the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) gathered at the Southeast corner of Tenth Street and White Sands Boulevard to protest in favor of keeping public lands public through the efforts of the United States Forest Service.

An organization called "Stand By Me For Liberty" was joined by a local group of ranchers and Republicans speaking out against the United States Forest Service on the Northwest corner of White Sands Boulevard and Tenth Street.

There were many colorful signs carried by both groups espousing their arguments for and against. Also supporting the DPOC group was Democrat Merrie Lee Soules who is running for Congress against Republican incumbent Steve Pearce. Merrie Lee strongly believes we need to protect our public lands not only for New Mexico, but for the entire nation.

Also attending was Democratic State Senator Bill Soules (Merrie Lee's brother) who was instrumental in helping get the Organ Mountains designated as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. He had the honor of going to Washington and meeting with President Obama when this designation was made. Soules said, "I'm hoping the general public will pay close attention and the public will choose the federal government role as protecting this legacy for all of us, not just a few, but for the many."

Rancher Jeff Swanson said, "I believe if these lands are transferred to the states and counties, they will soon be privatized and sold. They will go to rich corporations, they will go to rich global investors and the American public will be locked out. I think it is crucial to protect our national heritage by fully funding the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Interior, the BLM, the local fire agencies including the fire departments, county and state fire departments - so that we have the resources to care for this land."

Nadia Sikes, DPOC Chair, creating another sign

Denise Lang, running for State Representative New Mexico House District 51 with her campaign dog

Karen Hutchison carrying on with her protest

Rancher and Democratic activist Jeff Swanson

Donna Swanson expressing her views

Rosanna Heath doing her bit to save our public lands

Nadia Sikes with her newly created sign

Another shot of Rosanna

L to R: Unknown lady, Denise Lang and Merrie Lee Soules

Merrie Lee Soules addresses the DPOC rally

Merrie Lee continuing her address to the group

State Senator David Soules addressing the group

I will say it was hot out there, but we had fun. A lot of car horns were honked in solidarity and I saw many "thumbs up" as people drove by. When I got home I went to the couch for the rest of the afternoon!

This is all I have to say for now.

Stephanie Dubois Kicks Off Campaign for Otero County Clerk

Sunday, February 28, 2016

The Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) was the site of a campaign Kick-off event held and hosted by Stephanie Dubois for the office of Otero County Clerk in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Sunday, February 28, 2016.

Stephanie talked about her goals and the fact that people should always have a choice in any election between Democrats and Republicans. Stephanie is a fearless campaigner, having run for numerous elective offices and is currently serving as a representative on the State Central Committee (SCC) of CD2 of Southern New Mexico.

Among those present was Stephen Jones, photographer and also a representative of SCC of CD2, Nadia Sikes, Chair of  DPOC and Denise Lang running for State Representative of Otero County.

DPOC billboard outside entrance

Stephanie provided a six foot long sandwich and beverages for attendees

The blinged out DPOC Donkey

L to R: Henrietta Stockel, Denise Lang and Karen Hutchison

L to R: Stephen Jones, Chris Jones, Doc DuBois, Jenny and Stephanie Dubois

L to R: Ken, Carla Kerr, Patsy Duran, Nadia Sikes and Henrietta Stockel

Stephen sending his photos to Facebook

Nadia, introducing Stephanie and u/k woman

Stephanie DuBois speaking to her supporters

Stephanie's campaign treasurer, Nancy Carr

Henrietta Stockel, very proud of her new prosthesis, looking good!

Good luck in your campaign, Stephanie. We are supporting you and hope you do well.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for the photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

Democratic Party of Otero County, New Mexico Holds Convention

February 20, 2016

A number of Democrats met at the First Presbyterian Church in Alamogordo, New Mexico for the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) Convention to select delegates to attend the New Mexico State Democratic Pre-Primary Convention in Albuquerque on March 12, 2016.

Several people came from around the state including Mariaelena Johnson from Chaparral who checked everyone in and ascertained their voting eligibility. Also, Eric Spitty came to represent the Mescalero community. Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary of the State of New Mexico Democratic Party drove all the way from Lordsburg, New Mexico. Patsy Duran and her brother, Paul Duran, were here from Tularosa, New Mexico. Stephen Jones, representative of the State Central Committee from CD2/Photographer came from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Stephanie DuBois, a representative of the State Central Committee from CD2/also running for the post of Otero County Clerk and her father, Doc DuBois were here from Tularosa, New Mexico.

The venue was lovely and Judy Pingel, DPOC Treasurer, rushed around in the well appointed kitchen at the church and created some delicious food for everyone.

Nadia Sikes, Chair of DPOC conducted the meeting with Stephen Jones explaining how the delegates are selected and what happens at the Pre-Primary Convention in Albuquerque. Other speakers were Mariaelena Johnson and Neomi Martinez-Parra. Denise Lang spoke of her decision to run for Democratic Representative from Otero County and Stephanie DuBoise talked of her decision to run for Otero County Clerk. Jeff Swanson gave a report from the Financial Committee of the State Democratic Party telling us how thankful he is that the debt they inherited is almost paid.

Eric Spitty from the Mescalero Community

L to R: Judy Pingel with her back to us, Patsy Duran and her brother Paul Duran

L to R: Kenna Stormogipson, Bill Wheatley, Carla Kerr, Linda Barker, Tina, AJ and unknown man

94 Year-old Doc DuBois, our favorite WWII Veteran and loyal Democrat

Carla and Donna Swanson

L to R: Ken, Eric and Denise Lang

Neomi Martinez-Parra talking with Nadia Sikes, DPOC Chair

Nadia

Stephen Jones

Mariaelena Johnson

Denise Lang

Stephanie DuBois

Jeff Swanson

Neomi Martinez-Parra

Doug and I are now delegates to the Pre-Primary State Convention in Albuquerque that takes place on March 12, 2016 and we are excited. Thanks so much to Judy Pingel for the tasty food and all her hard work and preparation. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

Democratic Party of Otero at Otero County Fair

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Volunteer members of the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) in Alamogordo, New Mexico, had a fun time manning the fair booth and talking to a horde of people. Stephanie DuBois, running for Otero County Commissioner District 2, had the booth right next to us so it made for a very lively group.

I got a reprimand for stepping over the blue line surrounding our booth while I was telling the people about our special free drawing for $54.00, but I kept my place after I was told the rules. By the way, that $54.00 is a day's take-home pay for one work day under the current minimum wage of $7.10. You would not believe how many people turned down a free ticket for $54.00.  We couldn't figure out if it was because we were Democrats or if they were afraid they would be bombarded with people calling or mailing them. All we asked for was name and phone number so we could call the winner.

After spending four hours in the DPOC booth, I slid over to Stephanie's booth to help her  because she was also manning a booth for the Little Red School House in Tularosa, New Mexico and it was her turn to help out there.

As I walked through the building when I was finished, I was impressed with the displays of art by the school children and the quilts made by local quilters and quilting groups.  Passing through the barns I was amazed at the beauty of the lambs, goats and, yes, even the chickens that children raised and entered in the fair.

Connie Breding and Carla Kerr doing our civic duty (Photo by Karen Hutchison)

L to R: Denise Lang, Karen Hutchison and Connie Breding hanging out in the DPOC booth trying to give $54 away

It was great fun and I'm looking forward to serving again next year.  By the way, if you live in District 2 in Otero County, New Mexico, please vote for Stephanie DuBois for guaranteed representation on the Otero County Commissioners group. She is one woman who says what she means and means what she says. It is interesting to note that a number of Republicans came by our booth and stated that they were voting for Stephanie.

This is all I have to say for now.