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.

Otero County Democratic Convention

June 11, 2016

Otero County Democrats gathered at Margo's Restaurant to elect delegates to the Congressional District 2 (CD2) Convention taking place in Las Cruces, New Mexico on June 18, 2016 and to the Democratic State Convention taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 25, 2016.

Donna Swanson was elected to represent the Bernie contingent and Carla Kerr was elected to represent the Hillary contingent.

Vice President Bill Wheatley of the Democratic Party of Otero County presides

Karen Hutchison, standing, explains the procedures

Carla Kerr speaking on her reasons for representing Hillary Clinton for President

Donna Swanson speaking on her reasons for supporting Bernie Sanders

Carla and Donna were both elected as delegates to the CD2 convention in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The meeting was short and sweet and we thank Bill and Karen for being so capable.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr Photography for the great pictures.

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.

DPOC Sponsors Labor Recognition Breakfast

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Sixty-seven good Democrats gathered at Margo's Mexican Restaurant in Alamogordo, New Mexico for the annual Labor Recognition Breakfast. The Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) has sponsored this event for the past nine years. Instrumental in pulling it all together is Stephanie DuBois of Tularosa, New Mexico. Stephanie is probably one of the best known Democrats in the state of New Mexico and one of the hardest working ladies around.

Stephanie introduced dignitaries from various unions as well as Ted Eickenberg, candidate for State Treasurer; Leslie Singh, running for U.S. House of Representatives; and State Representative Nate Coté of Organ  (Doña Ana County). Stephanie turned the meeting over to Nadia Sikes, Chair of DPOC who spoke briefly about the meaning of Labor Day and its creation.

Clif McDonald took the mike as the auctioneer of donated items, a fund raiser for DPOC. Some of the items elicited some fast and furious bidding and was apparently much enjoyed by all. Liz Watson, second vice chair, along with Karen Hutchison, DPOC secretary, assisted Clif with the auction.

Alamogordo Public Schools special education teacher Diana Jackson, specializing in working with autistic students, received the first annual DPOC award recognizing the community contributions of a labor union member. Diana is a member of the National Education Association.

Main speaker at the event was Senator Jacob Candelaria, who at age 26, is the youngest member of our Senate. Jacob is a proud graduate of St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque. He went on to Princeton University graduating with a degree in public policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

After graduate school, Jacob turned down a chance to work on Wall Street, choosing to come home to work for his beloved state of New Mexico.

Senator Candelaria touched on such subjects as credit report abuse in denying residents jobs and too much public funds being channeled to privately-owned "for profit"  charter schools. He also said he had serious concerns about bringing in out-of-state companies to provide behavioral health services in the wake of an audit not conducted by the office of our State Auditor.

Carla Kerr and Karen Hutchison (Carla is dressed for a later function)

Stephanie DuBois

Ted Eickenberg, Candidate for State Treasurer

Leslie Singh, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives

Another shot of Leslie

L to R: Diana Jackson, Senator Jacob Candelaria and DPOC Treasurer Judy Pingel

Auctioneer Clif McDonald with Liz Watson holding up item for bid

And here we have another interesting picture for bid

DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes with Representative Nate Coté

Senator Jacob Candelaria speaking to the crowd

It is said that these labor breakfasts just get better each year and this one was no exception. Stephanie really put her heart and efforts into this one and the event reflected this. Thanks to Stephanie for a job well done.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for his fine efforts.

This is all I have to say for now.