DPOC Labor Breakfast at Margo's in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Doug and I attended the 13th Annual Labor Recognition Breakfast hosted by the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) at Margo's Mexican Restaurant in Alamogordo, New Mexico. There were about 60 people in attendance.

Welcoming everyone was Stephanie DuBois, CD 2 Vice Chair, a gal who is always ready to throw her hat in the ring for just about any election. Jeff Swanson, Vice Chair of DPOC and State Central Committee Member led the Pledge of Allegiance. Nadia Sikes, Chair of DPOC, made the introductions of guest speakers.

First up was Mark Praught, former member of the CWA (Communication Workers of America Union). He gave a wonderfully informative speech on union history and how it has related to his life.

Keynote speaker was Tim Eichenberg, New Mexico State Treasurer. Among other things, Tim has said, "The State Treasurer must have the experience and integrity to be a good steward of the taxpayers' money. I pledge to be a full-time State Treasurer, adhere to a program of best management practices, maintain an accessible and transparent office, and make sound choices that benefit all New Mexicans."

Stephen Jones, CD 2 Vice Chair, was busy with his camera. Doug also took the pictures shown below.

Nadia Sikes, DPOC Chair

Stephen Jones, CD 2 Vice Chair and Photographer

L to R: Tim Eichenberg, Nadia Sikes and Jeff Swanson

Mark Praught relating the history of unions and in particular the CWA

Another shot of Nadia. Love the new haircut!

State Treasurer and Nadia Sikes

L to R: Tim Eichenberg, Nadia and Jeff

Tim

Carol Lee, DPOC Secretary

Neomi Martinez  from Deming, New Mexico

Las Cruces President Brian Brietag of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union

 

Shirley Baca, Campaign Manager

It was a very informative event and the history was quite interesting. So many of us are ill informed about unions since they are not nearly as prevalent as they once were. However, we are losing our middle class and no country can thrive for long without it. Perhaps unions need to be more powerful now than ever before.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

Democratic Party Pre-Primary State Convention in Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico

Saturday, March 12, 2016

My husband, Doug, and I (Delegates) actually drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday to a hotel because the block of rooms for the convention at the Isleta Resort and Casino was already filled. We then went to the convention area to check-in and verify our credentials at 6:30 PM. We were going to attend the reception held by Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, but the lines were long and the area so crowded, we decided to dine elsewhere.

On Saturday morning we ate breakfast at an IHOP and got to the convention in time to caucus for Hillary Clinton for president before heading to our assigned area (Otero County) for the convention. The Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of the State of New Mexico (DPNM), Debra Haaland served as the facilitator and she did a great job of keeping the meeting moving along. Thank goodness she did because there were numerous speakers and much business to handle as well.

Governor Edward Paul Torres, Sr. of the Isleta Pueblo gave the welcoming speech and offered a prayer in the Isleta Tiwa language which was quite melodious. There were special addresses by Attorney General Hector Balderas, State Auditor Tim Keller, State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg, State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla and House Minority Leader Brian Egolf.

Report of the Credentials Committee was given by Martin Suazo, Chair, Judicial Council and Reading of the Call was by Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary DPNM.

Candidate Nominations and Speeches were as follows: Secretary of State: Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Supreme Court: Michael Vigil, New Mexico Court of Appeals: Julie Vargas, US House of Representatives CD l: Michelle Lujan Grisham, CD 2: Merrie Lee Soules, CD 3: Ben R. Lujan.

Introduction to Keynote Speaker Juan Sanchez, Vice Chairman, DPNM, Keynote Speech to Delegates Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut.

Video Address to Delegates given by Secretary Hillary Clinton and a video address given by Senator Bernie Sanders.

Report of the Platform & Resolutions Committee made by Chair John Dyrcz. The voting on this Democratic Party Platform was made by having each delegate vote yes or no on a small ballot and then take it out to the lobby and place it in a yes or no cardboard box. There was much discussion about this Platform as people lined up to give  pros and cons opinions. The results of the voting was NO by three votes.  Sometime during the lengthy counting of the votes Debra Haaland adjourned the convention.

It was an interesting experience and we are glad we took part in this great American tradition.

Otero County New Mexico Delegate Carla Kerr

Merrie Lee Soules Campaign Bus. She is running for U.S. Representative from New Mexico CD 2

Giving some New Mexico flavor to the convention were these excellent Mariachis

Hillary supporters getting ready to make a lot of noise

This lady was selling her Dump the tRUMP buttons

Attorney General Hector Balderas backing Hillary Clinton

Carla managed to get a Hillary poster

Carla visiting with Doc DuBois, a beloved WWII Pearl Harbor survivor and Otero County Delegate

Hope Swanson, first time voter and granddaughter of Donna & Jeff Swanson

Otero County Delegates AJ, Carla and Linda Barker

Otero County Delegates, Donna, Hope and Stephanie DuBois

A shot of the crowd assimilating for the convention. There were over 1300 attendees

Debra Haaland, Chairwoman, DPNM convening the convention

Pam Cordova, President, New Mexico Federation of Democratic Women leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and Zack Quintero, President, Young Democrats of New Mexico leads the Pledge to the New Mexican Flag

Attorney General Hector Balderas addresses Delegates

State Auditor Tim Keller addresses Delegates

State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg addresses Delegates

State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla addresses Delegates

House Minority Leader Brian Egolf addresses Delegates

Martin Suazo, Chair, Judicial Council reports on the Credentials Committee

Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary, DPNM gives the Reading of the Call

Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Candidate for Secretary of State

Michael Vigil, Candidate for New Mexico Supreme Court

Julie Vargas, Candidate for New Mexico Court of Appeals

Michelle Lujan Grisham incumbent for House of Representatives CD 1

Merrie Lee Soules running for U.S.House of Representatives CD 2

Ben R. Lujan incumbent US House of Representatives CD 3

Juan Sanchez, Vice Chairman, DPNM introducing Keynote Speaker

Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut gives Keynote Speech to Delegates

We returned to the hotel and took a well deserved nap. Then we went to our favorite Hibachi Restaurant for dinner and it was delicious.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the pictures and processing them to go in my blog. I do apologize for not taking a shot of him but he is always behind the camera and it just didn't occur to me.

This is all I have to say for now.

Tim Eichenberg Running for State Treasurer

Saturday, July 13, 2013

A group of  local Democrats gathered at the Sunset Run Restaurant to meet and dine with Tim Eichenberg who is running for the office of State Treasurer of New Mexico. The food was quite good as always and Tim made some interesting observations about the job of treasurer, gave some personal information about his having been out of politics for a while due to his mother's illness and talked about the differences between treasurer and auditor. He is a former state senator and I believe he has the utmost integrity and will do an amazing job as our state treasurer.

I happened to be sitting right next to where he sat down to talk to everyone on our end of the table. When he walked in I spied a beautiful roadrunner pin in his lapel. When he sat down, I said, "Tim, I notice you have a roadrunner pin in your lapel and I am Queen Ladybird of the Red Hat Society New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter here in Alamogordo."

He replied, "My jacket is over on another chair at this time, but before I leave I will give you that roadrunner pin." AND, I'm thrilled to say he did just that.

Tim Eichenberg chatting with Barbara McDonald

Tim Eichenberg, candidate for state treasurer

Tim, speaking with Nadia Sikes, Chair of Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC)

Tim, talking to the group

Random shots of the group

Carla talking with Tim about his roadrunner lapel pin

Mike and Tim discussing strategy

Clif McDonald talking with Tim

It was a lovely evening. I feel sure I will vote for Tim. He has the aura of a good person.

Thanks to Doug for the photos.

This is all I have to say.