Senior Democrats meeting minutes from August: Next meeting noon Tuesday September 15

Sr. Democrats Aug minutes
From: Nancy Goliff (nancygo@earthlink.net)
Sent: Sat 9/12/09 10:15 PM
Minutes of Northwest Arkansas Senior Democrats August Meeting

The meeting was held at the Western Sizzlin' restaurant in Springdale, Arkansas.

Vice President, David Hart, called the meeting to order. President, Nancy Goliff, is out of town. He turned the meeting over to Bonnie Cook. She introduced guests Doris Tate, candidate for Secretary of State, Missy Kincaid, Jan Judy, Sheriff Tim Helder and Fayetteville mayor Jordan. Shirley Brown of the County Clerk's office, County Clerk Karen Combs, Judge Marilyn Edwards, Linda Pinkins, Bella Vista, Charles Duell, Rusty Turner, Kathy Spann, Bill Ramsey, Representative Uvalde Lindsey, Representative Jim House and Diane Bryant.

Members of the Gridiron cast were introduced by Kathryn Shryl: Kim Morton, Rusty Turner, and Emily Katz. The Gridiron is an annual event presented by local journalists who write and perform. They sang songs from past years performances. The AAUW (American Association of University Women) also sponsors the event and has for the last six years. The event is held at the Rogers Little Theatre who is also a co-sponsor. Some of the titles of the skits were "Too funny to Fail” Gas Prices, Presidential race-Obama and Clinton, Sarah Palen, Hilary Clinton. The event is October 2 and 3 and cost is $25.00 for general seating. Food is available before the show and during intermission. There is a cash bar. Ads are for sale in the playbill.

Bonnie introduced Doris Tate from Fort Smith. She is a candidate for Secretary of State and has been the Sebastian County Clerk and Recorder for nineteen years.

Berta Seitz, treasurer, reported a club balance of $2,787.29.

Representative Uvalde Lindsey reported on the Governor's Health Initiative Tobacco Tax. He emphasized three main areas: (1) AR KIDS-first insurance program. 70,000 uninsured children in state. (2) Community Health Clinic (CHC) insurance for non holders-expanding in Rogers and Siloam Springs, 42,000 clients last year. 60% without insurance. Kathy Grisham is the director. (3) Department of Health-add new physicians. Seven million over two years. A university medical center to be located in Northwest Arkansas to train doctors in area. l.5 million for autism, 10 million for senior centers, also to service breast and cervical cancer. Also, factors considered are trauma centers, foster care-grandparents rights, adoptive services, achievement gap in education. Representative Jim House who worked with Rep. Lindsey in the state legislature thanked him for his presentation. The floor was open to questions and answers.

Next month's speaker will be Theresa Marks.

Dick Bennett brought a petition to be signed regarding Nuclear Disarmament.

There were two new members. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Myra Moran, Secretary