“GRASSROOTS ACTION NOW!” JUNE 2014

S u m m i t C o u n t y Progressive Democrats PAC is a grass roots organization of dedicated people committed to social justice on the lo-cal, state, national, and international levels. We support efforts that better the lives of all citizens by working to promote hu-man rights, equal eco-nomic opportunity, re-sponsive government, a safe, sustainable envi-ronment, and a society built on compassion. Our goal is to expand grass roots participation in the political process and to return the federal government to the will of the people. SCPD PAC works to support pro-gressive candidates through grassroots activ-i sm, contr ibut ions, coaching candidates, f o r u m s a n d events and the produc-tion of literature and sample ballots to edu-cate the electorate. If you are interested in SCPD PAC, contact Ingr id Kunste l a t ikunstel@neo.rr.com.

WHAT IS SCPD PAC?

T h e SCPD P A C Pro g ressi v e Pa t r i o tThe Newsletter for Progressive Activists in NE Ohio

New Board Member 2President’s Corner 3

Fundraiser Pics 4

Campaign Toolkit 6

SB 310 7

Endorsed Candidates 9

Why Should I Join? 3

SCPD PAC Video 8

Central Committee 8

Thanks Sponsors! 10

In this issue:

By Ingrid KunstelIf you were not at Tangier’s on May 2nd you missed a great event. That was the night of the SCPD PAC Fundraiser and Awards Celebration. In a room bathed in blue light, 150 activists came together to raise money to support progressive candidates and issues (see the photo spread on pages 4 & 5). With soft music playing in the background, people talked, laughed and bid on silent auction items ranging from a large, framed photo of the Lincoln Memorial at night to a Shades of Grey gift basket.

The keynote speaker was Ed FitzGerald, candidate for the governorship of Ohio. Candidate FitzGerald asked us to consider what we had expected to happen when Governor Kasich was elected. Did we expect that he would attack women’s rights, allow voter suppression, allow the anti-environment S.B. 310 to become law, privatize some of our prisons and support

private charter schools even though they are not meet ing the same standards as the public school system? The resounding answer was, ”NO”.

While running a vigorous campaign, FitzGerald

continues to perform his duties as County Executive of Cuyahoga County with vision and hard work. He has instituted the Community Policing Initiative to provide more police presence in difficult situations. He has developed the Western Reserve Fund, which provides loans to citizens who want to develop businesses that will bring more jobs to Cuyahoga County. He has worked to stamp out county corruption and protect voters’ rights.

Our second speaker was Mary Alice Conkey, the President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association. In addition to this role, she is still a full-time teacher and the president of her local teachers’ association. She spoke about the devastation of the public school systems by the present Republican administration. She stated that the most important way to change things is to bring in a governor who is interested in and dedicated to everyone being able to have a quality education and providing the resources to do that.

Following our tradition, the second part of the evening was devoted to the presentation of member awards. President Bob Gippin presented the 2014 Committee Person of

(Continued on page 2)

Join us at our next General Membership Meeting

July 8 at 6:30 p.m.Akron Public Library

Meeting Room 2

WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS!

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the Year to Rob Grow. Rob heads up our Gun Violence Prevention Issues team. He has been busy motivating our members to protest the gun shows a the Summit County Fairgrounds for their failure to require background checks for gun sales. Gippin also presented Kathy Arthur with the 2014 Unsung Heroine Award. Kathy is the Executive Secretary of our organization. She sends out all our announcements, is responsible for membership data and acts as greeter at all of our monthly meetings. That list only begins to explain her work, which she does with grace and dedication.

In a surprising turn of events, our Immediate Past

(What a Night It Was! —continued from page 1)President and now Executive Vice-President, Denise Woods, presented Bob Gippin with the 2014 Patriot of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to progressive candidates and issues as well as outstanding leadership of our organization.

The last award went to Denise Woods as a thank you and a tribute to her incredible hard and effective work during her 4 years as president of SCPD PAC. Her energy and enthusiasm have been an inspiration to all of our membership. She was also given a huge bouquet of flowers.

If you are feeling like you missed something, you did. Please plan on being with us next year.

By Ingrid KunstelDianna Sudia Smith did not come to Summit County Progressive Democrats easily. Her fiancé, Brad Carlton, had been to a number of meetings of SCPD PAC and was excited to have Dianna come along. She had just finished the bar exam, was exhausted and “did not want to leave the couch, let alone the house.” When she finally came to her first meeting, the speakers, their topics and the obvious energy of the members had her hooked.

Dianna is a 4th generation Akron resident and a product of a K-12 public school education from the Akron Public School System. A few short years later at the age of 21, she ran for the Akron School Board in 2007. Being a product of the public school system herself, Dianna felt she was well-equipped to offer a meaningful and insightful voice on the board. In a hard-fought campaign, she barely missed winning her first political election by 0.012% of the votes.

Also while she was in college studying Business Administration, Dianna played varsity athletics for the Kent State University Women’s Golf Team. During her time with the team they won their 15th consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship, and were ranked 14th overall in the country.

However, even as a 12-year-old, Dianna knew she wanted to be a lawyer and has planned her life around that goal. In 2013 she graduated from the University of Akron School of Law, passed the bar exam and was sworn in as a practicing attorney in the state of Ohio. She currently is a part-time prosecutor for the City of Cuyahoga Falls and is the owner of her own law firm,

“Law Office of Dianna M. Sudia Smith, LLC.” where she practices criminal defense, personal injury and wills.

Dianna has a younger brother named Thomas Daniel or TD who is still in high school. Her father , Tom Smith, is the Civil Engineer for the City of Akron Waste Water Treatment Plant and her mother, Jeannie Smith, is a Registered Nurse who works labor and delivery at Summa Akron City Hos-pital.

Dianna and Brad met at a reception right at the beginning of law school. She says that she had a crush on him from that first year. They started dating in the second year and she says that she is head-over-heels in love. She says that Brad’s intelligence and quick wit always puts a smile on her face. They will be wed this September 27.

Dianna presently is a member of the Leadership Development Committee and the Fundraising Committee as well as sitting on the Board of SCPD PAC. Her goal is to get as many young people involved in SCPD PAC as she can. With their energy, connections and savvy with social media she believes that the sky is the limit for our organization’s impact.

I hope you will take time to get to know this extraordinary young member.

MEET OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER

Why Should I Join SCPD PAC? Because:

x� I will be informed of meaningful political matters in Ohio and nationally.x� My voice will be heard more strongly as part of SCPD PAC.x� I will be around people who think and can speak in a Democratic voice.x� I will be around people who question and discuss politics in a rational voice.x� I will be able to support progressive candidates who want to move Ohio and the nation forward.x� I will have an opportunity to be actively engaged in the election of candidates.x� I will be able to be actively involved in determining issues that affect me.x� My dues will work for me even when I do not have the time to physically be involved.x� I want to expand human rights and opportunity while embracing science and reason.x� I want to work for fairness, opportunity, and human rights through effective government.

Renew your membership or join us. Contact Kathy Arthur, Executive Secretary at kathleenarthur4@gmail.com

(if members have changed phone #, email or address, please let Kathy know)

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WE’RE ON A ROLL - LOTS MORE TO DOby Bob Gippin, President of SCPD PAC

Halfway through 2014, SCPD PAC has already had strong success and is in great shape. But we’ve got a whole lot more work to do on all fronts. I’m confident we’ll get it done because I know that our members can and will do the job. Fact is, we’re good and only getting better. And there are more and more people joining our team, bringing new energy to the effort.

Our Fundraiser in May was a huge success, bringing in a record amount of money with more probably still to come in. We will have well over $30,000 to spend the rest of the year. Most of that will go to candidates, but we will also have funds for our important issues efforts.

All of our Fundies deserve extra special thanks. Their leader, Sherrie Weitzenhof, “decided” to have triple bypass surgery just days before the event. Other Fundies went down at the same time with various

afflictions. But everyone healthy just redoubled their efforts, filled in the gaps, and the event went off flawlessly. If anything shows the selflessness, dedication and energy SCPD is made of, it ’s this year’s Fundraiser. Memorable!

We’ve already had two early electoral successes. After much thought, we

endorsed in two important state legislative primaries where progressive candidates were in a position to win. With our help (including $2,000 to each of them), Greta Johnson and Emilia Sykes prevailed. They’re almost certain to win in November. Both are young, energetic progressives who will make a great difference in Columbus now and wherever their careers take them in the years ahead. We’re proud to have helped them on their way!

We’re now moving towards full-bore election support. Besides our usual financial and feet-on-the-street help, two subcommittees of Leadership Development will be working on intensive candidate support on such things as messaging and on a Get Out the Progressive Vote effort. We’ve developed a lot of skill and sophistication about how to win elections and we intend to use it fully. LDC needs all the help it can get for that. Please sign up if you’re not on the team already.

Outreach towards other progressive groups and people will be going forward under new leadership, with Matt Ford as Chair. We will be reaching out to work on issues of mutual concern and to recruit new members. (That’s already having good effect, we’re growing at a very fast pace now.) Another way to get involved,

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especially if you’ve got connections to other groups.

Fundraising will also broaden towards ongoing direct efforts under a new Chair, Mike Wheeler. Sherrie will run the Fundraiser again next year, hopefully all the way to the finish line, but we hope to bring in more money from sources the Fundraiser doesn’t reach. Become a Fundie!

The Issues & Education Committee continues its strong work on the many key fronts progressives care about, especially gun violence prevention, women’s rights and climate change. The list is endless, please consider taking on an issue you

(We’re On a Roll - continued from page 3)

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care about. SCPD knows how to advocate effectively, so it’s a real way to make a difference.

Finally, you see the energetic work of Communications in this and the previous newsletters. Parts of the new and terrific SCPD movie (contributed by Josh Gippin) are ready and by the time you read this our new and wonderful website should be up and running. (I’m running out of superlatives, there are just too many very good things happening!)

YOUR CAMPAIGN TOOLKITby Frank Kunstel

Candidates are coached to have an “elevator speech” that they can give in two minutes on why a person should vote for them. We in SCPD PAC should have a similar speech to give to friends, co-workers, and anyone else with whom we might be discussing the 2014 election. Since this is a big year for state offices, these “talking points” are focused on the current governor and state legislature. Summit County will be electing six state legislators this year.

Here are some topics you can incorporate into a quick statement on why the current Republican regime should be turned out. Democrats will stop this nonsense. Pick three or four of these and use them for your quick talking points. Where ever the word “here” appears, that is a hotlink to an article that provides more information if you want it. But you don’t need to read any of those, the points speak for themselves.

JobsSince Kasich took office, Ohio ranks 27th among all states in job creation and lags behind the U.S. average for job growth (here and here).

Budgets and TaxesOhio is starving local communities by cutting funding by nearly $1Billion (here) and cutting aid to schools (here), while reducing taxes on the wealthy (here). Kasich claims he’s fixed the budget but all he’s done is shift the burden to local taxes.

EducationThe legislature is reducing funding for public schools (here) while it shifts over $900 million of public tax money to low-achieving charter schools (here) (here), which often goes to line the pockets of private business (here).

Voting rightsRestrictions on early voting will cause many voters, par-ticularly minorities, to be unable to vote. The state has cut the number of days of early voting and also cut the hours (here). And now a push is on to institute photo ID, which would further impact on the ability of people to vote (here).

Women’s rightsKasich signed a bill that defunds Planned Parenthood, thereby denying many women the healthcare services they can’t easily get elsewhere. The bill also contains the severest restrictions to women’s reproductive health ac-cess in the nation (here) (here).

EnvironmentGovernor John Kasich on Friday signed legislation to freeze a law that required utilities to sell increasing amounts of green energy, making the state the first in the country to roll back a clean energy mandate. (here).

Let Your Voice Be HeardAre you itching to see your views in print? Do you think you have an issue that needs more at-tention from SCPD PAC? Well, here is your opportunity. Send your ideas, letters, thoughts to Ingrid Kunstel, Chair of Communications @ ingridkunstel@gmail.com. The committee will re-view the entries and select one for the next edition of the Progressive Patriot.

SENATE BILL 310: BACK TO THE DARK AND DIRTY AGESby Denise Woods

President Barack Obama, whom SCPD PAC members worked so hard to elect and re-elect, is signaling to us in every way he knows, that America needs to get fiercely serious about how humans are tampering with the global climate system on which human life depends. He is calling for our support.

There is massive evidence that our sources of food, our safety, our ability to travel, and peace in the world all hang in the balance. The third U. S. Global Climate Research Program Report was released in May, followed closely by reports from NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-mate Change warning that the West Antarctic ice sheet has begun an irreversible process of melting and will eventually raise sea levels up to twelve feet.

Climate change is no longer something in the future. It is not something that happens only at the poles. It affects more than polar bears. It is happening now and it affects all of us.

Heat waves and droughts, heavy downpours and floods, hurricanes, and paralyzing snowstorms are increasing and will worsen in the near future. Sea levels are rising, already drowning small island communi-ties around the world, and threat-ening heavily populated cities along the east coast of the United States. Oceans are warming and sea life, an impor-tant source of food, is declin-ing. Rising populations of mos-quitoes threaten epidem-ics. Roads, buildings, and indus-trial facilities are increasingly at risk. Drought and heavy rainfall degrade our ability to raise crops and livestock and threaten food security world wide. U. S. military studies cite destabili-zation caused by climate change as perhaps the most serious threat to world peace and our national security.

In fact, the deluge Summit County suffered two weeks ago is but a glimpse of what we can expect in the future, as the air warms and holds more moisture, and then dumps dangerously large amounts of water in a short time.

How does Ohio respond to this international crisis? It goes backward. It repeals portions of our clean/renewable/efficient energy laws and throws us back to the equivalent of the fossil fuel dark ages. Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly, with little resistance from Governor John Kasich, ignore the outcry from the clean/renewable/efficient energy industry and the appeals of an interfaith group of religious leaders; are blind to 14,000 signatures of Ohio citizens opposing the move, ignoring a flood of phone calls and e-mails from their constituents. They have pulled the welcome mat from under the clean/renewable/efficient energy companies enticed here when Ohio decided, in 2008, to embrace and encourage a

new age of energy for Ohio. They clearly squirmed under the harsh glare of the spotlight, the pressure of Ohio's newspapers, and their constituents. SCPD PAC members rose to the occasion in the weeks before the final Senate vote. Twenty-five members made 102 contacts with legislators and the Governor to express opposition to Senate Bill 310. Under the pressure, the bill was delayed, and delayed again, and modified slightly, but negligibly, and the worst remains in place.

Summit County's Senator Sawyer, and Representatives Sykes and Milkovich voted no. Sena-tor Frank LaRose, and Representatives Roegner, DeVi-tis, and Slaby voted yes.

In 2008, the Republican-dominated Ohio General Assembly, set in place standards for advancing our energy technologies, reducing greenhouse gases and bringing Ohio into the 20th century. Our Democratic Governor Ted Strickland signed the legislation. It required an increasing percentage of clean, renewable, efficient energy to be produced in Ohio over several

years, and provided financial suppor t f o r bu dd ing industries that would build their businesses here and hire our workers. What's not to like? Cleaner air? Fewer asthma attacks? Lower energy bills, saving Ohioans over $1 billion in just six years? More jobs in the developing industries and businesses? A more stable energy market? A role in

reducing global warming of which Ohio could be proud?

Well, the Koch Brothers don’t care about those things. They don't like anything that interferes with highly profitable dirty energy. And once again, they and their friends in the carbon energy business got their way, aided and abetted by our Republican legislature.

Though Ohio is the first state to take its energy future backward, it may not be the last. Other states with similar measures were watching, and now that they know it is possible, they will try to emulate Ohio. If the trend continues, it could be the death knell for clean/renewable/efficient energy across America. When governments cannot be counted on to follow through on their promises to support renewable energy innovation, investors will feel extremely reluctant to back these cutting edge technologies and businesses. As it stands, we are now watching to see

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SUMMIT COUNTY PROGRESSIVES ROCK!On Tuesday, June 4, the Central Committee of the Summit County Democratic Party met to elect the officers for the year. Of the five elected officers, four were members of our own SCPD PAC. The new officers are: (*indicates member)

Chair: Jeff Fusco*1st. Vice Chair: Tamela Lee*2nd Vice Chair: Sandra Kurt*Secretary: Russ Balthis*Treasurer: Chris Grimm

In addition we had a table promoting our organization and our Executive Secretary, Kathy Arthur, signed up several new members. It was a good night!

if these industries will withdraw from Ohio, taking their jobs and hopes of Ohio economic development with them.

President Obama wants us to join him in the critical struggle, not only to save jobs, but the planet itself.

Over the next two years we need to remain vigilant. We need to see how Ohio cooperates with the President’s new EPA regulations. We need to monitor the study that arises from Senate Bill 310. We need to let our legislative candidates know that we place a high priority on our energy and climate

(SB 310 - continued from page 7)

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future. And we need to continue to put the pressure on our elected officials

The President we worked so hard to elect is struggling to find ways to reduce U. S. greenhouse gas emissions and lead the world in an international cooperative effort to spare the human race the worst ravages of climate change. He faces incredible opposition from conservative climate deniers, the fossil fuel industry, and propagandist media like Fox. He deserves our support.

We Are Summit County Progressive Democrats PACMember, Josh Gippin, who is a professional videographer, generously offered his time and expertise to create four videos that we can use to promote our amazing organization. To date, two of them are finished. The first video is to promote SCPD PAC, increase membership and encourage folks to get active. The second video is to encourage candidates to use our extensive skills to help with their campaigns. These videos will be used in presentations to various groups and links to the videos will appear on our soon-to-be-released, new-and-improved website. If you click on the pictures you can view the videos online. Watch, enjoy and realize what a fantastic organization we have. Many thanks to Josh for his special gift to us.

Join Us!

Campaign Support

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NO MORE OFF YEAR ELECTIONS!

by Sarah RubensThere is no such thing as an off year election, and the 2014 election cycle is proving just that. Ed FitzGerald and Sharen Neuhardt are leading a strong statewide Democratic ticket that needs a solid showing from Summit County in order to turn Ohio blue. SCPD endorsed candidates Emilia Sykes for Ohio's 34th House District & Greta Johnson for Ohio's 35th House District. Both won their hotly contested primaries and will represent us well in Columbus. It is now our job to send them qualified, dedicated, and most importantly PROGRESSIVE colleagues. The 36th, 37th, and 38th Ohio House Districts all have Republican incumbents and we must show Paula Prentice, David Worhatch, & Tim Crawford that we're dedicated to their campaigns

now.

There are 11 judicial candidates on the ballot this year cov-ering every spectrum of the Summit County Court Systems. Democrats are notorious for not voting down ballot and the Leadership Development Committee is currently working hard to make sure that this changes in Summit County. Under the leadership of committee member Pete Nischt, LDC is working on a GOTV project that will work to turn Presidential year voters into EVERY year voters. If you are interested in helping with this incredibly important project, please contact me at sarahrubens85@gmail.com. We would love the input of all SCPD members.

SCPD PAC ENDORSED CANDIDATES

Elinore Marsh-StormerProbate Court

Linda Tucci-TeodosioJuvenile Court

John QuinnDomestic Relations Court

Jon OldhamCourt of Common Pleas

Lisa DeanCourt of Common Pleas

Rob McCartyCourt of Common Pleas

Mary Margaret RowlandsCourt of Common Pleas

Ron CableCourt of Common Pleas

John ClarkCourt of Common Pleas

Sandra KurtS.C. Council-at-Large

Connie PillichOhio State Treasurer

Greta JohnsonOhio House, 35th District

Emilia SykesOhio House, 34th District

John Patrick CarneyOhio Auditor of State

Pete CrosslandU.S. Congress, 16th District

Michael WagerU.S. Congress, 14th District

Paula PrenticeOhio House, 36th District

Michael CharneyState Board of Education

Nina TurnerOhio Secretary of State

David PepperOhio Attorney General

Sharen NeuhardtOhio Lieutenant Governor

Ed FitzGeraldOhio Governor

Ilene ShapiroS. C. Council-at-Large

David WorhatchOhio House, 37th District

SCPD PAC Executive Committee

President:: Bob Gippin Executive Secretary: Kathy ArthurExecutive Vice-President:: Denise Woods Recording Secretary: Guy MarentetteAdministrative Vice-President: Sherrie Weitzenhof Members At Large: Dianna Sudia SmithTreasurer: Mike Kaplan Diana OrendiAssistant Treasurer: Leslie Potts Tom Schmida

The SCPD PAC Progressive Patriot is edited by SCPD PAC Communications Committee. To submit an article or comment, contact Ingrid Kunstel at ingridkunstel@gmail.com

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Thank You to All of Our Sponsors for the 2014 Fundraiser

Platinum SponsorsU.S. Representative Marcia Fudge, 11th District

Gold SponsorsU.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, 13th District

Denise Woods & Steve Cochran Ingrid & Frank Kunstel

Silver SponsorsSean D’Arcy

Robert GippinMary Lohman

Bronze Sponsors Ed FitzGerald, Cuyahoga County Executive &

Candidate, Ohio Governor Sharen Neuhardt, Candidate, Ohio Lieutenant Governor

Ohio Senator Nina Turner, 25th District & Candidate, Ohio Secretary of State

Ohio Senator Tom Sawyer, 28th District & Joyce SawyerOhio Representative Vernon Sykes, 34th District

Michael Wager, U.S. Representative Candidate, 14th DistrictGeorge Rusiska, Ohio Senate Candidate, 27th District

Don Walters, Mayor of Cuyahoga FallsRuss Pry, Summit County Executive

Alan Brubaker, Summit County EngineerKristen Scalise, Summit County Fiscal OfficerDan Horrigan, Summit County Clerk of Courts

Tim Gorbach, Chair, Summit County Board of ElectionsKay Belfance Kathy & Dave Arthur Nancy Heslop

Rich Vishnia Ed & Delphine Gilbert Susan Dean & Diane MillettGail Frangos Pat Simons Eileen & George Goldman

PatronsCarney for Ohio, Candidate, State Auditor

Judge Carla Moore, 9th District Court of AppealsJudge Kathryn Michael, Akron Municipal Court

Tamela Lee, Summit County CouncilPaula Prentice, Summit County Council & Ohio

Representative Candidate, 36th DistrictIlene Shapiro, President, Summit County Council

Sandra Kurt, Vice-President Summit County CouncilRob McCarty for Judge Committee

Russ Balthis, Secretary, Summit County Democratic PartyTim Crawford, Summit County Council & Ohio

Representative Candidate 38th DistrictDavid Worhatch, Ohio Representative Candidate, 37th DistrictGreta Johnson, Ohio Representative Candidate, 35th District

Linda Omobien, Akron City Council-At-LargeP. G. Sittenfeld, Cincinnati Council-At-Large

Friends of Steve Barry for SheriffJames Field, Hudson School Board

Mary & David TschantzSherrie & Dave Weitzenhof

Nancy Clem & John LowenfeldAdele & Steve Blazey

Mary Louise & Bill McMahon Chuck & Laura MonroeChuck & Sharon PervoCathy & Doug GodsallMary & Richard King

Derrick Hall Mike Kaplan John Cross Dorothy Marsh

Brian Rothenberg Guy Marentette Leslie Potts