Upper St. Clair Democratic Committee Meeting – September 22, 2020

by | Oct 21, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee

USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes

September 22, 2020

The meeting started at 6:35pm at the Upper St. Clair Recreation Center on McLaughlin Run Road.  Mary McIntyre stated there were lawn signs available for anyone that needed them.  Mary also had new members stand up and introduce themselves.
Peg Babnik submitted the treasurer’s report.  The September 10th bank statement ending balance is $3,228.60.  In our account today there is $2,760.80 which includes $492.80 in expenses (three checks) and 2nd Act Blue Donation of $25, minus a fee of $1.16.
Elections
Sharon Guidi spoke about her campaign.  She said she had a successful Scavenger Hunt fund raiser last week.  She also stated that her opponent is not a moderate.  Sharon thanked everyone for being in attendance.
Tom Duerr is Pam Iovino’s campaign manager. Pam’s opponent is not a moderate.  Tom then stated Pam’s accomplishments.  He asked for volunteers to text, phone call, write postcards and literature dropping.  Tom said that there are many volunteer opportunities.   Tom is working closely with Pam.  Tom will inform Mary about when and where to volunteer.
Tom Duerr is also on City Council.  Tom said that there will be eight satellite offices.  They will be operating on October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25.  Citizens can a request a ballot or mail in their ballot at the satellite office on those days.  If you want to vote in person, but received a ballot – take it to the polls.  Don’t open it.  If you do not bring your mailed ballot and have not voted, you may fill out a provisional ballot.  Tom said that he does not know if they are going to count the ballots early.  Tom stated that Allegheny County was the best in state for counting ballots.
Both Sharon Guidi and Tom Duerr emphasized the need to follow the ballot directions exactly as written.  They also emphasized that only you can drop your ballot in the box.
Mary passed out Biden buttons and masks.  Mary said that Upper St.  Clair is part of Char Valley, where there are 36 Chair people.  On October 13, there will be a rally starting in Moon Township continuing through Carnegie, Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Upper St. Clair (around 1:30pm), South Park, and Collier Township.   Representatives Conor Lamb, Mike Doyle, and Pam Iovino will be at each stop.  Everyone is invited to participate with car window posters.

There was further discussion about how to get the message out.  Discussion was about phone banking, texting, Instagram, Facebook, pool watching, distributing literature, and poll workers for satellite places.

The meeting ended at 7:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Descutner

USC Democratic Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2020

by | Sep 1, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee

USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes

Old Recreation Center

August 25, 2020

The meeting started at 7:00pm at the Upper St. Clair Recreation Center on McLaughlin Run Road.  There were many new faces, so Mary McIntyre had everyone introduce themselves.

Mary stated that there are five wards and 18 districts in Upper St. Clair.  She also said that the county is sent out applications for mail-in ballots to citizens today.  Mary reviewed the proper procedures for mail-in voting, specifically that you cannot put someone else’s ballot in the mail or ballot drop-off box.  Everyone must handle their own ballot.  There was discussion about the lack of ballot boxes and Mary said that the legislature has to decide if there can be more drop-off boxes.  The actual ballots will be mailed to recipients on September 15, 2020.  Ballots  can be tracked on the Allegheny County website.  All polling locations will be open.  Jason Fincke noted that if a school is closed due to coronavirus outbreak, the polling place may also be closed.  Also, ballots may be counted early.

It was suggested that we could drive organize a caravan of  residents into Pittsburgh to drop their ballot in the ballot drop-off box.

Peg Babnik submitted the treasurer’s report.  The balance remained $3,179.76 through June, July and August.  Outstanding checks are: $100, $300 (signs), $92.80 (postage), $100 Biden (Don W.) with a balance of $2,586.96

Elections

Mary McIntyre said that our Biden/Harris signs were ordered through CharValley.  Delivery will be this Saturday, August 29, 2020.  Sharon Guidi will also have signs delivered this Saturday.   Mary and Deb Allen spoke about Sharon’s fund raiser which is a treasure hunt.  Cost is $100/ per one person in a car or $200/car.  Also, if anyone wants to attend the after treasure hunt get together, the cost is $25.

Jason Fincke drafted a letter which will be sent to all independents.  He stated that there are about 2,000 independents in Upper St. Clair.  He asked for help sending this letter out as soon as possible. If anyone needs money for stamps, please see Mary.  New member Charlotte from Friendship Village said that she had five or six residents ready to help send out the Democratic letter to independent-registered voters.  Jason’s letter will be available for mailing on Sunday; Mary McIntyre will send an email to everyone regarding time.  There was a discussion about voting.  Charlotte stated that she moved from Virginia and wants additional drop boxes in Allegheny County, and extended hours for residents to vote.  She is thinking about a petition for drop boxes and asked if there are rules for drop boxes.  Jason suggested if ballots are mailed early October, then no one will have to worry about drop boxes.  New member Paulette stated that she has a 10 x 4 Biden/Harris sign in her yard.  A new member volunteered to temporarily replace Katie Mazzocco as a Facebook administrator.

Sharon Guidi’s campaign manager Alex Franco suggested that we tie Natalie Mihalek to Donald Trump.  Natalie (Republican) is running against Sharon.  It was mentioned that in North Strabane there are weekly Republican rallies along Route 19.   Alex said to take videos of the rally.  It was also strongly mentioned that we need more visuals and should put an American flag next to Biden signs.

New Business

Mary McIntyre will organize an afternoon Zoom meeting at 2:00pm.  She will send an email with specifics.

The meeting ended at 8:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Linda Descutner

USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes Zoom Meeting – August 18, 2020

by | Sep 1, 2020 | USC Democratic Committee

 

USC Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes

Zoom Meeting – August 18, 2020

The zoom meeting started at 7:01pm.  There were 22 participants.  There was discussion about the Democratic convention speeches.  The next meeting will be next Tuesday, August 25, 2020 outside of the rec center on McLaughlin Run Road.

Elections

Mary ordered 200 Biden/Harris yard signs, which were paid for by our committee.  Tom Duerr will be getting additional signs for Upper St. Clair.  Jason Fincke stated that Linda Serene, former Upper St. Clair school board member, asked for six signs.  Alex Franco, Sharon Guidi’s campaign manager, will have yard signs for Sharon.  Mary stated that one Democratic chair has a Trump sign in their yard.

Tom Duerr is running Pam Iovino’s campaign. He said that Pam lost her last election in Upper St. Clair by two points.  She should win this time with a solid margin.  They are having Text Thursday nights for Pam and phone banking on Wednesday and Saturday.   Fran Campbell suggested sending postcards.  Pam also has two new field organizers, Ali Chaudhry and Grace DuBoise.  Ali reported that an application to vote by mail will be sent to everyone with a postage paid reply envelope. Ali also asked for help delivering signs to Upper St. Clair and surrounding areas.  Ali and Grace report to Tom. 

Deb Allen and Mary McIntyre spoke about Sharon Guidi’s fundraiser on September 13.  She is having a safe scavenger hunt which will start and end at the Lion’s Club.  Deb asked for one additional clue handler in Upper St. Clair for the scavenger hunt.  Deb also said that they are sending postcards for Sharon, have put out a lot of signs this past weekend, and doing everything virtually.

Election.  Jason Fincke said we need to send all independents a letter about our concerns regarding Trump as president and why they should vote Democratic.  Jason wrote the letter.  Bernadette Fincke will have a list of independents by Ward/District next Tuesday.  Mary McIntyre stated that the Democrats need the independents’votes in this election.  There was concern that enough poll workers would be available. Fran Campbell and Linda Descutner will be working at the polls. Participants agreed that there isn’t a need for poll watchers.   Alicia Hawkins said that 17-year olds can work the polls.  Alicia’s father has worked with teenagers at the polls.  Peter Schnore also has volunteered to work the polls.  Mary McIntyre suggested that calling Shirley McClory is another option.   September 15 is the date the state will be mailing out ballots for those who applied for mail-in voting. 

Alex Franco cautioned that handling someone else’s ballot is a crime.  Everyone must mail their ballot in person, or take it in person.  Alex said that for this election, Pennsylvania has the most resources he has ever seen.  Alex also said that the Democratic Party has already started hiring attorneys and volunteer attorneys.  Kristin Fiori, an attorney, volunteered.

New Business

Tom Duerr gave a county council update saying the council passed legislation in reference to the Pittsburgh police and also approved paid sick leave.  Peter Schnore questioned the approved paid sick leave.  Tom answered that the sick leave is the same as the city of Pittsburgh, three paid sick days accrued over a period of time.  The city sick leave was already challenged and upheld in court.

Peter’s wife, Jen Schnore was appointed to the School Board; she is the only Democrat on the Board.  Jen said that school will be delayed until the first Thursday in September.  There will be an on-line start.  After that, there will be a choice of hybrid or fully remote.  All students in one family will have the same schedule.  Wednesday will be a cleaning day.  Desks will be six feet apart.  There will be barrier Plexiglas and masks will be worn at all times except for eating and ten minute breaks.  They will be following Governor Wolf’s plan.  Jen said that the teachers’ union is mostly in support of what the school is doing.  Elise Schuerle stated the superintendent said that Upper St. Clair is following the hybrid plan because of Governor Wolf’s mandate.  If residents are not happy, they should let the governor know they are not happy. 

Jen also stated that Mt. Lebanon will be starting school online for the first nine weeks

The meeting ended at 8:21pm.

Respectfully submitted,         

 

Linda Descutner