Tricounty DFA Update and Candidate Forum Invitation
In this update-- it's getting hot and so are events:


1. Candidate Forum For Tim Merrick For State Senate Wednesday, July 19th
2. Windpower Forum Wednesday
3. Friday Film Fest
4. Cafe Lena
5. Washington County Picnic Saturday, July 22nd
6. Tabling & Vigil Saturday
7. Opening Day House Party at Joanne Jepsen's July 26th
8. Saratoga BBQ July 30
9. Spitzer House Party July 30
10. Dean & 50 State Strategy Gets More Attention
11. Bagdad In Total Meltdown
12. On The Lighter Side...

1. Candidate Forum For Tim Merrick For State Senate Wednesday, July 19th

Greater Glens Falls Democracy For America would like to invite both its members and the general public to an open public forum for Dr. Tim Merrick of Plattsburg, who is running for the Senate for New York's 45th Senatorial District. "Dr. Tim" as he is known will speak and then answer questions.

The Forum will be held at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30pm. The Cafe is located at the corner of Elm and Exchange Streets and Hudson Avenue in downtown Glens Falls.

As you know, at our last meeting DFGGF unanimously voted to endorse Tim for New York State Senate.

For more information or to get directions: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10527

2. Windpower Forum Wednesday

For people in the North Creek area, from Jim McAndrew, who recently gave a presentation on Windpower,
"Wind Project supporters, Woody and Elise Widlund, from North River, have organized a forum and information session on wind power and our project. The evening will include a panel discussion including two opposing groups: Adirondack Council and Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks."

Time/Date: Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek, Wed., July 19, 6:00 PM

3. Friday Film Fest

On July 21 the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe will present ENRON: The Smartest Guys In The Room (www.magpictures.com)
Based on the best-selling book by FORTUNE reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, “Enron…” details the shocking inside story of one of history’s greatest business scandals. Unimaginable personal excesses and an utter moral vacuum that posed as corporate philosophy, led to top executives of America’s 7th largest corporation walking away with over one billion dollars while investors and employees lost everything.
Director: Alex Gibney Running time: 110 min.

4. Cafe Lena Friday

Our own Bernice Mennis will be giving a poetry reading at the famous Cafe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Friday, July 21 at 8pm. Anyone who knows Bernice knows it will be great! Calling in advance for reservations is strongly suggested. (518) 583-0022

5. Washington County Picnic Saturday, July 22nd

Don't forget the Washington County Democratic Picnic is coming up on July 22nd at the Salem Fish & Game Club (on the beautiful Battenkill River) from 10 am until 2 pm. I went to this event last year and it was a lot of fun and much food. Come meet Democratic candidates and dignitaries. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased from any Washington County Democratic Committee person or call (518) 642-9566

Directions from Northway–North & South: Take Exit 15 east and follow Route 29 through Schuylerville and Greenwich. Just past East Greenwich look for Salem Fish and Game sign on right, turn at sign proceed to pavilion on right. From Troy / Albany take Route 40 North to the intersection of Route 29 and turn right through Greenwich (see above). From Hoosick Falls take Route 22 north and 9 miles past Cambridge turn left at the intersection of Route 29 and travel 1 mile to sign and take left.

6. Tabling & Vigil Saturday

Tabling for our candidates at the Glens Falls Farmer's Market began last Saturday, along with a simultaneous vigil for peace and to bring our troops home.

The results were a bit spotty and those present concluded there weren't really enough people to do both. Accordingly, we decided to do tabling at the Farmer''s Market from 9am-11am, and then go over to the Five Corners for the vigil.

We will be outside the main shed at the Market, in the parking lot behind Sandy's Clam Bar and the shed (unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding and we can' be inside the market itself.) But no problem. If you would like to help, please come on down!

The Vigils have also been very successful so far! Come, bring posters, flags and friends.

For more information on the Tabling go to: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10476

For more info on the Vigil: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=10449

7. Opening Day House Party at Joanne Jepsen's July 26th


A open house on Opening Day!
County Supervisor for Saratoga Springs Joanne Yepsen Cordially invites you to her home at 91 Fifth Avenue
on Opening Day of the race track season

Wednesday, July 26 from 6 - 9 pm

Please come to support Joanne’s open government and open space pursuits as she continues to work hard toward being
a different kind of supervisor! Donations are kindly accepted.

Please make checks payable to Citizens for Yepsen.

Please RSVP by Sunday, July 23 to:
Citizens for Yepsen, c/ o John Forester
P.O. Box 1042, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

or call: 583-8817 or email: admin@fesaratoga.com

8. Saratoga BBQ July 30

Larry Bulman, Saratoga County Democratic Chair and Patrick Southworth, Ballston Democratic Chair
And
David Paterson
NY State Senate Minority Leader
Lieutenant Governor Candidate
And
Kristen Gillibrand Democrat for New York 20th District

Would like to invite you to a BBQ in support of Cindy Amrhein & Patti Southworth
Ballston Town Council and Town Justice Candidates

Sunday, July 30 2006, Noon – 4 PM

Lakeside Farm Cider Mill
Round Lake Road in the town of Ballston Lake
Directions:
To: Lakeside Farm Cider Mill
I 87 Exit 11.
West on Round Lake Road towards Ballston Lake
Lakeside Farm Cider Mill is on your right after approximately 4 miles
Pavilion and parking to right behind the store.

Ticket $35
Sponsor $55
Chicken BBQ for adults
Hamburgers/Hot Dogs for Children $10
Please RSVP to Pat Southworth by July 27th: 518-281-4718

9. Spitzer House Party July 30
There will be a House Party For Eliot Spitzer
Sunday, July 30th, 4 - 6 pm
At the home of Cindy and Ken Gottry
39 East Main Street, Cambridge, NY
Eliot will be joining by telephone conference call to share his thoughts and answers questions we may have.
To RSVP and for additional information contact nmarsh@nycap.rr.com.

10. Dean & 50 State Strategy Gets More Attention

There is a major article on Governor Dean and the 50 State Strategy in the week's US News and World Report.

The Governor is clearly shaking things up and making changes. To those who are experienced, much of this is common sense, well founded. As former House Speaker Tip O'Neil famously said, "All politics is local." The only way for Democrats to win is to build up local, truly indigenous grassroots organization. As the Governor puts it,
"Since 1968, campaigns have been about TV and candidates, which works for 10 months out of the four-year cycle. With party structure on the ground, you campaign for four years."

He's being polite about the ten month part. Blindly heaving big buckets of money at TV stations in fact has not worked in years, at least for Democrats. But the "reign of error" of outside consultants is coming to an end, and they are screaming because Dean is ending their chummy gravy train. But it's not a moment too soon; in fact, in many ways, it's late.

The article's last sentence says it all, and people like us who have lived in our communities know in our hearts it is true: ""In small towns like this," she says, "you vote how your neighbor tells you to."
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060716/24dems.htm

11. Bagdad In Total Meltdown

Drew sends along this "must read" on the complete disintegration of the situation in Bagdad. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in the middle of this nightmare: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2268585_1,00.html

12. On The Lighter Side...

Finally, on the lighter side, thanks to Wendy Duvall!

Little Stanley Asks President George Bush

George Bush goes to a primary school to talk to the kids to get a little PR.

After his talk he offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name.

"Stanley," responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Stanley?"

"I have 4 questions:

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?"

Fourth, why are we so worried about gay-marriage when 1/2 of all Americans don't have health insurance?

Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that they will continue after recess.

When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?"

Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his name.

"Steve," he responds.

"And what is your question, Steve?"

"Actually, I have 6 questions.

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/2 of all Americans don't have health insurance?

Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?

And sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"

Thanks Everyone, see you at the Candidate Forum for Tim Merrick For State Senate,

Larry Dudley
Coordinator, Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:44 PM