HS County Democrats meet

The Hot Springs Democratic Committee met on March 1 at the Hot Springs County Annex. The meeting was well attended by local members of the Democratic Party with the addition of two special speakers. The focus of the meeting was to elect new officers, to start to plan to revise or replace the by-laws and to get an update of events on the state and national level.

Officers elected by the membership include: Howie Samelson, Chair; Jane Norskog, Vice Chair and Levi Shinkle, Secretary/Treasurer. State Committeewoman and Committeeman positions were filled by Suzanne Samelson and Levi Shinkle. They will serve a two-year term.

Aimee Van Cleave, Executive Director of the Wyoming Democratic Party and Bruce Palmer, Vice Chair joined the meeting to review the current status of legislature in Cheyenne and reported on how the twelve democrats work with the Republican majority to try to protect the positions and values that they were elected to do, especially on issues regarding education, women’s rights and public lands.

In addition they both reported on the Democratic Party Central Committee meeting that took place on February 18 in Laramie.

Van Cleave also reported on the Womens’ Caucus and Progressive Caucus that are currently being organized on a state wide basis and asked for members to get involved. Palmer also focused on the National Democratic Convention and the process of electing the officers. They were promised that Wyoming would no longer be ignored by the party.

Both guests reminded the membership that politics is local, to get to know and work with local officials and not to be distracted by national events.

Before adjourning, a committee was established to review the by-laws of several county parties and craft a streamlined version that would fit the needs of Hot Springs County Democrats.

The next meeting of the HSC Democratic Committee will be Wednesday, April 5. For additional information or to get involved, contact Howie Samelson at (307) 840-6742.