Loudoun Democrats

The LCDC is in the process of revising its By-laws. LCDC members can review the proposed changes to the By-laws by clicking here.

The proposed changes were introduced at the Executive Committee meeting on April 30, and the general membership meeting on May 3. There will be meetings for input and feedback on the proposed changes on May 10 and May 19. Please RSVP to broadrun@loudoundemocrats.org if you wish to attend one of the meetings.

The final changes to the By-Laws will be reviewed by the Executive Committee on June 4 and voted on by the membership at the June 7 meeting.”

Please view the proposed changes by clicking here.

The Loudoun County Democratic Committee was honored to have representatives of several local Unions present at its May 3 meeting. These Union reps each spoke to the LCDC membership to educate us about the role of Unions in defending worker rights in Loudoun. Several of the Unions also informed the LCDC about ways members could get involved to help the Unions. Those in attendance included:

The Loudoun Education Association (teachers and other school employees), represented by President Sandy Sullivan, http://www.leaweteach.org/

Service Employees International (SEIU) (newly representing Loudoun civil servants), represented by Clara Smith, http://www.seiu.org/local/virginia/

Association of Flight Attendants, represented by Local Vice President Ellen Boone, http://www.afanet.org/

NoVa Area Labor Federation, represented by President Dan Duncan, http://va.aflcio.org/novalabor/

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) (supermarket employees), represented by Director of Legislative Affairs Tony Perez, http://www.ufcw400.org/

Communications Workers of America (CWA) (in Loudoun, mostly Verizon employees), represented by Cathy Greenfield, http://www.cwa2222.org/

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) (with over 300 members based in Leesburg); represented by member Linda McCray, http://www.natca.org/

Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) (5,000 construction workers in Loudoun), represented by Virginia Political and Policy Director Josh Collins, http://liunamidatlantic.com/

Some of the Unions asked LCDC members to take specific actions to support the Unions and help protect worker rights and benefits. Sandy Sullivan of the LEA asked us each to contact the Board of Supervisors (email bos@loudoun.gov) to insist that they pass along the remaining $7.9 million in state education funding to Loudoun’s schools once it is received by the county, rather than the Board keeping the money and forcing additional School budget cuts. The SEIU distributed post cards expressing support for the employees of Loudoun’s Mental Health Services at the meeting, asking LCDC members to fill them in and send them to the Community Services Board.

Two of the Unions are currently lobbying Loudoun’s government on important legislation: The UFCW is working with the Board of Supervisors to prevent repeal of the existing Big Box store regulations; while LiUNA is actively supporting Phase II of the Silver Line Rail to Loudoun, and is working for the inclusion of PLAs in the construction contracts.

As per the State Party Plan,the LCDC has canceled the April 21st
Presidential Nominating Delegate Selection Caucus for Loudoun County.
Loudoun County has a full slate (the “Fired Up” Slate) of 82
delegates, with no challengers to any of the Delegates on the Slate.
These delegates will serve as Loudoun’s Presidential Nominating
delegation to the 10th Congressional District Convention in May.

This Sunday there will be one last large canvass for Kelly Burk, our former Leesburg Supervisor who is running for Leesburg Town Council in a special election April 17. This contest is so important, as a first step in reclaiming Loudoun after last November’s losses, and in setting the tone for the Presidential and Senate races this November, that the leader of the Virginia Democrats will be joining in. Brian Moran, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, will kick-off the canvass at 1 p.m., on Sunday, April 15, at Catoctin Elementary School, 311 Catoctin Circle SW, in Leesburg. Please come out to canvass for Kelly. Also, please consider working the polls on Election Day, next Tuesday, April 17. Contact Leesburg District Chairwoman Katrina Cole at Leesburg@Loudoundemocrats.org with questions or to sign up to help.

On Monday, March 26, the Loudoun Times-Mirror reported that the Southern Poverty Law Center had designated Public Advocate of the United States, a right-wing advocacy group run by Loudoun Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, as a Hate Group for its staunch anti-gay advocacy and activities. To see Loudoun Times Mirror article click here.

In the wake of this news, the LCDC issued a statement calling for Mr. Delgaudio to resign from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. His activities promoting bigotry and hate make him unfit for public office. Chairman Evan Macbeth also called for the other Supervisors, and the Loudoun Republicans, to disavow Mr. Delgaudio: “I am certain they understand the implications of the leader of a hate group continuing to serve as a Loudoun County Supervisor.” To view the full LCDC statement, click here.

The LCDC also established an online petition for concerned citizens to sign, and encourages all Loudouners to stand up to hate and bigotry by signing. The petition can be found on the Change.Org website: Click here to sign the petition.

In addition to the many print news articles that appeared in the 24 hours after the LCDC’s statement, Washington’s ABC-7 ran the story Tuesday evening near the top of the 6 p.m. news. The clip, featuring an interview with Chairman Macbeth, can be viewed here.

Delgaudio has repeatedly used high-profile criticism of him, like the SPLC designation, to fundraise for his cause and his campaign. Please consider countering Delgaudio’s efforts, and his $1M plus fundraising base, by donating to the LCDC here.

Former First Lady of Virginia Anne Holton (Gov. Tim Kaine’s wife) will be visiting Leesburg on Saturday, March 31st.  There will be a meet and greet at Shoes Cup and Cork Club, 17 N. King St., from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.  Senator Mark Herring, Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd, and Leesburg Town Council Candidate Kelly Burk will be in attendance. 

All are welcome! Let’s get a big crowd to welcome Ms. Holton to Leesburg and Loudoun County! To learn more about Anne Holton, including her personal history, impressive accomplishments and dedication to Democratic causes, click here.

The LCDC is seeking Democrats to serve as delegates to attend the 2012 10th Congressional District Democratic Nominating Convention. Delegates will be elected at an Unassembled Caucus on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 at 12:00 noon at the Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA 20165. Those elected as delegates will nominate the Democratic Candidate to run for the U.S. House of Representatives seat representing the 10th Congressional District, against incumbent Republican Rep. Frank Wolf. For full details and the official Call to Caucus, please click here. Click here for the pre-filing form.

The LCDC at its March meeting passed a resolution condemning the Board of Supervisors for not adopting a Code of Ethics or Standards of Conduct, as the previous Board had. In its first weeks, this Board took actions that appeared to reward campaign supporters while simultaneously minimizing public input and scrutiny.

Furthermore, individuals and businesses that contributed to the election campaigns of the current members of the Board are expected to have significant business before this Board. If the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct agreed to by the previous Board of Supervisors were in effect, several current Supervisors would be expected to either recuse themselves from making decisions involving these parties or return the campaign contributions.

For the full text of the LCDC Resolution, please click here.

The Loudoun County Democratic Committee will host its annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner & Gala on Saturday, April 21. The Black Tie (preferred) gala will be held at the Lansdowne Resort Clubhouse, with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception at 6 p.m. and dinner starting at 7:15 p.m. The LCDC is proud to have Gov. Tim Kaine as their honored guest and keynote speaker. This year’s gala also will feature the jazz stylings of the Rob Maletick and Friends ensemble. Tickets can be purchased at https://secure.actblue.com/page/jjdinnerloudoun. Questions should be directed to Phyllis Randall at activities@loudoundemocrats.org. We hope to see you there!

State Senator Mark Herring released a statement on Friday, Mar. 9, regarding the progress of negotiations over the budget:

“I am pleased that over the past few days, my Republican colleagues have come to the table and are now engaged with my Democratic colleagues and me in a true bipartisan discussion.

I previously voted against the Senate Republican budget because it shortchanged Northern Virginia, and I refused to be bullied or intimidated into voting for a budget that was not in the best interests of the people I represent. It failed to address funding for Phase 2 of the Dulles Rail Project and inadequately funded our public schools.

Extending the Metrorail to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County is one of the most important transportation projects in the Commonwealth. It is a project of local, state and national significance. I have consistently maintained that Virginia needed to make a significant contribution to the project, but the Senate Republican budget was silent on Phase 2 funding. I am negotiating to include in the budget a $400 million state contribution that will help keep toll rates on the Dulles Toll Road from skyrocketing out of control and allow us to better position ourselves to obtain some federal funding for the project.

The Senate Republican budget also failed to fully restore Cost of Competing funding for Northern Virginia that is needed to help educate children growing up in our region. My budget amendment would fully restore the $65 million to Northern Virginia schools, and I am fighting to have the full amount included in the final budget.

The changes I am fighting for would result in a budget that is balanced, fiscally responsible and, I believe, far better addresses the needs of our region than the original Senate budget that I voted against two weeks ago.

Adopting a balanced, responsible budget is a fundamental responsibility we share as members of the General Assembly. It is a process that requires thoughtful deliberation and bipartisan cooperation. I remain confident now that Senate Republicans appear ready to roll up their sleeves and engage with Senate Democrats in a truly bipartisan negotiation, that we can bridge our substantive differences and pass a budget in the coming weeks.”

The Loudoun County Young Democrats have issued a Call to Action for Loudouners to object to the new Board of Supervisors’ actions. This Tuesday, March 6, the Young Dems are hosting a protest at the Government Center from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with a theme of “Tell the Board of Supervisors: Don’t Take The People’s Voice Away!” “In their first two months in office, the Board is making decisions with limited public input and basing their decisions on what developers and campaign contributors want, rather than what is in the residents’ best interest. Let the Board know you are paying attention and want to be heard!” You can RSVP for the protest to youngdems@loudoundemocrats.org or 703-531-7909.