Back in early January, as we began to plan activities for 2010, we developed a list of various issues we thought would be appropriate to explore and emphasize, that would appeal to the membership of OTM Dems, and be worthy of our attention and efforts. We discussed ways and methods to educate ourselves, as well as carry our concerns and views to the general public. It is, after all, part of OTM Dems purpose to plant more “Blue” flags in our predominantly “Red” neighborhoods. We asked for input and ideas from the larger group at our meeting in the 3rd week of January. I highlighted those initial ideas, and added those generated from the “floor”, on my technology-challenged, wooden easel- mounted, butcher-paper flip chart. (Thanks for your remarkable patience!) We’ve made progress on a few of those ideas, I’m glad to say. We reviewed area politics and issues at a standing-room-only meeting in February with our guests local newspaper columnists John Archibald and Kyle Whitmire. As I write this, we’re just a few days away from our March meeting and an appearance from Alabama Arise’s Kimble Forrister. He’ll coach us on how to take effective action to encourage our legislators to remove the state portion of sales tax on groceries – an issue deemed critical by a large number of our members. We’re planning now for events in April, May, and beyond, that you’ll hear more about in the near future. Member Linda Cohn is organizing a service opportunity to aid less fortunate citizens of our community – more to come in the next few days. On April 13th, the Faith & Politics Roundtable will screen “Open Secret”, a short film based on the actual transcripts of the 1901 Alabama Constitutional Convention. The filmmaker, Melanie Jeffcoat, will join us. Even as we work at this ambitious pace, that list of issues that we developed in January remains long. It has lots of good ideas that deserve our attention. Below is what ended up on that butcher-paper flip chart. Please take a look at it, see if there’s something you’re passionate about, something that’s stoking your fire for grassroots activism. Let our new leader of the Issues & Programs Committee, Wally Retan,know what you’re interested in. The I & P Committee meets regularly, input and participation are more than welcome. Please email me if you’re interested in receiving I&P meeting announcements (chairno2@gmail.com). Let’s see what else we can make happen. LOCAL ISSUES ----- TRANSPORTATION *GROCERY TAX * GOV’S RACE * ETHICS REFORM/CAMPAIGN FINANCE * REGIONAL COOPERATION * UNIFIED JEFFCO GOV’T * CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM * ECONOMY/JOBS * EDUCATION * OCCUPATIONAL TAX * GAMBLING/LOTTERY * HELP SHELBY CO. DEMS * IDENTIFY CANDIDATES * LOCATE OTHER DEMS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS NATIONAL ISSUES ----- HEALTH CARE * ECONOMY/JOBS * ENVIRONMENT (CAP & TRADE, ETC) * WAR(S) * NATIONAL SECURITY ETHICS/CAMPAIGN REFORM * BI-PARTISANSHIP ACTIVIST ISSUES / EVENTS ----- MAY – CANDIDATES FORUM * JULY – BARON’S GAME * OUTREACH: COMMUNITY SERVICE, OP-ED LETTER WRITING, LIASON TO HIGH SCHOOLS & COLLEGES, OTHER DEM GROUPS & CANDIDATES * PHONE / EMAIL “TREE” * OTM DEM BLOG * “SPEAKERS BUREAU” OF ISSUE ADVOCATES * “RED” RADIO CALLERS / MONITORS * FAITH & POLITICS ROUNDTABLE POTENTIAL PRESENTATIONS ----- CYNTHIA TUCKER * PATRICIA TODD * JAMES EVANS * CHIEF ROPER * MAYOR BELL * KIMBLE FORESTER SOME “RANDOM” BITS--- Many of you know Keith Harrelson, OTM Dem member, music aficionado, and former proprietor of the sorely missed Moonlight Café. Keith’s place there in Vestavia Hills City Center was, I think, an important element in the successful formation of the OTM Dems in that early period several years ago. It was a wonderful location for meetings, and then socializing with one another. Keith is about to reopen his establishment, in a little different format, in Bluff Park, right on the crest. His first event is scheduled for April 8th. Visit www.moonlightonthemtn.com for details. Speaking of meeting places, we are open to venue suggestions. The Homewood Library has become a standard place for us, and has its own unique advantages (and some disadvantages), but we certainly welcome other ideas. We can only use the large auditorium upstairs once per quarter. The largest room downstairs, (where Archibald & Whitmire were, and where Kimble Forrister will be) seats 75, officially. Because we are a political organization we have been told that we cannot use Vestavia and Hoover city/library facilities. The Mtn. Brook Library in Crestline is a possible alternate venue, but is perhaps not as convenient as Homewood. Please send me opinions/ideas/suggestions. The Faith & Politics Roundtable meets every 2nd Tuesday evening of each month at the Homewood Library at 6:30. Anyone interested in the fascinating intersection of politics and faith/ethics is welcome. We are definitely ecumenical in spirit and tone! Last week, Kristina Scott, executive director of the Alabama Poverty Project (Alabama Possible), spoke to us. Her dedication, knowledge and passion are remarkable. The discussion among the 15 of us gathered there was lively and informative. Next month, as mentioned previously, we’ll watch the film “Open Secret” and hear from its creator, Melanie Jeffcoat. Come and witness for yourself the words of those “big mules” from 1901, and be reminded of their true, oppressive intent. Bob Parker