Chairman's Message

A thousand hot dogs, a hundred thousand bucks, and a donkey…

What, you might ask, could those three things possibly have to do with each other?  The answer’s simple, they’re sure signs that the Mahoning County Democratic Party is having one great summer as we prepare for what’s sure to be an extremely interesting fall.

One thousand is the number of hot dogs, give or take a few, that we dished out to the hundreds of folks who attended the Party’s annual summer picnic.  The event, always a highlight of the year, is a tip of the hat to the precinct committee persons who are the driving force of our party.  They attend for free—unless you consider being glad-handed by every elected official and candidate within 300 miles the price of admission. In any case, the event was a blast and it was great to see all our friends in an informal setting, including my predecessor as chair, Mahoning County Treasurer Lisa Antonini whose commitment to the Party never waivers.

The hundred thousand bucks is the amount of money we raised at the Chairman’s Dinner.  Some said it couldn’t be done.  Some said our state’s leading Democrats wouldn’t attend.  They were dead wrong.  With the exception of Barack Obama who was reportedly occupied by mundane chores like running the country, the attendees were a who’s who of  Democratic leaders. Just as importantly, they took the time to meet personally with a group of Packard Electric hourly and salaried retirees who are facing the loss of their health care benefits and deep cuts in their pensions. 

Our thanks to Governor Strickland, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, AG Richard Cordray, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, House Speaker Armand Budish, Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, Congressmen Ryan, Wilson, and Boccierri, our entire state legislative delegation, and Ohio’s next state auditor, David Pepper for taking the time to travel to the Valley for the event.  Their presence belied the myth—oft repeated in the Vindicator and by some local talk radio show hosts—that Democratic candidates take us and our votes for granted.  It’s just not true.

As for the donkey, well, he was the featured attraction every day at our booth at the Canfield Fair. Thanks to all who stopped in to say hi to the volunteers and candidates who staffed the tent, brought a carrot or apple to feed our Party mascot and signed up to parade him past the Republican Party tent shortly after he ate or drank during the day.

Along with aggravating the GOP, we registered voters at the tent and distributed information about the sham casino issue that will appear on the November ballot. While I appreciate the union has taken a different path, I'm fighting hard against this amendment that creates jobs in Columbus and permanently deals Youngstown out of the casino business.

Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	Lee and Peggy Fisher with Grammer Jersey Farm - Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair
Issue 3 - Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	Governor Strickland Opens the Canfield Fair - Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	David Pepper - Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair	Washington Post - Mahoning County Democratic Party at the Canfield Fair

The Mahoning County Democratic Party is on the move

Sure you can say that, as we forge ahead into the Tech-savvy 21st Century, but actually this is about us “physically” moving… the Headquarters that is!  That’s right, as of September 1st, the Mahoning County Democratic Party Headquarters has a new location: in the Mahoning Plaza, at 3321 Mahoning Ave!

Special thanks to 4th Ward Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti and our Dem Party Treasurer Rick Clautti for securing the new location and negotiating a great deal on rent, which will be a significant cost savings for the MCDP.

The new Headquarters, located at the corner of major thoroughfares: Mahoning Ave and Meridian Rd, on the Youngstown-Austintown Border, will be easily accessible from all corners of the County via Interstate 680 or Route 11. 

The location is an impressive 5300 sq ft with plenty of room to hold group meetings, to organize volunteers, or to setup phone banks in support of election campaigns as well as conduct day-to-day operations of the MCDP.

There are storage rooms for campaign signs and other materials, a small kitchen and restrooms.  The large street side windows will be perfect to showcase our Candidates.  The one-floor street level design will provide ease of accessibility, as well as handicap access, and plenty of FREE parking!

Join us on Sunday, October 18 at 5pm for our Open House to kick off the Grand Opening of our New Headquarters!!!

Annual Chairman's Dinner a Historic Success!

The Party not only exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000, it achieved a historic gathering of local, state and national Democratic leaders. The Tribune Chronicle reported, "Most all of Ohio's Democratic elite were there." That elite included Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland; U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee; Lee Fisher, lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate candidate; Jennifer Brunner, Ohio secretary of state and U.S. Senate candidate; Richard Cordray, Ohio attorney general; U.S. Reps. Charlie Wilson and John Boccieri; Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern; and Armond Budish, Ohio Speaker of the House.

Below are some pictures from the event, and you can find more on the Web site.

Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009
Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009	Annual Democratic Fundraiser - August 20, 2009