Donaldson Announces for Comptroller, Democratic Candidates for County Executive and Comptroller Speak at UCDW Annual Meeting

Kingston, NY – April 15, 2008

David Donaldson, Chairman of the UC Legislature, officially announced his candidacy for Comptroller. County Administrator Mike Hein and Legislator Susan Zimet were both on hand to speak about their bids for the County Executive position. Comptroller candidate Elliott Auerbach, though unable to attend due to a budget hearing, sent a message outlining his qualifications and vision for the position.

Read full UCDW Press Release

NOTE: Ulster County Democratic Women (UCDW) is an independent, grassroots organization devoted to bringing more Ulster County Democratic women into the political process and electing well-qualified Democrats to public office at every level. Women and men are welcome as members. UCDW does not endorse candidates during primaries.

UCDW IN THE NEWS

Ulster County Legislature Chairman David Donaldson, D-Kingston, officially announced his candidacy for his party's nomination for comptroller at UCDW's Annual Meeting April 14, 2008. Freeman article: Donaldson Joins Race for Ulster Comptroller

Susan Zimet told Ulster County Democratic Women at the group’s annual meeting Monday night that she would formally announce her candidacy on April 21. She will face fellow Democrat Michael Hein, the current county administrator, for the new top job. Mid-Hudson News story: Zimet Jumps into Ulster Executive Race

Greetings DEM Women and friends,

Please join UCDW in welcoming our new Governor to office.

If the swearing in ceremony and his speech are any indication, in addition to his brilliance and experience, we have a wonderful, funny, optimistic leader in Governor Paterson, who very demonstrably enjoys the friendship and best wishes of everyone in state government, on both sides of the aisle.

Why not take this opportunity to send Governor Paterson a letter of welcome:

Governor David Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
518-474-1513 (fax)

Warm regards,
Julie McQuain, President
Ulster County Democratic Women

2008 UCDW MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Join UCDW or renew your membership online today.

IN MEMORIAM JANE Van DeBOGART Memorial Gathering Saturday March 1 at 1:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation 320 Sawkill Rd, Kingston Visit her memorial website for more details Freeman article about Jane

Jane VanDeBogart, a founding member of Ulster County Democratic Women, fought tirelessly for peace and justice and was an inspiration to us all. She was a champion of women's reproductive rights and a treasured member of our Democratic community.

Jane was her usual dynamic self at the January UCDW meeting, so this sad news has come as a shock to some. She spoke clearly and passionately about the choices in the NY Democratic Primary, and gave us an update on the hospital merger.

Jane was a powerful ally and an irreplaceable asset. She was also beautiful and fun to be with. We will remember her often and miss her spirited presence and good counsel.

Julie McQuain
Ulster County Democratic Women, President

Hot topic on UCDW Blog: Sexism in the Media
Read more

HAVA and VOTING ISSUES

Feb 5, 2008 Daily Freeman - Hearing focus is voting machine law

READ MORE on UCDW's Committee News HAVA and Voting Issues page

New Yorkers for Verified Voting Report Empire State will vote on paper ballots, not DREs

FEB 5 2008 Daily Freeman - Hearing focus is voting machine law

UCDW 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Ulster County Democratic Women executive members, Theresa Regan, Meryl kramer-Harris, and JoAnne Myers attended Hospital Alliance meetings along with Healthcare Stat to monitor the process and progress of the Kingston hospital merger. See Healthcare Stat's spokeperson, and UCDW member, Jane Van DeBogart's latest hospital merger notes.

In June, UCDW hosted Ulster County Democratic Power and Unity celebration with special guests -- new NYS Democratic Party Chair June O'Neill, NYS Democratic Party Exe. Dir. Edna Ishayik, and Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Exe. Dir. Brette McSweeney. We honored our local powerful women -- UC Democratic Vice-Chair Karen Markisenis, UC Legislator Susan Zimet, and UC Legislative Majority Leader Jeanette Provenzano.

UCDW contributed over $2000 to Democratic candidates around the county and produced our own radio ad for Democratic DA candidate, Jonathan Sennett.

In May, UCDW hosted Democratic DA Candidate's Night, open to the public.

UCDW Young Dem Liaison, Shannon Schreibman, traveled with fellow member Allison Wilbur to New Hampshire to meet 2008 Democratic presidential candidates.

UCDW Issues committee introduced monthly Coffees to talk about issues in a salon-like atmosphere (see sidebar for details).

UCDW Issues committee chair, JoAnne Myers set up our very own blog, Dem Women NY. Check out the latest headlines and timely subjects on a range of subjects, as well as women's issues, at home and around the globe. Make a comment or suggest a topic to bring up.

UCDW's website got a new look and added more information to the site, including Ulster County Democratic Candidates 2007 page and online membership sign-up.

At our annual Holiday Party UCDW collected toys for the Kingston Women's Shelter. And we collected books year round for the women's library at the shelter.

LOOKING TO 2008

UCDW Leadership committee, chaired by Elizabeth Murphy, is formulating UCDW's new candidate endorsement questionnaire. A draft will be introduced at the February General meeting for adoption.

UCDW continues to work on exciting projects for 2008.

And, UCDW plans to raise even more money to help our candidates in this very important new year. Join us.

ANNUAL MEETING MONDAY MAY 12
at 6:30 PM

DEMOCRATIC HQ
292 C Fair Street
Kingston, NY 12401

Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month.

UCDW’s Monthly
Coffee House!

Third WEDNESDAY
of Every Month

APRIL 16

7 PM - 8:30 PM
at the
MUDDY CUP
516 Broadway, Kingston
across from the YMCA

Come together to discuss
issues, solutions, ideas,
and books concerning
women and politics

Dem Women NY Blog

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Hosted by
Ulster County Democratic Women’s Issues Committe