Sent: Thu, Dec 15, 2016 3:14 pm
Subject: Hail and Farewell
Hello Fellow Democrats,
The Leelanau County Democratic Party has some exciting news to share with you. Elections of our Officers for 2017-2018 have been held, and we’re very proud to tell you the results:
LCDP Chair: Gwenne Allgaier Gwenne has worked tirelessly for several years helping run campaigns, planning food drives, and organizing door to door canvasses. She has even managed to serve as our Press Liaison. She will be an experienced and committed leader who brings new idea combined with experience to our Party.
Vice Chair: Fred Cepela Fred will continue his excellent job as Vice Chair, supporting candidates with his vast knowledge of our data base, best campaign practices and thorough research. We are fortunate to be able to count on his expertise moving forward.
Treasurer: David Jeris Every political party should be fortunate enough to have a Treasurer as thorough and professional as David. For the past 2 years he has made all our jobs easier by keeping us on target with our goals and obligations, and, not least, by contributing his fine sense of humor at our meetings. What a combination!
Secretary: Amanda Elliott Following Betty Bushey as our Party Secretary for the past several years is no easy assignment, but Amanda is up to the task. Amanda is a young, professional woman sincerely dedicated to politics. Though working full time, she has already stepped up to run for Elmwood Trustee and is totally dedicated to bringing more young people into the process. We are so fortunate to have her on our team.
As outgoing Chair of the LCDP, I want to tell you what a genuine pleasure it has been leading our group of talented and committed Democrats for the past 8 years. We have seen our Party grow to over 400 members, our working Committees have expanded and are doing more now than ever, and we have successfully elected 4 different individuals to the Leelanau County Commission, one of whom is serving as Chair! And by throwing their hats in the ring, Dems running for County and Township office have made it clear that Democrats are here to stay in Leelanau, and our ideas and voices must be listened to. Even if not elected this time around, they are making a difference.
So thank you to everyone who is serving on the LCDP Leadership Team, to all who have run for office, to our new and continuing Officers and to each and every one of you for joining our Party. And if you haven’t yet joined for 2017 — now is the time! Do it today — and we can start a new and prosperous New Year together.
As for my husband, Jay, and myself — we are ready to do some travelling, visit grandkids and enjoy serving the LCDP in any way we can whenever we can. We may be away from time to time, but we’re not leaving!
And please note: although the term for new Officers technically begins January 1, Jay and I are going to visit kids in Lima, Peru for Christmas, departing this Saturday, December 17. Gwenne has graciously agreed to take over beginning Saturday — you can contact her through this email: [email protected].
Warm wishes to you all, and best wishes for the New Year.
Betsy Johnson