Special Election for the New York State Senate hints at a big victory in November

Yesterday, Democrat Darrel Aubertine won in New York's 48th Senate District, a seat that had been held by Republicans since 1880, where Republican's hold a 2-1 enrollment advantage. For New Yorkers, this is huge. It means that the embattled Senate Republican's can't afford to lose even one more seat. Given the ongoing investigation of Republican leader Joe Bruno and his policies largely designed to enrich his own district, saving all of those seats is and should be an uphill battle, but only if we Democrats keep working. With your help, important reforms that have languished for years may finally see the light of day.

Even more optimistically, the sort of turnout we saw in SD48 gives us hope that the worst days of American Democracy are behind us. If a special election for a state Senator can get 34% turnout, then we may be looking at a November electorate which will exceed all expectations.

The time to act is now. Register to vote, choose the Democrats as your party. Get active and do something for democracy in America. Its your party, your government, your country.

Come On Over!

This is an extremely exciting time for Democrats. Record turnouts at Democratic primaries have been recorded across the nation. An interesting thing happened when some Saugerties voters went to vote in the Democratic Party primary on February 5th, they couldn’t. They were puzzled since many states allow voters from other political parties or those that are not enrolled in a party to vote in the Democratic Primary. That is not the case in New York State, where only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Party primary.
If you are currently not enrolled in the Democratic Party, you can enroll by registering at the Ulster County Board of Elections at 284 Wall Street, Kingston. You can download a voter Registration Form by going to www.co.ulster.ny.us/elections/

What We Stand For

The Saugerties Democratic Committee promotes progressive government that is open, honest and transparent on the local, state and national level. Acting through 32 committee members in 16 election districts, along with associate members, we have supported clean, publicly financed elections, voting machines with a paper trail for verification, proper treatment for our soldiers suffering the after effects of depleted uranium poisoning, the rejection of FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) that threatens our civil liberties, and a merger of Benedictine and Kingston Hospital that supports women’s reproductive rights.
The Presidential election has inspired involvement by people who may not have been active in local politics previously. We welcome your participation in the Saugerties Democratic Committee, we are here for you and we need your energy and good will. You can learn more about us on our website, www.saugertiesdems.org .

We meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, February 26th at 7p.m. at New World Home Cooking (Route 212, Saugerties). Please join us.

Saugerties Democratic Committee News

The next meeting of the SDC will be on Tuesday, February 26th at 7:00p.m. at the New World Home Cooking, Rte. 212, Saugerties.

There is tremendous interest in the Presidential election this year, with great enthusiasm for the Democratic candidates and the policies of the Democratic Party. We would like to use this enthusiasm to enroll new Democratic voters in Saugerties. Take some time to think about outreach strategies to increase our enrollment. Bring your ideas to the meeting and we will begin to formulate an outreach campaign.

New Zoning Law Draft

The latest draft of the proposed amendments to the Town of Saugerties Zoning Law are available on the Town's web site: www.saugerties.ny.us

They can be found, along with updated maps, on the home page. There is also a copy available at the Saugerties Public Library, and hard copies may be picked up
at the Town Clerk's counter.

The next public hearing for the zoning changes is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center, Market and Robinson Streets. Written comments will be accepted until that date as well, and may be sent to Greg Helsmoortel, 4 High Street, Saugerties.

NY Primary results mirror online survey

Our last online survey was eerily accurate. Our question asked, "Which Democrat will you vote for in the February 5th Presidential Primary?" In our poll, Hillary Clinton received 60% while Barack Obama 40%

In the actual vote in New York State, Clinton ended up with 57% and Obama 40%, and the delegates from our district were split 3-2 (60%/40%)

Take a chance to weigh in on our latest poll (on the home page) which wonders which issue you believe the Democrats will do a better job than the Republicans.

Edwards Leaves Race

With John Edwards' departure, the Democratic Primary has just two candidates left, Senators Clinton and Obama.

Both candidates have excellent policy proposals, especially compared to those offered by the Republican candidates. But whoever you support, please make sure to show that support on February 5th!