The Ojai Valley Dems elect new officers 7/27

A "smiley" moment with Mayor Andy Gilman! Jeffrey Starkweather (left) and President Starchild in (center)

The Ojai Valley Democrats had 40 people attend our first meeting of 2025 with several new and visiting the club on July 27th. The club elected Starchild Weivoda as President, Renee Roth as Secretary and Jeffrey Starkweather as 1st Vice President, with a new member to help as Treasurer, Ivan Chen. Thanks all for stepping up to serve. Our next meeting will be August 24th.

Mayor Gilman kicked off the meeting with discussions about the Agoura Foundation, his many years of working with the great masters of political thought and philosophy, reminding us it is important to get our facts clear as we discuss the issues important to us. He addressed concerns about housing, traffic safety, the climate emergency and the Mayors Student Advisory Committee. He expects the 2+2 Committee to be on the Ojai city council agenda August 12. The 2+2 Committe is where two members of the city council and two members of the OUSD Board of Trustees meet to discuss issues of mutual concern for our community. Past Demo Club President Starkweather talked about past successes with the OV Democratic Club, including helping to elect members of the OUSD Board of Trustees by hosting candidates who wanted to volunteer to step into open seats. He believes it will be more effective to start a PAC that can focus exlusively on raising funds and electing candidates that support a progressive agenda for our town. Starchild discussed the Chartering Plan from the Ventura County Democratic Club Central Committee (VCDCCC), which are suggestions made to continue as a Democratic Club in Ventura County. Suggestions made include having 10 meetings a year, including 3 more meetings this year, with one meeting to adopt changes they proposed to our BYlaws (those proposed changes are mocked up and included on our HOME page). The club supported proceeding with the Chartering Plan. Barbara Bowman made a passionate plea to get out and support the RESIST movement, which she has been organizing on Saturday mornings in front of Libby Park. Barbara said we are building momentum, and want people to see our commitment to fight back against the fascist Trump political agenda that is causing economic havoc, and we need to create more for support those in need, and that "our tent is large". Barbara made a motion for the Club to send out email notices to our membership regarding upcoming demonstraion events, which was enthusiastically approved. Those are typically every other Saturday. Starchild started discussion to to help those being displaced or unable to work due to the ICE raids in our community. He motioned that the Executive Board adopt a OVDC Resolution for the August 3rd council meeting, in support of a $100k donation made by the city of Ojai to Help of Ojai, which was approved by the club. Council member Rule reminded us the city adopted the"CARE Act," which is a policy focused on protecting vulnerable residents and limiting the city's role in federal immigration enforcement. She said the city is planning on more discussions, soon to be inviting the Ventura County Sheriff to clarify their position on how they relate to the ICE Raids. Vicky Clarke, Treasurer for the club provided our bank account balance was $1,496.29. A member of the VCDC Central Committee reminded us to look at their website for Immigrant Resources in English and Spanish and Upcoming Events. Info on August 2 KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER Demonstration is below. Additional meeting dates were dicussed for 9/28 and 10/26.

Meeting adjourned at 6:25pm.