PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Stacey Gilfillan
First, let's take a moment to celebrate Georgia! Democrats took control of the Senate this week with those two HUGE wins! The magnificent Stacey Abrams deserves nothing short of the highest accolades for her herculean efforts, resulting in this most historic Georgia run-off race. With Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff headed to Washington, D.C., Mitch McConnell has effectively been demoted, along with the likes of Lindsey Graham and our very own Texas Senator, John Cornyn. Chuck Schumer will assume Senate Majority Leader's mantle on January 19th, setting the legislative calendar and, perhaps most importantly, determining committee assignments. This week's run-off election wins in Georgia ensures that a President Joe Biden, with his Senate tie-breaker VP Kamala Harris, will have the wind at their backs as their cabinet nominations get confirmed and they begin to tackle their very ambitious agenda. Take a deep cleansing breath and savor this sweet-as-a-Georgia-peach visual as we await the arrival of Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2021—only ten days away. Let that sink in for a moment.
In addition to the very sad reality that we have lost more than 369,000 American lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic (as of this writing), we also experienced one of the most tumultuous weeks of our modern times—events that have shaken many of us to our core. What should have been a ceremonial certification of the Electoral College vote count on January 6th morphed, before our very eyes, into an insurrection--a seditious attack on our nation's capitol while the votes were being certified by the current VP. A riot incited and fomented by the current POTUS, with a hefty helping of social media and the shameless assistance of his minions, namely the twenty-two Texas Republican House Members, Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz (again, Texas?), who continued to fan the flames of this insanity. As the terrorists were actually "storming the capitol, members of the House and Senate were ducking for cover—in serious need of protection by the ill-equipped and ill-prepared Capitol Police and the Metro PD, the POTUS was actively rage-tweeting and telephoning senators in an attempt to coerce them into voting to overturn what was an unquestionably free and fair election on November 3rd, 2020.
In the aftermath of Wednesday's POTUS-inspired insurrection, five American citizens are now dead, including a Capitol Police officer. All of them died due to the injuries they sustained because of the violent anarchistic behavior inflicted by domestic terrorists. Over the last few days, nearly 100 of these repugnant terrorists have been arrested by either federal or local law enforcement. Bi-partisan calls for invoking the 25th Amendment, a second impeachment, and demands for the POTUS to resign are gaining more Republican support each day. Twitter and Facebook have either "permanently" or "indefinitely" suspended (respectively) the social media accounts utilized by POTUS. Corporate America is finally divorcing the White House's current inhabitant, and the remaining “alternative facts” rats are finally jumping ship. Ten more days.
Now for the REALLY GOOD NEWS: Help is on the way, Folks! In addition to getting 100 million Americans vaccinated in 100 days—an ambitious agenda indeed—President-elect Biden plans to accelerate the vaccines' distribution, aiming to release every available dose when he takes office. Doing so will allow more people access to that very first dose of the vaccine, so vital to getting this pandemic under control. We must get as many "shots in arms" as we can and as quickly as possible. This registered nurse implores you—ALL OF YOU—to get vaccinated as soon as you possibly can! Trust me when I assure you that these are safe and highly effective vaccines--much of the research and technology has been developed over the last seventeen years—ever since SARS first came to our shores in 2003. Unfortunately, the lack of a current federal plan to adequately distribute and administer these vaccines has resulted in needless and countless deaths. Over the last several weeks, many of our B.A.D. members have already gotten vaccinated, which is most excellent news. Let's help one another to get 'er done, Folks. Let's do this! Peace out.☮️
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INTRODUCING THE 2021 OFFICERS |
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STACEY GILFILLAN
President
“I am originally from Massachusetts and moved to Fair Oaks Ranch six years ago when my employer, Eli Lilly & Company, relocated me and my wonderful spouse, Christopher Gilfillan, from South Florida to the Great State of Texas! Our son and three grandkids live in San Antonio, so that was certainly a silver lining indeed. The Texas Hill Country truly reminds us a great deal of our New England roots, with it’s rolling hills and valleys—and I’ve even spotted a few hints of color during the fall foliage season! Although a registered nurse by trade, I’ve spent the last 15 years working as a pharmaceutical sales executive at Lilly USA. Currently based in San Antonio and specializing in the diabetes space, I cover the third largest territory in the country, which includes El Paso to the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and also San Angelo. Prior to COVID-19, you’d likely find me in airports catching flights between Houston and south/west Texas. I’ve been a lifelong Democrat and first exercised my right to vote in 1984, as an 18-year old who was very proud to vote for the Mondale/Ferraro ticket—the very first “historic” ticket to include a female candidate for VP. My husband and I have always been very enthusiastic about volunteering our time during each campaign cycle—participating in door-knocking and phone banking activities in support of Democrat candidates at the local, state, and national levels. During the six years we resided in Port Saint Lucie, FL, we worked on both Obama campaigns (2008 & 2012); we also worked as co-campaign coordinators for the non-partisan PSL mayoral race in 2014, where our candidate was successful at winning that office. We were so happy—and quite frankly surprised—to learn about the Boerne Area Democrats club three years ago and we joined immediately, of course! We’ve since enjoyed meeting so many wonderful and like-minded Democrats, Progressives and Independents here in the Hill Country, and we’ve made many new friendships along the way.” I especially enjoyed the year that I facilitated the B.A.D. Liberal Literature Book Club, which we hope to resume later this year, once folks can begin to meet in-person again. Helping to organize the silent auction during the 2019 Fall Fundraiser, as well as the “B.A.D.for GOOD” August 2020 Virtual Fundraiser are other highlights for me. I am very excited to accept this new role as president of the Boerne Area Democrats, beginning January 14th, 2021. Our membership continues to grow exponentially and I hope to build on the momentum created by our immediate past-President, Susan Dollar, who worked tirelessly to grow the club from 50+ members to nearly 200 during the 3.5 years in which she served at the helm. I look forward to our continued commitment to social justice advocacy, political activism and civic engagement at all levels of government. Cheers!”
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DR. MARILYN HARRINGTON
Vice President
Dr. Harrington was involved in higher education for almost 40 years and generated around $25 million in grants and contracts, including the largest federal grant for bioterrorism and emergency preparedness curriculum development from the U.S. health Resources and Services Administration. Her academic and administrative appointments include Wichita State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the first female dean at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and the first female dean of the School of Health Professions at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. While at UTHSCSA, she doubled total student enrollment and increased the number of minority students by 56%. She was the academic and administrative officer for fourteen different departments over the 17 years she served as a Dean. Under her direction, educational programs were developed and offered through on-site and distance education technology in order to increase access to health professions education to underserved and site bound students in the four-corners area (Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado) and along the Texas-Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas. She retired as Professor and Dean of the School of Health Professions in 2010.
Dr. Harrington is committed to improve the lives of others and lift the city of San Antonio through working with nonprofits. Over the past ten years, she served or is currently serving on the Board of Director’s for: Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP); IMPACT San Antonio; Morningside Ministries; Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children; Corazon Ministries (a service for homeless, marginalized, and mentally ill); and Planned Parenthood of South Texas. She is a graduate of the San Antonio Master’s Leadership Program and was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010. She was selected as one of the “Best and Brightest” in 2015 by the University Roundtable.
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DONNA PEACOCK
Secretary
Donna is a former educator whose writing and publications include memoir, theatre script, poetry, and non-fiction. She designed and implemented the first four-year creative writing program at the North East School of the Arts in San Antonio. Born and raised in San Antonio, she is now a full-time Hill Country resident, living in downtown Boerne. In addition to writing, her passions include friends, family, theatre, music, reading, hiking, and rescue animals.
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BROOKE ORR
Membership
Brooke Grey Orr is from Wichita, Kansas and moved to Boerne in 2006--her third move to Texas since marrying Dennis Orr in 1982. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai'i and a retired ESOL teacher. She loves reading, traveling, pets, and Democratic politics. As the membership chair for the Boerne Area Democrats Club, she is looking forward to welcoming more members to BAD in 2021!
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BRENDA SCHMIDT
Treasurer
“I retired after working with Tenneco Oil Company and having a 25 year career with CPS Energy in 2014 and am currently living in Bandera County on my great grandfather's ranch with 3 dogs. I manage the place with hunting deer, killing wild hogs, feeding birds, and controlling cedar to maintain water levels and keep oak trees alive. A Democrat since the 70s, I became most interested in politics when President Obama ran for office and then I became a volunteer when Wendy Davis ran for Texas Governor. Determined to turn Texas in a different direction, I became a BAD member in November 2019, was Activities Chair in 2020, and will be Treasurer for 2021.”
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NATALIE SCHUN
Pubilicty
“Originally from West Texas, and fresh off a 7-year detour in Salt Lake City, UT, my husband and I were delighted to return to Texas in 2018. A Librarian by trade, recent years have afforded me an opportunity to stay home with our 2 young children and our 4 rescue dogs. As a lifelong Democrat, events of recent years have catapulted me into action, most recently joining BAD in 2020, at which time I was thrilled to learn of the progress Susan, the board and our members have made. I am excited to build on the momentum that has been established in recent years. As Publicity Chair, I hope to garner awareness of our group, inform members of our happenings, and support our party by promoting those who represent Democrats, both in Texas and nationally.
I am looking forward to being among an active and engaged membership in 2021!”
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KRISTA BERMEJILLO-VASQUEZ
Social Media
I will be continuing as the Social Media Chair. Be sure to check out our web pages, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter!
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: Boerne Area Democrats
Instagram: @boerneareademocrats
Twitter: @BoerneDemocrats
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JUDY DEWEY
Newsletter
I have been a life long Texan (Victoria, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Marion, San Antonio and Boerne). I received my bachelors and M.ED. from SWTSU (not Texas State!) in Speech Pathology. Throughout the years I earned several other education related certifications, as teachers do. I worked in speech path, deaf ed, diagnostics and administration. Most of that was in Boerne ISD. I had the pleasure of being principal at Fabra Elementary, where All of the kids love you, and Assistant Principal at Boerne Middle School (now North) where pretty much all the kids dislike you! I opened the Boerne Academy and Alternative school and retired as Special Education Director.
I met my partner of almost 50 years when we were teens back in Victoria. We have learned to ski and scuba dive together. We’ve ridden camels and elephants together. But mostly, we have raised two beautiful daughters, built a business and have been in Boerne since 1982. We now have five grandkids too. I read, sew, garden, make mosaic art and work to “re-tree” our 9+ acres of property. I have planted over 50 “baby” trees so far, some of which I raised from seed/acorn or propagated by cutting.
We are both happy to be a part of the Democratic community in Kendall county. We have made many friends who share in the struggle to do the right thing for our neighbors, our state and our country.
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LAURA BRAY
Kendall County Democratic Party Chair
Laura Bray is the new Chair of the Kendall County Democratic Party (KCDP). She previously served as the KCDP Deputy Chair and BAD Publicity Chair. In the 2020 General Election, KCDP and BAD turned out the greatest number of Democratic voters in Kendall County history (over 6,000). She’s looking forward to continuing that great momentum into 2021 and in 2022’s statewide elections.
When she’s not working on politics, Laura is a writer and photographer (www.laurabray.net) and is working on her first novel. Born in Midland in 1961, she moved to Houston with her family in 1968 and attended Texas A&M University (graduating in 1982). After fifteen years of living outside of Texas, she and her husband Bruce returned (for good!) to the Lone Star State with a move to San Antonio in 1998. She moved to Boerne in 2017 (and immediately joined BAD). She and Bruce have one son and two young grandsons who live in Tyler.
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Our January BAD meeting
will begin at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, via Zoom.
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The first item of business is to swear in our new board of officers. Justice Rebeca Martinez will do the honors. Rebeca won her race for Chief Justice, Place 1, on the 4th Court of Appeals. We are thrilled to have her once again join us. Congratulations, Rebeca!
We will also hear from Staci Almaguer, Chief Executive Office for Hill Country Family Services.
Paid members will receive the Zoom link via email; other interested persons can contact BAD at [email protected] to request the link.
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NEW OFFICERS TO BE BE SWORN IN BY JUSTICE REBECA MARTINEZ |
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Pictured on back row, from left to right: Marilyn Harrington, Vice President; Brooke Orr, Membership; Krista Bermejillo-Vasquez, Social Media; Donna Peacock, Secretary; Natalie Schun, Publicity; Brenda Schmidt, Treasurer.
Seated, left to right: Stacey Gilfillan, President, Susan Dollar, Past President; Laura Bray, Kendall County Democratic Party Chair.
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FEBRUARY BAD MEETING
via ZOOM
Our speaker will be Joe Jaworski, who has announced his candidacy for Texas Attorney General. Check out his web page and mark your calendars for our meeting on Thursday, February 11, at noon via Zoom.
Paid members will receive the Zoom link via email; other interested persons can contact BAD at [email protected] to request the link.
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Come out and join with BAD members and community members as they march in the MLK Celebration Walk
on Monday, January 18!
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San Antonio’s 2021 MLK March is canceled; virtual event planned amid COVID-19 concerns. The virtual event will be held on Jan. 18. It will be a 2-hour event with speakers, entertainment and scholarship recipients.
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Soul Salon Discussion Group via Zoom
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Time:10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free of Charge
Discussion of MLK non-violence and civil disobedience documents from the King Center. We will also watch a video produced by the PBS News Hour on the Poor People's Campaign which was conceived by MLK in 1968 and has gained momentum in the last several years. Contact info:
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There are so many things to be said right now. We are all on news overload, but yet feel the need to keep watching. We can't believe what happened this week in our nation's seat of government. Maybe we are even scared.
But there are leaders who have stepped up, worked incredibly hard and who were instrumental in making great things happen.
This is one of those leaders.
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What Books Should Biden Read?
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Our BAD Book Club will not meet again until we can gather in person. Bill Lester will be the new leader, so stay tuned for updates! |
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Click on any of these icons to be taken to their web pages. |
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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Let your voices be heard by attending these community meetings.
Click on any of the icons for more information.
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Boerne City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne. |
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The Kendall County Commissioner's Court meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 201 E. San Antonio Street, 3rd floor.
The Planning and Zoning meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Boerne Police/Municipal Court, 124 Old San Antonio Road.
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The Fair Oaks City Council meets on the 1st Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the FOR City Hall, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road, FOR. |
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The Comfort ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the CISD Central Office, 327 High Street, Comfort. |
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The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Administrative Offices,
235 Johns Road.
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The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at 9 Topperwein Road, Boerne. |
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BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS BOARD
President: Stacey Gilfillan
Vice President: Marilyn Harrington
Secretary: Donna Peacock
Treasurer: Brenda Schmidt
Membership: Brooke Orr
Activities: Amy Lambiase
Publicity: Natalie Schun
Newsletter: Judy Dewey
Social Media: Krista Bermejillo-Vasquez
Past President: Susan Dollar
Ex Officio member: Laura Bray, KCDP
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Connect with us!
JOIN THE BOERNE AREA DEMOCRATS
Web: boerne-area-democrats.org
Facebook: facebook.com/boerne.area.democrats
Notice Regarding Photography and/or Audio/Video Recording
The Boerne Area Democrats captures photographs and/or audio/video recordings during our events. Such photographs and recordings may be used in BAD's advertising and social media relations to klet others know of our events. In addition, local news organizations may hear of our evengts, and BAD may allow them to record events for news reporting. If youdo not wish to bein photos/videos, please let the photographer/videographer know in advance.
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