Idealism -- Integrity -- Independence
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NTD NEWS    February 28, 2018
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This week's NTD News will be a little bit shorter than usual. However, I'm pretty sure that a less wordy commentary will be welcomed by more than a few of you regular readers. Here's the reason. As a trustee on the board of our local mosquito abatement district, I'm spending the week in Kansas City at a mosquito abatement conference.
     Now, you might think that turning my attention to the battle against disease-bearing mosquitoes would take my mind away from the big news topic of the past several days, America's gun violence. But ironically, the opposite has occurred. It appears that gun proliferation apologists have an affinity for a specific word that is also in the lexicon of all mosquito abatement professionals - "response."
     I heard the word repeatedly in TV news interviews last week and Sunday morning. Whether it was the NRA paid mercenaries Wayne LaPierre and Dana Loesch, or NRA political lap dogs like Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, or our nation's brilliant problem-solver President Donald J. Trump, they all emphasized that one word as the key to protecting our schoolchildren from being shot to death in class: "We must be better prepared to respond."
     The language may have varied slightly but that was their big idea. They endorsed a universal plan for a "response" to any crazed gunman shooting up a school. They said if we would just train selected teachers in each school to become skilled with a handgun, they could respond to a kid with an AR-15 entering their classroom, his semi-automatic military rifle blazing away. - Yes, I suppose in Trump's fantasy world those teachers might have a chance to out-shoot the intruder if they conducted their classes with their guns un-holstered, with a bullet in the chamber and they possessed quick draw skills. Otherwise, no way.
     You don't even have to imagine that terrifying scenario to see that calling for a "better response" to protect our kids is a fallacious approach. Just think about the word "respond" itself. It is a word that only comes into existence after some other action has already occurred. In the case of a school being terrorized by an armed gunman, a "response" would by definition only happen after the armed nut-case had wounded or killed a few kids. Maybe more than a few.
     Responding is not the same as preventing. Hospital trauma care centers respond to the results of auto accidents, they don't prevent the causes of those accidents. Fire departments respond to fires, they don't prevent the fires from starting. And when mosquito abatement pros respond to the appearance of disease carrying mosquitoes, the danger has already arrived. Action at that point is reactive with late night spraying to kill the mosquitoes when they are most active.
     The "prevention" part of mosquito abatement is a totally different set of actions designed to eliminate the disease delivering "instrument" (the mosquito) before harm is done. It involves hitting thousands of street sewer catch basins with time-release larvacide to kill mosquito larva before they mature, finding and eliminating mosquito breeding sites such as junked car tires or abandoned swimming pools, educating the public to remove breeding sites around their homes.
     A good mosquito abatement strategy doesn't wait until something bad happens before taking action. Neither should any strategy for protecting our school children. A proactive plan should be initiated to eliminate the instrument that has repeatedly delivered death in our schools. That would be t he AR-15 assault rifle. It should once again be banned from civilian sales.
     For conservative defenders of the gun industry to claim that a strategy of response is the same as prevention is not only disingenuous it is dangerously ill-conceived and just plain asinine. The only thing their recommendations will accomplish is increased sales of guns to school districts across the country. Sorry Mr. LaPierre, Governor Hutchinson and President Trump but that's my response to your patently phony solution.
                                                                           Nels Howard
                                                                           NTDO member since 1973 

P.S.
I saw in the news today that Dick's Sporting Goods has declared it will no longer sell AR-15 rifles in any of its stores or subsidiary businesses. Their CEO said the decision this time is permanent. He also issued a plea to elected officials to implement "common sense gun reform," listing a number of sensible legislative actions that have been opposed by the NRA for years.
     In other news Met Life Insurance, First National Bank of Omaha, Symantec, Hertz, United Airlines and Delta Airlines have ended their business relationships with the NRA. -- If you have dealings with any of these companies (or even if you don't) you might consider sending them an email or written letter congratulating them on their ethical and brave action. Some are already getting a lot of push-back from the NRA and their defenders. 
 
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Help Get Out The Vote!

This Sunday, March 4th
Doorhanger Canvass for NTD's Endorsed Candidates

  
When: Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 1:00pm

Where: New Trier Democrats' office, 800 Oak Street, Suite 112, Winnetka

What: New Trier Democrats will be walking precincts in our Township to place doorhangers listing our endorsed candidates for the upcoming Democratic Primary. Stop by our offices at 1:00pm Sunday to pick up walk sheet assignments and doorhangers. If you are not available to canvass this Sunday, any leftover walk sheet assignments and doorhangers will be available in our office for pick up on Monday (Mar. 5), Tuesday (Mar. 6) and Thursday (Mar. 8) from 9:00am to 12:00pm at our offices.  If you have any questions, please contact newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.
 
Early Voting for the Democratic Primary
Starts This Monday, March 5th

 
 


Every Thursday Night & Saturday Afternoon
Weekly Phone Banks for Daniel Biss
at New Trier Democrat's Office



This week only - Saturday March 3 phone bank time change - phone banking will be from 11:00am to 1:00pm

When: Every Thursday night from 6:00pm until 8:00pm; Every Saturday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm; ongoing through March 17th

Where: New Trier Democrat's office, 800 Oak St., Suite 112, WInnetka

What: Phone bank for progressive gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss, our official New Trier Dems endorsed candidate! You will be talking to voters about Daniel. All you need to bring is a phone, and his campaign will provide other materials. There will be a short training at the beginning. In addition, depending on the weather, t here may be opportunities to canvass on behalf of Daniel on Saturday afternoons.

 
Every Sunday Afternoon
Weekly Phone Bank For Fritz Kaegi, 
Candidate for Cook County Assessor
at New Trier Democrat's Office


When: Every Sunday afternoon from March 4 through March 18, 12:00pm until 6:00pm
Where: New Trier Democrats' office, 800 Oak St., Suite 112, WInnetka
What: Join Team Fritz - New Trier Democrats' officially endorsed candidate - to phone bank for the next Cook County Assessor at our office! We'll speak with Cook County voters about Fritz Kaegi, an endorsed Democrat from progressives like Chuy Garcia and Congressman Danny Davis and organizations like Our Revolution Illinois! We welcome all newcomers. Leave with a yard or window sign! This is a big volunteer push across Cook County. Phone banking is a key way to reach new and potential voters for the primary election. You are encouraged to bring: Cell Phone, headphones, and laptop/tablet.




Other events of interest:
  
Tomorrow Night, Mar. 1 - Fundraiser for Nancy Rotering, Candidate for Attorney General
  
When: Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: The home of Anne and Marcus Wedner. Address available upon RSVP.
What: A fundraiser reception for Nancy Rotering, Democratic candidate for Illinois Attorney General. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online or email Ary Ginez at ariadna@kjdstrategies.com or call 312-600-9496.

Tomorrow Night, Mar. 1 in Chicago - Pinnacle Cocktail Party in Support of Judge Oran F. Whiting

When: Thursday, March 1, 2018, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: 670 N. Wabash, Apt. 2805, Chicago
What: A cocktail party in support of Judge Oran F. Whiting's reelection to the Cook County Circuit Court. For additional information or to RSVP, register online, email Samantha Ellison at campaign@judgewhiting.com or call 773-669-8195.
 
This Saturday, Mar. 3 in Wilmette -  Primary Election Candidate Forums Sponsored by the League of Women Voters

When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 starting at 9:00am
Where: Wilmette Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
What: Several local Leagues of Women Voters are sponsoring candidates forums for the upcoming March primary. The forum schedule is: 9:00am to 10:00am, forum for Republican candidates for U.S. Representative from the 9th Congressional District; 10:10am to 11:10am, forum for Democratic candidates for Illinois State Representative for the 17th District; and from 11:20am to 12:20pm, forum for Democratic candidates for Cook County Commissioner for the 13th District. For more information,  please visit their website.

This Saturday & Sunday , Mar. 3 & 4 in Evanston - 
Weekly Canvass for Cam Davis, Candidate for MWRD Commissioner

When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 10:00am until 12:00pm; and Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Where: 747 Custer Avenue, Evanston
What: Canvass for Cam Davis, candidate for Commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). Cam served as  President Barack Obama's "Great Lakes Czar" in Washington, D.C. and Chicago from 2009 until 2017. Cam was responsible for coordinating 11 federal departments, including the White House Council on Environmental Quality, EPA, and Corps of Engineers. Cam needs all the help he can get as a  write-in candidate - he is seeking to fill a seat vacated by the recent death of Commissioner Bradford (who passed away 2 days before the deadline to to file petitions to get on the ballot - there will be no candidate on the ballot for the Bradford vacancy). He is not running against any of the MWRD candidates on the ballot - he is running in addition to them.   Go here to RSVP for this event or for more information, please contact info@camdavis.org. To learn more about Cam, please visit  https://www.camdavis.org.

Monday, Mar. 5 in Chicago - Reception for Toni Preckwinkle
 
When: Monday, March 5, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where:  Private residence in Chicago - address provided upon RSVP
What: An evening reception in support of Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President. For additional information or to RSVP, email Scott Kastrup at scott@tonipreckwinkle.org or call 773-746-7225.
 
Tuesday, Mar. 6 in Chicago -  Reception for Bob Morgan, Candidate for IL State Rep. 58th District
 
When: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Where: Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron St., Chicago
What: A reception in support of Bob Morgan, Democratic candidate for State Representative of the 58th District. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online or email Jessica Teuber at Jessica@newchicagollc.com or call 312-448-8014.

Thursday, Mar. 8 in Evanston - Fundraiser for Nancy Rotering, Candidate for Attorney General

When: Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: The home of Hon. Liz Tisdahl, 2 Martha Lane, Evanston
What: A fundraiser reception for Nancy Rotering, Democratic candidate for Illinois Attorney General. For additional information or to RSVP,   register online
 or email Stacey Smith at stacey@kjdstrategies.com or call 312-600-9496.

Saturday & Sunday, Mar. 10 & 11 in Evanston - 
Weekly Canvass for Cam Davis, Candidate for MWRD Commissioner

When: Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 10:00am until 12:00pm; and Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Where: 747 Custer Avenue, Evanston
What: Canvass for Cam Davis, candidate for Commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). Cam served as  President Barack Obama's "Great Lakes Czar" in Washington, D.C. and Chicago from 2009 until 2017. Cam was responsible for coordinating 11 federal departments, including the White House Council on Environmental Quality, EPA, and Corps of Engineers. Cam needs all the help he can get as a  write-in candidate - he is seeking to fill a seat vacated by the recent death of Commissioner Bradford (who passed away 2 days before the deadline to to file petitions to get on the ballot - there will be no candidate on the ballot for the Bradford vacancy). He is not running against any of the MWRD candidates on the ballot - he is running in addition to them.   Go here to RSVP for this event or for more information, please contact info@camdavis.org. To learn more about Cam, please visit 

Sunday
, Mar. 11 in Glencoe - 
Brad Schneider Coffee Club

When: Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Where: Glencoe Roast, 700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
What: At Brad's Coffee Club, members enjoy a free cup of coffee and bagel or pastry during monthly meetings at local coffee shops in the 10th District. Members also have the opportunity to meet with the campaign staff and have in-depth conversations with Congressman Schneider. For additional questions or to RSVP,  register online.
 
Sunday, Mar. 11 in Wilmette -  Going Green Matters

When: Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Avenue, Wilmette
What: Going Green Matters draws more than 1,400 residents, neighbors, elected officials, exhibitors and volunteers.  The latest hybrid and electric cars, demonstrations, home energy exhibits, and the ever popular interactive Eco-Zone make this a wonderful event for the entire family. People interested in living more sustainably will have a chance to learn more about topics such as saving energy at home, transportation choices, green landscaping, growing your own food, organic food and farming, connecting to nature, green home design and products, and more. Find out how schools, park districts, libraries, congregations and village governments are all working together to make our communities and the world a more sustainable place to live. For more information,  please visit their website. 

Tuesday, Mar. 20th - VOTE!

Saturday, Mar. 24 in Chicago - March for Our Lives Chicago

When: Saturday, March 24, 2018 starting at 11:00am
Where: Downtown, details TBA
What: From March for Our Lives Chicago - "On March 24th we will march for the change that is decades overdue. The lack of gun reform has left too many of our classmates dead. It's time for change. March with us." For information about the Chicago march,  check out their Facebook event. For more information about the national March for Our Lives movement,  visit their website.

 
One of the exciting activities we will be pursuing across the state line in 2018...
will be to help the Democratic candidate for Congress, Randy Bryce, defeat Wisconsin's Congressman Paul Ryan. This is going to be a hard fought campaign and Randy Bryce can win it. To see his first campaign message  click here.  
 

Your Legislators:


Legislators Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in 
Washington, Springfield and Cook County 
 



You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --

And they want to be hearing a lot from you. 
     The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start. 
 
Jan Schakowsky , 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative  and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe. 

Brad Schneider , 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
     
Daniel Biss,   State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
  
Julie MorrisonState Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.   

Robyn Gabel, IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
 
Laura Fine , IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.

Scott Drury IL 58th District State Representative. 
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.

Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships. 
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Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the year follow his plan's development on the website.

Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.

Dear Fellow Democrats, 

If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates.

There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card.

 

By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office:

NTDO

800 Oak St., Suite 112

Winnetka, IL 60093

OR

By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking  here 

Click on the "Join/Contribute" button

Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly to ActBlue by clicking here. 
Still not a member of the New Trier Democrats? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.

When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.

Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.    
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.

Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township

We are located at 800 Oak Street, Suite 112, in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.

*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and  not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.