Albany PAC members to speak to Linn Dems on March 1

Albany Community Together Board members Stephanie Newton and Keith Kolkow.

  ALBANY – Keith Kolkow and Stephanie Newton, board members of the new Albany Community Together political action committee, will be the featured speakers Thursday, March 1, at the Linn County Democrats’ monthly general meeting in the Albany Public Library Meeting Room, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.
  A social time with light refreshments starts at 6 p.m. The meeting begins at 6:30. 
 Albany Community Together “is committed to helping elect city councilors that represent the best of Albany, Oregon,” according to a statement on its website.
  Kolkow and Newton point to a contentious City Council meeting last July 12 as the impetus for the PAC’s formation two months later.
  After exploring some alternatives, Kolkow, Newton and others launched Albany Community Together last September. “I decided it would be better to start a PAC and just run better candidates,” he said.
  Newton added, “We want people who are going to make positive changes”
  Kolkow, Newton and other Albany Community Together board members now try to attend every City Council meeting. 
  So far, Albany Community Together has raised about $1,000, and it is recruiting candidates to run for council seats in next November’s general election.
  The PAC has a 10-member board. Kolkow serves as its director. Matt Irish is treasurer.
  To raise funds, the PAC is gifting “I Love Albany Oregon” lawn signs to those who donate $25 or more. They can be ordered at  albanytogether.com.
 For more information about the meeting and the Linn County Democrats, contact Linn Dems Co-Chair Graham Kislingbury at g.kislingbury@comcast.net.