Blog Archives

September 30th, 2024

9/30/2024

Albany teachers rally for 'fair contract'

Michael Thomson, former GAPS School Board member, showed up in support of the teachers. Thomson is running for the Albany City Council Ward 1B seat in the Nov. 5 election.

About 300 members of the Greater Albany Education Association and supporters turned out for a rally in support of a "fair contract" late Monday afternoon in front of North Albany Middle School.
On display during the hourlong rally was a banner directed "To GAPS Management & School Board" and signed by nearly all of the district's more than 600 certified staff members. The banner further read, "We stand together, fighting for a new union contract that includes the following bargaining priorities:
"• Student and Teacher Safety & Support.
"• Retention & Recruitment.
"• Workload and Professional Learning.
"• Health & Benefits."
The rally included a number of chants and speeches by GAEA President Dana Lovejoy and the teachers' union presidents from Portland and Corvallis.
Following the hourlong rally, many people walked inside the school for a scheduled School Board listening session. Many signed up to speak.

Brandy Riker, a South Albany parent, holds a sign in support of the teachers.

Dana Lovejoy, Greater Albany Education Association president, outlines the union's bargaining priorities in this video.

Democrat-Herald Story

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September 30th, 2024

9/30/2024

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Canvassers for Bynum, down-ballot candidates get pep talk from state senator

While speaking to canvassers, Gelser Blouin was flanked by Albany City Council candidates Michael Thomson (Ward 1B) and Carolyn McLeod (Ward 2B) and House District 15 candidate Terrence Virnig.

More than 25 people turned out Sept. 21 at Henderson Park in Albany to canvass for Congressional District 5 candidate Janelle Bynum and down-ballot candidates. Before the canvassers headed out to knock on doors, they got a 10-minute pep talk from State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, an avid supporter of Bynum, currently a state representative. "She's going to make Oregon proud," Gelser Blouin predicted. The local canvasses continue every Saturday and Sunday. Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Rosa Colquitt visited the Linn Dems campaign office Sept. 29, and then went out canvassing in Albany. Please click the link below to sign up to connect for canvassing and phone banking opportunities. Thank you for trying to make a difference!

Bynum field organizer Keith Kolkow, State Sen. Gelser-Blouin, Bynum campaign fellow Donovan Morales and Linn Dems Communications Chair Circe Verba.

Get involved with Bynum's campaign

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September 30th, 2024

9/30/2024

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Aug. 24 Cookout & Dessert Auction
tops $4,500 for Linn Dems

Janelle Bynum, 5th District Congessional candidate.

Picture Janelle Bynum, 5th District Congessional candidate Picture Carolyn McLeod, candidate for Albany City Council

We had a fantastic Linn Dems Cookout & Dessert Auction, with more than 100 people in attendance Aug. 24 at Santiam Place Event Hall in Lebanon. Thank you to everyone who joined us, brought delicious desserts and made the event a huge success, raising more than $4,500 for the Linn County Democrats. Mark Leonard's Reine de Saba (French chocolate torte) topped the desserts with a $250 bid, and a second of his tortes was auctioned off at the same price. Sam D'Amico and Dave Scranage, candidate for Linn County Commissioner, got to enjoy them. And a big thank you to the candidates who joined us and spoke.

The Crazed Weasels — Judy Arter and Loren Ford

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September 16th, 2024

9/16/2024

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Harris shines in Sept. 10 debate

• Harris' forceful attacks put Trump on defense (Sept. 10, MSNBC)
• Harris gets under Trump's skin over and over (Sept. 10, Politico)
• What Harris and Trump said about abortion (Sept. 10, Time)
• Harris reacts to Trump doubling down on debunked rumors about immigrants eating pets (Sept. 10, CNN)
• Harris skewers Trump's history of racism (Sept. 10, Axios)
• Flash poll: Majority of debate watchers say Harris outperformed Trump (Sept. 11, CNN)
• Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris after debate (Sept. 10, MSNBC)
• Harris campaign calls for second debate (Sept. 10, CNN)
• Pnotos: The Harris-Trump debate (Sept. 10, CNN)

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September 14th, 2024

9/14/2024

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Hub City Village celebrates with grand opening

More than 200 people turned out Sept. 7 to celebrate the completion of Hub City Village. A ribbon cutting by Nancy Marshall of Albany, with an assist from Sen. Jeff Merkley, at 3:55 p.m. made it official. Creating Housing Coalition President Stacey Bartholomew emceed the event and thanked everyone who helped make the $5.7 million project possible. It was Bartholomew, Marshall and a small group from Albany First Christian Church that came up with the idea for a tiny homes village back in 2017. "It was first that small group of thoughtful, committed people, then a larger group, then a whole community coming together," Merkley said. "It’s a village that created this village." Other speakers included Albany Mayor Alex Johnson ll, State Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, Project Manager Gary Goby, and Hub City Village residents Kelley Iverson and Kristina McNutt. Twenty-two of the 27 village units are occupied, and the remaining five will be soon.

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September 06th, 2024

9/6/2024

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September 06th, 2024

9/6/2024

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Linn Dems open campaign office

Democratic Congressional candidate Janelle Bynum gathers with supporters during the Linn County Democrats Campaign Office grand opening Aug. 18.

Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor helps Woodrow, 3, with a game Aug. 17.

We had big turnouts Aug. 17 and 18 for the grand opening of our great new Linn County Democrats Campaign Office at 1107 Ninth Ave. S.E. in Albany.
State Rep. Janelle Bynum, 5th District Congressional candidate, gave supporters a pep talk during her office visit Sunday afternoon, noting the importance of knocking on doors. Bynum said her campaign ranks among the top House campaigns nationwide on a number of metrics, including fundraising.
The Linn Dems office is open Monday Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, in two 2 1/2-hour shifts — 1 to 3:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. We're still looking for volunteers to staff shifts up until Nov. 5. To sign up for a shift, click the link below.
Thanks to everyone who had a part in arranging for and setting up the office, with special thanks to Circe Verba, our office manager and chair of the Linn Dems Communications Committee, and Jackie Montague, Linn Dems treasurer and Albany City Councilor

Linn County Democrats Brenda Sterner, Edie Koenig and Jackie Montague chat during the campaign office grand opening Aug. 17.

Albany Mayor Alex Johnson and CD5 candidate Janelle Bynum at the grand opening Aug. 18.

The Crazed Weasels — Judy Arter and Loren Ford — sing 'Keep on the Harris Side of Life' at the grand opening Aug. 17.

Linn Dems Ambassador Nichole Case, left, talks with Stacey Bartholomew at the grand opening Aug. 17.

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September 30th, 2024

Albany teachers rally for 'fair contract'

September 30th, 2024

Canvassers for Bynum, down-ballot candidates get pep talk from state senator

September 30th, 2024

Aug. 24 Cookout & Dessert Auction
tops $4,500 for Linn Dems

September 16th, 2024

Harris shines in Sept. 10 debate

September 14th, 2024

Hub City Village celebrates with grand opening

September 06th, 2024

September 06th, 2024

Linn Dems open campaign office

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September 30th, 2024

Albany teachers rally for 'fair contract'

September 30th, 2024

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Canvassers for Bynum, down-ballot candidates get pep talk from state senator

September 30th, 2024

Aug. 24 Cookout & Dessert Auction​tops $4,500 for Linn Dems​

September 16th, 2024

Harris shines in Sept. 10 debate

September 14th, 2024

Hub City Village celebrates with grand opening

September 06th, 2024

September 06th, 2024

Linn Dems open campaign office

News & Updates

Archives

Categories

Aug. 24 Cookout & Dessert Auction
tops $4,500 for Linn Dems