Chairman Eric White called the meeting to order at 6:49 at the Moore Community Center in Ellsworth.
Eric led the pledge.
Sandi Blanchette led the invocation.
Debra A. Plowman, Senate District 33 admirably filled in for Ruth Summers.
Announcements from Augusta: May 4 & 5 State convention in Augusta. Cost: $25.00
Caucuses should be between February 4 & 11. The results of the straw poll will be announced directly after Feb. 11.
30/30 club-team 4000. The State GOP is asking people to make a yearly pledge of $30.00.
Senate is recruiting 35 candidates. They have had 6 meetings so far. If HCRC has any names of people who would like to serve, funnel them through Eric.
Question 1: Senator Plowman spoke on voting no on the voter registration question. The Portland Press Herald has endorsed the no vote. In Maine, we actually have more voters registered than we do population. All this vote is doing is trying to increase voter integrity.
“My ballot should not be disenfranchised by someone who doesn’t have a right to vote.” They are now looking at special legislation to allow the military to vote as, for many reasons, they have not had the chance to vote on many occasions.
“To say there is no voter fraud in Maine is like saying there is no spousal abuse in Maine. Women just fall down stairs and run into doors a lot.”
Ken Bovee: A cousin of his started the Republican party in 1854 in Michigan. He is writing a book and gave an extremely interesting talk about it. He then asked people what they thought the most interesting parts to pursue would be.
The man’s name was Alvin Earl Bovee. The secretary took copious notes and is happy to share them with anyone interested. There were many questions and suggestions after Mr. Bovee’s talk.
Business Meeting:
Minutes: David Lind moved and Renee Trust seconded that the minutes from September be approved.
Motion carried*
Treasurer’s Report: David Lind moved and Gay Leach seconded the report be accepted.
Motion carried*
Goals: Finance Chair. We need one.
We are working on getting a By-Laws committee.
Because of the census, we can have more people on the HCRC from certain towns now. We do not have to wait for the caucuses in February or the State Convention in May.
Richard Deckers nominated Tammy Deckers to be on the Ellsworth Committee to fill a vacancy. Renee Trust seconded.
Motion Carried*
November 12 is the next state committee meeting and Denis Blogett cannot attend. He asked for a proxy. Gay Leach volunteered to go.
Matthew Decker reminded us that in November the National GOP chair will be in Maine and it would be very good if our Hancock GOP Chairman could go. Eric explained that he doesn’t have the extra money for gas etc.
Matt Decker moved and David Lind seconded that Eric White, as chairman, will be allowed up to $100.00 to go to the meeting with the chair of the Notional GOP in November.
Motion Carried*
Eric is asked to bring back a report or, if he cannot go, send someone in his place.
The December 16th Christmas Party, will be at Pat’s Pizza.
November 18 meeting will feature State Speaker of the House Nutting at Moore Community Center.
Gay Leach thanked all who voted for and campaigned for Governor LePage because he is doing such a good job in Augusta for the State of Maine.
David Lind moved and Renee Trust seconded adjournment.
Motion Carried*
*There was not a quorum at this meeting. These are the minutes as presented and the business carried out. However, without a quorum, none of these votes are binding and must be revisited on November 18.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sandra Blanchette, Secretary