REBUILDING THE POLK DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Every four years, our local political organizations are required to elect their leadership for the next four years. It's a decision of "staying with the course" or "seeking a fresh start", according to how well the particular organization is doing at the time.

The Polk County Democratic Party has been in recent years, quite admittedly, rather lethargic. But over the past year it has shown signs of coming to life under Chairman L. Mark Kaylor. Gone is much of the pettiness and constant bickering over the smallest points during meetings (although some of it continues to simmer just below the surface), replaced with a more cooperative spirit built from a need to succeed.

Thursday, our Democratic Executive Committee will elect new officers, just as others will be doing the same across the state. A number of people who may be considering a run for party office will likely not finalize their decision until the last minute, unsure of wheather if they really want to take on the responsibility. There's a lot of mending fences involved, making sure that everyone is in the mix.instead of doing just what you wanna do.

I was asked by several members to offer myself for the office of Secretary of the local party. Originally I refused, but after considering further I have decided that if the support is there I would be open to have my name submitted for nomination. It is sincerely a pleasure and honour to be thought of by fellow members in such a positive manner, and if it were the will of my collegues I would make it a point not to let them down.

It is important for all of us to begin now and prepare for 2006, and that starts with good organisation of our party apparatus and a well working group which bickers more with the opposition than with each other.