Dianne Post is surrounded by club officers Cynthia Bush and Bart Alford.
Jon Lindstrom
The January meeting of the PebbleCreek Democratic Club was filled with activity. It opened with Dianne Post as our guest speaker. While she is most noted as a legal expert and an international crusader against domestic violence and the unequal treatment afforded women, she spoke forcefully at our meeting on the under representation of our African American population in public positions of authority. This, she said, was true at national, state and local levels. This under representation coexists with a large over representation of people of color among our incarcerated population. Ms. Post emphasized that this was partially due to a system of unequal and unfair sentencing guidelines practiced by court systems across the country.
The election of club officers for 2016 was held at this meeting. Bart Alford was reelected as president and Bob Conley, Irene Manalili and Cynthia Bush were returned as vice-president, secretary and member-at-large respectively. Carl Schatz was elected as treasurer replacing the outgoing Cathy Lindstrom.
The club also completed its fundraising drive started at last month’s holiday party to support a local nonprofit organization. The Southwest Valley Literacy Association was chosen by our Community Benefit Committee to be the recipient this year. The committee is chaired by Irene Manalili and includes Ann Mason, Beth Kramer and Frankie Veltri. The proceeds from the raffle held at the holiday party, individual donations and a matching grant from the club, totaled over $800. The January raffle included a Godiva Chocolate and Red Wine Basket donated by BevMo and three gift certificates provided by Wildflower Bread Company. A Whiskey Basket with gift certificates suitable for display was donated by members of our own Community Benefit Committee. Proceeds from both raffles, individual donations and the club’s grant have raised our donation to the Literacy Association to approximately $1000. All funds raised will be presented to the president of the association at the February 3 Democratic Club meeting. The PebbleCreek community is invited to attend.