Read the latest message from ODCCA Chair Janet Carson. Happy Holidays to all and to all the BEST in 2023!
December 29, 2022
Dear Chairs,
Happy Holidays! Hope you’re doing well and survived 2022 without any major personal issues. I know we were all disappointed in the 2022 statewide Ohio election results despite the wins in some counties. If your county had victories, CONGRATS for your hard work. While Geauga had some improvement, the hundreds of hours we spent didn’t give us the results we wanted. I think we’re all ready to take a good, hard look at what worked, what didn’t and how we can improve so we can win back some local seats and start better processes to re-elect Sherrod and others in 2024. I’m eager to have these discussions and start planning with you to strengthen and grow our county parties.
January 2023 is a re-organizational year for ODCCA. My term is up as are all the other officers of ODCCA. We’ll hold elections at our January 12th meeting in Columbus during the SOS conference. Per the conference agenda, time has been set aside for us between 5-8pm on Thursday, Jan. 12th. ODP has generously offered to help us host our meeting at their new offices at 697 E Broad St, Suite 101, Columbus 43215 from 5:15pm to 6:30pm. Following our meeting, we’ll be joined by the Democratic board of elections members for a small reception and networking session. Beverages and holiday nibbles for all! Please invite your attending BOE staff or send me an email address I can use to forward the invite to (Director or Deputy, personal email only!). We hope you’ll join us and share ideas and helpful critiques from 2022.
In order to hold our elections on 1-12-23, ODCCA needs to convene a committee to review candidates for the ODCCA offices. Anyone running for a position cannot serve on this committee. We need at a minimum 3 chairs and up to 7 for a successful committee. Please, please step up and let us know if you’ll sit on the committee to accept notices of intent from Chairs interested in running for ODCCA office from 2023-2025 and then to make a recommendation to the association of any recommended candidates. Requests to be considered for becoming an ODCCA officer must be emailed no later than 1-7-23 to the committee chair, Kathy Wyenandt at kathy@butlercountydems.org. The committee will meet via a zoom call between 1-8 and 1-11. Chair Hagan and Chair Phelps will serve on the committee, but we’d like a few more.
Your current officers are:
Chair Janet Carson, Geauga
1st VChair K.W. Bailey, Wayne
VChair Peg Watkins, Delaware
VChair Paul Johnson, Fairfield
VChair Diane Conroy, Belmont
VChair Ray Lembke, Clermont
Secretary Denise Smith, Portage
Treasurer Amy Grubbe, Erie
Sergeant/Arms Charlie Kidder, Columbiana
All your current ODCCA officers have requested to be re-elected to another 2 year term with ODCCA. I’m looking forward to working with them and all our Chairs to ensure better results in 2023 and 2024. I know we can move Ohio forward by working together and focusing on local issues and strengths. I’m hopeful you’ll consider supporting me as your Chair for another two years. Together we’ve accomplished much from holding 3 elections in one year, surviving COVID, holding our Chairs Summit again and assisting with the distribution of nearly 20,000 Whaley/Stephens yard signs. These efforts, and so many others, give me hope for our state and its citizens. You’ve done incredible work and should be congratulated for your efforts. County Chairs are the backbone of democracy and I’m proud to serve with you.
Onward,
Janet
Chair/ODCCA
Chair/Geauga County Democratic Party
If you should have any questions, ideas and/or comments about anything,
please do not hesitate to contact Janet!
Chair, Geauga County Democratic Party
President, ODCCA
440-836-4060 cell | janetcarson2020@gmail.com