June 17th, 2025 Democratic meeting summary. Key points include:

● The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm. It included a moment of silence, pledge of
allegiance, approval of previous minutes

● Financial report: $2,109 is in the bank, and 2 outstanding bills (gas & electric $90.0). A hat
was passed for donations to the party. The food donation jar is separate.

● Due to Linda Roy having a conflict of interest in her present position Frank Coffin has
accepted a roll on the election board.

● Rally for “No Kings” was encouraging and had an overwhelming response with at least 100
participants in Spencer.

● Wednesday June 25th we were asked to host a meeting for all District 8 chairs. Help is
needed with the food. Duane Cheney offered to donate pizza & JoAnn Neal is in charge of
calling on people for additional help.

● Anton Neff expressed a need for people to show up at town & county meetings. Currently a
lack of people in the audience. These meetings involve your land use, economic
development, public safety, what’s happening with the courthouse dome, etc. There is a
Facebook page Owen County Government and you can live stream the meetings on YouTube.
Suggested searching for keywords like courthouse dome. Meetings are 1st (9am) & 3rd
(6pm)Thursday of the month. Council meetings are the 2nd Monday of the month at 6 pm. If
you would like to speak you need to get on the agenda by calling the auditor Shiela Reeves at
812-829-5000.

● Website update: Frank Coffin is to actively pursue that with Tyler DeFord

● Fix up activities:
a.) Red Bud has been cut down...a step closer to a flagpole
b.) Bill went to Saint Jude Church to explore accessibility to the building with a wheel
chair lift. Still exploring the best solution for handicap accessibility.
c.) Ceiling tiles were replaced by Bill Breedan & David Henk but still needs touch up with
paint. Also fixed where birds were coming in.
d.) air conditioners & fire extinguishers are being installed

● Still Needed: paint trim on building & soffits

● Bob Dayhuff is new precinct chair for Gosport, Wayne 1. Positions still open for other precincts
Glenda Breeden has the list.

● T-shirts: Collin Rotella reported a dead tie between choosing the colors Blue & Gray. Sell
shirts @ $20.00 each, V-neck available @ $25.00. Pre-orders were taken by Sandra Calvert

● 300 pocket constitutions have been purchased for the Fair. A $1.00 donation is suggested.
Julie Coffin will print up address tags with time of our meetings to be affixed to the back

● County Fair discussed. Sign up sheet for fair booth coverage time slots being passed around.
One person needed to open at 5pm each day. Two people needed from 6-8pm and 8-10pm.
Fair theme is Step Right Up. Ann Henk suggested we do Step Right Up, Stand Up for Your
Rights and not do a circus theme. Pam Browning has offered to bring a donkey. Becky Schrock
is making a hat & collar for the donkey. Nightly drawings & Sweepstakes (Babbs & Roling
Meadows round of golf) discussed.

● Online presence: Website and TikTok updates were given by Collin Rotella. 4 new videos for a
total of 14 videos total. 618 likes (29% increase); 154 additional followers; 38 additional
comments.

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● JoAnn Neal discussed the picnic Hog Roast at Veterans Park Saturday Sept. 27th. Louis
Fender cooking but we are looking for a hog & also things for the auction

● Outreach: Stephanie is organizing volunteers for the Tivoli. June 28th 50501 rally intent to
line the street. Friday before the next protest, have a pizza party at Democratic headquarters
to make signs.

● Duane Cheney spoke about getting younger people involved. Make a list...
a.) who is younger
b.) who is most likely to respond
c.) tell them they are the best person available...if not you, then who?
Need to start building democrats in the county offices...school board, commissioners,
township trustees, etc.
Duane has and can teach how to run a campaign, what office & duties

● Duane emphasized to write letters & make phone calls to our current representatives

● Meeting adjourned

NEXT MEETING: July 15th; Supper/Social 5:30-6:30; business meeting 6:30-7;30