September 16th, 2025 Democratic Meeting Minutes

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● The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm. August minutes emailed and copies on
the tables. Minutes were accepted. There was a moment of silence followed by the
pledge of allegiance. 

● Sandra Calvert gave the treasurer’s report with a current balance of $3252.33.

● Jane Rubeck has stepped up to be Chair of Washington III with Don Taylor as Vice
chair. Thank you!!! We still need to fill other precincts.

● Glenda Breeden clarified the incident that occurred on the September 1st rally
march from the courthouse to McDonald's. A complaint was registered about
some vulgarity directed at a youth in the Mcdonald's parking lot and the police
showed up.  Once investigated it was deemed a misunderstanding. It is our
position not to respond to such vulgarity but to win hearts and minds. 

● Collin Rotella reported on volunteering at the Patricksburg Fish Fry.  Apparently,
an email was sent to the volunteers to be filled out with what positions were
available to help.  We were the last to receive it, and all the better (more visible)
positions were already taken.  We were stationed across the street by the fire
trucks for the take-out area.  As a result, our participation and willingness to
help was not as visible to all who attended. 

● Building report:  A lot of scraping was done prior to painting.  Thank yous were
given to Mike Darnel, Robert Hickam, Will Watt, Bill Breeden, David & Ann
Henk.  Next, plans to do the eaves…Aliyah Keuthan and Jane Rubeck
volunteered to help. Electrical estimates for additional building outlets are being
pursued.  Bill Breeden will get with the union for assistance. JoAnn Neal &
Glenda Breeden worked on cleaning the kitchen space. Good work day all
around!!!

● Anton Neff spoke of the Apple Butter Festival.  Our party ad appears on page 8.  Anton
is also a Lion’s Club member.  He spoke of Senate Bill No.1:  income tax better than
anticipated & cost of living to county employees is coming through.  The county is
proceeding forward with the jail project and 2026 budget approvals will be in
October.  Commissioners meeting Thursday 6pm and Council meeting Monday at
6pm.  Tony Neff added a bit of history: the AR15 was designed by a Gosport person.

● Bruce McCallister spoke about the need of a fund to assist veterans in Owen County
and their transition from military to civilian.  26% of the homeless are veterans, 7-
15% have PTSD.  Bruce is selling his farm produce at the Owen County Farmers
Market to help raise money. It was suggested getting a panel of veterans through the
VFW & American legion. 1600 veterans in Owen County deserve better. Aliyah
brought up that veterans use mail-in ballots and that the current push to do away
with the mail-ins is harmful to their rights.  Also mentioned the Tiny Home project in
Terre Haute.
 

● Outreach:  Meeting is 1st Wednesday of the month 6pm at headquarters.
a.)  Stephanie Barlow reported some opportunities:  Dec. 13th Breakfast with
Santa, Cataract Lake; Coal City, Decorating Cookies; Gosport, Cocoa with
Santa.  There is a need for gender neutral toys, books, play dough, etc.
b.)  Spencer Pride has offered a $750.00 donation for 15 people to do tear-down
after Pride Fest. We currently have 16 volunteers of which 10 are under 50
years old!
c.) Events:  Apple Butter Festival Sept. 20th-21st: Float parade line up Cooper
Park at noon on the 20th; Oct. 3rd,4th,5th Cataract Bean Dinner; Pride Fest
Oct. 4th; Fiesta Owen County, Oct. 11th, Market St. & live music 2-8pm.Wear
your Democratic shirts & bring your cell phones in case ICE shows up;  Oct
18th My Path run; No Kings Rally at 10AM, Spencer Courthouse, and Hog
Roast & Auction, beginning at 3PM. 
     Last week of Sept. put up flyers for Hog Roast & Auction. There will be a Silent
Auction for smaller items.  Posting on Facebook & owencountyindems.org of
Auction items & schedule of when to bring things into headquarters is being
posted. Owen News Ad is being placed. Thank you, Collin Rotella, for doing
the flyer.

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● Technology:  Collin Rotella reported that TikTok may be going away & Instagram is
slow going 

● Legislative: Judy Darnel reported on a list of bills, and encouraged us to complain to
the state on the move to redistrict.  Pete Buttigieg will be in Indianapolis on Thursday
& Derrick Kemp is to speak on party-building at the Turkey Run Inn, Saturday at
11am.

● Duane Cheney addressed the survey (We Care) taken at the August meeting:
   “It’s the economy, followed by roads & drops in property value. We are Democrats &
we are trying to help! Barrack sold hope…we will work to help you.”

● John Schrock spoke of Sam Hobbs & Mt. Olivet Church having a prayer meeting on
the courthouse lawn.  Would the Democrats consider having a prayer
meeting? Concern is most Democrats are viewed as atheists. Aliyah, a Buddhist,
voiced concern for separation of church & state. Religion is a personal space.

● Meeting adjourned.

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NEXT MEETING: October 21st; Supper/Social 5:30-6:30; Business Meeting 6:30-7:30
Submitted by: Ann and Dave Henk