July 21st, 2026 Democratic Meeting Minutes
July 21st, 2026 Democratic meeting summary
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm and followed by the pledge of
allegiance.
The chair asked the candidates to stand and be recognized.
Approval of the minutes: June minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s report: Current balance was reported with several bills still outstanding. The veterans fund was also reported.
Stonewall Democrats of Southern Indiana has approved to help the Owen County Democrats get a billboard for 2 months prior to the election.
Anton Neff reported on the jail project and the 17.5 acre land purchase joint meeting of the County Council & County Commissioners. Questions were fielded of the exorbitant price per acre, sewer & water, selling off frontage acres to reduce the cost & what is planned for the current jail.
Michelle Higgs spoke of her background and how she got involved in Indiana politics. He\ main reason was because people were hurting. Indiana is considered a flyover state so we don’t get national attention and how smaller districts weren’t considered swing districts in Indiana. She spoke of how they’ve gerrymandered districts and carved out universities, major employers and certain housing estates. We now have districts that are not competitive and the evidence is that for over 2 decades we’ve had a super majority at the State House. Banding together candidates & small districts the Indiana Rural Summit was formed. As a result 24 House & Senate candidates were filed to the State House in 2026. They were totally shocked…Republicans and Democrats, as well. “We have to contest every race. We can’t change anything, and nobody’s going to turn out if there’s nobody to vote for.” The pushback against the Epstein case & billionaires is going to be found in our rural & small town communities. (data.indianaruralsummit.org) The idea of Power Pacts came from the Virginia Grassroots Coalition. If you start to build at the county level, then hopefully the top of the ticket can win. Virginia was able to win the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Bill Breeden, Chair: We still need precinct chairs & vice chairs. There are some empty spots, so if anybody would like to help fill those positions talk to me. You don’t have to live in that precinct. Also talked about someone running for assessor even on the independent ticket. Running as an independent requires about a thousand signatures.
Collin Rotella, Van Training & the Canvassing training from the Indiana Rural Summit. The Intermediate Van training allowed us to do Mobile van. Mobil van is an app. You will get a code from us, type in the code and you will get a list of who you are supposed to call. It also gives you an idea of a script to say. There will also be some questions so we can track things, like do they want a yard sign. Canvasing basics, going in pairs, (at least for safety reasons). Many thanks to the Indiana Rural Summit & Mary Allen’s team.
JoAnn Neal, food committee: Thanked every one that helped out…You did good!
Fundraising Committee:
1. Times of the Sign Movie Night, Glenda Breeden spoke of the movie being held at the Tivoli Thursday night. The stealing of the Poindexter sign starring our own Chair, Bill Breeden. The doors open at 6pm & there will be music until 7pm and the movie following. Volunteers to work the concessions are needed.
2. Blue Bash Dinner/Fundraiser is Tuesday September 15th at Abram Farms. Instead of our monthly meeting we will be doing our fundraising dinner. Doors open at 5:30, we have four guest speakers starting at 5:30: Shelley Yoder, Mary Allen, Jimmy Pittsford & Joe Yochum. Hoping for 150-200 people to attend. Tickets are $40 until August 31st, $45 after that as we have to commit to the caterer. This fundraiser is for the party and helping people get elected, not just keeping things running here at headquarters.
Bill Breeden, Chair, brought up that we should consider doing the HVAC upgrade to the building. We are growing, we’re going to win, and that means being comfortable when we’re in the building.
David Henk, building maintenance: Asked for a few volunteers to hang the big flag inside the building in the morning when it is still cool outside.
Outreach Committee, Collin Rotella:
1. June 24th, volunteer day at Pantry 279, they had 40,000 lbs. of food showing up on a semi truck and they needed help. Jimmy Pittsford & Mary Allen joined in.
2. Voter registration at Cunot, good response & had one registration.
3. Trivia Night,4 different teams, 17 people, great food, good prizes, lots of good camaraderie. Building new relationships with people who normally don’t hang out with one another. Special thanks to Jess Ahern who helped with the questions & music and Ruth Jones for the appetizers.
5. Owen County Humane Society asked for some help moving a couple of pigs.howed a video of the auction. All money raised went to the scholarship options for the 4-H kids. The quilt went for $310...third highest prize at the auction!
6. Owen County Humane Society asked for some help moving a couple of pigs.
7. Election night event being planned, canvassing & phone banking as well…stay tuned for details. Zach Harrison, Indiana Rural Summit, mentioned that he & Blythe Potter were willing to help with canvasing for Jimmy Pittsford & local candidates.
Veterans Fund, Bruce McAllister:
1. Raised close to one $1,000. We made a $200 donation to Irreverent Warriors at Vincent Park Street. They have vets with PTSD all over the country and were thrilled with the donation.
2. Working with the Veterans Service Office to see if we can provide them with gift cards or gas cards for vets to help them get to their medical appointments or pay utility bills.
Glenda Breeden, Vice Chair:
1.) Brought up the business cards and canvassing cards we had printed on the front table. They have all the candidates on them with a QR code for meeting the candidates, & QR code on how to find us & monthly meeting info. There are also plastic bags to stuff and leave as door knockers in the closet. A lot of people took the cards at the Owen County Fair and were glad to see us.
2.) Gosport Lazy Days parade & booth August 13-15th, if you can volunteer there is a sign up sheet
3.) Stephanie Barlow added: Coal City Fire Department Fish Fry August 15th volunteers needed to serve food.
4.) Apple Butter Festival sign up sheet
5.) Pride Festival, Saturday October 3rd is needing tear down volunteers. They will donate $500 for 10 people & $750 for 15 people.
6.) First Friday Tivoli sign up sheet
7.) Becky Schrock added Pow-wow the same day as the Cataract Bean dinner. Lots of vendors, cost $5.00 entry. The grand entry is at noon. All the dancers come in their finest regalia.
Technology Report, Collin Rotella: Most popular landing pages are our poll page at 89, followed by the little pantries 86 to our website. Most popular views are our little pantries at 135 compared to the views on our homepage at 121. On our home page at the very top is a link that says events.
The meeting adjourned and closed with a sing along.
NEXT MEETING: August 18th; Supper/Social 5:30-6:30; business meeting 6:30-7:30
Submitted by: David & Ann Henk, co-secretaries