The meeting was called to order by Mike Laster about 10:10 a.m.  Approximately 13 persons attendedl 

The minutes of October 25, 2008 were approved as read.  The treasurer's report was  approved as read and the treasurer reported that the January 2009 semi-annual TEC filing was made timely.  Mike spoke about board elections which will take place in February for the Sharpstown Democrats Club.

Mike also announced his upcoming political aspirations which will prevent him from leading the club again.

Peter Rene spoke briefly about registered Democrats who don't vote and how the Republicans know how to work absentee voting.

Phone tree volunteers were Margaret Buckhorn,  Esther, and Sylvie.  Our February host will be Peter Rene.

Our guest speaker was Loren Jackson, the newly elected Harris County district clerk.  Mr. Jackson described his job and responsibilities.  He said we have so much diversity now in Harris County with the election results and that County government is working well together.  Jackson works from the bottom up and has already given pay increases to lowest paid by eliminating do nothing jobs.  He has also worked to ease jury duty issues--one example being wireless access.  He is dedicated to increasing technology and ease of citizens getting information from the county.  Harris County is setting standards in Texas and other states.  Jackson's website is www.hcdistrictclerk.com.

 The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 28 at 10:00 a.m.

Mike Laster called the meeting to order.  Approximately 13 persons attended.

Chris Bell was guest speaker.

 Meeting minutes were tabled for the next meeting.  Treasurer's report was read and approved; $1199.20 is in our account.

Rod confirmed he made the state filing timely.

Several attendees went as a group to early vote after the meeting was adjourned.

  Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper

The meeting was called to order by Mike Laster at 10:15 a.m.  The group said the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge together.  Approximately 20 persons were in attendance.

The minutes of July were read and approved; the treasurer's report was read and approved; we have $1,619.60 in the bank.

Joyce Atkins' voter education program flyer was distributed.  Phone Tree volunteers were Margaret, Guylene, and Mary.

Ruby and Aster brought refreshments.

Mike talked about the grand opening of the Bellaire Triangle joint campaign office on Sunday, August 24, 4-6 p.m and that early voting starts October 20th.

It was noted that Chris Bell's position is a special election and you cannot just vote straight ticket to vote for him.

Candidates introduced included Bob Schaffer, Sam Pearson and reps for Chris Bell and Dexter Handy.

Mike announced that 6 people signed up individually for the JRR Dinner; a motion was approved for the club to pick up the balance for a table of ten; winners of tickets were Dee Powers, Gail Carter, and Marty Kerner.  General Wesley Clark will be the speaker and the dinner date has changed to October 4.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper

Guests included candidates Kathy Stone, Debra Kerner, and a representative of Dexter Handy.  Herman Litt, Chairman of the JRR Dinner was also present.

 Our guest speaker was C.O. "Brad" Bradford.  He served as police chief for seven years and supports the death penalty; he wants to be involved in community activities as DA.  He would like to see changes in the justice system as the jail is so overcrowded that prisoners have been sent to a private jail in Louisiana.  More attention needs to be paid to youth with special after school and summer programs.  We need alternate methods other than locking up people, especially those with mental health problems, the homeless, and the poor who cannot make bond.  He believes that the crime lab should be independent from HPD.  Regarding immigration, Bradford believes that our borders should be sealed and raised the issue of who should be responsible for finding the illegal immigrants--local, state, or federal agents.  New laws are needed to make the jurisdiction lines clear.  Bradford intends to have an open door policy and run the office with transparency and openness so the public will again trust the judicial system.

The group was encouraged to attend the JRR Dinner.  The Club hopes to have a table of 10.

Minutes of the June meeting were read and approved.  Our Treasury balance is $1,464.60.

The phone tree will be activated by Margaret Buckhorn, Aster Eyob and Guylene Ebersole.  Aster also volunteered to bring the refreshments for August.  Mike mentioned our proposed election activity on October 25, more details to follow.

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sylvie Adams (for Mary Haper)

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.  Approximately 15 persons attended.

 Candidates introduced included Peter Rene, Dexter Handy, Scott Hochberg and Larry Weiman.

 Mike introduced our speaker, Scott Hochberg.  Scott was excited about the upcoming election, saying that we have an opportunity all around the state to put a majority in the State house.  Some discussion followed.  Scott mentioned that in 2012 Texas will redistrict from the 2010 census.

Mike talked about Sharpstown Mall and its problems with many different owners and that the credit crunch is affecting deals.

 Jane Vidales made a verbal report about her experiences at the Denver convention.

 Margaret, Mary and Mike volunteered to do the phone tree.  Rod will do the envelopes.  Mike will bring refreshments next time.

 The next meeting will be October 25 and the group will early vote together.

Joyce Atkins talked about her voter education program down the hall and several of us attended it after our meeting.

 The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper

The October monthly general meeting will be at Bayland Park Community Center from 10AM to Noon on Saturday, October 25.  Our special invited speaker will be Chris Bell,  Democratic Candidate for Texas State Senate District 17 .  Chris will share his perspectives and plans for Senate District 17.  This is a great opportunity to meet and visit with Chris and to provide your grass roots feedback.  Come early at 9:30AM to visit with club members, share the latest political gossip and enjoy our usual snacks.

 We will also be holding an Early Vote Rally to encourage members, their families and friends to join us for our meeting and then to walk over en masse to cast our votes after the meeting at the Bayland Park Community Center early vote polling site.  So invite your family members and friends to join us and remember to tell everyone to be sure that they bring with them their valid Harris County voter registration card or an acceptable photo ID such as their Texas Driver's License.