County Party Head, City Hall Reporter Headline June Meeting
Local Dems Prepare for the Primary
It’ll be another star studded affair for the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club. On Wednesday, June 1st, just 6 days before the vital California Primary Election, none other than Francine Busby will highlight our program. Head of the County Democratic Party, Francine is a frequent guest of the club and will no doubt give her “Progress Report” on the state of Democratic Candidates running for office in many crucial primary races.
She’ll be joined on the program by noted City Hall reporter and long time Voice of San Diego scribe, Andrew Keatts. It should make for a fascinating conversation, with Francine relating her views of what we need to do as activists and progressives to help Democrats win at the polls on June 7th, and Andrew telling it like it is, his observations as to who is probably going to win in several vigorously contested city and county races. Will the San Diego City Council keep its Democratic Majority? Will Mayor Faulconer win without a November election contest? Andrew will relate why it’s so difficult to unseat an incumbent in San Diego primary elections.
Francine Busby has distinguished herself as a strong advocate for women and girls, public education and equal opportunity for all Americans. She is the former Executive Director of Run Women Run, a non-profit organization dedicated to electing pro-choice women. Francine has also served as the President of the Cardiff School District and previously ran for Congress. Since 2004, she has been in the forefront of the dynamic growth of the San Diego County Democratic Party as a candidate, mentor, volunteer, North Area Vice Chair, and fundraiser
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Andrew Keatts has the City Hall beat at VOSD and in his own words: “writes about land use, development, politics, all the things that work together to make the city the way it is for the people that live here.” Andrew is a 2006 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and previously worked for the San Diego Daily Transcript. Andrew claims to like the Baltimore Orioles, food, music, beer, his dog Bodie and his wife, not necessarily in that order.
Also on the docket, we’ll hear from our friends on the Lemon Grove City Council, both now running for Mayor of that neighboring town, George Gastil and Racquel Vasquez. We hope to not only hear them tout their accomplishments, but endorse one or the other. They’ve been longtime members and supporters of our club, and it appears it’s a no lose proposition for our membership and the City of Lemon Grove.
We’ll also be voting on the 2016 slate of officers for the Club, and Francine Busby will do us the honor of swearing the newly elected into office. And lastly, on Saturday, June 4th, the LMFDC will proudly march in the La Mesa Flag Day Parade, now an annual tradition, one in which President Obama joins our procession with a special “Secret Service” detail. It’s always an honor and a lot of fun to join our many fellow La Mesa organizations in walking the couple mile parade route through the heart of town.
La Mesa, like many of the communities we represent, is filled with fellow Democrats and supporters. Our members also live in San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Santee, Mt. Helix, Casa de Oro, College area and several other close in East County communities. Our meetings are open to all and take place in the lovely La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., just North of University Ave. We gather on the first Wednesday of every month and begin at 7 PM after a half hour of social time with snacks, salads, beverages, desserts and much camaraderie. Don’t forget our Annual Party in the Park on July 6th as we celebrate Independence Day at the beautiful Mission Trails Visitors Center. Details can be found on our website: Lamesafoothillsdemocraticclub.com and follow us on Facebook for all the latest news.
Linda Armacost, President
Jeff Benesch, VP of Programming
La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club 