Rep. Maria Ruud
Rep. Ruud has returned to her work as a nurse practitioner until the 2008 session starts, but please feel free to call or write her with your questions or concerns.
Contacting Rep. Ruud
BY PHONE -
(651) 296-3964.
BY EMAIL -
Go here.
BY U.S. MAIL -
515 State Office Bldg., 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.
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Are you a Democrat who would like to participate in the political process but feels stymied by a lack of understanding of the various organizational levels of the party?
Take heart. Help is on the way. Over the next few months we will provide a series of informational pieces called DFL 101 on our SD 42 website.
Here is the series schedule:
Sept.: caucus procedure information (print versions available at the Sept. 23 SD 42 Fall Feast and at Feb. 5 caucus sites). Go here for this information.
Oct.: an overview of DFL organization from state to caucus level
Nov.: a look at SD 42 committee functions
Dec.: a look at the three levels of DFL conventions and what happens at each
Jan.: caucus night information.
Local fall elections
Sept. 11: Minnetonka Ward 4 primary election
Nov. 6: Eden Prairie, Hopkins and Minnetonka School Board elections; Minnetonka City Council ward seat elections
Websites
Fact-checking links
There is a lot of inflammatory, unsubstantiated rhetoric out there. Go here to link to some great fact-checking sites listed on our website and be ready to share the truth when you have the opportunity.
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Help make SD 42's 2008 caucus night effective
It takes good planning and volunteers to ensure that our caucus night will run smoothly. Please take a moment to look at the list of volunteer needs below and consider helping out.
Contact Deb Pitzrick for more information or to volunteer. Thank you!
- 12 people to help
phone likely SD 42
Democrats; on a
Monday night in Sept.,
date TBD
- Planning/implementation
of the 2008 caucus
(coordinate details
before Feb. 5, work
at caucus sites on
Feb. 5, etc.)
- Assistant treasurer
(enter info, issue
receipts and forms,
deposit checks, etc.)
- Volunteer coordinator
(schedule volunteers;
requires phone calling)
- CAMP WELLSTONE
GRADS: work on
producing mini Camp
Wellstones for people
wanting to become part
of Campaign 2008.
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SENATE DISTRICT 42 NEWS AND NOTES
 It's official: February 5, 2008, is caucus night in Minnesota
How important are the
2008 elections?
We are at a crossroads in the life of our country. If we want to play a part in setting its future directions, we must know how to effectively participate in the political process.
Voting is key for successful elections, but so is having the best candidates on the ballot.
While it's imperative that we vote, merely voting in the general election is like choosing the best float in a parade. If we really want to have an impact, we need to help put the parade together. Similarly, to have real impact on our country, we need to play a significant role in determining who will be the candidates in the general election.
Understand the caucus procedure before you attend.
If you want to have an impact, your first and most important step is to attend your caucus on February 5th already knowing how the process works. That way you will have a chance to become a delegate to conventions at the Senate District, County and State levels. As a delegate at each of these conventions, you will be involved in the process of endorsing our candidates for the November election.
Starting this month through next January, the newsletter will have links to DFL information for you, including how to become a voting delegate to conventions where delegates are chosen who will endorse candidates. We need the best candidates. Together, we can impact those choices if we understand how the process works. Otherwise we can attend a caucus but might not be able to participate effectively.
Coming soon
Sunday, Sept. 23: our third annual SD 42 Fall Feast.
Food - Fun - Candidates! Go here for more information.
Saturday, Oct. 6: the fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup. Help clean up the two mile stretch of road our SD is responsible for in exchange for having our SD name on roadside signs. Having enough volunteers will make quick work of the project. Consider making it a family volunteer time. Contact Patti Indre at 952-941-2046 for more information or to sign up. (October 13 is the backup date in case of rain.)
Norb Gernes, DFL Senate District 42 Chair
Deb Pitzrick, Associate Chair
P.S. Don't forget our next SD 42 meeting on Sept. 13.
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GET INFORMED!
Democratic Visions TV programs air Sundays and Wednesdays on local cable stations
Lori Swanson, DFL Minnesota Attorney General, is the guest on the show broadcast through Sept. 9. Host Larry Piumbroeck talks with Lori about the various ways her office defends the rights of ordinary people.
Democratic Visions is a cable-access TV show produced by DFL Senate District 42 volunteers. The show airs on Channel 15 at 9 p.m. Sundays and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Richfield. For more information or to volunteer, call 952-944-2861. To view some previous shows, go here. Check out this news on our website:
- Listen to former Minnesota Governors Anderson and Carlson on MPR's Aug. 23 Midday broadcast.
Read other articles on our website, too.
Minn. House, Senate offer free magazines
A great way to be informed about Minnesota politics is to read the non-partisan magazines of the House and Senate. The House publication, Session Weekly, can be found online here. You can also sign up here to have a free hard copy delivered to your home once next year's session starts. For the Senate publication, Senate Briefly, go here.
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GET CONNECTED!
Next DFL meetings
Sept. 13: our monthly Senate District 42 meeting
(senate district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m. every second Thursday of each month; Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: Senate District 42 Central Committee members, including the Executive Committee, local state central committee members, all precinct chairs and associate chairs. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.
Sept. 19: Monthly 3rd Congressional District Meeting (congressional district central committee)
Time/Place: 7 p.m., every third Wednesday of each month; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka.
Who Attends: 3rd Congressional District Central Committee members, including congressional district senate district chairs, directors, state central committee members, others. You are also welcome to attend. Your input is valuable, and you will be able to participate fully except for voting.
Next school board meetings
Eden Prairie School Board: Sept. 17 and Oct. 1
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Mondays; 8100 School Road, Eden Prairie. Go here for more information on the School Board, its meeting schedule and cable broadcasts of meetings.
Hopkins School Board: Sept. 20 and Oct. 4
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Go here for more information on the School Board and its meeting schedule. Go here for information on cable broadcasts of meetings. Minnetonka School Board: Sept. 20 and Oct. 4
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on scheduled Thursdays; Minnetonka District Service Center, 5621 County Road 101, Minnetonka. Go here for more information on the School Board, its meeting schedule and information on cable broadcasts of its meetings.
Next city council meetings
Eden Prairie City Council: Sept. 4 and 18
Time/Place: 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month; Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road. Go here for more information on the Council, guidelines for speaking at meetings and cable broadcasts of meetings.
Minnetonka City Council: Sept. 10 and 24
Time/Place: 6:30 p.m.; Minnetonka City Hall, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard. The Minnetonka City Council meets twice a month. Go here for more information on Council members, the meeting schedule and meeting procedures. Go here for information on cable broadcasts of meetings. |
GET ACTIVE!
Attend the SD 42 Strategic Planning Session:
Sept. 15, 9:00 - 5:00, Hampton Inn, Eden Prairie
The focus will be on developing plans to support all candidates on the 2008 Democratic ticket. Bring ideas on how to support your favorite candidates. Space is limited, so RSVP early.
See what your fellow SD 42 DFLers are thinking about
- What question would you like to submit to the
November 28 Republican YouTube debate?
- Help close the tax loophole for billionaires.
- Show your support for health insurance for millions
of low-income children and adults.
To weigh in on these topics, go here and scroll down to Issues Advocacy.
 Volunteer on a committee
We have many opportunities that can fit your talents and schedules. You'll have fun, meet other DFL supporters in your community and feel good about helping a great cause. Our committees include: affirmative action and outreach; candidate support and development; communications and technology; events; fundraising; precinct organization; and strategic planning and research. Go here for more information and to sign up.
Write a letter to the editor
Writing letters to the editors of our local papers is an important way
we can support our DFL elected officials and promote progressive issues. Go here for more information. Make a contribution
It's easy to make a contribution to DFL Senate District 42 and it will only cost you five minutes of your time and a postage stamp. If this is your first contribution of 2007 to a state candidate or DFL organization, you can take advantage of the Minnesota Political Contribution Refund Program and receive a refund of $50 per individual or $100 per couple. That's right, a refund. There is no catch or fine print. Think of it as a "loan" to help Democrats win because you'll get your money back from the state in 2 - 4 weeks. You can write your check to Senate District 42 DFL and mail it to 13012 Jane Lane, Minnetonka, MN 55343. We'll provide you a receipt and easy-to-complete form to send to the state. Go here for more information.
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