Vigil for the Victims of the Newtown Shooting

People came to share their thoughts and to read the names of the victims aloud.

It was freezing cold but our hearts were warm.

Climate Change Conversation

Please join us for the informative movie and discussion.

The Most Fun in Holliston

Climate Change FREEE MOVIES

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is.

Celebrate Holliston Poll Makes You Think

At this Saturday's Celebrate Holliston field day the Holliston Democratic Town Committee asked passersby to play a game called Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is.

Participants were given five important issues to consider.
1. Climate Change/Alternative Energy/ Environmental Issues
2. Gun Violence/Background Checks/Assault Weapon Bands
3. Healthcare Reform/The Affordable Care Act/ Obama Care
4. Education Reform/Affordable Student Loans/ Equitable Education
5. Income Disparity/Poverty in America

Then they were given three ballots in the form of fake money to cast for the issues that were most important to them.

The results were as follows:
1. Education Reform/Affordable Student Loans/ Equitable Education...42 votes
2. Gun Violence/Background Checks/Assault Weapon Bands...32 votes
3. Climate Change/Alternative Energy/ Environmental Issues...30 votes
5. Income Disparity/Poverty in America...27 votes
3. Healthcare Reform/The Affordable Care Act/ Obama Care...22 votes

Observations
... a few people put all their ballots in the education pot remarking that that would take care of everything else

... teenagers all voted for gun violence and there was a lot of discussion about this fear, their second concern was climate change

... the healthcare vote was definately influenced by peoples perception that that reform was already taken care of...perhaps living in Massachusetts allows us this luxury?

... many discussions took place about how the economy would be helped by these initiatives


Thank you to the 42 participants who gave us a glimpse at what our community is thinking. Some interesting conversations took place among adults and parents and their children.

What do you think?

Karen Spilka for Congress

Holliston DTC Endorses Karen Spilka

Spilka, of Ashland, has served in the Massachusetts Legislature for 12 years, first elected to the House of Representatives in 2001. In January 2005 she was sworn in to her current position, serving the 2^nd Middlesex and Norfolk District towns of Ashland, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick as State Senator. She was promoted to the leadership position of Majority Whip in January 2013 by Senate President Therese Murray. 

DTC chair Beth Greely said, “We have found Karen to be a passionate and effective leader as our State Senator and we look forward to her energy in Washington.”She went on to say, “During her time in the legislature, Karen has been a tenacious fighter, getting results for the residents of the district and Metrowest. We believe Congress needs the tenacity and leadership skills that she can bring to the job. We also think it’s time for the Metrowest region to have a strong voice in the Massachusetts delegation. Karen will be that voice. “ 

District residents will vote in the 5^th Congressional District Special Primary Election on Tuesday, October 15. September 25 is the last day to register to vote in the Primary. The chosen Democratic and Republican nominees will face off in the Special Congressional Election to replace former Congressman, now Senator, Ed Markey. That election will take place on December 10.

Women in the Garden
What a wonderful multi-generational group of impressive women!

Greeley O'Connor, our guest speaker from the Barbara Lee Family foundation delivered a great talk on Women in Politics that inspired many conversations.

The DTC is committed to encouraging women to run for public offices and will continue the discussion of finding women leaders in our community. 

A Bubbly Event for the Wonderful Women of Holliston and Beyond
Yesterday's Toast of the Town Garden Party was a huge success with 45 smart, engaged and interesting women in attendance. Hats were worn, champagne drunk and chocolates melted as we all got to meet new people and share our passions for civic engagement, issues and politics.

Greeley O'Connor, of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, talked about women in politics and informed our discussion and encouraged the women in the group to step up and consider running for public official. She pointed out that there were more women sitting at this garden party than there were in the US Senate during the entire history of the United States. What's wrong with that picture?

Sylvia Stickney was the official hostess of the event and many spoke of how her efforts to support our community have inspired them to step up and get involved.

The Holliston DTC would like to hold a garden party each spring that invites Holliston's finest women and has a guest speaker to get the conversations rolling. We also plan on keeping this network of women going with the hope of supporting women candidates in our community.

Ed Markey for Senate

If you are interested in helping get Ed Markey elected in the critical Senate race please contact Beth Greely at 508-331-6318.

Women in Power and in Hats

Please join us for a  Toast of the Town

Champagne and Chocolate Garden Party

Celebrating women who lead our community and the power of women to make change. A garden full of interesting, involved women, champagne, punch, and chocolates! What could be more fun?

Come meet Holliston’s women movers and shakers. Let’s talk about how we can all help each other reach our leadership goals, both civically and politically.

SundayJune23rd, 3:00pm

1038 Washington Street,Holliston
in the garden of DTC chair Beth Greely, unless we move in doors in inclement weather

Guest Speaker: 

Greeley O’Connor from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation will present a talk titled Women in Politics: Making an Impact which is a fascinating look at challenges and the successess of women in politics. 

The Barbara Lee Family Foundation advances women’s equality and representation in American politics and in the field of contemporary art through nonpartisan political research, strategic partnerships, and grantmaking. Their work in both areas is guided by their core belief that women’s voices strengthen our democracy and enrich our culture.

Official Hostess: Sylvia Stickney will be on board to greet guests. Please wear your most beautiful garden party hat in Sylvia’s honor.

Tickets: $15 

For tickets and information contact Lisa Kaplan, lisabbk@verizon.net 508-429-6354 or Beth Greely, beth@yellowinc.net 508-331-6318. Please reserve your tickets by June 19thas only a small number of tickets will be available at the door.

It won’t be the same without you.

Let's Talk Guns

Join Us for Our First Community Conversation

Have you wondered what Massachusetts requires for gun registration? 

Have a question about proposed new gun control legislation? 

Concerned about gun safety, or about your rights and responsibilities as a gun owner, 

safety, responsible gun ownership and gun rights, violence prevention, and proposed
legislation. 

Representing all sides of the ongoing national and community debate in response to recent mass shootings, panelists will discuss guns and will have time to take questions from the audience.

Please come and participate!

Thursday, March 21, 

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Adams Middle School Auditorium

323 Woodland Street, Holliston

Moderated by Barbara Gardner

State Rep. Dave Linsky Gun Control Advocate

Jim Wallace Exec. Director Gun Owners’ Action League

Jerry Belair Legislative Director of Stop Handgun Violence

Chief John Moore Holliston Police 

Margaret Fitzpatrick Director of Holliston Youth and Family Service

Holliston Democratic Delegates Wanted

Holliston--Democrats in Holliston will hold a caucus to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2013 Platform Convention on Saturday, February 9 at 10:00 am in the Selectmen’s Room (Rm. 105) at Town Hall, 703 Washington St. Doors will close promptly at 10:15. The caucus is open to the public and press but only registered Holliston Democrats (as of December 31, 2012) are eligible to participate in the voting.

Four men and four women will be selected to represent Holliston at the convention, as well as 2 male alternates and 1 female alternate. DTC Chair Beth Greely will attend as an ex officio delegate. Those not elected as a delegate or alternate, who meet the qualifications, can apply to be an add-on delegate in the following categories: youth, minority or disabled.

“The 2013 delegates will debate and adopt our platform for the next four years, catch up and network with other organizers from around the Commonwealth, and hear from some exciting future leaders of our party,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh.

This year’s convention will take place Saturday, June 1 in Lowell. For the first time, the party will also host a Youth Convention for high schoolers, immediately following the regular convention.

For more information on the Platform Convention, Youth Convention or the Holliston Democratic Town Committee contact Chair Beth Greely atbeth@yellowinc.net.

January Brainstorm

We had a great and energized meeting in January and have divided into five groups to carry out our actions.
The Election Assessment Committee
The Fun and Fundraising Committee
The Community Education and Issues Committee
The Community Service Committee
The Bylaw Committee

If you are interested in getting involved in any of these groups please contact chair Beth Greely, 508-331-6318. You do not have to be a DTC member to participate.