Almost 40 folks came out to Berea last night to attend the Madison County KFTC Chapter annual meeting.  Members discussed plans for work throughout the fall as well as elected chapter officers and conducted official business.  Berea Mayor Steve Connelly was their invited guest. 

I would like to say how proud I am that we have a group like KFTC in Berea,” said Berea Steve Connelly who was the invited guest speaker.  “We are glad you are here.

Mayor Connelly brought with him two city council members and discussed issues relating to the future of Berea and answered questions from the audience.  Topics discussed included growth and economic development, education, energy conservation, and the needs of low-income folks.

I was really energized by the meeting,” said chapter member Gail Waldeck.  “I learned more about issues facing Berea from Mayor Connelly.  And I also saw a lot of new faces at the meeting, folks I hadn’t met before.

Members also celebrated previous efforts and renewed their commitment to the issues.  “I was really encouraged by the article about the mountain-top removal tour with Representative Chandler,” said chapter member Joyce Hubbard.  “It shows that we mean business.”

Active members and leaders from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, as well as the Central KY Council for Peace and Justice (CKCPJ), North East Lexington Initiative (NELI), Kentucky Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (KCIRR), BCTC Peace and Justice Coalition, New Morning, and other groups gathered in Lexington yesterday to start a conversation about the 2008 Election.  The gathering was largely organized by KFTC leader Janet Tucker. 

Group members discussed what is at stake in terms of the 2008 election cycle and the need to be involved in voter empowerment organizing in general.  We talked about why so many people don't vote and what we can accomplish as progressive non-profit groups to change that.  This conversation will continue amongst allies in Lexington and across the state as we develop our Voter Empowerment campaign leading to November 4th and beyond. 

 
Primary Voter Registration Deadline - Monday, April 21^st

Absentee Ballot Deadline – Tuesday, May 13th - Last day to apply for a primary mail-in absentee ballot through your local County Clerk (not later than close of business 7 days before election) Applications must be received on this day.

Primary Election – Tuesday, May 20^th.  Polls open from 6am to 6pm.

Voter Registration Deadline – Monday, October 6th

Absentee Ballot Deadline – Tuesday, October 28th - Last day to apply for mail-in absentee ballot through your local County Clerk (not later than close of business 7 days before election) Applications must be received on this day.

Election Day – Tuesday, November 4^th.  Polls open from 6am to 6pm.

   In KFTC, hitting a big goal often means throwing a big party to celebrate!  We have a LOT to celebrate across the state as 2007 draws to a close and the Central Kentucky Chapter threw a huge bash last night with over 60 members participating, great food, games, live music (compliments of Hot Jam Trio!), and stories. 

   Members cited victories, memories, stories and accomplishments too numerous to repeat, but including:

   - The creating and phenomenal work of the UK KFTC student group on campus

   - The Legislative Mountain Witness Tour just a few weeks ago

   - Winning a Minimum Wage increase victory in Frankfort this year

   - A great campaign against the Special Session and subsidies for liquid coal that brought a lot of attention to Mountaintop Removal Mining.

   - Registering over 1,300 voters and contacting over 10,000 voters three times leading to the General Election in a campaign that included great voter guides, door-to-door work, events, phone banks, and so much more!

   - Bringing over 200 citizen lobbyists out to I Love Mountains Day

   - A tremendous year of over 100 community outreach events including tabling at festivals and special events across the city.  The Fourth of July and the Roots and Heritage Festival

   - Passing the Restoration of Voting Rights Bill out of the Kentucky House and laying a lot of groundwork to get it through the Senate in the coming year.

   - Building a 2,400-person group on Facebook as a totally new method of reaching out to youth

   - Great Concerts including the Last Waltz, Concert For The Commonwealth, and Bluegrass Green-Earth

   - An energetic campaign for Robinson Forest to raise awareness and deter future stripmining plans for the forest. 

   - Immigrants Rights ally work in support of KCIRR, including lobby days in Frankfort and public testimony in Lexington.

   - A KFTC presence at Fancy Farm, led by CKY members. 

   - The evolution of our website including this very blog!

    But perhaps the biggest news of the evening was that KFTC hit our incredible expansion goal of reaching 5,000 Members and $200,000 in grassroots fundraising at the end of a three-year push.  Members took a lot of pride in hitting the goal and were all-smiles, talking about what kind of impact we can collectively make in the coming year with that much added strength and support.

   It'll be a huge year ahead, with a 60-day Legislative Session and extremely lively elections on the local, state, and national levels and lots of important ground work in the service of democracy.  But for now, take some time to celebrate a year done good.  You've earned it!