- May 5, 2024
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New president: 'We want the Tea Party to know we're here to stay.'
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
The Democratic Club of Northeast Volusia County has started 2014 with a new slate of officers, as well as a desire to increase membership.
“We want to reinvigorate the party,” said new president Larry Babitts. “I’m sure we can do it.”
Babitts and new vice president Susanne Raines both said they want to get more youth involvement.
“We need the exuberance of youth,” Babitts said. “Not just at election time but year-round. I think they will inspire the older members.”
Babitts also said there are a lot of retired people who have time to get involved.
Raines said she wants to build on the coalitions that came together during the Obama campaign and “to increase participation from the diverse communities of northeast Volusia.”
The 43-member club, which is sanctioned by the Volusia County Democratic Party, meets monthly to discuss the issues and hear speakers on various topics. They work throughout the year and especially at election time to support Democratic candidates. The only requirement to join is to be registered to vote as a Democrat.
“Local candidates, like for state House, don’t have much money to campaign,” Babitts said. "We support them by getting out the vote.”
“We need a new governor,” outgoing president Danielle Neetzsaid. “We have so much work ahead of us to do.”
After being elected, Babitts said he wants to focus on the grassroots level and have a clear agenda.
“Not just D.C. and Tallahassee, but from the School Board on up,” he said. “We want to get people back to work and not at minimum wage. ... We remember the veterans who were promised benefits. While the corporations received billions, the vets only got a smile and a handshake.”
He also said he wants the Tea Party groups to know they are here to stay.
The guest speaker, Shannon McLeish, who ran for Volusia Council Council two years ago, gave an update on the project by Citizens for Ormond Beach to take an inventory of empty houses in the city.
“The houses will sit there indefinitely unless we become active in the community,” she said.
At next month’s meeting, the topic will be the text book controversy in Volusia County. There have been protests and County Council discussions on a book being used in the schools that covers world religion.
The club can be found on Facebook, at Democratic Club of Northeast Volusia County, 2013. Call 441-2727.
