7-25-17 Tri-C and Guns before God

Cover of Cuyahoga Community College Fifty Years Book

South Euclid Democratic Club
7-25-17, SE Community Center

1. Welcome, Marty Gelfand

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Elected Officials and Candidates:

Cuyahoga Community College Fifty Years Book

• Pablo Castro: running for CLE court of common pleas
• William Vodrey: running for CLE court of common pleas
• Jodi Sourini: running for UH school board
• Karrie Howard: running for CLE court of common pleas
• Curtis orr: running for SE city council ward 3
• Sara Continenza: running for SE city council ward 3

Cuyahoga Community College Fifty Years Book

4. Cuyahoga Community College, Marvin Richards

Cuyahoga Community College Fifty Years Book

• Kent State was only affordable public college in area in 1960
• Tax payers came together for TriC
• Metro Campus in 1970
• Has 50,000 students but also 8,000 K-12 students
• Offers non-degree and vocational studies
• Encore 55+, program for 55+yo with special classes
• Program 60, for 60+yo tuition free provided space is available (other restrictions)
• Offers a veterans program
• 85% of graduates stay in Cuyahoga County
• Currently has aging infrastructure--> Capital bond levy to improve facilities 
• $1.50 per 100,000 in property value per month
• Renovation of existing buildings and to update science labs

5. God Before Guns, Rev. Kris Eggert

Speakers Rev. Kris Eggert and Mr. David Eggert

• Started in 2013 in the wake of Sandy Hook shootings
• Believe guns should not have the status that they do in our country
• God before Guns is a multi-faith organization
• This past June they marched across Carnegie bridge and held a rally at Market Square Park Where they read the names of 31 children lost to gun violence this year
• They lend their voices in opposition or support of gun laws at the state house or congress
• They provide educational opportunities to inform people about gun violence
• October 1st will hold a symposium at the Church of the Covenant 
• Gun violence: Our War at Home
• Ways to prevent, intervene, and heal

6. Ohioans for Gun Safety, Mr. David Eggert

• Noticed there were a number of gun safety groups but that they did not work together, this group tries to get the Ohio groups to work together.
• Background check loopholes: not required for private sales. However, there is 80-90% support for background checks for all sales
• 19 states passed expanded background checks through legislation or ballot initiatives 
• Gun violence is effected in states that have passed universal background checks 
• Private sales decreased and the price of guns increased
• This group is starting a project for grassroots initiative for common sense background checks for the ballot in 2018 or 2020

7. New Business/Old Business

• Michelle Cook: Youth Symposium 2018
• 6mths or so reaching out and getting support from youth in an attempts to bring young Democrats into the club. Possible out reach to Notre Dame Young Dems (Having a meeting on campus?)