Citizens at Forums Skeptical About Sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center

 

(From WHQR) The New Hanover County County Commissioners held two forums last week, and most of the hundreds of citizens participating seemed to be against the idea. Reporter Vince Winkel of the local NPR radio station quoted County Commission Chair Jonathan Barfield saying, "Give the people what they want, let them voice their concerns and then digest it. Overwhelming - What I heard tonight was ‘we don't want this’. And that's what I've heard throughout our entire community. And for me this has been a great listening session. Just to sit back and listen, not to make comments, but to sit back and listen to what our citizens are telling us that they want to see happen with their hospital.”

 

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on a Resolution of Intent to Sell at its meeting on September 3. Proponents of the vote insist that no decision has been made to sell the hospital.  However their position appears to be contradicted by the plain language of the resolution, available here, in which the Board of Commissioners "declares its intent to sell NHRMC’s facilities and assets, or to enter into any other affiliation arrangement consistent with NHRMC’s lawful purpose."

 

The StarNews yesterday ran an editorial entitled Our View: The People Have Spoken -- Slow Down On NHRMC. The editorial suggests that resolution should include language that guarantees ample time and opportunity for public input.

 

The New Hanover County Democratic Party is hosting a public forum on sale of the Medical Center this Wednesday at 6 pm at the ILA Hall in Wilmington. See details below.

Republican Support for Tillis Weakens as He Seeks 2020 reelection

(From NCDEMS) A new poll of North Carolina Republican primary voters reveals that Senator Tillis is losing serious ground in his nasty Republican primary because he continues to have a “credibility” problem with base Republicans. From the poll:

• Senator Tillis is underwater with Republican primary voters (34% approve vs. 38% disapprove)
• Tillis is barely leading self-funding conservative primary challenger Garland Tucker in a head-to-head matchup among GOP primary voters (38%-31%)
• Tillis’ favorability trails President Trump by 52 points with the Republican base (86% have a favorable opinion of Trump vs. 34% for Tillis)
• Tillis is running 78 points behind President Trump in net approval rating from the GOP primary base (Tillis net approval rating -4% vs. Trump net approval rating +76%)

Three Democrats, so far, are planning to challenge for Tillis' seat next year, according to RollCall.com. ​State Senator Erica Smith of Northampton County and Mecklenburg County Commissioner Trevor Fuller have also announced their campaigns for the seat. Former state senator Cal Cunningham announced in June that he will also run after first announcing he would run for Lieutenant Governor.

Winter is Coming, but End to Budget Stonewall Apparently is Not

 

(From NCDEMs) Way back in early July, Governor Roy Cooper and Democratic leaders today offered Republican leadership a state budget compromise proposal that would close the health care coverage gap, raise teacher pay, cut taxes for people and guarantee school construction while balancing the budget and saving money in the Rainy Day Fund. But Republicans have steadfastly refused to negotiate in good faith. 

Get to know Democrats in your precinct who want to make a difference! Ask people from your precinct to make 9 calls for 9 days for Dan McCready using a virtual phone link.  It takes 10-15 minutes per day to help elect another Democrat to Congress.  We'll provide all the information and support you need – sample emails to your precinct members, message to leave, etc. Contact Joanne Durham [email protected] for details.

Donate to Deb Butler for a Chance at Carrie Underwood Concert Seats

Rep. Deb Butler of House District 18 has two tickets to the Carrie Underwood: Cry Pretty Tour at the PNC Arena in Raleigh on September 30th, which she is not using. Instead of letting them go to waste, she is raffling them off to one lucky supporter of her reelection campaign. Each $50 donation earns an entry in the drawing, which will take place at noon on Friday, September 20th.  They are great seats (Section 103, Row T) and face value is over $500. Click here for your chance at tickets.

 

Taco Monday Event for Leslie Cohen -- August 26

 

Voter Empowerment Workshop and Training -- August 27

 

When: Tuesday, August 27, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4313 Lake Avenue, Wilmington

 

You Can Vote is a non-partisan group organized to train and mobilize volunteers to educate, register and empower all North Carolina citizens to successfully cast their ballots. The August 27 event will discuss the latest voting rules, including the Voter ID law that takes effect in 2020; best practices for voter education and registration; and what's on the ballot in 2019. RSVP here.

 

NHCDP Forum On Sale Of New Hanover Regional Medical Center -- August 28

 

When: Wednesday, August 28, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: ILA Hall, 1305 S Fifth Avenue, Wilmington

 

Forum with Chris Coudriet, New Hanover County Executive, John Gizdic, NHRMC CEO, and Kyle Horton, MD MBA. The forum will be moderated by Kimberly Mclaughlin-Smith, National Diversity and Inclusion Learning Development Specialist.

 

Forum on Historically Underutilized Businesses in the Commmunity -- August 29

 

When: Thursday, August 29, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Cape Fear Community College, Union Station Building, Room U512, 502 N. Front Street, Wilmington

 

The NC Budget and Tax Center, Legal Aid of NC and Financial Protection Law Center will host a "thoughtful and inclusive conversation about equitable access to capital, transparent procurement policy and community economic development means for New Hanover County and our entire state." The event is free.

Get Out the Vote Canvassing for Dan McCready -- September 7 through 10

 

Where: Elizabethtown office (1 hour from Wilmington) 

 

This is your last chance to flip a Congressional seat in 2019! Dan is running for the District 9 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a September 10th special election. His campaign hopes to schedule 100 volunteer shifts to canvass in the days before the election. Contact Jim Fleagle at  [email protected] if you wish to participate with other New Hanover County volunteers. Or, sign up directly for canvassing at  https://www.mobilize.us/mccreadyforcongress/event/107644/

 

Join Leslie Cohen, candidate for NC House District 20, for cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres at the home of Shelly O'Rourke on Tuesday, August 13th from 6-8PM. Tickets start at $25 and sponsorships available.To purchase tickets or sponsor, click here. 

 

Democratic Women of North Carolina Annual Convention -- September 13 through 15

 

When: September 13 through 15, times TBA

Where: Durham, North Carolina

 

Save the date for the 59th Annual Convention of the Democratic Women of North Carolina. Further details will be posted soon at www.democraticwomenofnc.org

 

End of Summer Celebration with Harper Peterson -- September 16

 

When: Monday, September 16, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Alina Szmant and Dan Baden’s home,  210 Braxlo Lane, Wilmington

 

NC State Senator Harper Peterson. Senator Peterson will give an update on what has been happening in the state on a legislative and political level. If you can't attend, you can still support Harper: bit.ly/DonateHarper . RSVP for the celebration here: bit.ly/PetersonSummerCelebration 

 

Reception for Judge Lucy Inman, Candidate for NC Supreme Court -- Septmber 17

 

When: Tuesday, September 17, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Home of Louise and Steve Coggins, 150 Beach Road S, Wilmington

 

Lucy Inman who has served in North Carolina courtrooms for nearly a decade is running for the NC Supreme Court in 2020.  For tickets and to select a sponsorship level, click here.

 

We the People March on Washington Bus Trip -- September 21

 

When: Saturday, September 21, bus departure at 1:30 a.m., March Saturday, September 21, 12:00 noon.

Where: Meet at Steinmart, 3501 Oleander Drive, Wilmington

 

The Leland Indivisible chapter is taking part in a September 21 March On Washington and is organizing a bus to transport marchers from Wilmington to and from Washington D.C. The mission of the march is stated: "We the People are marching to be seen and heard. We are marching to remind our elected officials that they work for us. We are marching because the current regime is a threat to our democracy and values. We are marching to demand accountability. Silence and inaction are complicity." Cost of the bus ride is $62.25 per person. For details and to register go here.

 

2019 NHCDP Unity Banquet Musicians Announced -- September 21

When: Saturday, September 21, 6 to 9 pm

Where: Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt Street, Wilmington 

 

The annual Unity Banquet has sold out thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers and to our keynote speaker, Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. There are always some seats freed up in the weeks before the banquet, and they will be offered on a first come, first served basis to people on our waiting list.  To sign up for the Unity Banquet waiting list, click here.

 

Announcing The Doug Irving Quartet: Playing jazz standards at the reception before the banquet, the musicians will include Doug Irving (bass), Charity Whittington (vocals), Jerald Shynett (piano) and Riley Ball (drums).

 

Silent Auction Items Needed: Organizers of the silent auction are seeking donations of auction items. Please note that these contributions are not tax deductible for the contributor. All items must be submitted by August 31^st, and should be accompanied by an in-kind donation form, downloadable here. Please direct inquiries to Mary Melia at (973) 223-4976, or at [email protected].