Saturday, May 11, 2013

Montgomery County Exec Ike Leggett, MCDCC & Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin Respond to Tonight's Labor Protest of MoCo Dems

Below Maryland Juice prints a press release we received a couple days ago from the MCDCC regarding tonight's protest of their Spring Ball. They note that County Executive Ike Leggett is supporting the Democratic Party. We also received comment from Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, who is being honored at tonight's MCDCC Ball:

JUICE #1: MOCO DEMOCRATS RESPOND TO LABOR PROTEST, ANNOUNCED LEGGETT SUPPORT -
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE: County Executive and Local Leaders Support the Democratic Ball, Fundraiser Will Continue as Planned This Saturday, May 11

Kensington, MD – The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) is disappointed by the decision of some in Labor Unions to boycott and picket the 2013 Spring Ball. The MCDCC has been and remain strong believers and supporters of organized labor. The Party stands behind the working men and women in this County.

The MCDCC has made numerous attempts to reach out to Labor leaders to meet formally to discuss this matter. To date, Labor has not reciprocated a call for a meeting. “There is deep concern that this divisive action will make it more difficult to fight for issues important to both organized Labor and the Democratic Party.” Party Chair, Gabe Albornoz stated, “Historical data acknowledges that the strongest outcomes are produced when we work together.”

Many local elected officials continue to stand with the party, including: Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, members of the Montgomery County Council, members of the Democratic State Delegation, Federal Elected Officials, as well as numerous Democratic Clubs and Caucus have all pledged their support for the 2013 Spring Ball.

The Party and its strength are built from the grassroots volunteers and precinct organization. Last fall, the precinct organization overwhelmingly voted 109 to 14 in favor of Question B. The Committee affirmed this position, and made it the official stance of the Party during the November 2012 election.

The Central Committee, as the governing body of the local Democratic Party, works to educate voters, staff the polls on Election Day and get Democrats elected, including mailing a sample ballot to every registered Democrat in the County. The Spring Ball serves at the Party’s main fundraising event, without which the work of the Party may be dramatically impacted.

JUICE #2: SOMERSET MAYOR JEFFREY SLAVIN RESPONDS TO TONIGHT'S LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL -
JEFFREY SLAVIN: Dear Maryland Juice,

As a lifelong Democrat and active philanthropist, I have spent my entire career working for families in need in our great County.  Many of these families are part of proud union households throughout Montgomery. Many of these are immigrants, and many of these are black, brown and yellow.

Tonight, as a result of my involvement,  I will be receiving the prestigious Morgan-Jerney Community Service Award.  I will, with great sorrow, cross the so-called "picket line"  (which I do not believe was voted on by the rank of file and is not a strike or work stoppage), so that I can accept this award and dedicate it to the thousands of workers here who have been left behind by Republican Tea Party inspired policies like the sequester.

It seems that me that the protest activity that is being proposed  is more of a power play by some elite leaders and that we will be losing sight of our common Democratic and Union goals to provide a better quality of life for the working families in Montgomery County.  That makes me sad.  United We Stand, Divided We Fall.


MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!

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