Past Events of 2008

November 12, 2008, the Shirley Democratic Town Committee met at the Town Municipal Building to celebrate the results of the November 4, 2008, election. The committee members were thrilled by the results of the election, and welcomed Jen Benson, newly elected State Representative, who spoke briefly about her plans after beginning sworn in. Also, State Committeewoman, Kate Donoghue came and discussed the upcoming caucuses to elect Democrats from each community to attend the MA Democratic Convention in June.

November 4, 2008, General Election. It was a wonderful day for the Democrats, the Country, and the World! Barack Obama and Joe Biden were elected President and Vice President of the Unitied States! People wanted a change. It was an historic election. The Democrats swept all the contested races in Shirley, MA. Here are the Shirley results:

The ticket topper was U. S. Representative Niki Tsongas (unopposed) with 2287.

September 20, 2008, the Shirley Democratic Town Committee met at the Hazen Memorial Library, Keady Way, Shirley, at 12:30 p.m., and discussed the upcoming general election and plans to help the Democratic candidates. The committee's new initiative, Shirley Goes Green was discussed. Committee members Bonnie Jo Collins and Kendra Kratkiewicz plan to write a column for The Shirley Volunteer, and Tom Corbett has created a Shirley Goes Green web site to kick things off. The site highlights the ways that Shirley supports the green mantra “Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose” and brings attention tonew and interesting green initiatives.

September 16, 2008, State Primary. Most Democratic candidates were unopposed in this election. U. S. Senator John Kerry handily defeated his Democratic opponent, Ed O'Reilly.

August 25 -28, 2008, the Democratic National Convention was held in Denver, Colorado. Democratic delegates nominated Barack Obama and Joe Biden to be their candidates for President and Vice President, respectively. See the Democratic Party website for ways you can help to ensure a Democratic victory in November. Or contact John Oelfke, Chair of the Shirley Democratic Town Committee to find out how you can get involved locally (shirleymadtc@aol.com).

June 12, 2008—The Shirley Democratic Town Committee met at the Town Hall, 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA. Guests included candidate Jen Benson, who is running for State Representative. Jen is unopposed in the Democratic primary race but will face a Republican challenger in November. Jen spoke about the issues she is addressing in the campaign and about upcoming events. A representative from Jamie Eldridge's State Senate campaign attended (Mr. Jarboe) and asked for assistance with Jamie's campaign. Also in attendance was Sue Kennedy, State Committee representative, from Acton.

The committee voted to endorse Jamie Eldridge for State Senate and Jen Benson for State Representative.

Chairman Oelfke talked about the results of the issues survey he conducted of the committee members, and the committee discussed ways to be more visible in the community. No definite date was set for the next meeting.

April 13, 2008—The M & W Democratic Breakfast and Fundraiser was held at the Hudson Portugese Riverside Club, in Hudson, MA. Senator John Kerry was the guest speaker, and Congressperson, Niki Tsongas and other candidates also spoke. From the Town of Shirley—Bonnie Jo and Leo Collins received the Democratic Activist of the Year Award.

Leo and Bonnie Jo Collins receive the Democratic Activitist of the Year Award from State Rep Jamie Eldridge and State Senator Pam Resor.	U. S. Congressperson Niki Tsongas speaks while State Senator Pam Resor listens.	U. S. Senator John Kerry holds up a poster from years past when he ran for Lt. Governor of MA with Mike Dukakis running as Governor.

March 8, 2008—the Shirley Democratic Town Committee Meeting met at the Town Hall in Shirley to elect officers as required. The following people were elected:

• John Oelfke, Chairman
• Marian Stronach Cardillo, Secretary
• Elizabeth Keddy, Treasurer

John Oelfke announced that the Democratic Activitist of the Year Award from the M & W Democrats will go this year to Bonnie Joe and Leo Collins (as voted by our committee). They will receive the award at the M & W Democratic Breakfast on Sunday, April 13.

Guests at the meeting included two candidates for the State Representative Seat being vacated by Jamie Eldridge (who is running for State Senate). Jen Benson from Lunenburg and Gail Sullivan from Lancaster spoke about their backgrounds and what they would bring to the position of state representative. Also at the meeting was David Kent, Jamie Eldridge's campaign chairperson who spoke on behalf of Jamie. We will be hearing more about these races soon. The primary will be held in September and the final vote will be held in November when we elect a new President of the United States.

February 5, 2008—Massachusetts Democratics voted in the Presidential Primary election. In Shirley, MA, the top Democratic vote getter was Hillary Clinton with 657 votes, followed by Barack Obama with 422 votes. Other candidates who had withdrawn from the race before the election also received some votes, and Kate Donaghue and Jim McGowan were re-elected to the Democratic State Committee. The members of our Shirley Democratic Town Committee were also voted in at this election. We have some new members. See our Membership page for the full list.

February 2, 2008—Registered Democrats in Shirley caucused at Shirley Town Hall (Keady Way) and elected delegates (4) and alternates (2) to the 2008 Massachusetts Democratic Convention that will be held at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, on Saturday, June 7, 2008. At the convention Democrats will endorse statewide candidates and discuss key issues for the upcoming year. Elected at the caucus as delegates are Charline Oelfke, Tom Corbett, and Joyce Reischutz. Elected as alternates are Melissa Slattery and Robert Morse.

Following the caucus, the Shirley Democratic Town Committee members discussed the upcoming Presidential primary to be held on February 5th (Super Tuesday). It is at this election that the members of the Democratic Town Committee are officially elected by the voters. State Committee women Kate Donaghue and Faye Morrison spoke briefly at the meeting. Kate is supporting Hillary Clinton in the upcoming primary election and Faye is supporting Barack Obama. State Representative Jamie Eldridge also discussed legislation of interest and mentioned that a fundraiser will be held for him on February 6. Governor Deval Patrick will be the guest speaker.

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