County Democrats to caucus Sunday

    Aroostook County Democrats will gather for caucuses Sunday, Feb. 26 at various sites around the County from 1-8 p.m.
    Attendees at the caucuses will cast votes for their party’s presidential candidate
    Approximately 71 communities will comprise 23 different caucuses in an effort to include the entire county and make these events as accessible as is possible. Local Democrats say the goal is to shore-up the organization of municipal Democratic committees, to cast votes for delegates to the state convention, and to participate in the reaffirmation of President Obama as the Democratic nominee for President.
    “If you’re an Aroostook County Democrat or tend to lean that way it’s extraordinarily important to participate in these caucuses in a few weeks,” said Chace Joe Jackson, chairman of the Aroostook County Democratic Comittee. “The caucuses are a chance for folks to discuss issues that are important to them and also an opportunity for our candidates up and down the ballot to collect nomination signatures. Legislative candidates will attend many of these gatherings and are looking to discuss current events with attendees.”
    However, in a presidential election year the main purpose of a caucus is to select state convention delegates who will in turn choose delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The Maine Democratic Party State Convention will occur in Augusta from June 1-3 this summer.
    “We expect a turnout we’ll be proud of for a few reasons,” said Jackson. “These caucuses are on a Sunday afternoon, making it easier for working folks to participate, and without a doubt, working folks vote for Democrats. They are the heart and soul of our party and what we stand for.”
    Delegates to the state convention also have the opportunity to vote on the party platform, which will determine what direction the Democratic Party will take in Maine over the next few years.
    “Aroostook County can send over 200 delegates to the state convention — that’s a huge share of the vote,” Jackson noted.
    The following is a listing of caucus times and locations for Aroostook County:
• Weston, Orient, Amity, Haynesville, Glenwood Plantation, Bancroft, Reed Plantation and Macwahoc meet at 2 p.m. at Weston Grange. The convener is Mary Beth Foley (441-0382 or e-mail mbfoley@intergate.com).
• Bridgewater meets at 5 p.m. at Bridgewater Civic Building. The convener is Jim Gerritsen (429-0943/jim@woodprairie.com).
• Island Falls, Dyer Brook, Oakfield, Merrill, Moro Plt., Hersey, Crystal, Sherman, Silver Ridge, and Benedicta meet at 2 p.m. at the Island Falls Municipal Building. The convener is Pat Hunt (463-2285/pathunt@fairpoint.net).
• Houlton, Hodgdon, Cary Plantation, Linneus, New Limerick, Ludlow, Hammond, Littleton and Monticello meet at 1 p.m. at the Houlton Fire Department. The convener is Mike Carpenter (532-8197 /carpenterlawofficepa@yahoo.com).
    For more information on these caucuses, contact Jackson at 207-398-4081 or e-mail chacejoejackson1@gmail.com.