…looking back; looking ahead…

December seems to be the month during which folks look back over the year, surveying successes and not-so-successes. In Decembers past we’ve offered a month-by-month accounting of CloDem activity. This year, in replicating that format, I ran into a third page by August and thought to myself, Self? Who’d wanna read through all this stuff?

Self didn’t have a real good answer. So in summary, in 2024, we Cloverdale Democrats:

  • Entertained candidates running for local and state office;
  • Heard speakers sharing expertise on board and council membership and responsibilities;
  • Engaged with City Council on local issues including mobile home rent, necessary city revenue enhancements, support for some local initiatives for childcare and our libraries;
  • Offered commentary on local topics for publication in the Cloverdale Connect;
  • Enjoyed a few social gatherings with no agenda, just opportunities to visit and support local eateries; and ~ this is the big one…
  • Elected/selected a new leadership group whose fresh thoughts and approaches we truly needed and appreciate.

We also supported local, statewide and national candidates for elective office, winning some and losing some. Boy-oh-boy! Did we lose the big one!

2025 will be a critical year for the club. Not having a general election on the near horizon can cause participation to wane, which is exactly the wrong thing to do. For the coming year, we must continue to:

  • Delve into local issues like water, growth, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and support for the less fortunate;
  • Attend City Council meetings offering constructive input on those local issues;
  • Maintain inclusive and supportive relationships between club and the larger Cloverdale Community;
  • Be a positive voice in the Cloverdale Community using available local print media and electronic resources; and ~ this, too, is the big one…
  • Realize and live our mission to foster an informed and engaged electorate.

The CloDems accomplished a lot in 2024. Let’s resolve not to lose that head of steam as we turn the calendar page. There is much good work left to do and much we can do together.

Cheers!

Dave Delgardo