Two locals honored at Truman Day dinner

Gail Hughes presents the Democrat of the Year Award to Kim Roll, who served for many years as County Commissioner for District 2. The award was presented at the Moniteau County Truman Day dinner on May 6, 2017.
Gail Hughes presents the Democrat of the Year Award to Kim Roll, who served for many years as County Commissioner for District 2. The award was presented at the Moniteau County Truman Day dinner on May 6, 2017.

Two local people were honored at the annual Harry S Truman Day dinner Saturday, May 6.

At the event of the Moniteau County Democratic Club, Gail Hughes presented the Democrat of the Year Award to Kim Roll, who served for many years as County Commissioner for District 2, and named John Kay to the Moniteau Democratic Hall of Fame. Kay served as County Prosecuting Attorney for many years. Members of his family have held numerous local political offices over the years.

The keynote speaker was Missouri State Democratic Committee Chair Stephen Webber. He was introduced by former District 20 State Rep. Gracia Backer, New Bloomfield.

Backer began by asking, "Are you proud to be a Democrat?" She then reviewed how attendance at the Democratic Party rallies and meetings has increased in the last few months. She commented that everyone needs to be aware of the facts. In order to know what is actually going on, Backer said people should watch MSNBC or the nightly news from the three major stations.

"We need to be informed," she said. Later, after mentioning she had a concealed-carry permit, Backer commented that "economics are the issue, not guns, gays or abortions." Before introducing the speaker, she said "this will be a political war. Are you ready for it as a Democrat?"

Webber briefly spoke of his loss in the election for state senate, saying, "if you are running because you believe in values, then you don't give up just because you lose."

In discussing the losses by the Democrats in November, he said "it's a rebuilding of the party. It's like a forest fire which lays waste to everything." He went on to ask if you just give up, or do you push ahead and begin rebuilding?

"I believe we have a moral obligation to oppose Donald Trump," Webber said. "He is a unique singular threat to the country."

Stating that "the status quo is unacceptable," Webber outlined a plan he is pushing and will continue to push in the state.

First, he plans to organize with labor and environmental clubs and groups. Second, he'll use communications, building a grass-roots organization, based on what is going on with the anti-Trump movement. He commented that it didn't exist before the election, but it does now. He said that in the past, the communications have been attached to the candidates, and the candidate's job is to be selfish, and get elected.

He plans to concentrate on the party, first for 2018, but also for 2020. That means spending more time raising the baseline of the Democratic Party, defending Democrats and conducting more fundraising. Third, there is a need for the party to recruit good candidates and rebuild the clubs.

He pointed out that 25 percent of the state senate seats were uncontested in the last election. It should be the party's goal to recruit good candidates. "Don't run a candidate who can't win," he said.

Speaking about the fact that only two Democrat members of the House of Representatives won in districts outside the state's four largest cities in November, Webber said he plans to use his chairman position to work for an increase of the rural vote and make sure the Democratic Party continues to be a loud voice for progressive issues in Missouri.

Susan McClintic, who ran for Missouri's 47th House District last year, also spoke. A retired Columbia teacher, she focused on her opposition to charter schools and school vouchers.

Eric Moore, former mayor of Clarksburg and present union representative from Chicago, provided information on behalf of unions, with a theme of "Resist, Rebuild, Unify," emphasizing the economic downside of the Right to Work legislation.

Michaela Skelton presented information about herself and her reasons for declaring as a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives. She is running against Sarah Walsh in the August special election for the seat previously held by Caleb Jones.

Sponsors for the Truman Day event were: NARAL Missouri, Ralph and Barbara Gaw; Gail and Dorothy Hughes; Chicago and the Midwest Regional Joint Board Workers United; John Kay Attorney at Law; Racker's Manufacturing, Charlie and Carol Rackers; Van B. Adams, Attorney at Law; and International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 3.