April 2025 Newsletter
Volume 17 Number 3
April 2025 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
March 29
March for Democracy: 10:00 am, starting at 13th & Grand and marching to the steps of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. (No rally planned at the end.)
April 8
Municipal & School Election: In-person voting at your polling place or the Platte County Board of Elections.
April 12
Northland Ethnic Festival: Free family event, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Maple Woods Community College. Foods, crafts, performances from around the world.
April 14
Platte County Federated Women’s Democratic Club: 6:30 pm, Green Hills Library Branch, 8581 N. Green Hills Road.
April 15
WDC (Women’s Democratic Coalition for Northern Platte): 7:00 pm, American Bowman, 500 Welk Street, Weston.
April 19
Do Something MO Metro KC Food Drive: Noon-3:00 pm, English Landing Park, West Shelter. Follow on Facebook for additional meeting dates and events.
April 27
Music & Mimosas: Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Noon-3:00 pm, Argosy Casino Hotel, Riverside. Keynote speakers: MO Sen. Stephen Webber (Columbia) and Kansas Democratic Party Chairwoman Jeanne Repass. Justin Short will emcee.
Message from the PCDCC Chair
If you’ve ever donated to a national political organization, you’ve experienced what happens next: Your inbox is flooded with 5-alarm messages from campaigns across the country.
We all know Democratic candidates depend on our contributions to win. And if you’re like me, you wish you could fund them all. But we’re not billionaires, so we have to make some tough decisions.
How can we ensure our limited funds have the greatest impact?
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill frequently said, “all politics is local,” and that’s a guiding phrase for me. The more local the candidate or organization, the further your generous donations will go. Local races are typically cheaper than congressional or statewide races and tend to have a much greater impact on your day-to-day life.
Part of the work of the Platte County Democratic Party is raising funds for our local candidates. It can be an ugly part of politics, but it’s absolutely necessary when going up against monied special interest groups and the dark money that floods our county’s elections.
The Platte Dems are 100% volunteer-run. Every penny goes to reach our goal of supporting and electing more Democrats.
Last year, with the support of hundreds of small-dollar local donations, the Platte County Democrats were able to invest a record amount. We were able to rent a headquarters space to launch canvasses and host phone banks. This location also became a gathering space for ideologically-aligned organizations and groups. For the first time, we were able to send a voter guide to more than 14,000 voters in Platte County. We also upgraded our website and email infrastructure. Our efforts led to engaging more voters, volunteers, and members of the community — efforts that will continue to push Platte County blue.
With all this in mind, I personally invite you to join the Platte County Democrats at our only fundraiser of the year: the Fourth Annual Music & Mimosas on Sunday, April 27! You can purchase tickets here.
Your attendance ensures our ability to support every Democratic candidate who runs in Platte County.
If you are unable to attend Music & Mimosas, you can also become a monthly donor. Monthly donations allow us plan for the long term, work toward obtaining a permanent headquarters, and guarantee support for our candidates.
I appreciate the time, talent, and treasure everyone is able to offer, and I recognize not everyone can afford donations. There are so many ways to get involved, and I know any member of the Platte County Democrats would love to share how you can do that.
“Don’t agonize. Organize!”
– Flo Kennedy
Democratically,
Peter Coyne
Chair, Platte County Democratic Central Committee
P.S. We won’t share your email with outside organizations.
Message from the Editor
United We Stand!
As we enter the third month of this catastrophic administration, momentum for replacing the president, his cabinet, and his supporters in Congress is growing day by day. We’ve been presented with one destructive idea followed by another more alarming proposal.
The truth is we cannot remove all of these people at once. Our constitution does not provide for a vote of “no confidence.” We can, however, prepare for local elections, board appointments and elections coming up in 2026. We need to be sure Republicans are opposed for every office in those elections (Democrat, Independent or 3rd Party). It’s been heartening to have so many like-minded Platte County citizens join our ranks in the last two months.
Local political groups are working to organize people to resist this destructive administration. These include groups like Wednesday Winning Women which sponsored an empty seat town hall directed at our Republican-congressman-in-hiding Sam Graves at Weatherby Lake. Others include the Northern Platte County Women’s group known as WDC; Indivisible Kansas City (formed after the 2016 election); and Do Something MO KC Metro.
Even those not affiliated with a political party are holding discussions and organizing for action through their faith and social groups. In the face of indiscriminate cuts, we’re seeing community-based organizations focus on issues such as feeding the hungry, housing, Social Security, immigration, physical and mental health, the environment, and even our national parks.
As we watch this President attack our allies abroad, the urgency of forming alliances here in our communities grows more imperative. Please help us find ways to make this happen. Alliances are our strength.
Calls to Action for April 2025
- Add the 5 Calls app to your phone and use it frequently. It explains the issues, provides scripts, and dials your representatives! It is making a difference.
- Attend 50501 protests with like-minded friends to make your voice heard in the community.
- Follow the Do Something MO Metro KC Facebook page for meetings and events.
United We Stand!
Alice Wadsworth
March Report
Platte County Central Democratic Committee
The PCDCC met March 20 at the Green Hills Mid-continent Library. After reports from local Democratic Clubs (see below), we discussed plans for Music & Mimosas, our major fundraiser on April 27 at the Argosy Casino Hotel. Speakers will be Missouri Senator Stephen Webber of Columbia and Jeanna Repass, Chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party. Justin Short, former candidate for Kansas City Council will emcee.
Kevin Boydston reported that there is now a full State Democratic Committee. He said a slate of statewide Democratic candidates came to speak about the need to get out the party’s message. It was reported that 36% of the 4.5 million voters in the state are Democrats. The full breakdown is 41.7% Republicans, 36.4% Democrats, 2.3% for 3rd Party, and 19% Independent. The committee is looking for a permanent headquarters in Jefferson City, and it will distribute information about a statewide convention as soon as it is available.
Three people were elected to fill vacant seats on the Platte County Democratic Central Committee: Bobby Curry, Joe Schwarz and Cory Dowman.
March Report
Platte County Federated Women’s Democratic Club
The Platte County Democratic Women’s Club met March 10 at the Pizza Shoppe in Platte Woods. An overflow crowd listened to Tara Bennett provide an update on the Children’s Services Fund lawsuit in which she is a lead plaintiff. The suit was filed a couple of weeks ago to compel the Platte County Board of Commissioners to implement the sales tax that a majority of the voters approved in last November’s election. The Commission’s attorney has responded to the suit, saying the plaintiffs have no standing and that the Missouri statute says the commission is not required to implement the sales tax. The judge (the same person who ordered the issue to be placed on the ballot) wants a hearing before April 1, the date the tax was due to go into effect. Discussion notes: Our tax dollars are being spent on attorneys (@ $300/hour) who are working to overturn our vote. Donations are needed to continue the lawsuit. Rep. Ashley Aune has introduced a bill to remove ambiguity from the Missouri statute.
Sarah Kolsto, Refugee Services Director for Della Lamb, spoke about the dire situation the organization and its clients are facing since Trump has taken office. Since 2014, Della Lamb has worked with the federal government to resettle more than 1900 refugees to the United States. They help refugees enroll children in school, arrange required medical exams, access legal and financial services, provide interpreters, and get jobs. The new administration has completely suspended support for all refugee resettlement activities and funding, leaving Della Lamb and numerous in-process refugees in the lurch. Although the organization spends about $100,000 per month to house the refugees in its care, it hasn’t been reimbursed since October. Last week, they had to lay off 40% of staff, leaving an impossible workload for the rest. How we can help:
- Donate cash to https://dellalamb.kindful.com/. Monthly recurring contributions are most helpful, but they appreciate every dollar.
- Donate hygiene products (not covered by food stipends). PCFWDC will have a bin at future meetings to collect your items.
- Volunteer, especially during the middle of the day. Read more.
Topics discussed during the business portion of the March meeting:
- Elisa Neilson is recruiting candidates to run for the Presiding Commissioner position in 2026 to replace Scott Fricker.
- She also encouraged members to volunteer for county committees: https://www.co.platte.mo.us/board-appointments.
- In addition, Elisa started a page for our group on the Bluesky social media app: @pcfwdc.bsky.social.
- April Meeting: The club has outgrown the Pizza Shoppe, so the next meeting will take place 6:30 pm April 14 at the Green Hills Mid-continent Library 8581 N. Green Hills Road. We will elect officers.
March Report
WDC (Women’s Democratic Coalition for Northern Platte)
The WDC met March 11 at American Bowman in Weston. Melissa Hickman reported that 40 people attended. The group has decided to make providing a platform where people can voice their concerns a central part of their meetings. Speakers at the March meeting were Tara Bennett and Sandy Cox. They discussed litigation on the Children’s Services Fund (currently blocked by the Platte County Board of Commissioners) as well as related proposals before the Missouri legislature. The coalition is seeking candidates to run for every position available in Platte County.
