Newsletter for Nov 11, 2021

In this Newsletter:

Message from the ChairThe Veterans of the GWCDP have something to share
GWCDP NewsNovember Breakfast Meeting recap
Volunteers of the Month announced
Upcoming Elections & Voting RightsSenate redistricting proposal
House redistricting proposal
Our CommunityCokesbury St. cleanup on Saturday
Thanksgiving service project
Legislative UpdatesA Party that DOES something about infrastructure!
Yet more undeserved credit claimed by McMaster
Upcoming Events 

Message from the Chair

Today is not a day that you need to hear anything from me. Instead, I encourage you to take some time to hear directly from six members of the GWCDP who have served our country over the decades. While their experiences are as varied as our nation overall they were all asked the same question at the end of the video yet had very similar responses.

Do you have 12 minutes that you can spare to hear their words today?

Thank you to the following who contributed their time to this video and to all who have heeded the call to serve our country. We are forever in your debt.

Sloan Griffin, Jr – Dr. Bob Phillips – Claudia Thomas 
Chad Farrell – Frank Koczwara – David Gaskin


GWCDP News

November Breakfast Meeting recap
Another successful and informational Breakfast Meeting was held on Nov. 6. If you weren’t able to attend, or wish to review some topics, we’ve uploaded the proceedings to YouTube!

Flag donation
Recognitions
Agenda
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays tribute

Month in Review
Financial update
County Council election
New Director of Voter Engagement
Search & Support
Senate Redistricting
… and a new logo!

1st Vice Chair, Rev. James Thompson, drops some truth on the very important topic of politics mixing with religion.

Volunteer of the Month award
Upcoming events
Closing


November Volunteers of the Month announced
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Democratic Party. We were thrilled to recognize Claudia Thomas and Chad Farrell as our Volunteers of the Month for November! They attended their first Breakfast Meeting just this past July but since then they’ve been instrumental in the success of the Floyd’s Fish Fry and have assisted with Breakfast Meetings since. Thank you for your contribution to the cause!


Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights

SC Senate Redistricting
In a surprising proposal, a major shifting of Senate territories has been shared by the SC Senate staff. Greenwood County, which was mostly in District 10 except for a little “finger” that comes down from Anderson, would be fully in District 10 in the new proposal.

But District 10 would not have anything to do with Abbeville or McCormick counties. Instead, it would stretch through Saluda and Lexington (!) counties along Lake Murray.

You can see the full details on the Senate Redistricting page. You can also see larger version of the before/after maps below on our website.


SC House Redistricting
The SC House Redistricting proposal is also in!

At first glance, it looks like District 12 (Anne Parks) has expanded a bit around the City of Greenwood but otherwise stayed the same. District 13 (John McCravy) gained considerable territory taking the full length of Lake Greenwood and also a little portion of Laurens County, essentially booting Stewart Jones out of Greenwood County (good!).

You can see the full state map here. Other working drafts can be found here.


Our Community

Cokesbury Street cleanup scheduled
As part of the GWCDP Community Care Movement, we’ve adopted a highway! The segment of Cokesbury St between Laurel Ave and Reynolds Ave is our little segment of community that we’ve adopted and committed to keeping clean.

Please join us for our next cleanup event on Saturday, Nov 13 at 9 am. All materials will be provided by the county. We’ll meet in the parking lot of Emerald Baptist Church on Laurel Ave (on the side of the church adjacent to Cokesbury St). Please reply to this email if you can participate!


Partnering with the 8th Annual Thanksgiving Outreach

It is our honor to announce that the November Community Care Movement activity will be to partner again with Avery Roman along with his family & friends for their Annual Thanksgiving Outreach program. 

For many years they have set aside a day of the year to cook, prep, and serve meals to residents of Greenwood – no questions asked! They are ramping up to do so again on Tuesday, Nov 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Click on the image to the right to see the full poster.

Items needed by November 19, 2021

Dressing
Turkey
Ham
Green beans
Rolls
Cake
Bottle Water
Carry out Plates
Napkins- Forks- Spoons

Please contact Wanda Moore, wandamoore320@gmail.com or (864) 554-5702, to either donate products or to help volunteer on the day of.


Legislative Updates

A Party that DOES something about infrastructure!
Since our last newsletter went out, there’s been some pretty big news that was announced. Maybe you heard it? Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill last Friday evening and it will be signed by President Biden on Monday.

Here’s what it means for South Carolina!

infographic courtesy of our intern, JaDasia Mitchell

Yet more undeserved credit claimed by McMaster

As Democrats continue to deliver for the people, Gov Henry McMaster and other Republican leaders shockingly take credit for it!

In a statement this week from SCDP Chair, Trav Robertson, had this to say:

Today Joe Wilson [you lie!] and Henry McMaster’s hypocrisy was on full display as they touted infrastructure improvements to the I-20, I-26 and I-126 corridor, despite constant opposition.

McMaster vetoed funding for these improvements
The Carolina Crossroads project is funded by state and federal funds and is, “made possible by the 2017 state gas tax increase,” which Henry McMaster vetoed. Despite vetoing the funding for this project, Henry McMaster would never miss the opportunity to take credit for work he did not do.

Wilson just voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
Joe Wilson just got back from Washington, where he voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which will bring $4.6 billion to improve highways across the state.

The irony of Joe Wilson voting against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal on Friday, which will bring federal funding for our roads and bridges, but showing up on Monday and pretending to support infrastructure investments will not be lost on South Carolina voters.

The tactics used by Joe Wilson and Henry McMaster today, showing up for a photo-op after opposing the project every step of the way, are straight from the GOP playbook. We are not going to let them get away with pretending they support these projects. They must be held accountable.


Upcoming Events 

See our Calendar Page for these and other upcoming events.

Veteran’s Day
Thu, Nov 11

Cokesbury Road Cleanup
Sat, Nov 13
9 am – 11 am
Meetup at Emerald Baptist Church on Laurel Ave

Greenwood City Council
Mon, Nov 15
5:30 pm
Municipal Building
520 Monument St
Watch on FB Live

GWD50 Board of Trustees
Mon, Nov 15
6 pm
Genesis Education Center
400 Glenwood St
Watch online

GWD County Council
Tue, Nov 16
5:30 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Watch on YouTube

Search & Support Committee
Wed, Nov 17
6 pm
(reply to email if interested)

Thanksgiving Outreach
Tue, Nov 23
4 pm – 7 pm
The Hut

Breakfast Meeting
Sat, Dec 4
9 am – 11 am
Location to be confirmed

GWCDP Christmas Party
Sat, Dec 11
6 pm – 9 pm
Headley-Downs Manor

Greenwood County Council
District 5 Election
Tue, Dec 28
7 am – 7 pm
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