Tell us your opinion on our BLOG page. Simply send an e-mail to our webmaster. All opinions are welcomed, but entries may be edited or declined if offensive language is used.

***************************

Chapter members and guests were treated to yet another outstanding monthly chapter meeting last night at a new location, the American Motel in Arvada. The attendance was probably the largest ever to attend a Denver Chapter meeting, including many guests from other conservative organizations in the Denver area.

The opening ceremonies featured a drill team from the Foothills Young Marines, who professionally Presented the Colors and provided the perfect background for the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Also a part of the opening ceremony was a Moment of Silence in Honor of recently deceased former Jeffco County Commissioner Jim Congrove, and activist Jim Lytle, the latter of whom occasionally participated in CCM events.

The evening's main event was a panel discussion moderated by State Rep. Robert Ramirez (R-29th Cong. Dist.), and featuring as panel members former Jeffco Schoolboard candidates Preston Branaugh and James Powers;  Westminster City Council candidate Mike Melvin; Arvada City Council candidates Cody McNutt and Ed Tomlinson; and Arvada Mayoral candidate Dan Bidstrup.

PANELISTS Preston Branaugh, James Powers, Mike Melvin, Ed	MODERATOR
Tomlinson, Dan Bidstrupp, and Cody McNutt.	Rep. Robt. Ramirez

The discussion format consisted initially of questions being asked by Rep. Ramirez to all of the panel members, followed by each panel member talking about his experiences, and finally questions to the panel from the audience.

All of the panelists expressed surprised appreciation for all of the public volunteers who stepped forward to help them in their campaigns. They also expressed a new-found discovery of the importance of campaign finances, saying that although donations were generous and appreciated, they were all at a serious disadvantage because of the organized support from unions, etc., that was available to their opponents. The third item that they all agreed upon was the need to start campaigning early, at least a year before the general election.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion, Mr. Jeff Schmidtke, the President of This Shining City, Inc. briefly provided information on campaign services that are available through his relatively new organization to help political candidates organize and manage their campaign through advice and the performance of routine tasks. Fore more information, Jeff can be reached at 303-656-0266.

Beverly McAdam

The next item on the agenda was a brief presentation by Ms. Beverly McAdam, representing the Colorado Federation of Republican Women. She was promoting new legislation that would require voters to provide photographic identification when voting at the polls. President Roy Caldwell called for a membership vote as to whether or not CCM-Denver would formally support and

promote the legislation. The membership voted overwhelmingly to support it.