Liberty News
Newsletter of the
Libertarian Party of Boulder County
May 2004
www.lpboulder.org
April Board Meeting Discusses
Publicity, Fundraising and the Budget
Eva Kosinski
Board meetings are open to all LPBoulder members.
If you can find a few hours to work at a booth (it can be fun, honest,
and you meet an awful lot of people), please do. The somewhat
hostile environment we felt a few years ago from the public has
lessened considerably. Our booths both in Boulder and Louisville
were approached by a number of people, already interested in
hearing more about who we are and what we stand for.
You can help us by supplying funds so that we can sign up for more
events and get more outreach materials, or provide postage so we
can contact a greater number of voters, or help us campaign for
Libertarian candidates. (see enclosed letter from LPBC)
Here we have Jay Kominek (far left) and John Bauman (far right) at the board
meeting as we discussed issues and upcoming summer events. Board members
from L to R, Dan Underkofler (secretary), Greg Woods (treasurer), Bo Shaffer
(chairman) andTom Parker (membership). Eva Kosinski (newsletter) was behind
the camera.
Looking ahead to the summer, the LPBC spent some time discussing
issues that will be coming up through the spring and summer. We
have signed up to participate in the Boulder Creek Festival, often a
good source of new members, but a significant expense. It turns out
that, although we seem to have few people who have joined the
Libertarian Party of Boulder County, over 200 new Libertarians
have been registered with the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder.
Many of these newly-registered Libertarians are not aware of the
LPBC, and we discussed ways in which we might make them aware.
We would like to be doing a lot more outreach to let the community
know about the Libertarian Party’s goals and principles, and about
the LPBC, but we are handicapped by both funding and volunteer
shortages. Words have traditionally been our major resource in
convincing others of the importance of sticking to the Constitution,
supporting individual freedom and responsibility, and insisting that
government should be small and ruled by the people. Now we are
in a position where many people are re-thinking their political
affiliations, and now is when we need to move from rumination to
action.
Or, if you have any ideas for events, speakers, etc., please let
someone on the board know. We want, in this election year, to make
our presence known as often as possible, to let the Boulder County
community know there are many of us who feel government needs to
re-focus on the core values of our Republic. Join us for a board
meeting and let us hear from you.
East County Libertarian FAC
at the 3rdAvenue Grill
in Longmont every Friday,
at 4:30PM
The Next LPBC
meeting will be held
at Cheng’s Garden in Louisville
on Thursday May, 13, 2004
meet at 6:30 - start at 7:00
From the Chair
We’re gearing up in May for the final election run. The State
convention will chose our Candidates and then the ball will be in
our court. It will be up to all of us to rise to the occasion of our
raison d’etre. Our reason to be. The political Party called the
Libertarian Party of Boulder County exists for the sole purpose of
electing Libertarians to office. Your Party of Choice has been
struggling for some time now, trying to gather your support,
(measured in time and money…..the two most important things when
it comes to electing Candidates.) and recently there’s been some
improvements. With the condition of the two most dominant Parties
being less than spectacular, a good deal more attention has been
placed on alternative choices. Many choose the wait and see
attitude, and are making the Unaffiliated the fastest growing
“Party” in the State. At the same time, inquiries and web hits on
Libertarian Websites are also increasing. Party membership at
local, State and National levels has bottomed out and there is a
slight upwards trend now. The People are finding “politics as
usual” to be less than satisfying, and the current buzzword is
“grass roots”.
“Grass roots” refers to the basic underlying power from whence
comes all authority in a democracy. The People. When enough
people get it in their heads that a certain thing ought to be a certain
way……they can make a difference. In this Republic of ours, we
have the power to elect our officials and have them take our values
to the governing bodies. The R’s and D’s no longer have sight of this
lofty goal. Their Party Bosses have decided that everyone should
just vote Party line and not think for themselves anymore. Are there
enough of us that think for themselves and that think like
libertarians to elect a Libertarian Candidate? I am thinking that
maybe there finally is. There’s enough in New Hampshire. There’s
enough in Telluride. There’s enough in Frederick. Is there enough in
Boulder County?
This month the LPBC will be sponsoring a booth at the State
Convention in Estes Park. Every libertarian in Boulder County
should consider coming up for some brainstorming and to meet the
State and National Candidates. At the end of the month will be the
Boulder Creek Festival, the traditional kickoff to the summers
outreach activities. Every Boulder County libertarian should plan
to stop by and consider offically becoming a Libertarian by joining
the LPBC. All it takes is a few bucks and a dedication to our
Libertarian Principles. The LPBC will be engaging in a Fund
Raising Drive this month. We hope to reach the hundreds of
registered Libertarians that have never been contacted by their
Party before. Look at this as a Call to Arms. If you’ve got more time
than money, volunteer to help one of our Candidates. If you’ve got
more money than time, donate generously to the Cause. If you have
neither, just send us your moral support……we need that more than
anything else, sometimes.
Bo Shaffer
LPBC Chair
(For thoughtful, philosophical debate on these or other topics,
contact [email protected]
Libertarian Party Boulder County
Agenda for May 13, 2004 meeting
a.
b.
c.
d.
Call to Robert’s Rules of Order
Additions to Agenda
Acceptance of April’s Minutes, corrections
Directors Reports and/or Statements
a. Secretary
a. Next meeting
e. Treasurer
f. Newsletter
g. Membership
h. Publicity (act)
a. FAC
b. Topical Lunches
i. Fund Raising (act)
a. Letter Status
j. Outreach
a. Director status
k. Campaigns (act)
a. Candidate list
b. Candidate info/deadlines
c. Chair
l. Old Business
a. Silent Auction items
b. Booth at Convention
c. Boulder Creek Fest
d. East County FAC
e. Luncheon topics
m. New Business
a. Open discussion and motions
b. Next event
____________________________________________________________________________________________
LPBC April Board Meeting Minutes
LPBC April Board Meeting 4/8/04
Longmont Library
submitted by Dan Underkofler
Meeting called to order at 7:05pm
Attending: Dan Underkofler, Jay Kominek, John Bauman, Tom
Parker, Greg Woods, Eva Kosinski, and Bo Shaffer. Two
corrections to last month’s minutes were submitted by Tom Parker:
Bo's last name was spelled wrong. Under Membership, sentence
should read: "Tom will contact newly registered Libertarians to
solicit LPBC membership.”
Secretary's Report:
Next meeting: Thursday May 13th, 7:00 at Cheng's in Louisville.
Dinner at 6:30.
Treasurer:
Greg submitted a written report. Balance is $166. Funds are getting
low. Big expenses were the Creek Festival registration and mail box
rental. There was discussion on upcoming expenses, particularly
the Louisville Fair. (see new business)
Newsletter:
Extra copies are available. Eva drew attention to the convention
schedule. Eva really needs articles for the newsletter; she can't do it
all herself! Paul's P.O. box for his campaign should be 1903, not
1901.
Membership:
52 members (up 2).
Publicity:
FAC at 3rd Ave Grill had minimal attendance. We will continue
with this for now. Location is actually upstairs over the 3rd Ave
Grill. Topical Lunches: Attendance for first topical lunch was
good and attendees enjoyed the discussion. Bo will pick the next
three topics for the first weeks of the months and solicit topics from
attendees for subsequent lunches. Press contacts: Bo is putting
together a list of press contacts for most local media outlets. Thanks
to John Bauman for getting blurbs in for last month.
Fund Raising:
Bo will write a letter to county Libertarians detailing LPBC
successes. It will solicit funds and participation. This might be
mailed under the state party's postal permit and would cost less
than $100. Eva has the information we need to screen out bad
addresses. Copies will also be included in the newsletter. Need to
include return envelopes. Motion made and passed to do this. Email
approval of the letter by the Board is authorized. (see p 5)
The Libertarian Party
of Boulder County
2525 Arapahoe, Suite E4 PMB 427
Boulder. CO 80302
w w w. l p b o u l d e r . o r g
Greetings fellow Registered Libertarians!
Chairman
Bo Shaffer
Secretary
Dan Underkofler
Newsletter
Editor
Eva Kosinski
Treasurer
Greg Woods
Outreach
Director
Isaac Davenport
Membership
Director
Tom Parker
Liberty News
I am contacting all of you at this time to let you know that there is a dedicated group of
people that think like you do and are active in trying to improve this world in the same
way you would. The Libertarian Party of Boulder County (LPBC) exists for two reasons.
The first reason is unique to Libertarians. We consider education to be one of our most
important goals. Once people are made aware of their Constitutional Guarantees and
their rights to Liberty and Freedom, they are more capable of making responsible choices
and leading responsible lives. This is the first step to a more libertarian society. The
second reason is common to every Political Party. We exist to elect Libertarian
Candidates. It is our goal to put a Libertarian into every race to give the people not only a
chance to vote Libertarian, but to learn about libertarianism in the process. Whether we
win or lose the race…..we can achieve our goal. This is the next step.
Now that I’ve told you about this group, I’ll get right to the real reason for this letter.
The LPBC needs your support to continue to fight the good fight and make Boulder County
a more libertarian place to live. The Libertarian Party has elected officials in many
places. New Hampshire, Kentucky, Telluride, Frederick. Yes, even in Frederick, just over
the line in Weld County. They elected a Libertarian Town Trustee there, just a few weeks
ago. Is Boulder County ready for a Libertarian to win an election?
We think so. That’s why we need your support. Educating people and electing Candidates
takes two things. Time and Money. If you have more time than money, why not volunteer
to help our Candidates pass out literature? Or, perhaps help man the booth at the
Boulder Creek Festival? If you have more money than time……any and all donations are
gratefully accepted. Money makes the world go round, and we can put it to very good use.
If you have too little of either, just contact us and give us your moral support. It really
helps to inspire us all when we hear from the “grass roots” that this Republic was built
on, as the founding Fathers intended that it should.
At whatever level you choose to support the LPBC, we will be grateful. Like Benjamin
Franklin once said…….”We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang
separately.” Please contact us at the addresses above to give us your support, or fill in the
back of this form and return it to us. We’d love to be able to send you an envelope with
return postage, but due to our budgetary constraints, the best we can do for now is a return
label. Use it with our best wishes.
Thank you.
Bo Shaffer
LPBC Chairman
[email protected]
www.lpboulder.org
(303) 776-3007
3
May 2004
Libertarian Party of Boulder County
2525 Arapahoe Ave, Suite E4, PMB 427 • Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-776-3007
Web: www.lpboulder.org • Email: [email protected]
We know schedules are tight, and money is tight right now, but if there’s any chance you could help us out in the
following areas, let us know and we’ll see what we can work out.
_____ working a few hours at a booth during a weekend in the summer
_____ Donating funds for a Libertarian Candidate (we have a limit on what the Party can provide to candidates,
but we can tell you who they are and how to donate to their campaigns).
_____ Helping with setup and takedown of the LPBC booth for Fri-Sun outdoor events
_____ Passing out copies of the newsletter and the Libertarian Viewpoint at a coffeeshop or favorite haunt near
you.
_____ Bringing yourself and/or someone else to the Monday Libertarian Lunches at Jin Chan
_____ Advertising Libertarian events to folks you know or organizations you belong to.
_____ Marching with other Libertarians in a local parade (we have traditionally done Labor Day in Louisville)
_____ Providing a cash donation to the LPBC for ongoing expenses (newsletter, outreach materials, events)
NOTE: Current disclosure requirements on donations are very strict and there are limits, so if you are planning to
donate more than $100, check with a board member to be sure you are within the requirements.
_____ Helping to organize Libertarian-sponsored events.
_____ Providing venues for Libertarian-sponsored events (meeting rooms, auditoriums, etc.)
_____ Hosting a Libertarian Lunch on a topic of your choice at Jin Chan (call someone on the board so we can “get
the word out” to non-Libertarians so they can be invited into the discussion).
Name:___________________________________________Registered Libertarian? ________________
Address: (please include apt #s and zip code)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Occupation:_________________________Employer:________________________________________
Phone: (indicate if home, work or cell) _____________________________________________________
Email address:_______________________________________________________________________
Remember you can always find out about LPBC events through the website at www.lpboulder.org.
Thank you for whatever effort you can put forth. We have over 200 new registered Libertarians, and if we can
keep the trend going, we may be able to make significant headway. Join us in the fight for individual freedom.
Liberty News
4
May 2004
Minutes (continued from page 2)
more copies of the rental advertisement and a donation container.
Outreach: (no director, no report):
National delegates:
4 delegates from Colorado plan to attend the National convention.
Boulder Creek Festival:
We are signed up. Eva will email Isaac for a note for the newsletter
requesting help manning the booth.
Bo found hundreds of "Viewpoints" we can use for distribution.
Eva was coerced into making "Killer Brownies" for the event.
We may need more quizzes.
New Business:
Frederick Election:
Joe Johnson won the election for Town of Frederick Board of
Trustees!!!! He ran a good, dedicated campaign. Congratulations
Joe! Eva will put a picture and article in the newsletter. The board
would like to write a congratulations letter or present a certificate
of appreciation to Joe.
Campaigns:
Candidate list is on the website. We have 4 declared candidates
now. Paul is working on a candidate information packet for a
boiled down requirements and deadlines list. Bo brought up that
coordination amongst state-wide candidates can be useful. Bo will
wait until after the water board election to decide if he'll run for the
State Senate.
Chair:
Bo attended the drug task force meeting and presented a speech
together with charts from Bill Master's book. 9 of 18 speakers
spoke against the drug war. Subsequent news articles were onesided, to which Bo responded with letters to the editors. Bo has
info from the Office of the National Drug Control Policy.
Old Business:
Silent Auction at convention:
Eva has prepared some prints. Bo will donate some "wiz-balm". Let
a board member know if you have any items to include on behalf of
the LPBC. Eva is preparing a Statue of Liberty cut-out face board,
which may raise funds, probably for the state party.
Booth at convention:
Greg and Eva will take and set up the booth Friday night. We need
Louisville Fair:
We can't commit to participation at this time due to lack of funds
($35 per week). There was some confusion on whether there was a
requirement for a minimum of 3 weeks. Eva will check to see if we
get free participation in the Louisville Fall Festival.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:44PM
May/June Activities Calendar
Be sure to check the website at www.lpboulder.org for late-breaking event information
May/June
05/03/04*
day
Monday *
time
12:30*
event description
Weekly lunch*
location
Jin Chan - Boulder*
05/10/04
Monday
12:30
Weekly lunch
Jin Chan - Boulder
05/17/04
Monday
12:30
Weekly lunch
Jin Chan - Boulder
05/21/04 - 5/23/04
Fri-Sun
various
LPCO Convention
Holiday Inn - Estes Park
05/29/04-05/31/04
Sat-Mon
various
Boulder Creed Festival
Boulder
05/31/04
Monday
12:30
Weekly lunch - cancelled
go to Creek Festival
06/07/04
Monday
12:30
Weekly lunch
Jin Chan - Boulder
06./14/04
Monday
12:30
Weekly lunch
Jin Chan - Boulder
06/.21/04
06/28/04
CHECK WEBSITE FOR
Monday
Monday
MOST UP
12:30
12:30
TO DATE INFO:
Weekly lunch
Weekly lunch
http://www.lpboulder.org
Jin Chan - Boulder
Jin Chan - Boulder
* topic for this lunch: Gun Control in Boulder County: Too much or too little?
LIBERTARIAN CONTACT INFORMATION - LPCO BOARD FOR 2003-2004
position
State Chair
Campaigns Director
Outreach Director
Publications Director
Media Director
officeholder
Norm Olsen
Michael T. McKinzie
Rand Fanshier
Steven Gallant
Desiree Hickson
until Convention in:
2005
2005
2004
2005
2005
phone
303-263-4995
303-380-5818
303-670-8563
303-384-3979
719-459-0570
email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Records Director
Legislative Director
Fundraising Director
Treasurer & Registered
Agent
Bo Shaffer
Paul Tiger
Michelle Poague
Jeff Oliver
2004
2004
2004
2005
303-776-3007
303-774-6383
303-690-2907
303-670-3995
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
changes, check the
lpboulder website
at:
www.lpcolorado.org
for updates and/or
Liberty News
5
May 2004
LPBC Board - July 2002 - July 2003
Position
Chairman
Name
Bo Shaffer
Phone/Email
303-776-3007 (h) [email protected]
Address
7411 E County Line Rd
Longmont, CO 80504
Secretary
Newsletter Editor
Dan Underkofler 303-665-0939 (h) 303-661-2663 (w)
[email protected]
Eva Kosinski
303-666-5872 (h) [email protected]
Treasurer
Greg Woods
303-666-5872 (h) 303-497-1295 (w)
[email protected]
Outreach Director
Isaac Davenport
[email protected]
Publicity Director
Fund-Raising Director
Membership Director
Open
Open
Tom Parker
[email protected]
Campaigns Director
Open
1301 Jackson Court Louisville,
CO 80027
1301 Jackson Court Louisville,
CO 80027
2530 4th St
Boulder, CO 80304
303-443-9895 (h), 303-444-8486(w)
303-665-2150 (h)
[email protected]
[email protected]
829 Welsh Ct
Louisville, CO 80027
Libertarian Party of Boulder County
2525 Arapahoe Ave, Suite E4, PMB 427 • Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-776-3007
Web: www.lpboulder.org • Email: [email protected]
______________________________________________________________________
CAMPAIGN
CORNER
Joe ran his campaign as he does everything else, full out
work, at top speed, and with lots of dynamic energy. The
residents of Frederick have someone at last looking out for
their interests first.
JOE JOHNSON WINS SEAT AS
FREDERICK, CO. TRUSTEE
Elizabeth Johnson, Ralph Schnelvar, Travis Nicks, Apryl
Carlson, Rick Randall, Dan Cochran, and Isaac Davenport
helped with the campaigning, and I’m sure there are
others that I don’t know about.
Eva Kosinski
As with all campaigns, there may be bills left to be paid,
so contact Joe at [email protected] (and be sure to
do it before all his campaign reporting has to be done!) if
you want to help out on that front.
Libertarians don’t get a lot of victories, so when they come,
they are twice as sweet. Thanks Joe!
__________________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next newsletter will have information on who is
running for the board, and a ballot. As you can see
from the website, the ballot is still a work in progress. If
you would like to be on the ballot, or know someone
Check out the Frederick, CO website:
else who would be a good candidate for any of the
http://www.frederickco.gov and you will see a very positions (see above), Please let someone on the
familiar name to Libertarians in Boulder County.
board know, or be at the May or June board meetings.
Our elections are in July.
On April 6 the voters of Frederick went to the polls. Eight
people ran for Trustee (three seats were up for election).
One of them was a Libertarian. He won.
Liberty News
6
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR
YOU TO SUPPORT! PLEASE CHECK OUT THE
WEBSITE AT WWW.LPBOULDER.ORG.
May 2004
Libertarian Party of Boulder County
Membership Application
Membership Option:
One year for $15
Three years for $42
(Note: Due to onerous campaign finance laws, we no longer offer the "triple combo"
membership option which included additional memberships in the LPCO and LPUS.
However, we still encourage you to join these fine groups at: www.lp.org/action/join.php )
In addition, please accept my contribution of $___________ to the LPBC.
TOTAL payment = $___________
Please make check payable to: LPBC
Member information
Name: _____________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________
Home Phone: ____________________ Work Phone: ________________
Email: ______________________________________________________
To become a voting member of the LPBC, you must sign the Libertarian Pledge. By not signing,
you will become a non-voting member.
Libertarian Pledge: I hereby certify I do not believe in, or advocate, the initiation of force as
a means of achieving political or social goals.*
Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________
Please return to: LPBC • 2525 Arapahoe Ave, Suite E4, PMB 427 • Boulder, CO
80302
Thanks!
* What does the above Libertarian Pledge mean? We ask our members to disavow the initiation of force. This does not mean that
you cannot defend yourself; you do have the right to defend your life, liberty, and property. It means that you will not use the coercive power
of government to forcibly achieve your personal, ethical, or religious goals. This commitment helps us maintain our principles and provides
us with a measuring stick to determine if we have strayed from our common goal: a society where all relationships among persons are based
on voluntary cooperation.
For more information about the LPBC, please check our web site at www.lpboulder.org
Liberty News
7
May 2004
REGISTRATION FORM
Name ______________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State ___________ Zip_____________
E-Mail Address
_____________________________________________________
Phone _____________________________________________________________
Banquet Choice (circle one)
REGISTRATION FEE:
Beef Entree
Vegetarian Entree
$135 (must be received by May 17, 2004)
$165
at the door
________Check ________Cash _______Money Order
Please Make checks Payable to Greg Woods or Elizabeth Johnson
______________Visa/MasterCard
(call first)
Exp ________________ Signature ________________________________
Mail to:
Libertarian Convention 2004
c/o Tom Parker (Reg. is being handled by LPBC Board member Tom Parker)
829 Welsh Ct.
Louisville, CO 80027
This is a full convention & Banquet Ticket, this is far below cost, act now.
To reserve your room at the special rate, please call the Holiday Inn, Estes Park, phone: (970)
586-2332 or 800-803-7837 if you are calling from out of state. Ask for the LP Convention Rate of
$72.00
Questions ? Call Tom at 303-665-2150 or www.lpcon2004.com
Liberty News
8
May 2004