State Convention 2011 
Destination: Sacramento

When the rest of the country was turning red, we bucked the national trend
and kept California a beautiful shade of blue.

After winning 9 of 9 statewide races, it’s only fitting that we celebrate our victories and hold our next state convention right here in Sacramento.

Friday – Sunday, April 29 – May 1, 2011
Sacramento Convention Center
http://cademconvention.org/

Assembly member V. Manuel Perez greets
local Committee Members
during Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta

Ribbon-cutting Ceremony
3/4/11

Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez was invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday March 4^th. While he was present, he visited the local Imperial County Democratic Central Committee’s booth. In the picture, from left to right are: Secretary- Antonio Ortega, Vice-Chairman Sadrach Palomares, Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez, Chairman- Antonio Tirado, Committee Member- Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter.
 

Picnic highlights importance of November election

A mixture of ‘70s funk and Norteña music played throughout the Imperial County Democratic Central Committee’s “Get Out the Vote” family picnic Saturday at Bucklin Park in El Centro.
The event was put on by the committee “for all Imperial County residents to join us and to mobilize so people can come out and vote on Nov. 2,” said ICDCC secretary and event organizer Antonio Ortega.
“This is a very important election, not only for Imperial County Democrats but for all people and all parties,” he said. “We want them to be involved.”
Throughout the afternoon families enjoyed the music and free food as their children played in a large orange jumper and met with clowns. Gifts donated by locals were also given as raffle prizes during the event.
“We had a surge of people show up about 3 p.m.” Ortega said, noting that about 150 Imperial County residents cycled in and out.
Throughout the day various Democratic candidates mingled with families in attendance including two county supervisor candidates, two for the Imperial Valley College board, two vying for the Calexico Unified School District board and California Senate District 40 candidate Juan Vargas.
Representatives for incumbent Congressman Bob Filner and Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez were also at the event.
“I like all other areas in Imperial County but there’s something special about it,” candidate Juan Vargas said of the city of Calexico. “Whenever I’m there someone wants to give me food,” he mused. “I hear, ‘Hey Juan, good to see you. Have a taco.’”
Families also enjoyed the atmosphere as much as the candidates.
“It’s great to be out where with everybody supporting,” El Centro resident Lucy Urban said as her son Jesse Rodriguez played in the jumper.
“We’re big supporters,” Carol Cortes-Ramirez said as she got herself some signs for her Brawley home.
“The hotdogs are good,” 14-year-old Samantha Urban said as she was eating corn chips.
And as the patriotic bows and ribbons were taken down and packed up, event organizers seemed pleased.
“It was great. A lot of people came in, a lot of families,” said ICDCC treasurer Everado Cervantes.
“It was all for the community,” he said. “We’re glad people were here.”

>> Staff Writer Roman Flores can be reached at 760-337-3439 or rflores©ivpressonline.com