Amanda Manchester, Herald reporter
EVANSTON — The Uinta County Democratic Party held its convention and caucus on Saturday, April 13th at the Evanston Depot.
The party nominated and voted for the president alone. Their unanimous presidential candidate is Joe Biden.
They voted in favor of all delegates to the Democratic state convention in Casper on June 1 and then endorsed their candidates. Party Chairman Tim Bepler and his wife, state committee member Katie Bepler, were nominated and accepted to attend. Party Vice President Debbie Tanner and her husband Dave were also nominated and allowed to attend. Wayne Morrow will also be in attendance.
Several other party members were also nominated, but declined due to scheduling conflicts.
The next task was to consider recent proposals to update the party's long-standing platform.
“This version of the platform has been around for many years,” says Tim Beppler.
Barbara Roitz suggested modifying the platform by simplifying it and removing some bullet points to make it more concise.
“I feel like we're tied up in too many individual items and our hands are tied when it comes to growth as a party and as a candidate. We could attract more moderate Democrats,” she said. said.
This proposal started a dialogue among the attendees. Dave Tanner asked whether the summarized platform was inconsistent with the parties' platforms.
“Our county code has very specific provisions, but it will be very similar to the state code,” Tim Bepler said.
Platform committee member and Uinta County Herald reporter Kayne Pyatt wrote the update.
“It was too loose,” she said. I like to be specific about what I stand for. And I don't think they would be happy with an abbreviated version at the state level. ”
Marilee Jackson was torn. She said: She said: “The simpler the better, I’m worried about the younger generation. [But] At this point in history, it's important to shout from the rooftops what we stand for. ”
Mr. Morrow spoke in favor of specificity: It has turned this country inside out and in the opposite direction. ”
Finance Minister Eric Mander questioned the platform's intentions.
“Something less than 15% [are local Democrats]. Is the purpose of this platform to encourage Republicans to change parties? ”
In the end, it was decided by a margin of two votes to maintain the platform and accept the resolution.
This long-standing platform has been developed based on three key principles: opportunity, sustainability and integrity. Each key principle has several subcategories.
Items such as “fully-funded 988 prevention calls'' and “increasing legal recognition of the medical needs of the transgender population'' have been added to the medical platform.
An addendum highlighting funding for “public schools” was highlighted under the education platform. “Equitable distribution of public and district funds for all educational, arts, sports, and extracurricular programs within public schools.” “Public funds should be distributed only to public schools.” Updates include “Private funds.” We oppose the indiscriminate banning of books in public schools and public libraries.”
The party voted to amend the wording of six weeks of maternity leave to “paternity leave” in Employment/Employment.
Mental health resources were also prioritized in the social services portion of the platform. Two new provisions read: “Intermediate homes and alternative long-term care facilities for the mentally ill.” “Support training for law enforcement to recognize mental health crises and respond with appropriate actions.”
“Protecting Native American land sovereignty” was added to a long list of government bullet points, as was the word “municipality” in addition to nonpartisan elections for county offices. The party also supports “government support for substance abuse prevention programs, drug treatment programs, drug courts, and restorative justice.”
Several existing platform items remained unchanged, including immigration, quality of life, economy and taxes, agriculture, environment/natural resources/energy, foreign policy, and civil rights.
