Vice President Dick Cheney and District 11 Congressman Richard
Pombo might very well be chowing down on hot dogs in Morgan Hill
this Sunday. Or, they might not.
Vice President Dick Cheney and District 11 Congressman Richard Pombo might very well be chowing down on hot dogs in Morgan Hill this Sunday. Or, they might not.
It all depends on whether the two Republicans accept the South County Democratic Club’s gracious invitation to its annual fundraiser barbecue on Aug. 20 between 11 a.m. and 3pm
Swanee Edwards, a Morgan Hill resident who is organizing the event at the Woodland Estates retirement community, is hoping for a miracle.
“We’d love for them to be here this weekend,” she said. “We thought that in the interest of fairness – since we invited General Wesley Clark who recently endorsed (Democratic candidate) Jerry McNerney – we’d invite the vice president, too. Maybe we can set up a target practice for him back in the woods.”
Politicians on the campaign trail who said they’d come include McNerney, insurance commissioner John Garamendi, Open Space Director Alex Kennett, who is running for a seat on the Morgan Hill City Council, and Santa Clara County district attorney candidate Karyn Sinunu.
Elected officials from the Morgan Hill and Gilroy city councils also said they’d attend.
“Everyone can come. Everyone is invited,” Edwards said.
Unlikely many political fundraisers during the campaign season, this one won’t require anyone to spend $500 for a rubbery chicken meal, she added.
The suggested donation is $20 for all the barbecue chicken, ribs, hot dogs and veggie-burgers guests can eat.
Children under 5 get in free. Santa Clara County firefighters will be cooking. Prizes will also be given away at a raffle.
During the afternoon, the Democratic Club will also make available various activities including, billiards, bocce ball, horseshoes and volleyball.
Woodland Estates also a play area for children, as well as a pool and hot-tub. To burn off some of the calories from the desserts, people can take leisurely walks along the meandering Llagas Creek, Edwards suggested.
“It’s going to be a super family venue,” she boasted. “There’s lots of things for kids to do. It’s a great location for an event like this.”
The barbecue event is more than just a fundraiser, it’s also a grassroots effort to help local citizens get to meet the candidates in a friendly setting and discuss the political issues, said Kristine Dillon, president of the South County Democratic Club.
“We’re excited to be the catalyst for bringing our elected (representatives) and candidates to the people and the people to their elected candidates in one giant handshake,” she said.
On the other side of the political fence, the South Valley Republican Women Federated Club is planning a barbecue open to the South Valley public on Oct. 14 in San Martin.
Candidates who have been invited include Pombo, Senator Abel Maldonado of California’s 15th District and all elected Republicans and local Republican candidates in the South Valley, said Elizabeth Sanford, the club’s president.
For more details about the South County Democratic Club’s public barbecue, call Swanee Edwards at (408) 782-1017 or e-mail her at sw****@****ic.com.
