The Delaware County Democratic Party held an Executive Committee Meeting on January 16, 2025 at Delaware Township Hall. Present in the meeting were 57 individuals, 50 of which were on Executive Committee. Elected Officials in attendance included Buckeye Valley School Board Member Mary Kate Pembroke, Westerville City School Board Member Louise Valentine, Powell City Council Vice Mayor Heather Karr and Westerville City Council Mayor Ken Wright. The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm by Chair Peg Watkins. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Central Committee Member Abby Buckerfield.

Old Business

Parliamentarian Liz Osorio provided a Roberts’ Rules reminder on how to show respect to a speaker and to only make one motion at a time. Chair Peg Watkins asked for any changes or questions about the minutes from the November Executive Committee meeting. Central Committee Members Vicki Huttenhoff moved to approve the minutes and Stephen Schottel seconded the motion. Motion passed.

New Business

Treasurer Lisa Saponaro presented the quarterly treasurer report. Central Committee Member Emma Mirles- Jones made a motion to approve the report and Eli Wenzel seconded the motion. Treasurer Saponaro then presented the proposed budget for 2025 which made increases to the communication budget, local candidate fund and party maintenance funds. Following some questions and discussion, Central Committee Members Joyce Bourgault moved to approve the proposed budget and Ed Miller seconded the motion.

Central Committee Member Linda Diamond encouraged everyone to make an annual donation for 2025. 

Ed Helvey was selected as Temporary Chair for the selection of a Democratic Member of the Board of Elections. Central Committee Member Vicki Huttenhoff nominated Peg Watkins and Emma Mirles-Jones seconded the motion. Central Committee Member Robert Katula nominated himself. Central Committee Member Ed Miller moved to close nominations and Emma Mirles-Jones seconded the motion. A vote was held with Peg Watkins receiving 48 votes and Rob Katula receiving 2 votes. Peg Watkins won re-election and resumed presiding as Chair. 

Westerville City Schools School Board Member Louise Valentine spoke about LEAD Academy. Chair Peg Watkins presented a Chair Report. The report included that local high schools have received notices for this year’s Delaware Democratic Scholarship and 3 tables have been reserved for the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Ohio Wesleyan University. Powell City Council Vice Mayor Heather Karr nominated Eli Wenzel for Executive Committee. A vote was taken and Eli was approved and sworn in as a new member representing Powell E. 

Finding no further new business, Powell City Council Vice-Mayor Heather Karr moved to adjourn the meeting. Central Committee Member Emma Mirles-Jones seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chair Peg Watkins adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jenny Yoder, Sec