This is important.  A group of concerned notable Americans have formed the Committee to Investigate Russia.   Here is their statement of purpose:

Committee to Investigate Russia

In a video posted on the site, Morgan Freeman explains why and how our democracy is under the most serious threat in our history.

NAACP CANDIDATE FORUM

• September 26, 2017
• Northumberland High School
• 7:00 PM

Candidates

House of Delegates

Mr. Francis Edwards

Board of Supervisors

The Honorable Richard Haynie (2nd District incumbent)

The Honorable James Long (3rd District incumbent)

School Board of Northumberland County

Ms. Mary Hooper (2nd District candidate)

The Honorable Gerald Howard (3rd District incumbent)

Rev. Carl Perez (3rd District candidate)

Francis Edwards — Democratic candidate for House of Delegates 99th District — is out and about in the 99th District, meeting people and listening to their concerns.  We should ask “Where is our current delegate, Margaret Ransone?”  She certainly is not out and about listening to people.

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE 99th

Summer may be winding down, but the campaign is shifting into higher gear!

Saturday, I stopped by the Heathsville Farmers Market to support the Northumberland County Democratic Committee at their booth.

Sunday afternoon, the Lancaster County Democratic Committee hosted a town hall style rally at the new Kilmarnock Town Centre Park from 2-4 PM. This format provided me the opportunity to not only listen one on one to voter concerns, but also to take questions from engaged community citizens during the town hall part of this well attended event. (Question:  When was the last time Margaret Ransone held a town hall event to listen to citizens?  Answer:  No one can remember.)

CANVAS LIKE THE ELECTION DEPENDS ON IT….BECAUSE IT DOES!

This week’s canvassing activities took me into King George and Richmond Counties and Colonial Beach in Westmoreland. Thank you, Frank Eak and Jeannette Holman, for joining me as we met folks on their doorstep, by their pool, and walking their dogs. It’s a great way to meet voters and hand out a few signs too!  (Question:  When was the last time Margaret Ransone went from door to door to listen to citizens?  Answer:  No one can remember.)

I would love to walk with you in your neighborhood. Please consider signing up for canvassing. You probably already know Fido. Now’s a chance to meet his person!

Standing Up…Showing UP…and Working for YOU!

 Francis  Edwards for Delegate Campaign

www.edwards4delegate.com

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edwards4Delegate/ 

 Our next regularly scheduled meeting is:

• Thursday, September 21,2017
• 7:00 PM
• Northumberland Public Library, Heathsville.  

Chat and Chew begins at 6:30 — bring a dish of snack food to share if you wish.

Our guest speaker is Lavangeline “Vangie” Williams, Democratic candidate for the First Congressional District — election in November 2018. 

 Additionally, we will endorse candidates for the coming November 7, 2017 election.  Offices to be endorsed are:

• Delegate from the 99^th House of Delegates District
• Supervisor and School Board members for the 2^nd and 3^rd Northumberland County Districts
  

 Campaign material will be available for most office seekers.  

In the wake of the Nazi, KKK riot in Charlottesville, VA, the Southern Poverty Law Center has updated their publication Ten Ways to Fight Hate.

Download the guide here: com_ten_ways_to_fight_hate_2017_web

A presidential candidate wins election after denigrating Muslims, Latinos, women and people with disabilities. A young white man opens fire and kills nine African Americans who welcomed him into Bible study at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, telling his victims, “I have to do it.” A Muslim woman is seated on a bench in front of a coffee shop in Washington, D.C., when a woman begins screaming anti-Muslim epithets. A swastika and other anti-Semitic graffiti appear at an elementary school in Stapleton, Colorado. A lone gunman carrying an assault rifle and a handgun storms a well-known gay club in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and wounding 53 others.

​Bias is a human condition, and American history is rife with prejudice against groups and individuals because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. As a nation, we’ve made a lot of progress, but stereotyping and unequal treatment persist.

When bias motivates an unlawful act, it is considered a hate crime. Most hate crimes are inspired by race and religion, but hate today wears many faces. Bias incidents (eruptions of hate where no crime is committed) also tear communities apart and can escalate into actual crimes.

Since 2010, law enforcement agencies have reported an average of about 6,000 hate crime incidents per year to the FBI. But government studies show that the real number is far higher — an estimated 260,000 per year. Many hate crimes never get reported, in large part because the victims are reluctant to go to the police. In addition, many law enforcement agencies are not fully trained to recognize or investigate hate crimes, and many simply do not collect or report hate crime data to the FBI.

The good news is, all over the country people are fighting hate, standing up to promote tolerance and inclusion. More often than not, when hate flares up, good people rise up against it — often in greater numbers and with stronger voices.

This guide sets out 10 principles for fighting hate in your community.

Northumberland County Democrats next meeting:

• Thursday, August 17, 2017
• 7 PM
• Northumberland Public Library, 7204 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville
• Featured speaker: Tom Hicks, Democratic Candidate for Congress, Virginia’s First Congressional District.
• Also, lawn signs for Francis Edwards for Delegate, 99^th Virginia District will be disseminated.

The next meeting of the Northumberland County Democratic Party will be:

• Thursday, August 17

• 7:00 PM

• Bring a snack at 6:30 to share during “Chat ‘n Chew”

• Northumberland Public Library, 7204 Northumberland Hwy (Hwy 360) Heathsville

Chairman Frank Kober will discuss voter registration.

Back in March,  we discussed  three Democrats — former Marine Edwin Santana; “author, professional genealogist, historian, and professional speaker” Vangie Williams; and,  Prince William County School Board Chair Ryan Sawyers — running to take on absymal Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01) next year.  Now, another Democrat — self described “pragmatic and progressive” Tom Hicks, (see his statement below) — has thrown his hat into the ring. It’s a tough district, but hopefully we’re talking about a big “wave” election next year for Democrats and we can pick off a few of these “red” district seats. Certainly, with Trump’s approval numbers in the 30s, and also based on the number – and quality – of Democrats announcing for Congress across Virginia and the country, there’s a sense that we’ve got a great chance to take back the House of Representatives next year. Our job, if we choose to accept it, is to turn that potential into reality.

Tom Hicks:  Why I am Running for Congress

I am running for this office because I believe that the political process at the national level is broken and ineffectual and is in need of leaders that will pursue progressive and pragmatic policies, and confront the politics of fear and division.   The Republican House of Representatives is taking this country in the wrong direction and Democrats have the opportunity in 2018 to win control of the House and redirect that course. I can help redirect that course by winning in Virginia’s 1st congressional district.

I am U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Navy nuclear submarine officer, engineering consultant, small business owner, husband and father.  I believe in and want to serve my country again. Winning in the 1st district is going to be an uphill fight but it can be done with a candidate that has the leadership, experience and ideas to go toe-to-toe with the incumbent, Rob Wittman. I believe that I am that candidate.

I believe that this nation’s success depends on its commitment and capacity to develop and nurture the capabilities of its citizens.   This requires us to embrace diversity, recognize the realities of a changing marketplace, appreciate the value of hard work, and commit to something greater than ourselves.  At the same time, I believe that, in the words of Ghandi, “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”  It is time that we demonstrate America’s greatness.

I believe that as citizens, we have an obligation to be informed about the issues that affect our community and our nation.  Toward that end, I will communicate with you openly and honestly about important issues and necessary actions.   I believe that we must listen respectfully to one another.  As your congressman, I will seek first to listen and understand, and promote involvement by each member of our community.  I believe that we all benefit when every citizen participates in the development and safekeeping of our communities.

Our Nation, our Commonwealth, and our District face a decision in 2018 to either continue with the current policies of a Republican-led House of Representatives that favor the interests of the wealthy over the middle class and poor, discrimination over equality, partisanship over bipartisanship, and isolationism over leadership, or to choose a new path that is founded on pragmatic solutions to our country’s most serious issues, while protecting the environment and the interests of the young, the poor and the disadvantaged.

I bring the strengths and abilities necessary to be effective in Congress, including leadership, integrity, stamina, willingness to collaborate and the ability to define and resolve issues.  My military experience, business experience, compassion, respect for others, patriotism and love of country will serve as my foundation and my rudder as I pursue this endeavor.

In the words of John F. Kennedy, “I look forward to a great future for America – a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.”

– Tom Hicks

Democratic Candidate for Congress

Virginia’s First Congressional District

Website is https://tomhicks4congress.org

Training for volunteers to support Francis Edwards for Delegate

• Saturday, July 22
• 10:00 AM
• Mallard Bay Clubhouse.  From Knight’s Run Rd., turn into Mallard Bay subdivision, stay on main road to the clubhouse at the end of the road.

Support Northern Neck Free Health Clinic

• Thursday, August 10
• 7:00 pm
• New courthouse, Heathsville
• Sign up to speak at the Public Comment period, Northumberland County Board of Supervisors
• The Supervisors approved a donation to the Free Health Clinic that was $8,000 less than the Clinic requested.  We need folks to speak on behkalf of the Free Clinic.

Northumberland County Democratic Committee Community Yard Sale

• Saturday, August 12
• 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
• Community Center, located on Brown’s Store Road

NAACP Candidate Forums

The Northumberland County NAACP is planning two candidate forums.

• Statewide candidates:  Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, House of Delegates
• September 12
• Time to be announced
• Community Center, located on Brown’s Store Road

• Local candidates:  School Board, Board of Supervisors
• September 26
• Time to be announced
• Community Center, located on Brown’s Store Road

The next meeting of the Northumberland County Democratic Committee is:

• Thursday, July 20
• 7:00 PM
• Northumberland Public Library, 7204 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville, VA
• Join us at 6:30 for snacks if you like