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The Newberg School Board RECALL VOTE is only 6 days away!
Get your ballots in as soon as you can! And, if you haven't received yours yet, call the Yamhill County Clerk's office immediately at 503-434-7518!
Looking for a vaccine clinic or testing event? Check out the list at the bottom of this email
SIGN or RE-SIGN & VOLUNTEER!
The effort to recall Yamhill County Commissioner Lindsay Bershcauer continues. See the end of this email for details on where you can sign the petition, or you can request a circulator come to you by completing this form. Click here to volunteer with the recall campaign.

Stop by the Yamhill County Democrats office in McMinnville to pick-up a yard sign!

What we've been talking about


Newberg School Board
  • The Recall vote for Newberg School District Board members Dave Brown and Brian Shannon is less than a week away. Newberg voters - get your ballots in as soon as you can, and contact the Yamhill County Clerk at 503-434-7518 if you still haven't received your ballot!
  • The Newberg Graphic published an article when the ballots went out.
  • Dave Brown spoke with KATU news.
  • Gregg Koskela, the district's Communication Coordinator, published a timeline of Newberg School District events. Find it here.
  • Newberg School District employees are speaking out in support of the recalls. Read an article by Elaine Koskela here. She has worked for the district for over 14 years. 
Other Newsworthy Stories
  • At last Thursday's Yamhill County Board of Commissioner's meeting, Commissioners Starrett and Berschauer challenged the county's public health messaging online, claiming that "posting only evidence-based data approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical authorities creates an 'echo chamber.'” Ultimately, the Board agreed to have the county’s Board of Health hear from local practitioners about how they are treating the disease and then forward any new recommendations to the commissioners. Read the News-Register's reporting here.
  • The News-Register also reported on Tuesday that Yamhill County has ceased efforts to contact trace positive Covid-19 infections. Oregon reported over 10,000 positive cases on Friday, 209 of them in Yamhill County. The County said it no longer has enough staff to keep up with contact tracing. The county is posting guidance on its website instead. Click here to visit Yamhill County Public Health and learn more about DIY contact tracing.
  • A new Oregon law, which took effect on January 1, requires equal opportunities for the public to comment in-person and online during public meetings. The News-Register published an article discussing the new changes. Local boards are saying they need time to get the necessary equipment, and some boards have announced new temporary public comment rules. The article outlines these new rules. Many of the public meetings listed below in the meetings and events section still do not appear to have online participation options.
  • Last Thursday, Kevin Easton became the first Congressional District 6 candidate to drop out of the race.
  • Also on Thursday, Oregon elections officials announced that gubernatorial candidate Nick Kristof does not meet the residency requirements to run for Oregon governor. Kristof is challenging the decision in court, and spoke with Willamette Week about it. Read reporting from OPB, Oregon Capital Insider, the Newberg Graphic, the News-Register, and New York Magazine, and read the Secretary of State's press release.
  • New legislation in the US Senate could allow the Grand Ronde and the Siletz tribes to manage their own hunting and fishing seasons on tribal land for the first time in over 35 years. The bills would make it legal for the tribes to amend the restrictive, permanent agreements that striped them of these rights, which were written into the laws that created their reservations. Read OPB's reporting here.
Opportunities to get involved
  • Sign (or resign) the Lindsay Berschauer recall by printing and signing the APPROVED online e-sheet here! Sign as soon as you can!
  • Sign the petition to rename Columbus Elementary School in McMinnville. Click here.
  • Live in or near McMinnville? The city of McMinnville is surveying residents on how to best use the funds from American Rescue Plan Act. Share your thoughts by completing the form here. It is available in English and Spanish.
  • Live in Amity? The city is requesting your input on city priorities. Find the survey here.
  • Register for the Oregon Womxn's Campaign School, taking place virtually on January 22 & 23, 2022. Thinking of running for office in the future? Want to help someone run for office by helping to run their campaign? The Oregon Womxn's Campaign School is a two-day campaign training and opportunity to meet fellow candidates, staff, activists, and elected officials.
  • Are you a classified worker in the Newberg School District? Do you want to organize with other workers to fight back against the NSB's actions? The former President of OSEA Chapter 17 is helping classified workers in the district organize. Share your contact information here.
  • Want to help people in Yamhill County experiencing homelessness this winter? Volunteer at the Newberg Emergency Shelter. Information here. You can also donate by purchasing items from the shelter's Amazon wishlist here. The most needed items include: AAA batteries, scent beads for laundry, eggs, milk, creamer, kool-aid, and juice. Message Stephanie Bell Findley here if you'd like to drop any of these items off.
Opportunities to donate and give back
  • Donate to Turtle Dove Shelters, Inc. here. Turtle Dove Shelters provides shelter for homeless individuals through the design, construction, and donation of portable, semi-permanent shelters.
  • Donate to Patton Middle School's Backpack Drive here. The Patton Boutique, a resource room designed to help students with unmet needs, is collecting backpacks for students in need.
  • Donate to the McMinnville High School Resource Room here. They are looking for: tampons, brushes, bandaids, women’s deodorant, umbrellas, hooded rain jackets (new or gently used), and sweatshirts (new or gently used). The Resource Room is for any MHS student who is having trouble getting their basic needs met. The MHS Resource Room has clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and non-perishable family meals.

Make Your Voice Heard

Contact the Board of Commissioners:
bocinfo@co.yamhill.or.us

When sending emails to the Board of Commissioners, cc the News Register at nmontestano@newsregister.com.  

Write a letter to the editor:
Newberg Graphic
News Register



City Council or School Board: 

Amity City Council  | School Board
Carlton City Council | School Board
Dayton City Council | School Board
Dundee City Council | School Board
Lafayette City Council | School Board
McMinnville City Council | School Board
Newberg City Council | School Board
Sheridan City Council | School Board
Willamina City Council | School Board
Yamhill City Council | School Board
 
Get involved in city government!
Opportunities in Amity
The City of Amity is looking to fill the following positions. Contact City Hall for more information.
  • Planning Commission member
  • City Councilor
  • Historic Landmark Committee member
Opportunities in Willamina
The City of Willamina is accepting applications for a vacancy on the City Council and three vacancies on the Planning Commission. The universal application is available here. Send completed applications to Deputy City Recorder Bridget Meneley at meneleyb@ci.willamina.or.us.

Opportunities in McMinnville
The city of McMinnville is looking to fill two positions on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee. There is one seat open to serve through December 2022, and one seat for a youth representative (age 21 or under at the time of appointment, anticipated to be 2/22/2022) to serve through December 2023. Click here for more information. Applications are due by January 31, 2022.

The McMinnville School Board is looking to fill two open positions on the School Board's Budget Committee. To apply, email Samantha Nelson at snelson@msd.k12.or.us.

Opportunities in Dayton
The City of Dayton is looking to fill one City Council position. Apply online here. Applications due by noon on February 28, 2022.
Become an elected PCP (Precinct Committee Person)!

With Yamhill County’s second State Representative being replaced by appointment, it’s a good time to remember that the May 2022 election is your next opportunity to Become an Elected PCP! 

Learn more here. Download and submit your application form here. Registered Democrats can run for this office.

Upcoming Events

Progressive Yamhill maintains a community calendar of progressive events - sign up to 'follow' it on Google!

Do you want to volunteer to help get this newsletter out regularly? 
Know of an upcoming event we should share?  Email the details to progressive.yamhill@gmail.com
   
Fundraisers & Events

MLK Jr Day Celebration
Monday, January 17, 6pm
VIRTUAL via the Chehalem Cultural Center, Newberg
livestreamed at http://Chehalem cultural center.org/MLK-day-celebration-Yamhill-county/

Candidate Training Sessions

Saturdays in January 
Join the Yamhill County Democrats for candidate training sessions each Saturday evening in January. Each session covers a different topic. Whether you plan to run yourself or want more information about how to run a campaign, this training is for you. Find more information here.

Upcoming County, City & School Board Meetings

Yamhill City Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 12, 7pm
Zoom link

City of Dundee City Council Special Meeting
Wednesday, January 12, 6pm

Lafayette City Council Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 6:30pm
Youtube channel livestream; email Kyle Perkins at kevinp@ci.lafayette.or.us by 4pm on January 12th if you want to comment during the meeting

West Valley Fire District Meeting and Work Session
Thursday, January 13, 4:30pm
West Valley Fire District at 825 NE Main, Willamina
Zoom link

City of McMinnville Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 4:30pm
Zoom link

Yamhill Carlton School Board Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 6pm
YCSD Boardroom 120 N Larch PL., Yamhill

Joint Meeting of the Yamhill County Planning Commission and City of Dayton Planning Commission
Thursday, January 13, 6:30pm
Zoom link; Public hearing notice

Newberg Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, January 13, 7pm
Teleconference meeting. Find instructions to join electronically at www.newbergoregon.gov, or email comments to bobbie.morgan@newbergoregon.gov.

Newberg City Council Work Session
Tuesday, January 18, 6pm
Zoom link

City of Carlton Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 6pm
Zoom link

City of Sheridan City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 7pm

City of Dundee City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 7pm

City of McMinnville City Council Work Session
Wednesday, January 19, 6pm
Watch online here or watch on cable channels Xfinity 11 and 331, Ziply Fiber 29

City of Yamhill Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, January 19, 6:15pm

City of Amity Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, January 19, 6pm
Zoom link or in person at City Hall

Find Berschauer Recall (Take 2!) canvassing opportunities here, drive-up & sign volunteer opportunities here, downtown Wednesday volunteer opportunities here, and First Friday volunteer opportunities here.

Volunteer to get out the vote with the Recall Brian Shannon and Dave Brown campaigns - sign-up to canvass & phone bank or sign-up to volunteer at an event.
COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Information
COVID-19 vaccines are now available in Yamhill County. Go to Yamhill County Public Health for more information on where to find a vaccine (or check out the list of vaccine sites at the end of this email). If you are a healthcare worker that wants to volunteer with the vaccine effort click here. If you are not a healthcare worker, but still want to volunteer, email covid@co.yamhill.or.us.
Daily Vaccine Clinics in McMinnville

Mondays (appointment required - call 503-434-7525)
Yamhill County Public Health -
412 NE Ford St, McMinnville
9am-4pm

Tuesdays
Yamhill County Fairgrounds (Drive-Thru) - 2070 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville
2:00pm-7:00pm

Wednesdays (appointment required - call
503-434-7525)
Yamhill County Public Health - 412 NE Ford St., McMinnville
9am-4pm

Thursdays
Yamhill County Fairgrounds (Drive-Thru) - 2070 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville
2:00pm-7:00pm

Fridays
Yamhill County Public Health - 412 NE Ford St., McMinnville
9:00am-4:00pm
Saturdays
Yamhill County Public Health - 412 NE Ford St., McMinnville
9:00am-4:00pm

One-Day Vaccine Clinics

January 13
St. Barnabas Soup Kitchen - 822 SW 2nd St, McMinnville
4pm-6pm

January 15 - February 15
Spirit Mountain Casino - 27100 SE Salmon River Highway, Grand Ronde
12pm -7pm (Monday - Saturday)
11am - 4pm (Sundays)

COVID-19 Testing Events
Thursday, January 13, 2pm-7pm
Yamhill County Fairgrounds (Drive-Thru) - 2070 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville

Tuesday, January 18, 2pm-7pm
Yamhill County Fairgrounds (Drive-Thru) - 2070 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville
Progressive Yamhill is a non-partisan group with a regional focus on Yamhill County politics at the city, county, and state level, as well as a vehicle to connect with neighbors on issues and actions at a federal level.  Our goal is to connect, educate, inform, and actively participate in the creation of a local community that shares and supports our mission.  You can learn more about our origin, and our group, at our website.

Our growing Facebook Group is 'Private', meaning that unless you are in the group, you cannot search for it, see anything anyone posts in it, or even find out who else is a member.  We take our members privacy seriously and have a team of moderators who vet every new member before adding them.  In order to enable new members to find us, and to communicate key events to the public, we also have a public Facebook Page.  If you would like to join, and the first link didn't work for you, use the second link and follow the instructions to let us know!
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We Are engaged residents and friends of Yamhill County who believe in developing a community that both respects and creates equity, inclusion, safety and freedom from fear & hate for all. Our purpose is to educate & inform, and to actively participate in the creation of a local climate in support of these beliefs.
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