• Donate to Save Yamhill County here
• Sign-up to write a letter to the editor of the Newberg Graphic or News-Register about why Commissioner Berschauer must be recalled
• Stop by the Yamhill County Democrats office in McMinnville to pick-up a Recall Lindsay Berschauer yard sign

What we've been talking about

• Last Thursday, Yamhill County Clerk Brian Van Bergen qualified the Lindsay Beschauer recall for the ballot. The election will be held March 22, 2022. The News-Register and Newberg Graphic reported. In the Graphic article, Berschauer is quoted referring to the recall as a "divisive attack", saying "[d]isagreement over public policy does not warrant a recall in the minds of voters." However, that statement represents a change in tune for Berschauer, who, in 2016, served as an agent on a recall campaign against Democratic State Senate President Peter Courtney. That "recall seem[ed] to focus on Courtney’s legislative votes", according to an opinion piece in the Statesman Journal published in March 2016, which is really just another way of saying that the folks behind the recall (Berschauer included) disagreed with Courtney's positions on public policy. For the record, the recall against Berschauer is not motivated solely by disagreement over public policy, but by a series of incidents of fiscal mismanagement, self-dealing, the spreading of misinformation, and continued complaints of workplace harassment, among other factors.
• Free Oregon is promoting an anti-mask protest in Newberg today (February 15 at 8am) and another in Yamhill tomorrow. Flyers posted on the group's Facebook page direct people to gather at the Newberg flagpole (99W and River St.). The group is known for protesting public health policies and has recently promoted similar events in other cities, including last week in Sherwood, Gaston, and Gresham. The group's founder called Sherwood teachers and staff "child abusers" for enforcing the state's mask policies. The Newberg Graphic reported.
• Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett honored the state of Oregon's birthday yesterday by suggesting on her official Facebook account that "Oregon’s border [be shifted] again- westward to form a Greater Idaho." You can read about the secessionist movement she is referring to, Greater Idaho, here.
• KGW reported on Newberg School Board member Ines Peña's decision to resign. The News-Register and Newberg Graphic also reported.
• An "Occupy Oregon Freedom Convoy", inspired by the multi-week protest currently taking place in Ottawa, Canada, is being planned for March 18 in Salem.
• Newberg City Councilor Bryce Coefield is leaving the Council. If you live in district 4, find out how to apply for the open position here.
• OPB reported on dire conditions at the federal prison in Sheridan. Read about the crisis here.
• Anna Scharf (HD23-Amity & Dayton) released an update on the legislature's short session so far. Read it here.

• If you are part of the McMinnville School District, please fill out the ThoughtExchange survey posted by Superintendent Debbie Brockett regarding changes to the District's mask policy. Find it here.
• Sign the petition to rename Columbus Elementary School in McMinnville. Click here.
• The Chehalem Cultural Center wants your input on how to make the Center more inclusive for all. Complete the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) survey here.
• 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.

• Reminder: the Food Bank at the First Baptist Church in Dayton (300 Flower Ln.) is open every other Tuesday from 4-6pm and is accepting donations. It will be open next on Tuesday, February 22.
• 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.

• Planning Commission member
• Historic Landmark Committee member

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.

Yamhill County Democratic Think Tank
Wednesday, February 15

A Discussion about the History of Asian Americans in Yamhill County by the Ensuring Racial Justice Committee
Tuesday, February 22, 12pm
Meeting link

Winning Rural Hearts & Minds: Indivisible 2022 Rural Summit
Saturday, February 26, 9am
Register here

City of Willamina City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 15, 4pm
Zoom link
West Valley Fire District at 825 NE Main Street, Willamina

McMinnville 2022 State of the City Address - At Mayor Hill's Awards Reception
Tuesday, February 15, 5pm
Zoom link

Newberg Historic Preservation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, February 15, 7pm

Dundee City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 15, 7pm

Carlton Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Wednesday, February 16, 6pm
Zoom link; packet

Dundee Planning Commission Meeting CANCELED
Wednesday, February 16, 7pm

Amity City Council Work Session
Wednesday, February 16, 6pm
Zoom link

Sheridan School Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 16, 6pm

Dayton Historic Preservation Committee Meeting (if needed)
Wednesday, February 16, 6:30pm
Zoom link; agenda & packet

Yamhill County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, February 17, 10am
Zoom link; agenda; packet

Lafayette Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, February 17, 7:30pm

Sheridan School Board Bond Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 17, 6pm

McMinnville Planning Commission Meeting
Thursday, February 17, 5:30pm
Zoom link

City of Yamhill Water Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 3pm
Zoom link

Carlton Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 6pm
Zoom link

Newberg School Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 7pm

Newberg City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 6pm

Dundee Tourism Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 23, 8:30am

Newberg Budget Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 23, 5:45pm
Zoom link

Yamhill Carlton School Board Work Session
Thursday, February 24, 6pm
YCSD Boardroom 120 N Larch PL., Yamhill