Almost 100 people gathered at the Coastsider Senior Center on Tuesday the 17^th to hear noted environmentalist Tom Steyer speak about the work he is doing on environmental and government issues. Steyer is the founder of the group Nextgen Climate, a San Francisco-based environmental advocacy organization.” Its mission is to “act politically to prevent climate disaster and promote prosperity for every American.”

Steyer spoke for about 30 minutes and then took a number of questions on important issues, including education, the need for community engagement, and affordable housing. He noted that Donald Trump had just stated that he would renegotiate the Paris Climate Accords. Steyer said “Trump’s denunciation of the Paris climate accord is not only short sighted, but would be terribly costly for America and our ability to lead the world. We cannot go backwards on this important step towards a clean energy economy that benefits all our families.”

Club president Bill Kehoe thanked Steyer for coming to speak to the Coastside Dems, adding “We appreciate the opportunity to hear from someone who really is working to make a difference in the world.”

To learn more about Steyer’s work, visit www.nextgencalifornia.org.

At its annual meeting on May 17, Coastside Democratic Club unanimously elected its board of directors for the coming year Club Officers are: Bill Kehoe returning as President, Dorren Gerrity as Vice President, Kathryn Slater-Carter as Treasurer, and Barbara Dye as Secretary. At Large Board Members are: Harvey Rareback, Fran Pollard, Dan Haggerty, Kathy Klein, Sabrina Brennan, Meg Fried, and Cyd Young.

The Democratic Club board for 2016-17: Doreen Gerrity, Harvey Rareback, Fran Pollard, Dan Haggerty, Kathy Klein, Barbara Dye, Tom Steyer, Bill Kehoe, Sabrina Brennan, Meg Fried, Cyd Young, and Kathryn Slater-Carter

Club members also heard presentations for candidates for local office. Frank Gerrity spoke on behalf of Vicki Veenker, candidate for Assembly District 24, sharing with Club members her background as a patent attorney and mediator. He pointed out that she is the only candidate to have scheduled a house party sponsored by the Club on the Coastside. No other candidates attended or were represented at the meeting. The Club voted to endorse her as a candidate for Assembly District 24.

For the position of County Democratic Central Committee delegate, the Club voted to endorse Sabrina Brennan and Kathryn Slater-Carter.

On Proposition F, for the city of Half Moon Bay, the Club did not take an official position, but unofficially voted to support the measure.

Board members presented president Bill Kehoe with an orchid to thank him for his hard work during the past year and for his willingness to continue leading the organization.

Assembly candidate Vicki Veenker spoke to a group of friends and neighbors at the Dye home on Sunday the 15th. She is running for the 24th District, which includes El Granada and Half Moon Bay. She was introduced by Senator Liz Figueroa. The crowd was very appreciative of her efforts to meet people on the Coastside and impressed with her positions and background. To date she is the only candidate for the seat who has held a house party on the Coastside. For more information, see her website:

http://www.vickiforassembly.com/