Democratic Club of
Leisure World of Maryland

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Welcome to the Website of the Democratic Club of Leisure World of Maryland

From the former "Webmaster" of this website ---

I have enjoyed developing and maintaining this website until now, and I thank all those who have sent compliments about it.

However, as of February 7, 2010, I am no longer involved with this website. I am leaving it as it was on that date, with no further updating by me.

If anyone wants to contact me, my email address is below.

Paul M. Bessel
paul@bessel.org

Article for Leisure World News

Democratic Club of Leisure World

By, Shirley S. Henderson

The January meeting of the Democratic Club will be held on Thursday, January 14, in the Crystal   Ballroom of Clubhouse I.  Join us for the “social hour” at 7PM and the meeting which will follow promptly at 7:30PM.

Although the debate over health care reform will continue for the foreseeable future, the passage of a health care reform bill seems inevitable (as of the deadline date for the Leisure World News). One of the most important questions from the public now is, “What does it all mean”? The two guest speakers for the January 14, club meeting will attempt to answer that very question.

Duchy Trachtenberg, at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, will bring us up to date on the effects of recent health care legislation on county programs and residents. In the second portion of the program, John Nugent, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of Maryland will speak on the topic, “Principles of Health Care Reform.”   

Councilmember Trachtenberg is especially knowledgeable regarding health care issues having served on the Montgomery County Council as Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, member of the Health and Human Services Committee, past Vice-Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Committee and also as a member of the White House Task Force on Health. Her past experiences as a social worker (MSW) and as a governing councilor and Chair of the Health Practices Section, American Public Health Association further inform her understanding of vital health care issues.

John Nugent’s position is that the crisis in health care has been treated as a purely economic or political problem, when, at the root, this crisis is a moral crisis with ethical implications. This talk, with PowerPoint presentation, will examine the ethical principles upon which our health care system should be based and the implications of the new legislation. Mr. Nugent was the CEO of a hospice program prior to joining Planned Parenthood in 1997. He has also been an adjunct college philosophy instructor. He was co-chair of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Bioethics taskforce and served on the National Hospice Organization’s ethics committee. Mr. Nugent comes highly recommended by other Leisure World residents who have heard this presentation. We hope you will attend the meeting in order to hear these important presentations

Kudos are in order for last month’s well attended Holiday Party for the following members: Faye A. Freeman who chaired the event, Adele Traurig for her work with the caterer on the food and Louise Armentrout for her lovely table decorations. It was great fun and informative speaking individually with the elected officials who were present as well as visiting with other club members. Thanks to everyone who helped. 

Interested Democrats, and others, are invited to attend the 30^th annual Women’s Legislative Briefing, Sunday, January 31, 12:30 – 5PM at the University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus Bldg II. (The street address for the event is, 9630 Gudelsky Drive Rockville, MD.) Lilly Ledbetter, pay equity advocate will be the keynote speaker. Pre-registration is required with an admission fee of $10.00. For more information please contact the Montgomery County Commission for Women at 240-777-8330 or at their web site at www.montgomerycounty.gov/cfw. A reception after the workshops will provide participants the opportunity to meet with County and State officials as well as with representatives from other women’s organizations. 

For additional club information don’t forget to visit the club’s web site at www.LWDEMS.org and also to watch for any last minute news and up-dates via email from Sandy Rovner.

Authorized by the Democratic Club of Leisure World, Lucille Malamut, Treasurer