Brenda Dicus, the president of the Democratic Women in Dunklin County, presents a check to Democratic candidate for U.S. Rep. District 163, Tom Todd. [Click to enlarge]

President Brenda Dicus called to order the meeting of the Dunklin County Democratic Women Monday at Shorty's Restaurant at Holcomb. The monthly meeting is a "pep rally" of sorts for Democrats in Dunklin County. The tone of the meeting suggested that Democrats in Dunklin County, as well as in the state, have their work cut out for them in order to effect change in election results.

Jim Pemberton, the chairman of the Democratic Central Committee in Dunklin County, emphasized the importance of work. He said, "We are going to have to work, work, work to make changes happen in our election results."

Pemberton also suggested that, since the area newspaper (i.e., the Daily Dunklin Democrat) is not bipartisan and leans toward the Republican party, Democrats would have to work especially hard to overcome that prejudice.

Several other members echoed that observation, suggesting that the Daily Dunklin Democrat simply was not providing balanced coverage of Democratic candidates.

Pemberton also emphasized the need for Dunklin County Democrats to attract more young people to county meetings, noting that there were only two young people at the meeting Monday night.

As Pemberton was speaking, the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney, Steven Sokoloff, pointed out that a committee of young Democrats was organizing even as the meeting of the Democratic Woman was occurring, apparently an idea unknown by the chairman and others present at the meeting.

Pemberton also pointed out to attendees that not enough party members were showing up to demonstrate support for area and statewide candidates. He exhorted Democrats to show up for the public meetings and speeches of Democratic candidates, emphasizing the need for change in area politics.

Also included in the order of business for the meeting were addresses by Art Cole, the chairperson of the 8th Congressional District, Carol Hinesly, Democratic nominee for Dunklin County Clerk (Hinesly has no Republican opposition in Nov.), and Cody Bader, a spokesman encouraging support of Missouri's Amendment 2.

Cole emphasized to the group that change was certainly needed in Missouri politics, encouraging members to work hard at getting Democratic candidates elected.

Hinesly was present to demonstrate new voting equipment, and Bader talked about the need for passage of Amendment 2 in Missouri.

Also during the meeting, Dicus presented a check from the Missouri Rural Caucus to Thomas Todd, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Rep. District 163, in support of his campaign.

The next meeting of the Dunklin County Democratic Women will be on Monday, Oct. 16, according to Dicus.

Note: A story regarding Cody Bader and his work on Amendment 2 will appear in an upcoming edition of the newspaper.