A Lesson on Living in a Republic

By Jim Smith

I just survived my first Legislative Session in this new position AND I LEARNED A LOT!  We have many passionate people in Davis County, we have WONDERFUL legislators who sacrifice a lot to represent us on Capitol Hill, and we need to get more of you involved.  But there is something VITAL that you must get involved in NOW!

The DAVIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE does not support one political party over another.  However, we STRONGLY encourage our members to GET INVOLVED politically!  I particularly encourage our business owners to make their voices heard - there is a lot of shouting by many vocal minorities, so make sure that the VOICE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY is heard clearly in the din.

On March 23^rd every neighborhood in Davis County will hold Precinct Caucus Meetings.  At these meetings the delegates are elected to represent your neighborhood in both the Republican and Democratic Party's State Conventions.  It is an interesting, enjoyable experience to watch our republic in action - but here are a couple of warnings:

·         WARNING - If you wait until November to take action and vote, much of the decision has already been made for you.  You won't see the candidates in November if they don't get past the Convention process.

·         WARNING - There are many vocal minorities who understand this process and use it extensively - and they are 100% within their rights to do so.  But if you are worried about having a minority make decisions that affect your business YOU MUST GET INVOLVED AT THE CONVENTION, which means you need to go to the Caucus Meetings.

Here is a resource that I have been made aware of - Todd Weiler, a past chairman of the Davis Chamber of Commerce, is holding a FREE informational session on the caucus process.  He will provide info for both Democrat and Republican Caucus Meetings.  At this point there are no 3^rd Party Caucus meetings set, but he will provide that information if it becomes available.  His informational session will be held Saturday, March 20^th at 2 PM at the Centerville Library (behind Target).  You can also go to the websites for your party and seek input there as well - Democratshttp://davis.utdemocrats.org/ .  Republicans http://www.davisgop.com/

However you do it, GET INVOLVED!  The Caucus Meeting is where it all starts.