I. Introduction
- Since January 2023, WeAreMAC has had some successful moments. These small wins actually have a big impact. There has been a lot of volunteer hours invested in this organization.
- Many thanks to the leadership team and others who have helped in various ways.
- Collectively the radical left (and RINOs too) is rattled, as they should be, as we expose their corruption and challenge their political nonsense.
II. Book Challenge
1. WHAT:
- Cindy Allen has taken on the task of challenging books in the McMinnville High School that contain pornography, homosexual behavior, gender affirming/mutilation, and other gross sexual acts and moral depravity.
- This inspiration came from a teacher who shared on one of Jack Hibbs’ Real-Life podcasts.From this, Cindy was able to understand the process on how to challenge the books.
- Geroge and Anita Humlie, Mike Firestone, among others, helped Cindy read through several books and fill out the appropriate paperwork needed to challenge the school.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- Cindy and George were also able to meet with the McMinnville high school principal to also plead their case and discuss next steps.
3. THE WIN
- One big win, the McMinnville High School librarian did curate Gender Queer, and Let’s Talk About It from the school library.
4. NOW WHAT:
- October 14th at 6:30 p.m., Cindy will be presenting all this to the McMinnville school board to discuss other books that still remain in the library. She could use your support.
- Policy changes that Cindy will request:
- If they won’t curate (remove) the remaining obscene books, then they need to be challenged to offer books of people with regret for gender transformation surgery and those who got out of the influence that these books promote.
- Request a policy change that any book with nudity, sexually explicit details, and vulgarity, be kept behind the counter, and only permitted to be checked out with parental permission.
III. Guest Speakers
1. WHAT:
- WeAreMAC has been able to host several speakers, who either shared from the platform, or gave a brief statement about their campaign, or the service they are providing the city, county or state. (in alphabetic order):
- Anita Humlie – candidate for McMinnville School Board
- Audrey Aase – candidate for McMinnville School Board
- Beth Keyser – Volunteer Coordinator for Yamhill County
- Bruce Starr – candidate for Oregon State Senate
- Chris Chenowith – McMinnville City Councilor Ward 3
- Cindy Allen – Parent’s Rights in Education
- Dan Tucholsky – candidate for McMinnville City Council Ward 2
- Donna Kreitzberg – Education Freedom of Oregon
- Kim Morris – McMinnville Community Task Force
- Kim Morris – candidate for McMinnville City Mayor
- Kit Johnston – Yamhill County Commissioner
- Lindsay Berschauer – Yamhill County Commissioner
- Lucetta Elmer – Oregon State Representative
- Richard Burke – Western Liberty Network
- Shellie Reyes – candidate for McMinnville School Board
Coming Soon:
- Sam Elliott – Yamhill County Sheriff
- Chaz Gibbins – candidate for McMinnville City Council Ward 3
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- Education on State, County, and City policies, measures, and upcoming issues to vote on.
- Informing the public on what is going on around us.
- Other people attending WeAreMAC that might not normally come.
3. THE WIN:
- More speakers are excited and wanting to come share at our monthly general meetings.
- More people from the community are attending.
4. NOW WHAT:
- Let’s keep up the momentum. Let George know of whom you think we could invite.
IV. Debates
1. WHAT:
- WeAreMAC had the privilege to host several debates.
- School board candidates that WeAreMAC supported (advertising, sign waving, door knocking, word-of-mouth); and then organizing a debate with the currently seated school board members.
- Most recently, County Commissioner Lindsay Berschauer and challenger Bubba King.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- Many thanks to Tod Butterfield, for his willingness to be the moderator. He has presented strong, but fair questions. His media talents and ability to record and post these events is also a blessing.
3. THE WIN:
- As for current debates, the opposition is more willing to meet our requests for having debate with one of their candidates or seated members of government.
4. NOW WHAT:
- WeAreMAC hosted Kim Morris, Chris Chenowith, and Dan Tucholsky to present their positions as they were interviewed by Tod Butterfield.
- Soon, a debate to be with current Mayor Remy Drabkin and candidate Kim Morris. The date is yet to be determined.
V. School Board
1. WHAT
- A big thank you for Anita Humlie, Audrey Humlie, and Shelley Reyes for being candidates and your desire to see a positive change in the McMinnville school board.
- A very big thank you to Rose Etherington for her generous time and talent to do artwork and advertising.
- Also, a thank you to Town & Country PAC for the financial contribution to support all this.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT
- The currently seated school board members were in shock that they would be challenged and held accountable.
3. THE WIN:
- Though our school board candidates did not get into those roles, it was a learning experience for all of us how the opposition operates, and how we, as a group can improve on how we prepare someone for being a candidate.
4. NOW WHAT:
- WeAreMAC won’t shy away from another opportunity to support a school board candidate(s). There are challenges we faced, but we can all agree it was a learning experience that will help strengthen our resolve.
VI. Story Hour at the Library
1. WHAT:
- Based on Kirk Camron’s “See You at the Library” reading his “Brave” books.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- This was to offer positive books in place of (really to combat) ‘Drag Queen’ story hour.
3. THE WIN:
- Anita Humlie spearheaded this at the McMinnville public library. Cindy Allen and a few others were able to help out as well.
4. NOW WHAT:
- Though this happened for a short while, and eventually, due to various reason, didn’t continue, there were several kids and parents who were appreciative and did benefit from this time.
VII. Adopt-A-Road
1. WHAT:
- Thanks to George Humlie and his effort with the City of McMinnville, and Anita Humlie and her effort to partner with SPLASH, WeAreMAC leadership, plus other WeAreMAC volunteers, were able to clean off graffiti along the green-way space of the West McMinnville Linear Park, between Cypress and Westvale.
- Also, partnering with the City of McMinnville, thanks to Geroge’s efforts, WeAreMAC has been able to “Adopt-A-Road.” Twice each year we meet as a group and clean up Lafayette Ave, along with the parking lot at Wortman Park.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- Positive community recognition and appreciation.
- The WeAreMAC name posted on the Adopt-A-Road sign.
3. THE WIN:
- While cleaning West McMinnville Linear Park, we received several “thank you,” from people who were walking there. Some stopped to talk with us and share their appreciation.
- While gathering trash and cleaning off graffiti along Lafayette Ave, we received several honks and shout outs of “great job.” One gentleman even stopped and gave us a financial contribution to WeAreMAC.
4. NOW WHAT:
- Community service is part of the WeAreMAC mission. This is a great way to be a part of the McMinnville community.
VIII. Stop the Mac Tax
1. WHAT:
- Chris Chenowith presented to WeAreMAC, that after McMinnville voted for a Fire-District, the money that was for the City Fire Dept., the city was using those funds without voter approval. See more specific details at: www.stopthemactax.com/
- Spearheaded by Chris Chenowith and George Humlie, began a petition to stop the city and present this to a vote.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- Several WeAreMAC leadership, along with other WeAreMAC volunteers, and communit members, manned booths/tables, and individually went out to gather signatures for the petition to get this item on the November ballot.
3. THE WIN:
- Community awareness of city government practices.
- Results of election not yet available.
4. NOW WHAT:
- Unfortunately, there were not enough signatures gathered for the deadline to submit this petition for the November ballot. However, signatures are still being gathered and this will be presented for the May 2025 vote.
IX. Canvassing for Candidates & Get out the Vote (NAV)
1. WHAT:
- While the mission of the YCRP (Yamhill County Republican Party) and the YCRW (Yamhill County Republican Women) is mainly focused on targeting Registered Republicans, WeAreMAC is focused more on the NAV (the non-affiliated voter).
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- WeAreMAC has been focusing on getting out the word, yard signs, and other contacts, for McMinnville and Yamhill Candidates.
3. THE WIN:
- We are not telling the NAV how or whom to vote for; however, through education, handouts, and conversations, the NAV is more likely to vote conservative and/or republican whereas they may have not.
4. NOW WHAT:
- With the help of Beth Keyser, several of us have contacted her to be on the “Texting Team.”
- Election day is fast approaching – November 5th.
X. City Council
1. WHAT:
- Sandy Feston stated there is a need for her to hand off the baton on this.
- She has been attending City Council meetings, reading through the agenda and city materials. She, along with some other volunteers, make a list of bullet points that they present to Chris Chenowith to help him in addressing the other members of the city council.
2. CAUSE & EFFECT:
- This eases the burden of Councilor Chenowith to sort through all the material and aids him at being aware of what and how to present to the other council members should they not discuss a particular issue.
3. THE WIN:
- Ease the flow of government, allow discourse at city council, and public awareness.
4. NOW WHAT:
- Sandy is needing one to take the lead on this as she needs to step down for personal reasons.
- The person who takes this will coordinate with other volunteers to read through the city documents and organize items for Councilor Chenowith to present at city council meetings.
- Attend the monthly city council meetings and take notes to present to the WeAreMAC monthly leadership meetings.
- If this is for you, contact Sandy.
XI. Future
- WeAreMAC is not disbanding or fizzling out as may have been a rumor.
- There is an upturn in people being interested in politics and what is going on in McMinnville city government, and also Yamhill County.
- McMinnville is growing 1,000 people each year (that’s 83 new people moving here each month). This is a good time to be reenergized and let your friends, colleagues, church members, and people you meet, know about WeAreMAC.
- Vetting: While we don’t restrict anyone, we rely on your judgment that the person you will invite is of like mind and character as yourself.
- Our meetings are the first Tuesday of every month for the public starting at 7:00-8:30 p.m.
I wish you all well and hope you have been encouraged
to see these small wins as having a big impact.
Sincerely,
Michael S. Allen
