Don Daugherty

Here's the story on the Party. Plan A, I asked all 23 Democratic candidates if they wanted to participate in a Democratic Party Election Night Get Together. Not a single one responded that they wanted to participate. Only 3 responded at all. So, Plan B, I decided to have it, without their input, at the Downtown Grill on Gay Street. We were informed that we could have the meeting room upstairs that holds 50 or so, the outer room that holds another 20, and that we could spill over into the remaining upstairs to watch returns, order dinner, etc. We announced it as the location. Then on Thursday, I went back down to check the place out to see about puting a banner up and the mgr that day informed me that, uh oh, there is a basketball game that night (Florida) and so, we would have to be confined in the small room.

So, we moved to Plan C, find another location suitable for 100-150 people. My next choice, Barley's, was booked (Obama's folks), and the next 11 locations (for example, Manhattan's, Calhoun's, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Crowne Plaza) either could not hold more than 50 or were altogether booked. So, Plan D, the Urban Bar, owned by Democrats, who were thrilled at the opportunity, and the place can hold a good crowd. Jim Gray held the Party's Victory Party there in 2006 and it was a good venue.

While I appreciate the fact you must be 21, and I'm sure some 18-20 year olds might want to come, this was my call and I had to make it absent input from candidates. We waited as long as we could for them to get back to us (too long, actually). We had to be practical in making the decision. I attend almost every Democratic meeting (79 in the past 10 months), and unfortunately, can count the number of 18-20 year olds who attened without an extra hand. We want their involvement, but frankly, my experience thus far would not permit that to be the overriding factor in the location of our party. There are alternate parties going on, Barley's, for example. I am sorry for any inconvenience.