The Palmyra Democratic Committee is looking to increase their visibility in the community.
“We are working on letting people know we exist,” Committee Chairman Dan Beagley said. “There are people thinking they’d like to know about the Democratic party, but unfortunately, most people don’t the committee exists.”
Beagley was elected the committee’s new chairman this past fall to replace the retiring Bob Daly. A Palmyra resident for more than 10 years, Beagley was among the “silent Democrats” in the community who would complain about what he was seeing at the national level. Then one day his oldest son told him to stop complaining and do something about it.
“I thought, ‘He’s right,’” Beagley said. “So I contacted the Democratic Committee and joined.”
That was three years ago. Beagley quickly took an active role in the committee and volunteered to become a district representative, of which Palmyra has six. Since then, Beagley has worked with local Democrats to support candidates — including taking a significant role in Rep. Dan Maffei’s House campaign — as well as making phone calls and knocking on doors.
As chairman, Beagley brought some ideas to the committee at their January meeting and members set up some goals for the coming year. Topping the list: a desire to make their presence known. To that end, the committee is planning fundraisers and will be taking part in local events, including manning booths at Canaltown Days and the Wayne County Fair.
The committee will also be seeking suitable candidates at the town, village, county and even state levels. Beagley said in the past, the committee hasn’t identified candidates until it’s too late and the election is right around the corner. The new initiative is to start training potential candidates, develop their platform, decide on what issues are important to the community and raise money to support their campaign.
“If you’re interested in running for office in Palmyra as a Democrat, we’d love to talk to you,” he said.
But it’s not just Democrats who are welcome to contact Beagley and the committee. Anyone interested in learning more about the Democratic party or who has ideas to share for fundraisers or who would like to share their concerns about local issues is encouraged to email or call Beagley.
While Wayne County leans heavily Republican, Beagley notes that Palmyra has had several Democratic mayors, including Jim Elliott and the recently retired mayor Vicky Daly.
The Palmyra Democratic Committee is looking to increase their visibility in the community.
“We are working on letting people know we exist,” Committee Chairman Dan Beagley said. “There are people thinking they’d like to know about the Democratic party, but unfortunately, most people don’t the committee exists.”
Beagley was elected the committee’s new chairman this past fall to replace the retiring Bob Daly. A Palmyra resident for more than 10 years, Beagley was among the “silent Democrats” in the community who would complain about what he was seeing at the national level. Then one day his oldest son told him to stop complaining and do something about it.
“I thought, ‘He’s right,’” Beagley said. “So I contacted the Democratic Committee and joined.”
That was three years ago. Beagley quickly took an active role in the committee and volunteered to become a district representative, of which Palmyra has six. Since then, Beagley has worked with local Democrats to support candidates — including taking a significant role in Rep. Dan Maffei’s House campaign — as well as making phone calls and knocking on doors.
As chairman, Beagley brought some ideas to the committee at their January meeting and members set up some goals for the coming year. Topping the list: a desire to make their presence known. To that end, the committee is planning fundraisers and will be taking part in local events, including manning booths at Canaltown Days and the Wayne County Fair.
The committee will also be seeking suitable candidates at the town, village, county and even state levels. Beagley said in the past, the committee hasn’t identified candidates until it’s too late and the election is right around the corner. The new initiative is to start training potential candidates, develop their platform, decide on what issues are important to the community and raise money to support their campaign.
“If you’re interested in running for office in Palmyra as a Democrat, we’d love to talk to you,” he said.
But it’s not just Democrats who are welcome to contact Beagley and the committee. Anyone interested in learning more about the Democratic party or who has ideas to share for fundraisers or who would like to share their concerns about local issues is encouraged to email or call Beagley.
While Wayne County leans heavily Republican, Beagley notes that Palmyra has had several Democratic mayors, including Jim Elliott and the recently retired mayor Vicky Daly.
“It’s not that you can’t get elected in Palmyra, Wayne County. That’s simply not true,” Beagley said. “We just have to try a little harder.”
Those holding office at the village and town levels can still make a difference, Beagley added.
To learn more about the Palmyra Democratic Committee or to share some insights, contact Dan Beagley at (585) 230-5232 or email daniel.beagley@gmail.com. Registered Democrats in Palmyra are always welcome at the committee’s regular meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Sexton Building on Main Street, across from the Village Hall.
