December 2017: More than 50 DFA members and supporters gathered on the square to protest the GOP Tax Scam. The spirited crowd led chants, sang some favorite Christmas carols and marched a block to extend Christmas greetings to Congressman Scott Perry.
January 3: Planning Meeting. Who are we? What are our goals for 2018?
March 7: We had three distinguished faculty members from Gettysburg College speak on the theme of “the Real State of the Union,” Dr. Shirley Warshaw, Poli Sci; Dr. McKinley Melton, English; and Dr. Charles Weise, Economics.
April 4: Erin Ninehouser of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) presented a briefing on healthcare in Pennsylvania.
April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and 8: DFA served as cosponsor of Climate Change Film Series
May 2: Tom Deloe presented on “Making the Case for Fair Elections in Pennsylvania.”
June 6: “Money in Politics: What Can be Done in Pennsylvania” with Peter Oulette and Michael Hodgson from Represent Us: PA.
July 11: DFA’s annual picnic at the Seminary pavilion with remarks by local candidates.
September 4: First issue of DFA’s newsletter is published.
September 5: Gettysburg DFA’s Healthcare Task Force launched its Healthcare Voter Campaign with an appearance by Robin Stelly from the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), a statewide organization that works with consumers to help them gain access to affordable care and educate policy makers about healthcare issues.
October 3: DFA hosted three local Democratic candidates: Brent Ottaway, candidate for the 10th congressional district seat; Marty Qually, candidate for the 91st state legislative district; and Matt Nelson, candidate for the 193rd state legislative district. DFA Government Accountability Task Force chair Bill Gilmartin moderated the panel.
October 14:The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) awarded Gettysburg DFA’s Healthcare Task Force its “Grassroots Activism Award” for 2018. Task force chairs Sandy Busche and Jeanne Duffy and other task force members traveled to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrisburg to receive the award.
November 7: DFA hosted a spirited discussion of election results and forecasts the night after the election. Bill Gilmartin and Leon Reed covered a wide range of results and provided some context and interpretation. Reed gave an overview of the election results. Gilmartin focused on the incoming House committee chairs and the importance of congressional oversight.
December 5: DFA holiday gathering with collection of grocery bags of non-food items for SCCAP, remarks by Commissioner Marty Qually and SCCAP Director Megan Shreve, recognition of emeritus members Lou and Pat Hammann, and viewing of Run Granny Run, a film about campaign finance reform advocate Granny D.