OH-16: UPDATE - John Boccieri Saturday Live Blog Edition

We're live blogging from the John Boccieri for U.S. Congress Campaign Headquarters in Downtown Canton, Ohio. This edition will be updated throughout the day, because Team Boccieri has so much work to and a lot events happening in the field.

4:55PM - Final Update

Team Boccieri is heading out to our House Party, soon. This is your last chance to contact Chris!

What: 'Backyard Economic Discussion' and House Party
When: Saturday, October 11, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Where: Canton
Notes: Join campaign volunteers, local elected officials, and friends for a fall weekend discussion and party. For details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

It's been a busy day here at HQ and now it's time to put "The Boots On The Ground"!

We'll be back later with a Field Report for you.

3:15 - UPDATE
Check out this post over on BuckeyeStateBlog OH-16: Boccieri Getting A Boost From Hillary Clinton

I'm sure that will give the Schuring Camp some "whine time"!

More good news for John Boccieri ! The League of Conservative Voters has given their endorsement to John Boccieri:

"John Boccieri will champion energy and environmental issues in Congress just as he has done in the Ohio Legislature," LCV President Gene Karpinski said. "He recognizes the enormous importance of shaping sound legislation to ensure a sustainable future and will be a responsible steward of our natural resources."

"Since being elected to the Ohio legislature, John Boccieri has championed issues of wise land use and management of our natural resources," Ohio League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Don Hollister said. "His commitment to conservation and clean energy has served Ohio well, and as a Congressman, his leadership will be even more effective."

Boccieri said:

"Our energy should come from Midwest innovation, not Middle East Oil. Ohio can be a leader in the development of renewable technology which will produce clean, home-grown, and affordable energy while creating jobs and turning around the economy right here in the 16th District."

Davis Dewitt has the whole story over at PolitickerOH.com !


3:45 PMThat leads into a great story from Yesterday!

Boccieri Tours Canton's New Sustainable Refinery

Canton, OH - U.S. Congressional Candidate John Boccieri (OH-16) was joined yesterday by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) for a tour of the just-opened Hydrodec sustainable transformer oil refinery in Canton.

The Hydrodec facility is the first of its kind in America and the second in the world. It recycles the oil used in power transformers so that electric companies can re-use it instead of purchasing new oil and selling old, contaminated oil to be burned in dirty industries. Hydrodec estimates that, "at full capacity, the oil produced at the plant will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 150 million gallons per year."

“This is exactly the kind of cutting-edge green energy facility that can both help solve our energy crisis and create jobs right here in this community,” Boccieri said after touring the facility. "The 16th Congressional District can be a center for research and production of new technologies like this that will make our economy thrive.

"In addition to producing a clean, sustainable product, the Hydrodec refinery is built on an abandoned former industrial site, or “brownfield.” Boccieri has sponsored a bill in the Ohio Senate to support this type of cleanup and reuse of brownfields as alternative fuel refineries. [127 SB 32]

Rep. Jay Inslee of Washington State, who joined Boccieri on the tour, is a leader in Congress on energy issues. He sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Select Committee on Global Warming, and is the author of “Apollo’s Fire,” a book about alternative energy opportunities in America. Hydrodec's North American headquarters are located in Seattle.

From inbox this morning:

If You Haven't Volunteered Yet...

Team,

We have a little over three weeks left to go! John is leading by double-digits in the polls, our early vote supporters are turning out strongly, and we continue to knock on over 15,000 doors each week.
But we can't let up until Election Day, and we need your help now more than ever. We only got this far because you've been with us every step of the way. Now we're sending canvassers out every day, making phone calls, and working on other special projects.
Stop by our office any time between 10:00am and 6:00pm Monday through Saturday or 11:00am to 6:00pm on Sundays. For specific questions about volunteering, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com or call (330)754-0534

We need volunteers right now!

Our biggest event this week was of course the debate in Wooster - the first event where John and his opponent squared off face-to-face! You can read all about it here. If you were at the debate, it would be great if you could send a letter to the editor to your local paper with your thoughts on the event.

If you need another reason to come in and volunteer with us, how about this: There are only three more opportunities to win Volunteer of the Week!
This week's volunteer is Brian George from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). Brian spends his Fridays volunteering at our main headquarters here in Canton. Brian helps with voter contact in the office. He has a great attitude and is always willing to do whatever needs to be done to help elect John Boccieri as our next Congressman.

Please remember to watch your mailboxes, TV's, the radio and newspapers for ads or campaign materials about both candidates in the race to represent the 16th Congressional District. If you find anything, please let us know immediately - and record the ad or transcribe the call if you can. The closer we get to Election Day, the more important this type of rapid response becomes.

Now here's what we've got lined up for Week Three:

What: 'Backyard Economic Discussion' and House Party
When: Saturday, October 11, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Where: Canton
Notes: Join campaign volunteers, local elected officials, and friends for a fall weekend discussion and party. For details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

Time is short so contact Chris ASAP!

What: University of Akron Bliss Institute 16th Congressional District Debate
When: Thursday, October 16, 6:45PM-9PM
Where: 6300 Technology Lane, Medina, OH 44256
Notes: This will be one of the most important and exciting debates in this campaign for Congress! For ticket information, please email Pete at petezeigler@gmail.com

What: Your Local High School Football Game
When: Friday, October 17
Where: Your local high school in the 16th Congressional District
Notes: With only a few weeks left in high school football season, there are still a lot of big games. If you would like to pass out special football game oriented materials please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

We appreciate all of your hard work and support. As always, feel free to reply to this email with questions or ideas.

Thanks,

Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ianrwalton@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

It's almost 3PM and the Blogger needs something to eat and a re-charge. Stop back soon; we've got more coming your way!
BRB

OH-16: John Boccieri Made It to the Final 6!

Team,

Thanks to your incredible efforts, John Boccieri made it to the Final Six in 21st Century Democrats' online contest!

Now we've entered the final round. If John is among the top three candidates by Midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 31, he'll win at least $1,000 for his campaign - and could win two extra field organizers if he comes in first.

There are only 4 days left, and John is just 130 votes away from the Top Three.

Please vote one more time for John!

We have a very important week coming up.
Between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, individuals are able to go to county Boards of Elections to register to vote AND vote at the same time.

We're still looking for volunteers to help make phone calls and knock on doors during this key week. To help out, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com or call our main campaign headquarters at (330) 754-0534.

John's had an intense week. He's been focused on addressing the economic crisis - you can listen to his response here. But he also made it out to the Louisville Constitution Day Parade, the Medina Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum, the Stark County Gun Collectors meeting, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Annual Luncheon, and a house party in Massillon.

Here's John at the Louisville Parade:



Our latest Volunteer of the Week is Kathleen Purdy.
Kathleen is a resident of Alliance who has known John for many years. She has been volunteering on John’s Congressional campaign since before the primary election. As a teacher in the Plain Local Schools District, Kathleen voiced her appreciation for John and his leadership skills in a recent letter to the editor in the Canton Repository. Click here to read Kathleen's letter.

(By the way, writing a letter to the editor is a great way to support John! If you have questions about how to submit a letter, just ask our communications director, Bryan Collinsworth, at bryan@johnforcongress.com )



And finally, here's what we've got coming up:

What: WoosterFest
When: Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27
Where: Downtown Wooster (Corner of Liberty St. & Market St.)
Notes: Come wear your Boccieri t-shirts and join us for a great fall weekend in Wooster. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Lunch with U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn
When: Monday, September 29, 12:00 p.m.
Where: Canton, OH
Notes: Tickets start at $35. For more information or to RSVP, contact Justin Palmer at 330-438-1632 or jpalmer@johnforcongress.com

What: AFL-CIO Canvass Kickoff
When: Tuesday, September 30, 11:30PM
Where: Golden Lodge, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW
Notes: Help us spread John and the rest of the Democrats message and encourage voters to vote early. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: John Boccieri's Birthday Bash / First Friday
When: Friday, October 3, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Napoli's Italian Restaurant, 2211 Market Street
Notes: Stop by to celebrate John's 39th birthday, then enjoy the First Friday festivities downtown! For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Your Local High School Football Game
When: Friday, October 3 and Beyond
Where: Your Hometown High School
Notes: We still have campaign materials available to distribute at the local football games. For more information, email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

I want to thank each and every one of you for all of your hard work and support. You are the reason John is up in the polls today, and you're the reason we will achieve victory on Election Day.

You have my sincere thanks for all that you do.

Until next week,
Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ianrwalton@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

OH-16: John Boccieri Needs 15 More Votes

Boccieri Breaking News:

John is Just 15 Votes from the Final Round - Vote Now!

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

VP candidate draws 2,500 in Canton

"...Gov. Ted Strickland and state Sen. John Boccieri, the Democratic candidate for the Canton-based 16th Congressional District, introduced Biden to the Canton crowd, with the three of them locking hands in a victory pose. Strickland called Boccieri one of his ''closest personal friends.''

Boccieri, D-Alliance, told the audience: ''It is time we elect change. That is why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden. ''

Boccieri said Biden is from a middle-class family and is a ''tough, smart and realistic leader.''

Read the full article...

There's more...

Team,

John only needs 15 more votes by midnight on Saturday to advance to the final round in 21st Century Democrats online contest!

If you haven't voted, please vote now. If you have, please urge all your friends to vote, too.

Again, the winners of this contest will receive an additional staff member for their campaigns. That extra organizer could lead to dozens of extra volunteers, thousands more phone calls and door-knocks, and a winning margin of votes on Election Day.

The deadline for Round 1 voting is midnight on Saturday. Please vote ASAP!

Along with everyone who has helped John out in this contest, I want to thank all of you who volunteered this past week at the Ashland County Fair.

I also want to recognize our latest Volunteer of the Week: Joe Newkirk. Joe is a Canton resident and a specialist in computers and technology. He spent countless hours entering data from the more than 10,000 doors that Boccieri supporters knocked on this week!

Here's what we've got coming up:

What: Louisville Constitution Parade
When: Sunday, September 21, 2008 (1:30PM)
Where: Nickleplate & South (downtown Louisville)
Notes: We only have a few parades left before the election, so come out and join us. For details, email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Backyard Economic Discussion
When: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 (5:30PM-7PM)
Where: Home in Massillon
Notes: Stop by to share refreshments, meet other local voters, and talk with John about our economic situation. For more details, email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Your Local High School Football Game
When: Friday, September 26 and Beyond
Where: Your Hometown High School
Notes: We still have campaign materials available to distribute at the local football games. For more information, email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Lunch with U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn
When: Monday, September 29, 12:00 p.m.
Where: Canton, OH
Notes: Tickets start at $35. For more information or to RSVP, contact Justin Palmer at 330-438-1632 or jpalmer@johnforcongress.com

Thanks,

Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ian@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

OH-16: Keep John Boccieri in the Top Six

Team,

Great news – thanks to your support, John Boccieri is among the top six contenders in an online contest to win an additional field organizer for our campaign.

In order to make it to the final round, we have to keep John in the top six through September 20.

If you haven’t voted for him yet, please visit www.21stDems.org/vote08 and vote right now!

This was such an exciting week for the Boccieri campaign. A rainy weekend didn't stop hundreds of people from showing up to our labor rally in Canton or a house party with Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland.

Our campaign also had a great showing at the Wayne County Fair. Volunteers and staff members gave away over 4,000 John Boccieri for Congress bags to fair attendees. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

With only 54 days left in the campaign, John hosted a “BBQ at HQ” this past Wednesday for volunteers, supporters, and voters interested in learning more.

The cookout was an opportunity for John to thank everyone for their hard work AND to remind us that we still have a lot of work to do knocking on doors, making phone calls, and getting John’s message out in the 16th Congressional District.

Congratulations Keith Strobelt!

This week’s ‘Volunteer of the Week’ is Keith Strobelt. Keith took the lead with our Stark County Field Organizer to get John’s Stark County Fair booth up and running throughout fair week. Keith has also organized our campaign’s outreach at the local football games. Keith stays in constant contact with the campaign and always knows what’s going on in the community.

(I, personally, had the opportunity to caucus with Keith at Ohio's 16th District Democratic Presidential Caucus. He was the number one vote getter in our caucus room. Keith has an exceptionally strong voice and is a great contribution to Team Boccieri. ~ GARoach)

Coming Up…

What: Your Local High School Football Game
Where: Your Hometown in the 16th District
When: Friday, September 12 (Tonight!) and Beyond
Notes: We have football game oriented materials for you to take with you to your local football game. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Swiss Steak Dinner at Canal Fulton NW Senior Center
Where: Canal Fulton
When: Saturday, September 13 (4PM-6PM)
Notes: We can still use more volunteers to help serve dinner at the senior center. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Ashland County Fair
Where: Ashland County Fairgrounds
When: Sunday, September 14 – Saturday, September 20
Notes: Come out wearing your John Boccieri t-shirts or help the local Democratic Party staff their both. For more details, please email Jake at japhillips@zoominternet.net

What: Canvass with John Boccieri and Celeste DeHoff
Where: Uniontown Community Park, 3696 Apollo St., NW, Uniontown, OH
When: Saturday, September 20 (10AM)
Notes: For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

We appreciate all of your hard work and support. Please feel free to contact us about anything in this email or any other questions you may have about the campaign.

Thanks,

Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ian@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

I'd like to give a "shout out" to our latest ActBlue Thermometer contributor! You know who you are and Team Boccieri thanks you for your support! We can still hit our target before October 31st.

OH-16: Vote for John Boccieri Online!

Team,

Thanks again to everyone who helped us out at the Stark County Fair. John and his family had a great time connecting with voters there!

The Wayne County Fair starts tomorrow and the Ashland County fair begins September 14. Our campaign will be teaming up with the county Democratic Parties for both fairs. To volunteer, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com.

A few quick announcements...

Be our eyes and ears!

Pay attention to your mailboxes, TVs, radio and newspapers for ads or election materials about either candidate in the race to represent the 16th Congressional District.

If you catch anything, please let us know immediately - and try to record the ad or transcribe the call. These efforts will help our ‘Rapid Response' Team by providing real-time information
(Any information may also be left on this blog in the comment box.)

Vote for John Boccieri in our online contest!

Go to www.21stdems.org/vote08 right now, vote for John, and our campaign could receive a new staff member to help us win in the 16th District!

John is competing with 11 other campaigns across the country in an online contest sponsored by the group 21st Century Democrats(an endorser for John Boccieri for U.S. Congress...see the link to the right!). The candidates who receive the most votes between now and September 20th could win an extra field organizer for their campaigns.

If there was ever a time to show your grassroots support, this is it. Please vote at www.21stdems.org/vote08 today!

Congratulations Justin Chenevey!

This week's ‘Volunteer of the Week' is Justin Chenevey. Justin has been with the campaign since just after the primary in March. He came seeking school credit, but even after his official internship was over, he stayed to fight for change with John!

Justin is a master at everything from poring through the morning newspapers for important news stories to rallying volunteers for parades and events. Today, we honor Justin's service and dedication to building a brighter future for the people of the 16th District.

Justin Chenevey

The Rest of the Week...
What: Your Local High School Football Game
Where: Your Hometown in the 16th District
When: Friday, September 5 and Beyond
Notes: We have new football game oriented materials for you to take with you to your local football game. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Labor Rally for Local Candidates
Where: Golden Lodge No. 1123 Steelworkers of America AFL-CIO, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW, Canton
When: Saturday, September 6, 10AM
Notes: Come out and join John as we support organized labor right here in the 16th Congressional District. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: House Party with Special Guest Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland
Where: A private home of John Boccieri supporters in Canton
When: Saturday, September 6, 12PM-2PM
Notes: RSVP to Ian at ianrwalton@johnforcongress.com

What: John Boccieri Campaign Cookout and Final Push Toward Victory
Where: Campaign Headquarters ( 601 Cleveland Ave., NW, Canton)
When: Wednesday, September 10, 5:30PM-7:30PM
Notes: Join John, campaign staff, local leaders, and volunteers as the campaign kicks off the final two months of this election cycle. We will have food, drinks, and an opportunity for everyone to spend some time with John. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

We appreciate all of your hard work and support. Please feel free to contact us about anything in this email or any other questions or concerns you may have about the campaign.

Thanks,
Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ian@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

OH-16: John Boccieri Summer Fun Edition

Team,

With less than a month to go in the summer season, our campaign and our candidate are still going strong at events across the district. Thanks to those of you who participated in the Carnation Days Festival Parade, the Wooster Cruise-In, the Canton Greek Festival, the North Canton Festival, and the Obama Headquarters opening.

John had another great week, making stops at a Canton neighborhood block party, several house parties in Wadsworth , the North Canton Festival, and the Wayne County and Ashland County Farm Bureau annual meetings. John also spent part of Thursday meeting with business leaders, workers and community members in Ashland.


John at a neighborhood block party in Canton


John at a house party in Wadsworth


John at the North Canton Festival

We also want to spotlight our second Volunteer of the Week: Dan Ehret. Dan is a Massillon resident and student at Stark State who has been volunteering with the Boccieri campaign since early spring. Dan has contributed in countless ways, including hosting and organizing a "Backyard Economic Discussion" at his home last month.


Dan Ehret

One other reminder, high school football starts this week. Make sure to wear your Boccieri for Congress T-shirt in support of John at your local high school game. Stay tuned for campaign activities related to the football season!

And, as always, we are looking for individuals to stop by our campaign headquarters (601 Cleveland Ave., NW in Canton) to make phone calls between the hours of 11AM and 8PM. For details, email Chris at http://us.f831.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=cccupples@yahoo.com or call (330) 754-0534.

Looking ahead...

Rock N' Rod Reunion Parade
Where: Midway Ave., NE by 14th Street, NE (Mahoning Road Corridor) in Canton
When: Saturday, August 23 (2:30PM, Parade steps off at 3PM)
Notes: Come join John for a parade. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: House Party with John Boccieri
Where: Massillon
When: Saturday, August 23 (4:30PM-6:30PM)
Notes: The weather is supposed to be great this Saturday so come on out and join us for a backyard picnic with John. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Stark County Fair
Where: Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton
When: Tuesday, August 26-Monday, September 1
Notes: We have our own booth at the fair and need volunteers to sign up for two hours shifts beginning the first day of the fair. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

What: Barack Obama Convention Speech Watch Party
Where: Downtown Canton in the Park (2nd Ave. & Market Ave.)
When: Thursday, August 28 (8:30PM-11:00PM)
Notes: Senator Obama will be giving his acceptance speech at 10PM. Put on your Boccieri T-shirts and come out to the park. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

We appreciate all of your hard work and support. Please feel free to contact us about anything in this email or any other questions or concerns you may have about the campaign.

Thanks,

Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ian@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534

OH-16: Volunteer of the Week

Team,

Today, I am excited to announce our first "Volunteer of the Week." This campaign is only possible because of your dedication and support, and we want to recognize your hard work to send John to Congress and turn our district around.

This week's Volunteer is Alexa Roggenkamp. Alexa grew up in Alliance and is now majoring in Political Science at the College of Wooster. She has followed John's public career since he ran for State Rep in 2000, and has been volunteering at our headquarters since May. Whether calling voters, writing letters, managing data or answering phones, there's no campaign challenge Alexa's afraid to take on.

We're already looking for our next Volunteer of the Week. Check out the events below or help out in our office for just a few hours to be in the running for this prestigious award!

Now, here's what we've got coming up.

Our campaign will be present at the Carnation Festival in Alliance tonight and at tomorrow's parade. If you would like to be a part of the festivities, or join us at the Governor's Corn Hole Tournament in Canton tomorrow, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com.

As always, we are looking for individuals to stop by our campaign headquarters (601 Cleveland Ave., NW in Canton) to make phone calls between the hours of 11AM and 8PM. For details, email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com or call (330) 754-0534.

We also welcome you to participate in these exciting upcoming events:

Obama Campaign Office Opening
Where: 2nd Ave. & Market Ave. in Canton
When: Wednesday, August 20 (6PM-7PM)
Notes: John will be speaking at around 6:15 or 6:30 p.m. Please come out and show your support for John and Barack. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

Rock N' Rod Reunion Parade
Where: Midway Ave., NE by 14th Street, NE (Mahoning Road Corridor) in Canton
When: Saturday, August 23 (2:30PM, Parade steps off at 3PM)
Notes: Come join John for a parade. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

Stark County Fair
Where: Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton
When: Tuesday, August 26 - Monday, September 1
Notes: We have our own booth at the fair and need volunteers to sign up for two hours shifts beginning the first day of the fair. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

Barack Obama Convention Speech Watch Party
Where: Downtown Canton in the Park (2nd Ave. & Market Ave.)
When: Thursday, August 28 (8:30PM-11:00PM)
Notes: Senator Obama will be giving his acceptance speech at 10PM. Put on your Boccieri T-shirts and come out to the park. For details on participating, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

John Boccieri Campaign Cookout and Final Push Toward Victory
Where: Campaign Headquarters (601 Cleveland Ave., NW, Canton)
When: Saturday, August 30 (5PM-8PM)
Notes: Join John, campaign staff, local leaders, and volunteers as the campaign kicks off the final two months of this election cycle. We will have food, drinks, and an opportunity for everyone to spend some time with John. For more details, please email Chris at cccupples@yahoo.com

We appreciate all of your hard work and support. Please feel free to contact us about anything in this email or any other questions or concerns you may have about the campaign.

Thanks,

Ian Walton
Campaign Manager, John Boccieri for Congress
ian@johnforcongress.com
(330) 754-0534