Young bucks to lead city Dems
The Augusta Democratic City Committee chose three new leaders Tuesday evening — all under the age of 33.
At an informal meeting at Augusta City Center, about a dozen Democrats gathered to vote on a new slate of officers. Rep. Kim Silsby stepped down from her position as acting chairwoman, a post she had taken temporarily after former Rep. Arthur Lerman moved to Florida.
The new guys at the helm are:
Chairman Michael Johnson, 32, of Brooklawn Avenue, who works as communications director for the Maine Senate.
Vice-Chairman Rick Redmond, 25, of Chapel Street, who works for the Maine Democratic Party.
Secretary Greg Olson, 28, of Higgins Street, who is an aide to Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport.
Some of the, shall we say, more seasoned Dems in the group — City Councilor Donna Doore, state Housing Authority Director Dale McCormick and Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell — all said they are thrilled to see new blood getting active in the city committee.
And after finding out that the committee has only $30 and change in the bank — $25 of which was donated by Doore and her husband to keep the account active — Redmond removed the well-worn Red Sox cap from Augusta School Board member Derek Grant’s head Tuesday night and passed it around the room.
“Please give what you can,” Redmond said. “This won’t be the first time we’ll be hitting you up.”