COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HONORS VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

The San Bernardino County Democratic Party honored Helen Doherty and Mark Westwood as the 2010 Democrats of the Year, at its annual Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. Awards Banquet Saturday in San Bernardino.

Doherty, of San Dimas, is a member of the West End Democratic Club in Ontario.  She is a retired teacher, and has been very active in the Democratic Party on the county, state, and national levels for many years.  She served for 10 years as the California Democratic Party’s Regional Director for Region 16, which includes much of San Bernardino County, where she assisted many candidates, and mentored local club and party leaders.

Westwood, of Yucaipa, a member of several local Democratic clubs, was the 2006 and 2008 Democratic candidate in the 63^rd State Assembly District.  He has held several positions in the County Party, and currently is its Finance Chairperson.

Eleven other Democratic activists were honored as “grassroots volunteers,” for their work on behalf of the County Party and local candidates:

                Mark Alvarez, Rialto

                Joe Ayala, Rialto

                Linda Baker, Upland

                Barbara Chavez, Fontana

                Alfred Foth, Barstow

                Dale Jenson, Barstow

                Erick Jimenez, Rancho Cucamonga

                Patrick Kahler, Highland

                Jeannie Lindberg, Yucca Valley

                Carolyn Rockwood, Ontario

                Ron Wall, Ontario

Keynote speaker at the banquet was Mike Farrell, activist, author, and actor (M*A*S*H and Providence), who emphasized the need for personal integrity and commitment to be a public servant, in all candidates and officeholders.

Former Congressman Brown, who was born 90 years ago on March 6, represented the 42^nd Congressional District, in the San Bernardino – Riverside area, from 1970-99.  His widow, Marta Macias Brown of Riverside, presented the 2010 Democrats of the Year awards at the banquet.

Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Eric Bauman, also spoke at the event, which was attended by more than 150 Democrats from throughout San Bernardino County.

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