The Laclede County Democratic Central Committee was asked to change the location of their monthly meetings by Director Kathy Dame last month in an official document sent to Chairperson Laura Valenti.
by YOJ Staff
Lebanon, Missouri - The decision by Library Board President to terminate the Central Committee’s monthly reservation of the Joan True Room was due to a situation brought to the attention of library staff and Board President after a confrontational meeting on September 13th which resulted in Lebanon Police being called to the Library. The monthly meeting was the third meeting resulting in police involvement in 2017. Members of the Democratic Organization have participated in physical violence and making bigoted remarks towards guests.
On March 12th the Central Committee met at Bandanas in Lebanon where violent behavior and offensive was also displayed as Retired Sherriff and Committee Person Bob Dodson aggressively shoved a guest, and later went to his vehicle to threaten the group of guests with a billy club, resulting in a police report.
Nate Stroud, who had attended several previous meetings, was present at the most recent meeting on September 13th, this time bringing signage. His sign demanded that Committeeperson Bob Dodson who allegedly used a racial slur at a previous meeting, resign immediately. He described what took place that meeting as being “hostile and threatening behavior.” According to Stroud, he displayed his sign in the corner of the meeting room when it was noticed by several members and quickly destroyed by Vice Chair Don Fohn, who then demanded that the police be called. He stated that “[he] was quietly and peacefully exercising his freedom of speech at an open and public meeting, demanding the resignation of a racist Democrat.”
In his opinion, behavior during previous meetings involving police involvement, was carelessly handled, explaining that “Chair Person Laura Valenti’s and Vice Chair Don Fohn’s have witnessed and ignored horrible behavior without consequence, which has allowed space for bigotry, violence, and driving away outsiders.”
Meetings are now being held at El Charro Mexican Restaurant in Lebanon, the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm.
