Butler County Democrats to open new HQ

The Butler County Democratic party will have a grand opening for its new headquarters from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at 425 W. Harper St. in Poplar Bluff.

The group also will have a committee meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the same location, which is the Operation Off-Street address.

People who are not registered to vote or who have not filed their U.S. Census paperwork will have an opportunity to complete either or both at the grand opening, Butler County Democratic Party Chairman Kevin Ellis said.

“We want the census numbers up passed the 60%, who have registered,” Ellis said.

“We are trying to contact Democratic candidates for state level positions to be special guests at the grand opening,” Ellis said. “If they are unable to attend, we want to have videos where we run one behind the other.”

Ellis said, “We have had numerous inquires about a location. We have been meeting at various locations and thought it would be more physically accessible if we had a dedicated stable, permanent location.”

The committee meetings “are open to anyone Black or white, Democrats or Republicans,” Ellis said. “They are open to talk about Democrat values and principles. We are open to any conversation.”

The grand opening will give the community members the opportunity to speak about issues they are facing, like low-wage jobs and accessing medical care.

“Every day life issues which may be missed on the national campaign,” said Ellis, explaining some families are caught in the middle where their families wages are just over the state poverty level, but are under the federal guidelines.

“We have lost rural hospitals,” Ellis said.

For residents to get to the emergency room from Doniphan or Kennett, they have to drive to Poplar Bluff or Paragould, Arkansas.

Ellis said minority and small farmers are reporting by the time they learn about small business loans the money already is gone. The group will address all farmers having equal access.

“We are setting up a direct telephone line, but until it is ready, anyone interested may call me at 573-429-9030 or Dianne Smith at 573-776-0290,” Ellis said.