Categories
Meetings

Analyst to discuss I.C.E.

The role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be the topic of the program at the Sept. 11 meeting of the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club.

Denis Kaufman, a retired federal intelligence analyst, will speak at the meeting in Classroom 2 of the LOW Community Center. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. after a meet-and-greet session that begins at 1 p.m.

The mission of I.C.E., according to the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is to “Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”

The agency had more than 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel as of mid-2025,  operating across the United States and in various countries worldwide. 

Kaufman, who moved to Orange County in 2021, enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school in 1969. He retired as a senior chief petty officer in 1990.

In 1990 he joined the Defense Intelligence Agency as an intelligence analyst and served in various assignments from 1990 through 2017, including as the defense intelligence studies chair at the U.S. Army War College. He retired for the second time from the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Center for Medical Intelligence in December 2017.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Categories
Campaigns

LOW turns out for Miller

Forrest Miller, the Democratic candidate for Virginia’s House of Delegates from the 63rd District was warmly welcomed by supporters at a fund-raising event July 26 sponsored by the LOW Democratic Club.

The event raised more than $3,400 in donations to advance Miller’s campaign against an entrenched but ineffective opponent.

Miller’s message to the crowd gathered at the LOW Community Center, was centered around four principle themes: responsibility, infrastructure, social services and the economy.

The U.S. Army combat veteran from Spotsylvania County pledged ethical leadership, support of the Constitution and government accountability. He said his top priorities would be support for small businesses, agriculture policies and federal worker assistance programs.

He promised to use his position in the General Assembly to support investment in roads, technology and sustainable growth and to protect the interests of veterans, first responders, healthcare workers and public education.

Miller will be on the ballot in the Genreal Election on November 4, along with gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, lieutenant governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi and attorney general candidate Jay Jones.

There is still time to extend your financial support to the Miller campaign. Just click the link below to donate. Miller depends on small individual donations from folks like you.

Yes, I want to support Forrest Miller

Photos by David Newman

Categories
Campaigns

Support Miller campaign

For an afternoon of community, conversation and commitment to a bright future, come meet Forrest Miller, hear his vision for Virginia and learn how you can support real change in District 63.

The Lake of the Woods Democratic Club will sponsor a fund-raising event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 in Marion Pronk Hall at the LOW Community Center, 110 Sweetbriar Park Road in Locust Grove.

A donation to the Miller campaign of at least $35 will be required for attendance, but you are encouraged to give more by clicking the button below.

Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres will be served and the candidate will be present to meet with voters and respond to their questions and concerns.

Click here to donate and register

Categories
Club events

Summer picnic puts Ukraine in spotlight

William B. Taykor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine brought a message of hope and optimism to the LOW Democratic Club’s annual Flag Day Picnic on June 21.

The senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, who had recently returned from Ukraine, reported that Russian invaders had made very little progress in their unlawful war. He credited support from the United States and Europe for helping the Ukrainians protect their sovereign territory.

The picnic inside the LOW Community Center was well attended by a convivial crowd who enjoyed a delicious fried chicken dinner and conversation.

Also on hand was Forrest Miller, our Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, who asked for the club’s help in turning the 63rd House District blue again.

Categories
Club events

Former ambassador to Ukraine is guest

William B. Taylor, former ambassador to Ukraine will be guest speaker at the club’s annual Flag Day Picnic on Saturday, June 21.

This much-anticipated annual event will take place inside Marion Pronk Hall in the LOW Community Center from 5 to 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person, which includes a chicken dinner with lots of sides — mac & cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw and dessert. Tickets may be purchased using a credit or debit card by clicking the “Pay Now” button below. Tickets must be purchased no later than June 14.

Ambassador Taylor is a distinguished fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. Prior to the Atlantic Council, Taylor was vice president, Europe and Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

From 2006 to 2009, Taylor served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and as the chargé d’affaires ad interim from 2019 to 2020 at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv.

Beyond Ukraine, Taylor served as the special coordinator for Middle East Transitions at the U.S. Department of State from 2011 to 2013, where he oversaw assistance and support to the Middle East during the Arab Spring — including support to Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Syria. Prior to his tenure in the Middle East Transitions Team and Kyiv, Taylor served as the U.S. government’s representative to the Mideast Quartet from Jerusalem. From 2004 to 2005, Taylor served in Baghdad as director of the Iraq Reconstruction Office; from 2002 to 2003 he served in Kabul as coordinator of U.S. government and international assistance to Afghanistan; and from 1992 to 2002, he served in Washington as coordinator of U.S. government assistance to former Soviet Union countries and Eastern Europe.

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also served as an infantry platoon leader and combat company commander in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Germany.

Click here for more information about Ambassador Taylor

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