To quote Don Yelton, “The Republican Party must become the party of the people, for the people, by the people, all of the people and not just a select few either due to their belief or position.” In October 2006, Don pushed the BCGOP Executive Committee to press forward with a plan to achieve political power in this county by seeking financial and/or logistical support from all the registered Republicans in Buncombe County. His simple plan is to urge all Buncombe County Republican households to support the BCGOP with either $100 per year (“only $8 per month,” says Anna Cannon) and/or to work in the headquarters two days during the year.

In the two years that I was the Chairman of the BCGOP, I have urged Republicans to learn to give to the BCGOP, not just to the state and national Republican Party. At first I said “Give your last political dollar to the BCGOP.” Eventually, I realized that I should be saying, “Please give your first political dollars to the BCGOP!”

So now I urge each reader of this page to become a member of the BCGOP team. With support from many members, it will be a strong team; a team with is not beholden to a few large contributors; a team that controls its own destiny; a team that has a permanent office for continuity, contact with members and service to the citizens of Buncombe County; a team which can support projects and candidates whose goals are aligned with the goals of the BCGOP

And how much support are we talking about? There are about 25,000 households in Buncombe County with one or more registered Republicans who vote. If just 10% were to commit to $100 per year of their first political dollars, the BCGOP would have $250,000 and would be the strongest county political group west of I-77. Just imagine what a voice Buncombe County Republicans – WE -- would have!

We realize that not everyone can afford $100 per year, or $8.00 per month. For those folks, "membership" on the BCGOP team can be achieved by volunteering to work two days during the coming year in the BCGOP HQ on Woodfin Street in Asheville. Alice Keller, at 252-4423, is our HQ Coordinator. She would love to hear from you!

So -- call Alice and/or send your check to PO Box 7363, Asheville, NC 28802.

George E. Keller, Secretary, BCGOP