Chairman George Keller called the meeting to order at
Keller
asked all those present to bring their own agenda to future meetings (this
agenda had been transmitted by E-Mail).
Minutes and financial reports will be published on our website in a
protected directory. Go to
buncombegop.org/minutes.html. Log-in
name: “member”, password “bcgop”. Minutes for
the BCGOP convention are already posted.
Transfer
of funds from Jeffrey to Nancy Day has been an interesting exercise. It was supposed to happen this Wednesday
afternoon during the audit. We need a
Chair of the Finance Committee and two other members of the Finance
Committee. Daniel Rodriguez and David
Moss volunteered. Our approximate bank
balance is $9,500 as of a couple of days ago.
About 18-19 people have filled out pledge cards. More than $1,000 a year has been
pledged. More than $500 has already been
given. There is no overhead
involved. The treasurer’s report will be
posted on the web. There was a question
as to what the Financial Committee does.
The answer was that they figure out a sensible way to spend our money
and keep an eye on the money, and comply with the wishes of the donors.
Keller
asked what was happening with the $500 for the veteran’s memorial. Robin Wilson replied $249 was raised at our
last meeting. [Note added after the
meeting – the total is now $285.] It was
noted that the men’s club has raised $500.
There
was a meeting the other day to discuss an
Keller
proposed having six Executive Committee meetings and six Central Committee
meetings a year on the fourth Monday night of each month. The Executive Committee is larger, but we
want Precinct Chairs out meeting people in the precincts more so than in the
past. The Executive Committee has great
approval power. The Central Committee is
the idea group, but when it comes to a vote the Executive Committee does the
voting. There was some discussion about
rescheduling the Executive Committee meeting dates. They should meet at the end of October if
there needs to be any voting before the November elections. Keller said this was a good point and
something will have to be worked out.
There was a question about where the Central Committee would meet. The next meeting will be at Magnolia’s, but
that could change in the future. The
North Carolina Plan of Organization requires us to have at least two meetings
of the Executive Committee every year.
The
Buncombe County Board of Elections has posted elections that will take place in
2005. We have a government link on our
website.
There
is a once-a-month political fair gathering at Barley’s from
There
was discussion about a Memorial Day picnic.
Bill Fishburne noted there will be a Memorial Day observance at the
Veteran’s Cemetery followed by a ceremony at
We
need three people’s names to submit to serve on the Board of Elections. Don Yelton and Robin Wilson volunteered. Penny Squires will remain on the Board.
There
has been talk about a permanent headquarters which we could use for storage,
small meetings, computers, telephones and an information area for people who
come in. The best price Keller has found
is $7,000-$8,000 a year for 700-800 square feet. We need a front, not to be buried in a
basement. We need to identify an
appropriate spot and find someone who can raise enough extra money to do
it. The Finance Committee agreed to talk
about it. If the place is on a
well-traveled path, has exposure and the zoning will allow us to advertise our
presence there, we can easily get $5,000-$6,000 worth of publicity by having it
in a good place where everybody in the county sees it as they drive by. The Democrats have a bad location and paid
over $200,000 for it. It was suggested
that we look at purchasing some land and a building; i.e., a modular unit or steel
building. We would have an investment
that way and we might find someone to sell land at a reduced price. Back in 1994, David Brown was Finance
Chairman. He said they set up a plan to
put 20% of all money raised into a fund for a headquarters. If that had been carried on we would probably
have the money now. There is still $10,000
in the fund. Robin said Lloyd Kirk has
some property for sale next to Forest Manor on
Money
is also needed for 10’ x 10’ white tents for polling places ($17.50 each). Kathy Lack said they are for sale at
Rose’s. There is nothing at our polling
places to show who we are. We also need
tables. Our people sit out in the
elements. We need something to create a
presence, like a sign, banner, table, something to
know who we are. Several Precinct
Chairmen offered to buy tents for their precincts. Kathy took the orders.
The
Executive Committee now confirms the Area Coordinators. Chuck Durand said there are two types of
elections – Federal, and state and local.
We support
The
Area Coordinators identified so far are Craig Young, Casey Reece, Betty Budd,
Bill Lack, Frances Cosgrove, Jerry Murray, Bill Sbrocco, Eric Gorny and Bill
Reynolds. We need seven more Area
Coordinators. Durand will recruit at all the Republican clubs. It was moved and seconded to accept all
nominated Area Coordinators.
On
May 20-22 there will be a NCGOP Convention in
Angela
Moore reported that the Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club will have Nancy
Williams from UNCA talk to their April 5 meeting about time management and
organization.
Maureen
Flagg-Weber reported that the Buncombe County
Republican Women’s Club will have a theater night on May 19 at the North
Carolina Stage Company. They plan to
have a table at the convention. The club
is putting together boxes for the men in the service. Fifty are ready to go in two weeks. The picnic will be June 9 at the Governor’s
western residence.
Craig
Young said the new evening Buncombe County Men’s Club will be renamed the
Buncombe County Republican Action Club.
That group will be going to downtown areas to have meetings with
Democrats. They will meet this Thursday
at Ryan’s at
Matthew
Hebb offered to try to revitalize the Young
Republicans of Buncombe County. This
prompted the only round of applause of the evening. David Moss said he would help Matthew.
There
was no report from the College Republicans.
A
group of activists is planning to go to
Bill
Fishburne said corruption is running rampant in
Resolved: Recognizing the importance of open government
and compliance with appropriate state laws and the North Carolina Constitution,
the Buncombe County Republican Party condemns the establishment of illegal
slush funds controlled by legislative leaders and passed out as payoffs for
political favors by both political parties and by the unelected
Secretary of Transportation, Lyndo Tippett. We ask that
these people be investigated and all responsible parties be prosecuted
regardless of political party.
Fishburne
said $10,000,000 has been passed out as political favors. Ten million dollars are reserved for Mark Basnight. There are $10,000,000 in Lyndo Tippett’s budget to pass out for favors.
Don
Yelton wanted to amend this resolution to say that in the future any non-profit
that gets tax dollars must open their books.
Fishburne said he wanted to keep people’s attention on this problem, and
non-profits had nothing to do with it.
There was much discussion about how to present this information; i.e.,
send to the U.S. Attorney, legislators and local newspapers.
Yelton
withdrew his amendment. The resolution
was voted on and passed.
Yelton
presented the following separate resolution:
Resolved: To
support the State Auditor in his efforts to examine all financial transactions
within the State. Recommend that all
non-profits that receive tax dollars must open their books to the general
public for full disclosure before they can receive any tax dollars.
The
resolution was voted on and passed.
The
meeting adjourned at
Respectfully
submitted,
Sandra
Bradbury
Secretary