Minutes of the 2008 Buncombe County Republican Party Convention, March 1, 2008, at AB-Tech in Asheville

 

The Convention was called to order by Chairman Mark Delk at 9:40 a.m., after precinct meetings in the hall.

 

Invocation by Rev. Thomas Rightmyer.

 

Pledge by all.

 

Party officers were introduced.

 

Chairman Delk appointed George Keller as the Convention Secretary;  a Teller Committee consisting of Jerry Orr, Ralph Eubanks, and Angela Moore;  Chair of the Credentials Committee Alice Keller.

 

The following elected officials spoke briefly:

          Carl Mumpower, Asheville City Council

          Nathan Ramsey, Chair of the Buncombe County Commission

          Justice Bob Edmunds, Supreme Court

          David Sawyer, Vice Chair, NCGOP

          Stephen Duncan, Chair, 11th Congressional District Republicans

 

The following candidates or their representatives spoke briefly:

          Spence Campbell for 11th District Congressman

          George Erwin on behalf of Smith for Governor

          A McCrory representative spoke on behalf of McCrory for Governor

          Melissa Gorny spoke on behalf of Bill Graham for Governor

          Eric Smith for Superintendent of Public Instruction

          Paul Purdue for NC House, 115th District

          Nathan Ramsey for Chair, Buncombe County Commission

          Michael Fryar for Buncombe County Commission

          Don Yelton for Buncombe County Commission

          Ron McKee for Buncombe County Commission

          Dr. Joe Dunn for Buncombe County Commission

 

Robert Van Wagner, our Buncombe County Republican on the BCBOE spoke of the many precinct splits taking place, of the ten early voting sites.   The next meeting of the BOE is on March 12.

 

The following Club Chairs spoke briefly:

          George Keller reminded the delegates of the regular meetings of the Buncombe County Republican Men’s Club.

          Beryl Windsor spoke of Buncombe County Republican Women’s Club fund raising efforts.

          Dorothea Alderfer spoke of the Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club efforts to raise money to put a tabloid into the papers for the general election in November.   They plan a “Hoot in the Holler” in September.

          Kathie Lack reminded the delegates of the ACTION club meetings at Ryan’s on Brevard Road.

          Justin Powlison spoke for the Latte’ Republicans.   He urged the delegates to work to build up the party with younger activists.

 

Vice Chair Rick Jenkins assured us that we will indeed have a night at the ballpark on August 30.

 

Ed Osada, Treasurer, said that the cash on hand at the moment of the convention was $22,821.   There are outstanding funds owed to the BCGOP, and the BCGOP still owes for the food for the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner.

 

Chairman Mark Delk gave awards, books, to several delegates who had worked especially hard this past year to help him:  Betty Budd, Frances Cosgrove, Robin Ramsey, George Keller, Michael Muller, and Dorothea Alderfer.

 

Chairman Delk spoke of his months as chair – “I thoroughly enjoyed it.”  Kathy Rhodarmer affirmed Delk from the floor.

 

Chairman Delk appointed Dorothea Alderfer as Convention Chair and passed the gavel to her.

 

Alice Keller, Credentials Chair, reported 82 duly registered Republicans at the convention and moved they all be seated.   Motion passed.

 

Alice Keller, Credentials Chair, moved that “all delegates listed as delegates and alternates [to subsequent conventions] be elected as delegates.”  Motion passed.

 

Frances Cosgrove moved to adopt the proposed agenda as distributed and posted on the web site.   Motion passed.

 

Maureen Flagg-Weber moved to adopt the proposed rules of the convention as distributed and posted on the web site.   Motion passed.

 

Mark Delk moved to adopt the 2007 Convention minutes as distributed and posted on the web site for 11 months.   Motion seconded by Mark Crawford.   Motion passed.

 

Mark Delk moved to adopt the NCGOP Plan of Organization dated June 2, 2007.  Second by Orr.   Motion passed.

 

Mark Delk brought a motion from the BCGOP Executive Committee to add Article IX and Article X, as distributed and as posted on the web site, to the BCGOP “Structure.”   After brief discussion, motion passed.  [New Articles are attached, and will be added the Structure on the web site.]

 

Joe Dunn brought a motion from the nominating committee to elect Dr. Tim Johnson as our new chairman and to elect Mark Delk to the unfilled at-large position on the Executive Committee.  Dr. Dunn read the qualifications of “Dr. Tim” and of Mark Delk.   Bill Lack seconded the nomination of each candidate.   There were no other nominations.  Chuck Durand moved the election of Tim Johnson by acclimation.   Motion passed.  Delk was elected unanimously.

 

Dr. Tim Johnson spoke briefly, accepting the responsibilities of Chair of the Buncombe County Republican Party.

 

There was a motion Mark Crawford to suspend the rules, to modify the agenda, so that John Carroll, candidate for Buncombe County Commission, could speak.   Motion passed.   John Carroll spoke.

 

Jim Reeves, precinct 71.1, brought a resolution, which is attached, which concluded “The BCGOP will NOT support any candidate in support of expanding NAFTA through the Security and Prosperity Partnership, North American Union or other agreement, treaty, or organization.” 

 

After discussion, the words “which would impair our national sovereignty” were added to the resolution, although not unanimously.  

 

Stephen Duncan offered a substitute motion which stated, “The BCGOP will not support any policy, and will encourage Republican Candidates to oppose and prevent any policy, that may threaten American sovereignty.”   Jerry Orr seconded.  Jesse Ledbetter moved to table the motion.   The motion to table passed, so this resolution will be reconsidered as Unfinished Business in our BCGOP 2009 Convention.

 

Dr. Tim Johnson received the gavel of the BCGOP, made inspirational remarks, and adjourned the convention at 12:07 p.m.

 

George Keller, Convention Secretary.

 

------------------------- attached ----------------------------

 

Original Resolution by Jim Reeves, Pct 71.1

 

Whereas the constitution of the United States of America Article 1 Section 1 vested all legislative powers to the Congress, and

 

Whereas the executive branch has sought to establish a North American Union through agreement with Mexico and Canada bypassing Congress,

 

Be it therefore resolved by the Buncombe County Republican Party that the BCPR will NOT support any candidate in support of expanding NAFTA through the Security and Prosperity Partnership, North American Union, or other agreement, treaty, or organization.

 

----------------------- attached ------------------------------

 

Substitute Resolution by Stephen Duncan, Pct 23.1

 

“I would offer a friendly amendment that states; The BCGOP will not support any policy, and will encourage Republican Candidates to oppose and prevent any policy, that may threaten American sovereignty.”