Minutes of the BCGOP Executive Committee Meeting on 26 Nov 2007 at Ryan’s Steakhouse Restaurant on Brevard Road, Asheville, NC

Meeting called to order by Chairman Mark Delk at 6:30 p.m.

Invocation by Betty Budd.

Pledge of Allegiance by all.

Treasurer’s report by Ed Osada. The numbers were a little “off.” Ed was checking.

Vice Chair Rick Jenkins reported that Roland Linder, Factory racer for Ducatti and factory representative for Ferrari would speak at the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner (LRDD) on “What it takes to be a winner.” He is expected to bring one of his cars to the dinner. Linder is also the “face” of Mother’s Car Care Products.

Jenkins reminded us to pencil in August 30 at McCormick Field for Republican Baseball Evening.

Vice Chair for Organization Rich Mills reported that we had Judges and clerks in all precincts for the 2007 election. He thanked those who assisted with recruitment, especially in the last hours before the election.

Robin Ramsey reported on the LRDD. It will be held at the Carolina Ballroom. Reception at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. Kathy Corn is donating the ballroom and the decorations. The J&S owner is furnishing the food at cost. Dinner is $50 per person, $250 for sponsor (2 dinners and 2 receptions), $500 for patron (4 dinners and 4 receptions), and $550 for a table patron (8 dinners and 2 receptions). Durands will take pictures and thank reception attendees. There will be an envelope stuffing party at the Durands’ on Jan 11, with both BCRWC members and Junior Republicans working. Bill Lack is almost sure Senator Coburn from Oklahoma will speak on Health Care. Richard Bernier will tape the event and put it on URTV. The event will be preceded by a Civitas Candidate School in a location to be announced.

Spence Campbell, candidate for the 11^th District seat in Congress, spoke. He emphasized Faith, Family, and America. He is a businessman, soldier, and citizen who wants to work for all of us, the people.

Steve Duncan, chair of the 11^th Congressional District Republican Executive Committee, outlined the activities to be supported by contributions to the 11^th District Golden Elephant Dinner. 1. Get out the Vote (GOTV) efforts in all counties, identifying and contacting “B” and “C” voters. 2. Identify shut-ins in all counties and plan to help them vote. 3. Conduct “Who we are as Republicans” campaign. Costs of the dinner are $50 per seat, $500 for hosts, $1000 for sponsors – more details to come. Frances Cosgrove and Ann Mills were persuaded by Chairman Mark Delk to serve as a BCGOP committee to identify a recipient of the Golden Elephant award from Buncombe County.

Kathie Lack announced that the ACTION club Christmas gathering will be pot-luck at her house in Barnardsville.

Bill Porter reported that the Men’s Club has added two new members in the last two months. Charles Thomas spoke at the most recent meeting. Election of new officers will take place at the December 8 meeting. Don Yelton distributed copies of the Resolution on open meetings which was adopted by the Men’s Club.

George Keller gave the BCRWC report. All are invited to the annual BCRWC Christmas luncheon on Saturday, Dec 1, at the Bonefish Grill. For reservations, call Loretta Reynolds at 274-7883. As this is written, there are 40 folks signed up to attend.

Robin Ramsey reported that the BRRWC Christmas gathering will be held on December 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Nancy Kitch’s house. Bring food / drink and witness the installation of their new officers.

Matt Hebb spoke for the Latte’s Republicans – come on out on Thursday, Nov 29 at 5:30 p.m. to the Caffiend Coffee House.

Matt Hebb spoke for the Young Republicans. One of his themes was the comment that young adults need action, not speeches. See Tim Johnson’s comments later.

Aaron Pettit spoke for the Junior Republicans. They plan to work in the Altamont housing project with For Our Kids to help sponsor a Christmas party for underprivileged children. On Feb 11, they will stuff LRDD envelopes.

Tim Johnson, an area coordinator in downtown Asheville, spoke about the need to reach out to people of color. He said that Blacks and Hispanics have to be at the table, that it’s not what you say, it’s what you do for them. Young people are not impressed by rhetoric. See Matt Hebb’s comments earlier.

Eric Gorny, candidate for House District 115 again in 2008, spoke about the effort that it took to get to speak at the League of Women Voters’ immigration forum. He needs financial support, and soon. There are two big issues for this election in NC: taxes and illegal immigration.

George Keller made a motion to take the “Lincoln” motion from the last meeting off the table. The gist of that motion was to remove “Lincoln” from the LRDD. The idea to do so came from an extensive talk by HK Edgerton at an ACTION club meeting. After considerable discussion back and forth, Don Yelton offered a substitute motion to a) continue with LRDD this year, to concentrate on getting out the voters, and to spend the next year discussing the value of having the Lincoln name on the LRDD for 2009. The motion passed.

There was no “New Business.” [chuckle by Secretary]

Don Yelton announced that he had room for one more couple at his table for the Taylor dinner.

Don Yelton and others are going to an East Coast Christmas dinner on Dec 6, and he has room for one more in his car.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Submitted by George E. Keller, BCGOP Secretary