The 2005 County Convention was preceded by Precinct Meetings at 10:30 a.m. at the Sunspree Resort, Asheville, North Carolina.

Chairman Robin Wilson called the convention to order at 11:40 a.m. She then introduced Buncombe County GOP (BCGOP) officers. The Rev. Tom Rightmyer pronounced the invocation. The Buncombe County Honor Guard, representing the Sheriff’s Department and Fire Fighting Services, posted the colors. Vice-Chairman George Keller led the delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed a rendition of “God Bless America” by Shawna Johnson.

The Chairman recognized Area Coordinators and Precinct Chairs and thanked them and all volunteers for their work during the 2004 election campaign. Brief remarks by elected officials Buncombe County Commission Chairman Nathan Ramsey and Asheville City Vice-Mayor Carl Mumpower followed. Ferrell Blount, Chairman of the NCGOP, sent greetings relayed by Marie Ledbetter. Linda Daves, Vice-Chairman of the NCGOP thanked Buncombe County volunteers for their part in the success in the election of President George W. Bush and US Senator Richard Burr. Chairman Wilson presented a brief message from Penny Squires, BCGOP Representative on the local Board of Elections.

Chairman Robin Wilson reported on the “State of the Buncombe County Republican Party.”

Chairman Wilson named Martin Reidinger as Presiding Chairman of the Convention.

Parliamentarian Bob Long presented the Convention Rules, which the delegates present voted unanimously to accept. A majority of the delegates voted to accept the minutes of the 2004 BCGOP Convention as written by Secretary Angela Moore. Treasurer Jeffrey Spence distributed his annual report which indicated a balance of money that BCGOP can spend as of February 29, 2005, was $8,545.85.

No unfinished business from the 2004 convention carried over.

After a call for new business, Delegate Nathan Ramsey made a motion “to allocate $100 from the BCGOP funds to assist in funding the trip of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard and the family of Sergeant Jeff Hewitt to attend the ceremony to place Sgt. Hewitt’s name on the National Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.” The motion received a second and carried without opposition.

Delegate George Keller made a motion “to adopt the North Carolina Republican Party Plan of Organization, dated May 23, 2004, as our Buncombe County Plan of Organization.” The motion received a second and carried without opposition.

Delegate George Keller made a motion “to adopt the ‘BCGOP Structure’ which was distributed to the Executive Committee, has been posted on our web site (www.buncombegop.org), and copies of which are on every table.” The motion received a second and carried without opposition.

Buncombe County Republican Party, Minutes of the Annual Convention, March 5, 2005

Delegate Don Yelton made a motion “that we as the County Convention promote and encourage each county precinct to adopt a city precinct beginning on March 21 to support that precinct by canvassing, signs, working polls, etc., for City Council Race.” The motion received a second and carried without opposition.

Convention Credentials Committee Chairman Beki Taylor gave her report. By proper motions introduced and carried, the convention nominated 275 delegates and alternates to the 11th District Convention on April 30 and NC Convention in Asheville on May 20-22, 2005, redesignated all elected as delegates and alternates as delegates, and confirmed the authority of the Credentials Committee and the Executive Committee to name additional delegates before the March 15 deadline.

Nominating Committee Chairman Renee Russell presented the following slate of BCGOP Executive Committee Officers for 2005-2006. (David Brown, Michelle Cox, Michael Harrison, and Beki Taylor were the other members of the committee.)
     Chairman: George Keller
     Vice-Chairman: Chuck Durand
     Secretary: Sandra Bradbury
     Treasurer: Nancy Day
In the absence of any additional nominations from the floor, these officers were elected by acclamation. Members at Large of the Buncombe County GOP Executive Committee nominated from the floor were Robin Wilson, Michelle Cox, David Brown, Renee Russell, Bob Long, and Bill Lack. David Brown withdrew his name from nomination. After a successful motion and second that the nominations be closed, the remaining five nominees were elected by acclamation.

New BCGOP Executive Committee Chairman George Keller gave a few remarks and received the gavel from Robin Wilson. He declared the convention adjourned at 1:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

/signed/
Alice R. Keller, Convention Secretary

Attachments: [available from BCGOP Chair George Keller]
1. Agenda, 2005 BCGOP Convention
2. County Convention Rules, 2005
3. Minutes, BCGOP Convention March 4, 2004
4. Annual Treasurer’s Report as of February 28, 2005
5. Four Motion Forms
6. BCGOP Structure adopted March 5, 2005