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2012 Jackson County GOP Convention

Over 150 attend the annual event

Over 150 Republicans from throughout the state and Jackson County, local officials, candidates and special guests attended the annual Jackson County GOP Convention on Friday March 16th at the Jackson County Senior Center. Registered Jackson County voters, seated by precincts, first elected delegates to the District and State Conventions before hearing addresses from Wayne King, Vice Chair of the NC State GOP who also introduced the keynote speaker South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson.

Wilson, a retired U. S. Air Force Officer and presently the Chairman of the Congressional Armed Services Committee, received a standing ovation after his speech where he reviewed the accomplishments of the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the address he also warned about claims that the size of government workers is being reduced by over 100,000. "That sounds good doesn't it" commented the Congressman, "until you learn that most of the reductions are in the military." The Army is being reduced by 80,000 and the Navy, Marines and Air Force by another 30,000 or more.

During the business portion of the convention Jim Mueller, Jackson County GOP Vice Chair, reviewed all of the GOP's fund raising initiatives already in place. These efforts include a direct funds campaign and a fundraising event scheduled for early summer. Communications Chair, Carol Adams, presented the step by step publicity plan underway that will support not only candidates but the conservative issues that are central during this election campaign. Carol Odom, Precinct Coordinator, reported precinct delegate statistics prior to the delegate acceptance vote by the credentialed attendees.

Primary candidates, unopposed Republicans and independent candidates or their spokesperson delivered brief messages to the group. These speakers included U.S House of Representative candidates Spence Campbell, Mark Meadows, Vance Patterson, Kenny West, Ethan Wingfield and representatives for Jeff Hunt and Chris Petrella. Primary unopposed candidates speaking included Mike Clampitt running for the NC Sate House District 119. Marty Jones, candidate for the Jackson County Commission District 4 seat and Cliff Greg petitioning to be a County Commission candidate. State wide candidates speaking included Debra Goldman, for NC Auditor and Ken Gardner, for NC Secretary of State. Representatives spoke for Dan Forrest running for Lt. Governor and for Pat McCrory a primary candidate for NC Governor. The key candidate speaker was Senator Jim Davis, to be re-elected in 2012, who updated the group on the legislature's current work.

Prior to the Convention opening attendees were entertained with original tunes and lyrics from the GOP Red Dog Band whose members are Winslow Jones, Bill Coward and Jay Coward. Molly McKim, soloist, opened the Convention with the Star Spangled Banner. She sang America the Beautiful at the mid Convention point and God Bless America to adjourn the event.

Jackson County GOP Chair Ralph Slaughter who presided over the Convention not only recognized the speakers, participants and committee but specifically complimented the Jackson County Senior Center officials, staff and catering department. "We are so fortunate to have an outstanding facility like this in Jackson County," he said. He continued remarking that all citizens, groups and organizations are warmly welcomed and treated efficiently at the center which is to the credit of all those involved.

In closing Chairman Slaughter reminded everyone that the Republican Headquarters Offices are now open most days from 11 AM to 1PM. Locations are in Sylva at 58 D Sunrise Park Dr. a retail complex opposite the intersection of Highway 107 and the Asheville Highway and in South Jackson County in the Laurel Terrace Office Park on 64 East in Cashiers.

"During the Primary Election period and then in the General Election cycle both of our Headquarter Offices will provide any materials voters wish to have for all of the Republican candidates", reported Slaughter. "We intend to make attending meetings and volunteering during this extremely important 2012 election cycle convenient and simple for voters who wish to participate. Republicans, unaffiliated voters and any others who wish to help elect conservative government candidates to local, state and national office are welcome to pick-up election materials, attend GOP meetings and even register to vote at either Headquarters location," Slaughter continued.

Monthly meetings will be held at both office locations. In North Jackson County the meetings are held on the fourth Monday each month and in South Jackson County on the fourth Tuesday. The next meetings are scheduled for April 23rd and 24th. Volunteer sign-ups for phone duty, manning offices and general precinct election activities are requested now. To volunteer and for additional Jackson County GOP information call Chair Ralph Slaughter at 828 743-6491, email jacksonctygop@yahoo.com.

Mountain High Republican Women's Club hears marriage ammendment peaker

At the Mountain High Republican Women's April luncheon the excellent speaker wasTami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the North Carolina Values Coalition whose topic was VOTE YES for the MARRIAGE AMMENDENT. Much of what she told the group about the marriage amendment, a contitutional amendment on the ballot May 8th, can be found at www.ncvalues.org or www.voteformarriagenc.com. For information about the Mountain High Republican Women's Club email President, Dorothy Little at dlittle428@aol.com.

Jackson County Republicans open North Jackson County office Open House at new office on January 23rd

The new North Jackson County GOP Office is located at 58 D Sunrise Park Dr. in Sylva. This office is the second GOP office opened for the 2012 election cycle. In the fall of 2011 the GOP group opened the South Jackson County located in the Laurel Terrace business complex on Highway 64 South in Cashiers.

"We want to make attending meetings and volunteering during this extremely important 2012 election cycle convenient and simple for voters who wish to participate," remarked GOP Chair Ralph Slaughter. "In fact", he continued, "we welcome all Republicans, unaffiliated voters and any others who wish to help elect conservative government candidates to local, state and national office."

The Jackson County Republican's are holding an Open House event at the North Jackson County office from 3:00 pm until 5: 30 pm on Monday the 23rd of January. Interested Republicans and all voters are encouraged to please come by to see the office and meet some of the Jackson County GOP officers and Executive Board members. Opportunities for volunteer activities will be available. Throughout the election cycle Republican and Unaffiliated candidates and volunteers are welcome to use either or both the North and South Office as needed in support for all Republican and Unaffiliated Candidates.

After the Office Open House on the 23rd, the GOP monthly meeting will be held at Ryan's in Sylva beginning at 6 PM to eat/7 PM to meet. Speakers are Mike Clampett, candidate for the NC Legislature seat presently held by Phil Haire and Kenny West who is candidate for Heath Shuler's seat in the US House of Representatives.

For additional information call Ralph Slaughter, Jackson County GOP Chair at 828 743-6491 or visit the website www.jacksoncountygop.com.

Jackson County Commissioner Elders receives Golden Elephant award at Republican Banquet

Jackson County Commissioner Charles Elders was one of the Golden Elephant award winners at the Republican Biennial Golden Elephant Banquet held on Friday, November 11th at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher. The dinner honors Republicans who are the backbone of the Republican Party in the Eleventh Congressional District. "The trophies these individuals receive recognize that they have served the ideology, principles, and candidates of the Republican Party with dedication and diligence," explained David Sawyer the 11th District Chair and Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Charles Elders, serving a second term as a Jackson County Commissioner, is credited with a life-long record of Republican support and activity from the age of 18 when he helped pass out campaign literature and began his record of not missing voting in an election since his first vote in 1964. Highlights of Elders involvement include serving as one of Ronald Reagan's field staff workers for Western North Carolina . Subsequently he worked in notable campaigns for Senator Jesse Helms, Governors Jim Martin, Jim Holshouser and Lt. Governor Jim Gardiner.

The award, given to one Republican from every county in the 11th Congressional District, was presented to each recipient by Representative Paul Stam who serves as the Majority Leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives. In an address to the group prior to the awards ceremony, Stam enumerated the accomplishments of Republicans in the 2011 legislative session covering fiscal, jobs, education and property rights legislation to family, immigration and healthcare issues. Details can be found at Paul.Stam@ncleg.net.

Banquet patrons and sponsors included Republicans from all District 11 counties and included Mike Clampitt, Orville and Nancy Coward, Linda and David Sawyer, Shirley and Ralph Slaughter, Carol and Bill Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Beitler, Marianne and Spence Campbell, Marge and Vance Caudle, Patricia and R.L. Clark, Katherine "Kiki" Henry, Susie and Lewis J. Mc Entyre, Nancy and John Miles, Madeline and Jim Myer, Ralph W. Nichols, Nathan and Robin Ramsey, Chris Petrella, Erin Riddle, Valeria and James Robertson, Betty and Dan Thornton, Mike Unruh and Kelli and Matthew Wechtel.

Republican leaders at the Biennial Golden Elephant Awards Banquet included form left to right: Ralph Slaughter, Chair, Jackson County GOP; Charles Elders, Jackson County Commissioner and Golden Elephnat award winner; Doug Cody, Jackson County Commissioner; Representative Paul Stam, Majority Leader NC House of Representatives and Wayne King, Vice Chair, NC GOP

Jackson County Commissioner Charles Elders receives the Golden Elephant award from Representative Paul Stam, Majority Leader NC House of Representatives

WARNING TO ALL VETERANS