Precinct 15 has biggest turnout at BCGOP convention! Elects new Precinct Chair!

As you can imagine, Precinct Meetings, which happen once each year (this year on the same day as our County Convention) do not typically attract too many people. Especially on an off-election year.

But still! Precinct 15 had 6 Republicans in attendance who are now eligible to be delegates at our district (April 14) and state (June 12-14) conventions.

We also increased our attendance from last year, when we had 5 attendees, only 4 of which were eligible to be voting delegates due to a Board of Elections snafu.

We also elected a new Precinct Chair, Max Cooper! Even though I have not met most of you in person (I did meet quite a few though) I have thoroughly enjoyed serving Republicans living in West Asheville's Precinct 15.

New Buncombe GOP Website

The Buncombe County Republican Party has a cool new website up. Check it out if you haven't already seen it. http://www.buncombegop.org

Since this new site does a pretty darn good job of keeping everyone updated on the latest news and upcoming events, I'm not going to bother posting to this blog anymore unless there is an event that is very specific to West Asheville or to precinct 15. No point in duplicating efforts.

Great precinct 15 showing at 11th District Convention

Buncombe County had a great turnout today at the 11th District Republican Convention with 43 delegates, more than any other county. I don't know this for a fact, but I'd be willing to bet that our Asheville precinct 15 had a better turnout than any other precinct with 5 good Republican neighbors attending. Thank you so much for your participation!!!

Meet the candidates!

We have several opportunities to meet candidates this month, and I hope you all will take advantage of them. The primary IS important! The presidential primary is not the only reason to vote! We have contested Republican primaries for many offices, including Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, 11th District Congressional seat, County Commissioners, and probably others that I am forgetting.

Let's all be INFORMED voters!

You can always visit the North Carolina GOP website to learn more about your choices.
http://ncgop.org/home/candidates.asp

I have been informed of 3 events for April (I'm sure there are plenty of others) where you can meet and learn about some of the Republican candidates. These are all listed on the Asheville 15 calendar for your convenience.

Justic Orr (candidate for Governor)
Vision 20/20: Jobs for the Future: Investment in Growth, Jobs, and People
10:00 am Friday, April 11th
South Buncombe – Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC 28803

Please join Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Orr (R) for discussion of his Economic Development Plan.

For additional information: Pat Nelli 919-836-2228 pnelli@orr2008.com

(This is not intended as an endorsement of Bob Orr over the other fine Republican candidates - merely passing along an opportunity that was announced to us)

Meet and greet the Buncombe County Commissioner Candidates
The League of Woman Voters of Asheville Buncombe County invites you to meet and greet the Buncombe County Commissioner Candidates.
April 14, 2008, from 7-9p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, located at 236 Charlotte Street, Asheville.

Questions, contact Ruth Christie, President at 232-2883 or e-mail at rachristie@charter.net. You may also reply to Barbara Panarites, Forum Chair at 236-5987, e-mail bpanarites2@charter.net.

Candidates' Forum for NC Court of Appeals and U.S. Congressional District 11
The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County and of Henderson County will present a Candidates' Forum for the primary candidates for the NC Court of Appeals and U.S. Congressional District 11. This event is free and open to the public.

Who: North Carolina candidates running for the Court of Appeals and U.S. Congressional District 11 in the May 6 Primary.
When: April 28, 2008
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church, 2840 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. For directions, please call (828) 684-6266 or visit their website at www.calvaryfletcher.org.

For more information, contact Ruth Christie at (828) 232-2883 or rachristie@charter.net or Barbara Panarites at (828) 236-5987 or bpanarites2@charter.net

URTV Congressional Debate

A Congressional candidates debate was recently recorded for URTV. You can catch the debate online: http://urtvforums.org/debate.php

All 3 candidates - Armor, Campbell, and Mumpower all participated. The debate was moderated by Buncombe GOP Chairman, Dr. Tim Johnson.

This video requires that you have Flash installed.

Watch the Gubernatorial Debate online

Wondering which gubernatorial candidate to support in this year's primary? Check out the recent debate in Henderson County. There will be another debate right here in Asheville on May 1, so you will have an opportunity to see all the candidates in person and ask any questions that you have.

Here is a message from the Henderson County GOP about their debate with links to the video:

The debate this morning was fantastic with over 300 people in attendance. The partnership of the party and the Men's Club made the work easier and the media folks from the Times-News, Tribune, WHKP, and WLOS all did a very professional job. It was a win for the voters, our party and the candidates.

The Tribune did both "before and after" straw polls, the results of which will be in their issue which comes out tomorrow afternoon and Friday morning at your regular locations or at Mark White's office on White St.

If you didn't make it you can watch it on the Times-News site, where they have broken into question by question sections.

Or if you want it all from start to finish as one piece, here is the WLOS link.

The WLOS link has some glitches and you'll need to nudge the player forward now and then.

First (in a while) Young Republicans meeting

A Young Republicans group is forming anew in Buncombe County!

When: 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at 2pm
Where: El Chapala restaurant, 868 Merrimon Ave. (around the side of the building).
Who: Everyone is welcome. "Young Republican" generally refers to any Republican under 40-ish but the young at heart are also welcome to attend.

The first meeting will be held on Saturday, March 22, at 2pm.

See you there!