Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 24, 2008 issue
Obama Wins Straw Poll at Democratic Convention
Story by Kathleen McFadden
Watauga County Democrats packed the large courtroom at the county courthouse last Saturday for their annual convention to address party business, hear from candidates and consider resolutions. Representatives of all 17 organized precincts were present for roll call.
Barack Obama won the presidential straw poll, winning 79 votes to Hillary Clinton’s 42.
Party Chair Diane Tilson told the group that 1,400 new voter registrations had been submitted to the Board of Elections the previous week and that 400 people voted on the first day of early voting. “I think everybody agrees that’s our jump start. This may be the most important election of our lifetime. Whether you are a Hillary or Obama supporter, I hope we can count on all Democrats and some Republicans to support the candidate who wins the nomination. Our battle cry should be ‘A Democrat for president in 2008.’”
Tilson continued, “The local Republicans did not field a single candidate for any of the three commissioner seats. What were they thinking? I can tell you if ten Democrats were left standing, three would have run for office and the other seven would have managed their campaign.”
Pam Williamson announced that the party will take over the Obama campaign headquarters on Straight Street after the primary for the local party headquarters leading up to the November election.
In response to an appeal from Barbara Daye, party members unanimously approved a $100 donation to the Fallen Heroes Memorial Garden at the National Guard Armory.
Because Democratic Party conventions were being held all over the state on the same day, several candidates for office were unable to attend the Watauga convention and sent surrogates to speak for them.
However, before dashing off to Ashe County, NC Rep. Cullie Tarleton addressed the group. Tarleton urged party members not to take the November elections for granted and urged them to “get out the vote, register, canvass and organize.”
Tarleton continued, “My race and Steve’s [Goss] race have been targeted by the Republicans. They want to take those seats back. But I have news for them. From my cold, dead hands—that’s what it will take, because Steve and I are going back to Raleigh.”
Steve Goss’s daughter Kelly Sechrist spoke on behalf of her father’s candidacy. “He cares about our people,” she said. “We have a responsibility to send him back to Raleigh. He’s out there working hard for us, and that has not always been the case in our district.”
Saul Chase and Jim Deal spoke on behalf of Roy Carter’s candidacy for the Fifth Congressional District. Neither Diane Hamby nor a surrogate attended the convention. Hamby is running against Carter in the primary.
Chase held up a recent mailer from Virginia Foxx. The outside of the mailer asks the question, “Fed up?” Chase said, “This campaign literature was paid for with taxpayer money. This is an outrage.” Chase read the Winston-Salem Journal’s endorsement of Carter and added, “The Fifth District is broken. Roy Carter can fix it, but he needs your help.”
Deal referred to a comment Foxx made during last week’s telephone town hall: her statement that the 16th Amendment is unconstitutional. Deal pointed out that the 16th Amendment is part of the Constitution and therefore cannot be unconstitutional. “This is why I’m wearing this button,” Deal said, pointing to a Carter for Congress button. “We need somebody in Washington who understands what the Constitution is.”
Tim Futrelle, one of the Democratic candidates for the District 1 seat on the Watauga County Commission, identified his three primary issues: building the new high school correctly the first time, affordable housing and water availability. “I’m ready to move into public service to put some of these ideas into action,” Futrelle said.
Doug McGuinn, who’s running against Futrelle in the primary, emphasized his fiscal conservatism. “I’m convinced Watauga County is on the edge of experiencing an economic downturn of epic proportions,” McGuinn said. He said that the county’s economy is built on tourism and service jobs and he would work to bring better jobs to the area.
Other local candidates who addressed the group included Commissioner Winston Kinsey who is unopposed and Board of Education candidates Steve Combs, Marsha Walpole and Joni Horine.
Party members also passed 12 resolutions that will be forwarded to the district convention.
Resolutions Passed at the Watauga County Democratic Party Convention
All but two of the following resolutions were adopted by acclamation at the Watauga County Democratic Pary Convention. After discussion, the Scenic Byway Protection and the Cliffside Coal Plant resolutions passed by a hand or voice vote.
Prescription Drug Advertising to Consumers: Supports prohibiting the advertising of prescription medication to U.S. consumers via television and the Internet
National & North Carolina Election Campaign Reform: Supports S.1285 or other similar legislative reforms to bring all federally elected officials under a Clean Elections public financing system
Sidewalks, Crosswalks, and Bike Lanes: Calls for city, county, and state governments to investigate, prioritize, and enact policies that encourage biking and walking
Healthcare for Members of the Armed Forces: Calls on the federal government to address needs and promote healing of Armed Forces members through education, medical aid, and social community and to provide financial support to those ends
Recognition for Local Government: Recognizes and applauds efforts by the Town of Boone and the County of Watauga to establish zero waste policies and procedures, extend and mandate more countywide recycling, expand and develop greenway hiking and biking trails countywide and establish incentives and certification for green businesses
Community Center, Eastern Watauga County: Encourages the County Commission to provide a community center for the eastern end of Watauga County
Scenic Byway Protection: Urges the NC DOT to review its policies and to respond publicly with its rationale for approving the new electronic billboard on Highway 421
Health-Care Equity: Urge the President and Congress to work together to enact a major program of healthcare reform that will extend coverage to every person in the United States.
Resolution in Support of Higher Education for Immigrant Students: Urges the NC Community College System, the University of NC System and North Carolina legislators to make in-state tuition available to immigrant students because “they are clearly an asset to our communities”
Resolution Against Making Local Law Enforcement Responsible for Enforcing Federal Immigration Law: Opposes any efforts to make state and local authorities responsible for the enforcement of federal immigration laws and asks Congress to make comprehensive immigration reform a top priority again
Resolution in Support of Collective Bargaining Rights to Public Employees: Supports H1583 that restores the right of collective bargaining and strongly urges Democratic legislators to pass said legislation and for Governor Easley to sign it
Resolution in Support of Canceling Duke Energy's Proposed New Coal Plant at Cliffside: Supports cancellation of the Cliffside coal plant