GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS! December 2, 2015

YOUTH FEATURE – DAVE WILS – GREENSBORO!

DEMOCRATS HELP CELEBRATE WEST JEFFERSON’S 100TH BIRTHDAY! West Jefferson’s Democratic Mayor, Dale Baldwin, is surrounded by lots of young singers at the big celebration of the town’s 100th Birthday on November 27th. Dale is the brother of Melba Jones who completed 16 years as Ashe County Democratic Party Chair this year.

` This giant cake and brightly lighted Christmas tree added to the merriment on West Jefferson’s big day.

Strong Democrats Tom, Vicki, and Aurora Randolph raced back from their family’s Thanksgiving Day gathering in Maryland to be in West Jefferson for the 100 th Birthday Celebration. Frosty The Snowman welcomed them back to Ashe County. Vicki is one of the biggest supporters of “GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS”. She has personally sent in many articles over the last four years.

This picture shows part of the crowd at West Jefferson’ 100th Birthday Party. This event provided an early start to the happy Holiday Season in Ashe County.

HENDERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS STAGE CHILI COOKOFF! Henderson County Democrats held a highly successful Chili Cook Off at the First Congregational Church in Hendersonville on December 11th. In the picture on the right above are the three winners: Long John Mountain Precinct Chair Peg Price, Three Chopt Restaurant owner Matthew Rogers, and Lee Luebbe.

Diners ate eight chili samples. After eating

County First Vice Chair Nancy Glowacki

their first eight, some Democrats went

and Bob Smith.

back for eight more – to be sure which chili they wanted vote for.

The three Co-Chairs of the Chili Cookoff were Matthew Rogers,

What a banquet!

County Chair Mark Vernon Case, and Peg Price.

Princess Ferguson was in charge of the Silent Auction.

11th Congressional District candidate for the US Congress Rick Bryson of Bryson City spoke to the crowd about his vision for America’s future.

JACOB VERDEJO! Democrats across the state celebrated when the birth of Jacob Verdejo of Raleigh was announced in the “GOOD NEWS.” He is the son of Democratic stars John Verdejo and Aolani Donegan. Jacob is 14 months old now and he celebrated Halloween by wearing the costume above.

Aolani made this close up of Jacob on Thanksgiving Day. John and Aolani are already excited about doing Christmas shopping for this fine Democratic young man.

LGBT DEMOCRATS STATE CONVENTION! The State Convention of the LGBT Democrats was held on the campus of NC State University on Saturday, November 21st. In the picture above State LGBT Democrats President Ryan Butler (center) is congratulating Micah Beasley and Cameron Joyce after they received “LGBT Democrat Of The Year” awards. Micah is President of the LBGT Democrats of Wake County and Cameron is President of the LBGT Democrats of Mecklenburg County.

US Senate candidate Deborah Ross addressed the Convention. She talked about her vision for improving America.

Cameron Joyce’s “LBGT Democrat Of The Year” Award was presented to him by his cousin, Ginger Walker, of Charlotte who has been a vigorous campaigner for equality for many years.

The Young Democrats of North Carolina were sponsors of the Equality NC banquet which was held in Raleigh on the same day as the LGBT Convention. What a terrific picture!

FRAN SYPTAK HONORS VETERANS! Catawba County Democrat Fran Syptak loves to help veterans and their families. In this picture she is with veteran Ron Henry and his wife, Ann, at the Veterans Reception hosted by Catawba County Veterans Officer Cindy Travis. All veterans and their families were treated to a buffet at which all the food had been donated. This is the third year that this Veterans Day buffet has been held. Fran Syptak is on the Issues Committee of both the Catawba County Democratic Party and the Catawba Democratic Women. How about their terrific patriotic outfits!

JOHN MCNEILL & CHUB HENDERSON HONOR VETERANS! Two Robeson County Democratic Party Chairs honored Veterans at a Veterans Day Breakfast in Red Springs. In the center is Red Springs Mayor John McNeill. He has been on the Town Board for 40 years – 34 years as Town Commissioner plus the last 6 years as Mayor. In April of 2015 he completed 4 highly successful years as Robeson County Democratic Party Chair. The man at the left end of the table is current Robeson County Party Chair Ed “Chub” Henderson. He is also a Red Springs Town Commissioner. County Commissioner Raymond Cummings is at the right end of the table.

CATAWBA DEMOCRATIC WOMEN LAUCH NEW WEB SITE! At their November 21st meeting the Democratic Women of Catawba County launched their brand new web site: www.DemWomen.com. President Lynn Dorfman said “The web site will be a great tool to attract new members, inform the public about voting and other key issues, and also help us raise funds for candidates.” The Catawba Democratic Women invite everyone to come to their meetings at 12 Noon on every third Saturday at the County Party Headquarters at 1612 Tate Blvd. SE in Hickory.

PITT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC MEN! Timothy Jenkins, Jr. was installed as President of the Pitt County Democratic Men at the club’s December meeting in Greenville. Timothy currently hold many different Democratic positions including serving as Eastern Vice President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina. In this picture Timothy is presenting a plaque to outgoing President Brian Farkas. Brian was a leader in organizing the club. Brian has gotten off to a strong start in his campaign for State Representative from Pitt County.

STATE CHAIR PATSY KEEVER WILL KEYNOTE PENDER UNITY GALA! Pender County Democrats are in for a treat: NCDP Chair Patsy Keever will be the featured speaker at their big UNITY GALA at 7PM, Saturday, December 5th at Heritage Place, 901 Walker Street in Burgaw. The banquet will be preceded by a Social Hour at 6PM. Tickets are only $25 and Dinner Sponsorships are $100 which include two tickets to the event. The night will feature live music and a Silent Auction. County Commissioner Demetrice Keith is Gala Chairperson. Pender County Party Chair Steve Unger says “We are totally thrilled to have Patsy Keever to be our Keynote Speaker. She is doing great things for the Democratic Party!” For tickets and to make arrangements for donations to the Silent Auction, call Commissioner Keith at 910-283-9442 or County Chair Steve Unger at 910-228-8679.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER RENEE PRICE! This picture shows a few of the friends of Orange County Commissioner Renee Price who gathered at the Pavilion at the home of Thomas Watson on Orange Grove Road near Hillsborough to help kickoff her re-election campaign. From the left are: Joanie Alexander, Jerry Morris, Commissioner Price, Candice Cobb, Janie Morris, and Mary Hermanson. They are excited about Renee’s campaign for a second four-year term.

REV. DR. WENDY MAY KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN! “I believe that if you are not sitting at the table you will be on the menu.” That is the campaign theme of Rev. Dr. May as she crusades to defeat a GOP incumbent for a seat on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. Please contact Dr. May for more campaign information.

HOMETOWN FUNDRAISER FOR CHAZ BEASLEY! Catawba County friends of Chaz Beasley proudly hosted a fundraising event for Chaz who is running for State Representative in Mecklenburg County. Chaz listened as some of his former teachers told heartwarming and humorous stories about his days as a student at Newton-Conover High School. His teachers must have done a good job because he subsequently graduated from Harvard University.

Among the large group of Chaz Beasley supporters who turned out for his hometown fundraiser were Melanie, Tim, and Kurt Elrod. Democrats can learn more about Chaz by going to his web site: www.ChazBeasley.com.

CHRIS REY GIVES LECTURE IN PANAMA! Democratic US Senate candidate Chris Rey made a presentation to more than 1,000 attendees at the 13th International Meeting of Economists in Panama City, Panama last week. Chris is currently in his third term as Mayor of the Cumberland County town of Spring Lake. In his presentation in Panama he discussed the challenges and opportunities for developing countries in the areas of infrastructure, investment, safety, and waste for local governments, especially in Central America and the Caribbean basin. Chris is now back in North Carolina promoting his Senate campaign.

Mayor Chris Rey sent this picture which he made of the dancers who performed at at the 13th International Meeting of Economists in Panama.

RON ELMER ANNOUNCES FOR STATE TREASURER! Ron Elmer of Cary has announced his campaign for Treasurer of the State of North Carolina. He has spent many years managing multi-billion dollar investments for public and private pension funds. He currently has his own CPA firm and financial planning practice. One of Ron’s major goals is to prevent hundreds of millions of dollars of state pension money from being spent on commissions to Wall Street firms. Learn more about Ron and his campaign at: www.ElmerForTreasurer.com www.Facebook.com/ElmerForTreasurer [email protected] Telephone: 919-749-6737

Ron gave an effective speech at the Monday night meeting of the Duplin County Democratic Executive Committee.

TOM & SARAH SULLIVAN – BUNCOMBE’S GOODWILL AMBASSADORS! On November 21st Tom and Sarah Sullivan of Asheville represented Buncombe County Dems at the First Annual Democrats Muster at the Train Station in Bristol, Tennessee. East Tennessee Democrats have electioneered in Buncombe County during past elections and they expect to do so again in 2016. They invited Buncombe Democrats to send representatives to their big event this year. From the left in the picture above are: Event Organizer Lewis Combs, Buncombe County Democratic Party First Vice Chair Tom Sullivan, Tennessee Grassroots Coordinator for Hillary Clinton Linda Sherrel and Washington County Democratic Party Chair Nancy Fischman.

CARTERET COUNTY DEMOCRATS! County Chair Tina Willis Rodriguez and the Carteret County Democrats are selling these attractive stocking stuffers for only $3. It is a thoughtful way to honor a Democrat for the holidays. These stocking stuffers can be purchased at: http://www.carteretdemocrats.org/donations.htm

THE REECE SISTERS SWINGING IN FLORIDA! NCDP Treasurer Charlie Reece and his wife, Dr. Laura Reece, took their family on a Thanksgiving vacation in Stirrup Key at Marathon, Florida. Their daughters, Elle and Gwyn, are happily swinging over the water in this heartwarming picture.

JACKSON AND MADISON ARE READY FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Our Democratic Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin took this picture of his children in action. Jackson is lip synching to “Blue Christmas” while Madison is decorating the family’s Christmas tree.

DUPLIN DEMOCRATS HELP CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY! After Monday night’s Duplin County Democratic meeting at the Courthouse in Kenansville, Duplin Democrats enjoyed eating three Birthday cakes to help celebrate my Birthday. My daughter, Stephanie Whitley, joined me for the picture on the left. The picture on the right features Duplin County Second Vice Chair Penny Kornegay, attorney Mario White who is campaigning for District Court Judge, Glisson Precinct Chair Bob Kornegay, and County Commissioner Anita Powers.

These happy Democrats are Charity Precinct

Rose Hill Precinct Chair Elaine Farrior, Clerk

Chair Carolyn Glasper, Warsaw Precinct Chair

of Superior Court Katie Harrell, and Charity

Marzella Morrisey, Duplin County Chair Rebecca

Precinct Vice Chair Edward Allen enjoyed the

Judge and 7 Congressional District Chair

cakes and the singing. For 15 consecutive

Francisco Rivas-Diaz. Mrs. Glasper has been

years Mr. Allen has won the trophy for being

Chair of the strong Charity Precinct since 1977!

the top Democratic fundraiser in Duplin County!

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YOUTH FEATURE – DAVE WILS – GUILFORD COUNTY! Dave Wils is the 33 year-old President of the Young Democrats of Guilford County. Before becoming President, he was Second Vice Chair of the organization and a Precinct Chair. (His last name is pronounced as “Wills.”)

This picture of Dave and some of the Guilford Young Dems was made at the Unity Banquet of the Guilford County Democratic Party.

Dave earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Valley State University which he describes as “a vibrant, up-and-coming university in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.” He majored in Social Studies but his career has taken him back and forth between teaching and ministry with a stint working for the Federal Government thrown in the mix. Currently he is happily teaching eighth grade Social Studies. He has an eye on perhaps moving into Public Administration sometime in the future.

Dave and his wife, Amanda, have been married for almost a year and a half. He says: “It has been a blast so far!”

Dave and Amanda recently bought a little fixer-upper home and he says they “are enjoying all the house has to bring.” In their spare time they enjoy “catching live theater, good movies, hanging out with friends and checking out good restaurants.”

Dave and Amanda are both Democrats “because we believe everyone deserves a level playing field. We have seen, for too long, the policies of this government favoring the wealthy and well-connected, while the middle class is shrinking, discrimination against women, minorities, and people who identify as LGBTQ runs rampant, and more and more people have lost faith that government can work for them.” Dave says: “We believe that when Democrats are in the driver’s seat, this country heads in the right direction, so we have placed our lot with the Democratic Party and we are proud to do so as we look forward to continuing to help turn our great state blue!”

In this picture Dave is presiding at a Meet The Candidates Forum for Greensboro municipal candidates this Fall. He is viewed as a city wide leader. That is why he was recently appointed to the Commission on Human Relations for the City of Greensboro. North Carolina Democrats may write to this outstanding young man at [email protected].

Your Democratic Friend, Melvin Williams, Secretary North Carolina Democratic Party

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