June 17, 2008
Beaufort County Republican
Party
Reagan Day Dinner – 2008
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Fred Smith, Ashley Woolard, Young Lady? |
Del Stutzman, Bill Tarpenning, Fred Smith, Ashley Woolard |
The Beaufort County Republican Party held its annual Reagan Day Dinner at the Washington Yacht and Country Club on Friday, March 7, 2008. Hosted by party chairman, Ashley Woolard, more than 100 of the party faithful feasted on chicken cordon bleu, as they listened to state and local Republican candidates.
Keynote speaker, Senator Fred Smith, no stranger to Beaufort County, as his gubernatorial campaign rolls across North Carolina, spoke of the importance of Beaufort County, and its traditional strong primary showing, to his campaign. He contrasted his leadership abilities to Gov. Mike Easley, citing the crisis in the state’s mental health program as just one example of Easley’s inability to manage. Representatives of other gubernatorial candidates, Pat McCrory and Bill Graham were recognized.
Well known local Republican, Greg Dority spoke in support of his campaign for Lt. Governor.
Third District Congressional hopeful Joe McLaughlin contrasted himself to incumbent Walter B. Jones, Jr, citing Jones as being physically irresponsible and lacking in his support for the President in the war on terror.
First District Congressional candidate Dean Stephens spoke of the need to elect strong conservative Republicans at all levels.
The Beaufort County Commission race was represented by four Republican candidates. New comers, Del Stutzman, Bertie Danials-Arnhols, who introduced themselves and their candidacies to the assembled, and incumbents, Hood Richardson and Jay McRoy spoke in favor of their campaigns. Richardson’s talk was, uncharacteristically, the shortest of the evening stressing only the need to elect real Republicans. Commissioners Al Klemm and Stan Deatheage were also in attendance. Neither is up for re-election this year. County Registrar of Deeds, Jennifer Leggett Whitehurst, who is running unopposed, thanked the attendees for her past and current support. School Board candidates Bill Sprenkle and Mike Isbell spoke to their candidacies.
Chairman Woolard reminded the gathering of upcoming events, including: the Beaufort County Republican Convention on March 11, at the County Court House: Republican Golf Tournament on April 12, at the Country Club; 1st District Republican Convention on April 12, in Tarboro; 3rd District Republican Convention on April 26, in Havelock, and the Republican State Convention on June 6-8 in Greensboro. Woolard also spoke of upcoming fundraisers for; Joe McLaughlin and the Country Club on March 20, Greg Dority at the home of Joe and Sandy Davis, on Market Street, on March, 22, and Fred Smith at the Country Club in the March, 31. Following the Smith fundraiser there will be a concert staring country music superstar Lee Greenwood, and honoring Fred Smith at Washington High School
According to Party treasurer David Cox, the party’s treasury was fattened by nearly $2000.
