Moore County Republicans have announced the first four precinct meetings of the 2007 convention schedule.

John C. Owen, chairman of the Moore County Republican Party, announced that the 24 precinct meetings are to begin in February and end March 3.

The county convention will be held Saturday, March 24, at 2 p.m., at the historic courthouse in downtown Carthage. The doors will open at 1 p.m.

Owen said the first precinct meetings are planned as follows:

n South Southern Pines Precinct, Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at home of Chairwoman Cindy Little, 30 Dungarvan Lane, National Golf Club. The telephone number is 692-6881 (office).

n Cameron Precinct, Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., Cameron Town Hall; Belinda Bryant, chairwoman; telephone, 692-6422 (office).

n Pinedene Precinct, Monday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., Southern Pines Elks Club; Paul McGuire, chairman; telephone 315-6251.

n Pinehurst A Precinct, Monday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., Pinehurst Village Hall; Bill Stevens, chairman; telephone 235-7434.

GOP DISTRICT Owen also announced that Valerie White, 6th District chairwoman, will hold the district convention Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at the New Court House in Asheboro.

The state convention, chaired by Linda Daves, will be held Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3, at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Owen said that all Moore County Republicans are encouraged to attend their precinct meetings, when officers and convention delegates will be elected. He said an appropriate number of delegates and alternates must be determined at these meetings.

The allowed number of delegates and alternates is based on a percentage of registered voters in the precinct. That means one for every 100 registered voters plus one for being an organized precinct with elected officers.

Additional information is available by calling the county GOP secretary, Do Shaver, at 673-4029.

NURSING HOMES The Moore County Nursing Home Committee will hold an open meeting Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at the Pinehurst Village Hall.

The occasion will mark the introduction of the new regional ombudsman serving through the North Carolina Nursing Home Commission. The ombudsman works with nursing home patients and their families in resolving issues.