Moore County Republicans will stage a $100-a-head fundraiser at the Pinehurst Member's Club on Feb. 6.

Invitations to the Red, White and Blue Gala II show that the keynote speaker will be Dr. James J. Carafano, an expert on homeland security, counter-terrorism and defense with the Heritage Foundation of Washington, D.C.

The fundraiser, marking the birthday of President Reagan, will feature a 6:30 p.m. reception followed by dinner at 7:30. Dead-line for reservations is Feb. 1.

ECONOMIC -- Two requests by Partners in Progress are on the agenda for the Tuesday meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

The nonprofit economic development organization has asked the county to allocate $20,000 to assist PACE Inc. with the cost of moving equipment from Maryland to Southern Pines. The other request is for $5,000 to assist Thermal Metal Treating Inc. with expansion costs in relocation of the custom hardware company to Aberdeen.

The board will convene at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the historic courthouse in downtown Carthage. Prior to the regular meeting, the board will hold a work session at 4:30. The meeting is moved to Tuesday because of the Martin Luther King Day holiday conflict on Monday.

TIP -- The commissioners will also consider a proposal from the Planning Department to support and host a transportation meeting in cooperation with local municipalities.

The idea is to work together in development of a prioritized list of transportation projects for submission to the N.C. Department of Transportation to be included in the 2009-2015 State Transportation Improvement Program.

The agenda also includes authorization of a letter approving the plans and specifications for the second phase of the East Moore Water District for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-RUS program.

Other agenda items are contracts for color digital orthophotography and for a change order for Lift Station 14-1 construction and a lease agreement for the State Employees Credit Union's automatic teller machine in the Carriage Oaks complex.

The board will receive the 2005-2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and will hold a public hearing on an extraterritorial jurisdiction expansion policy process.

FORUM -- The Southern Pines Neighborhood Association will hold a public forum Tuesday night, Jan. 16, that will feature a community dialogue on growth.

Davidson Mayor Randy Kincaid and Planner Kris Krider will speak. The forum will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mims Studio behind the Country Bookshop in downtown Southern Pines, at 11 Camellia Way.

Davidson received the 2004 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Award for Smart Growth, recognizing communities that preserve a sense of place.

This is the second in a series of forums sponsored by the association. The first was held last fall. Professor David Owen from the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and other officials talks about growth challenges.

COBLE -- Congressman Howard Coble, the second-most senior Republican on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, on Thursday was officially named the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property for the 110th Congress.

Coble formerly chaired the committee, which deals with such issues as copyrights, patents, trademarks and other high-tech issues, along with administration of the federal court system.

"I am honored and excited to have been chosen by my colleagues to lead our party's efforts on this important subcommittee," Coble said in a statement. "What I particularly like about this assignment is that this subcommittee may be the least-partisan panel in the House because intellectual property issues don't normally break down along party lines. Both Democrats and Republicans can look at these issues and form opinions based on the merits and not worry about which side is endorsing the measure."

Coble, a Greensboro Republican, said he looks forward to working with the new chairman, Congressman Howard Berman of California, who was ranking member when he chaired the subcommittee.

"We worked well together in those roles, and I am sure we will have a cordial relationship during the 110th Congress," Coble said.

Coble represents the 6th District, which includes Moore County.

MEEK -- Jerry Meek, state Democratic Party chairman, has issued a statement praising Rep. Joe Hackney, who was chosen as the party's candidate for House speaker at a Wednesday night caucus.

"In choosing Joe Hackney as their nominee for speaker, they have chosen a man with a reputation for hard work, intellect and impeccable integrity," Meek said. "Rep. Hackney will continue to move North Carolina forward, by strengthening education, expanding access to quality health care, protecting the environment and fostering economic development. I look forward to working with him when he becomes speaker on Jan. 24."

Hackney, an Orange County attorney, represents the 54th District, which encompasses Chatham County, part of Orange County and Cameron Precinct and half of Carthage Precinct in Moore County.

Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.