Several hundred delegates elected at precinct meetings will converge on Owens Auditorium Saturday for the annual Moore County Republican Party's county convention.

They will elect new officers as well as 105 delegates and 105 alternates to the 6th District and state conventions scheduled in the spring.

John Owen, who is bowing out as chairman after serving four years, will call the convention to order.

In keeping with tradition, he asked the 6th District to provide an independent moderator to oversee the election process, but he does not expect a district representative to take part this time.

"I invited someone from the district to preside, but since I'm stepping down, there is no real need for an outside moderator," Owen said.

Lane Toomey, chairman of the convention nominating committee, will present a slate of candidates whose names will be placed in nomination. Delegates will elect a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer plus five at-large members. Toomey is president of the Moore County Republican Men's Club.

Owen said the nominating committee accepted names for officers and was responsible for "vetting" those candidates. Among the requirements is willingness of the candidates to serve if elected.

Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. If no such nominations are made, the voting will be by voice vote or show of hands. If nominations are received from the floor, then the vote will be by secret ballot.

Owen is retiring from the chairmanship because of a provision in the Plan of Organization adopted by the county convention four years ago when he was elected chairman. Prior to that he was vice-chairman.

The plan calls for the chairman to serve no more than four years, the length of one term of the president.

One of the first items of business will be adoption of a Plan of Organization for the coming year. After adoption of rules for the convention, the Credentials Committee, chaired by Linda Garrett, will take time to verify the credentials of delegates and alternates representing the 25 precincts.

During the convention, time will be set aside for remarks by individuals, including potential candidates for elective office. Owen says speakers will be allowed two or three minutes apiece.

Once new officers are elected, the new chairman will call a meeting of the executive committee to approve a budget for the new year.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.