Democrats Closing Office, Focus Money Elsewhere
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The Moore County Democratic Party has abandoned its headquarters in favor of more political activism.
At the county convention earlier this month, party delegates voted to discontinue their headquarters in downtown Carthage because of the estimated $1,000 a month needed for rent, utilities and other expenses.
“It was controversial,” said party chairman Jim Heim of the decision to close the headquarters.
Heim said the issue was debated vigorously at the convention, and the vote was not unanimous.
For the past five years, the party has maintained offices in the former Marion Furniture Store building on McNeill Street, a site that party leaders had come to regard as “home.”
Heim said the party needs to spend more of its fundraising money on supporting candidates and boosting voting.
Another idea being pursued is a more visible presence at polling places on election days. This could take the form of a tent and furnishings to be staffed near each polling place on future election days.
“It was not an easy decision, but the cost of maintaining a full-time office for just a couple of meetings a month was simply too much,” Heim said. “We found ourselves devoting way too much time to fundraising for rent and utilities and not much for actual political activism. Now we are free to use our resources for activities that touch voters.”
The headquarters closing was not the only major decision made at the convention. Heim said the party is discontinuing the practice of “meeting for meeting’s sake.” Instead, the Democrats will meet only for a stated purpose, such as voter outreach training, phone banking, neighborhood canvassing and other purposes that have an impact on voters,” he said.
In addition, Heim said the party will concentrate on supporting the 2012 national convention to be held in Charlotte.
Moore County Democrats made no changes in their leadership. Delegates re-elected Heim to another term as chairman. Other officers include vice chairs Mary Alice Wicker, Algene Johnson and Kevin Smith, treasurer Juanita Harbour and secretary Harriet Ecker.
Heim said he had not intended to run for a second term but agreed to another term because of recent changes in party structure, which will need experienced hands for implementation. No other nominees were presented at the convention.
“Plus, I can continue tormenting Mr. Levy on the pages of The Pilot for awhile longer,” Heim said with a laugh.
Bob Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican Party, which controls county government. The Pilot invites the party chairmen to address various subjects on a regular basis. Although they disagree on many issues, the sparring is generally good-natured.
Moore County has more than 60,000 registered voters, including 25,440 Republicans and 18,054 Democrats. The remaining voters are registered as unaffiliated or with the Libertarian Party.
Heim said the enthusiasm gap noticed last fall appears to be fading, and he thinks Democrats will become more active as they observe threats to such cherished Democratic Party initiatives as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, women’s health care issues, civil rights, and voting rights.
“The fights in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and other states are firing up our base as they stare into the abyss,” he said. “There will be no dearth of issues to unify Democrats in the coming months.”
Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.com.
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Comments
Behan 1 year, 1 month ago
Just a shame. Just a real shame. At least this whole mess doesn't serve as a shining example of the consequences Liberal mismanagement...
MichaelFlorence 1 year, 1 month ago
Really I am shocked that this happened. Democrats taking a money losing place and shutting it down. Making an actual business decision that was well thought out, AND actually carried out.
NOW if only we could get the Democrats to shut down the Department of Education (giving all of that budgeted money directly to the States), and shut down the Department of Energy (does it do anything?). Now that would be another well thought out intelligent idea.
Yes this would be painful, but it would allow much needed resources to be used in an intelligent manner instead of being wasted.
All I am saying is that our own Moore County Democrats know the value of a dollar, now if they could only teach this lesson to the rest of their Party.
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
“The fights in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and other states are firing up our base as they stare into the abyss,” he said."
I salute the Democrats for standing up to those greedy corporations in WI/MI/OH that are trampling on the workers rights.
hotdiggity 1 year, 1 month ago
How many of the 18,054 registered democracts are actually alive?
sgmartin 1 year, 1 month ago
Wow. Not much venom in these responses huh? I'm pretty sure I can count the number of Democrats in this county on one hand. Feels like that anyway. Shame about the office but more important to get out the vote - and factual information. Still I tend to see Moore County as a losing battleground. Too many people here frozen in the 50s and paying homage to Ayn Rand. No intelligent life here.
Amazed 1 year, 1 month ago
in case you'd like to see the actual numbers (all public record...all easily accessible on the NC State Board of Elections site) here's the link: http://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/NCSBE/VR/VR%20Stats/vr_stats_results.asp?EC=04-23-2011
OWNID 1 year, 1 month ago
Most of the folks I know who pay homage to Ayn Rand are, in fact, quite intelligent. I wonder how many Democrates ever even heard of her.
mcg2010 1 year, 1 month ago
Probably the same number of democrats who can spell "democrats" correctly.
Ross 1 year, 1 month ago
Man - just like flies on a watermelon - republicans out tonight in force......
Guess without "beck" on there's nothing for them to do but whine - something they are very good at!
fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago
"No intelligent life here."
And you want to prattle on about venom?
Ross 1 year, 1 month ago
hello jimmie - you guys are havin a good time :)
carlj1161 1 year, 1 month ago
It seems obvious to me as well that the Democratic party was wasting it's money here. So why not put that money to better use. But why is it necessary to slam the democrats with the negative comments? I am not a staunch democrat or staunch republican by any stretch, but jeez is it necessary to make the snide comments and insults? Yes, I do know if the shoe were on the other foot there would be those on the democrat side who would make similar comments. It just makes me disgusted with the whole political system all together. I thought we were all supposed to be adults, not snotty mean little kids. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and the ability to express it how they choose. I just hope I can teach my 14 year old daughter to have some class and dignity about how she chooses to express hers. I suppose if some of the remarks here are an attempt at humor, I am just one unfunny dude.
MikeNC 1 year, 1 month ago
Good workable analogy James. Teachable moments nowadays however are very seldom remembered; let alone applied where they might help fix things for the good of everyone.....Mike
golflady 1 year, 1 month ago
This has gotta be George Bush's fault.
MonkeyJunction 1 year, 1 month ago
I'll help'm pack
tallsteve8609 1 year, 1 month ago
Yes, god forbid we would have someone to disagree with your point of view. I have an idea, let's send all the democrats to concentration camps and gas them. Then you could have your own perfect little world where no one disagreed with you, followed your god, and thought happy happy conservative thoughts.
teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago
That was in very poor taste.