AS REPUBLICANS...
WE BELIEVE the strength of our
nation lies with the individual, &
that each person's dignity,
freedom, ability, & responsibility
must be honored.
WE BELIEVE in equal rights,
equal justice and equal
opportunity for all, regardless of
race, creed, sex, age or disability.
WE BELIEVE free enterprise and
encouraging individual initiative
have brought this nation
opportunity, economic growth
and prosperity.
WE BELIEVE government must
practice fiscal responsibility and
allow individuals to keep more of
the money they earn.
WE BELIEVE the proper role of
government is to provide for the
people only those critical
functions that cannot be carried
out by individuals or private
organizations and that the best
government is that which governs
least.
WE BELIEVE the strength of our
nation lies with the individual, &
that each person's dignity,
freedom, ability, & responsibility
must be honored.
WE BELIEVE in equal rights,
equal justice and equal
opportunity for all, regardless of
race, creed, sex, age or disability.
WE BELIEVE free enterprise and
encouraging individual initiative
have brought this nation
opportunity, economic growth
and prosperity.
WE BELIEVE government must
practice fiscal responsibility and
allow individuals to keep more of
the money they earn.
WE BELIEVE the proper role of
government is to provide for the
people only those critical
functions that cannot be carried
out by individuals or private
organizations and that the best
government is that which governs
least.
| Paid for by the Republican Party of Gilmer County Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. George McClellan, Chairman c 2009-2011 |
WE BELIEVE the most effective,
responsible and responsive
government is government
closest to the people.
WE BELIEVE Americans must
retain the principles which have
made us strong while developing
new and innovative ideas to meet
challenges of changing times.
WE BELIEVE Americans value
and should preserve our national
strength and pride while working
to extend peace, freedom &
human rights throughout the
world.
AND LASTLY, we believe the
Republican Party is the best
means for translating these
ideals into positive & successful
principles of government.
responsible and responsive
government is government
closest to the people.
WE BELIEVE Americans must
retain the principles which have
made us strong while developing
new and innovative ideas to meet
challenges of changing times.
WE BELIEVE Americans value
and should preserve our national
strength and pride while working
to extend peace, freedom &
human rights throughout the
world.
AND LASTLY, we believe the
Republican Party is the best
means for translating these
ideals into positive & successful
principles of government.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Chairman’s Report by George McClellan
Chairman, Gilmer County GOP
GOP State Convention, 13 - 14 May 2011
This past Friday and Saturday, I attended only my second state wide political
convention by the Georgia Republican Party, held in Macon, Ga. At that city’s excellent
venue, the Centreplex. With me were our nine allotted delegates and five alternate
delegates all ready to go and do the work we went there to do. Apart from myself, the
other delegates included Jerry Tuso, 1st Vice Chair, Greg Altman, Secretary, Rita
Odom, Treasurer, Sally Forest, Ex-Officio board member, Bess Conner, Paul Layman J.
C. Sanford, Gilmer Co. Board Chairman, and Jack Smith of local TEA Party fame. The
alternates who came, and for whom I am quite grateful for their participation, were
Chairman, Gilmer County GOP
GOP State Convention, 13 - 14 May 2011
This past Friday and Saturday, I attended only my second state wide political
convention by the Georgia Republican Party, held in Macon, Ga. At that city’s excellent
venue, the Centreplex. With me were our nine allotted delegates and five alternate
delegates all ready to go and do the work we went there to do. Apart from myself, the
other delegates included Jerry Tuso, 1st Vice Chair, Greg Altman, Secretary, Rita
Odom, Treasurer, Sally Forest, Ex-Officio board member, Bess Conner, Paul Layman J.
C. Sanford, Gilmer Co. Board Chairman, and Jack Smith of local TEA Party fame. The
alternates who came, and for whom I am quite grateful for their participation, were
Greg McClure, Phil Forest, Col. Oscar Poole, in
his trademark yellow suit and Uncle Sam top
hat, Martha Sanford and Margaret Williamson,
also of local TEA Party fame.
The Convention started Friday afternoon with
registration and housekeeping details and a list
of speakers from Saxby and Johnny, reminding
us once again how Conservative they really are,
to the newest state wide array of elected GOP
officials. Personally, I always like listening to
his trademark yellow suit and Uncle Sam top
hat, Martha Sanford and Margaret Williamson,
also of local TEA Party fame.
The Convention started Friday afternoon with
registration and housekeeping details and a list
of speakers from Saxby and Johnny, reminding
us once again how Conservative they really are,
to the newest state wide array of elected GOP
officials. Personally, I always like listening to
our new Attoryney General Sam Olens, who not only has told us what he was going to
do, but is doing it especially in challenging the Federal Governments encroachment
into State affairs.
Too, I was once in the Army and can eat anything.
Significant to the purpose of the
convention were the elections of new
officers for the state wide GOP
organization. In the end, the current
Chairman, Sue Everhart prevailed in
the election results to finish her final
two years of a six year run. During
Sue’s chairmanship, Georgia saw a
historic change in political power with
the November 2010 sweep of Statewide
political offices by the GOP. Statewide
preparation for those victories, by the
GOP State organization, were essential to victory and Sue was in charge. Through her
leadership, county organizations grew throughout the state and party membership and
enthusiasm grew to unprecedented levels, which probably explains why I am here.
Sue was challenged by three other worthy candidates, a youthful Tricia Pridemore
whose candidacy was promoted by Governor Nathan Deal who, in his unprecedented
address to the assembled convention, concluded his remarks by publicly praising
Pridemore and asking for the delegates to vote for her. The remarks were first met
with stunned silence then a mixture of boo’s and cheers depending upon whose
candidate the delegates were individually supporting. I make no judgment on the
Governor’s reasoning for sticking his neck out and taking sides in a purely party battle
but I think he lost a lot of support doing so. Time will tell!
In any event, Tricia Pridemore showed real class after the final vote in her concession
remarks to Sue’s reelection and reminded the conventioneers that we were after all
still Republicans, that the die had been cast and we still had to march together toward
defeating Obama (peace be upon him) and the Democrats in 2012. Tricia is not gone.
She has enthusiasm, political skill and energetic drive. We will see more of her in the
future.
Speaking of class, the third candidate was Shawn Hanley, who called upon his history
of proven leadership in the US Marine Corps as the strength necessary to defeat
Obama (peace be upon him) in 2012. Hanley, after receiving only 14.9% of the first
vote, graciously withdrew his name from further consideration and pledged his support
to who ever won the Chairmanship. Hanley surly has a future in Republican politics.
The fourth candidate was a fellow who nominated himself from the floor and whose
name, I think, was Carter. In his two minute remarks to the delegates he identified
himself as a full conservative-libertarian whose political philosophy was applauded by
the delegates. While he only received 1.5% of the first vote and was, by rule, dropped
from further consideration, his mere presence and the reception he received clearly
shows that the Republican Party is moving right, albeit, slowly. This fellow, if he
continues pushing like he did, can be a contender in the very near future.
Bert Guy, the current GOP State Party Secretary was elected to 1st Vice Chairman
over an equally popular and qualified Justin Tomczak. It’s a pity they both couldn’t
have prevailed, but Bert got the votes and he will do a supreme job. Too, Justin isn’t a
quitter and his DNA is locked into political battle. Watch for him again. He has a long
history of political involvement ever since a he was a child.
Before the voting for the position of 1st Vice Chairman, our own former 9th District
Chairman, Doug Grammer, also a candidate, announced to the convention delegates
that he didn’t see victory for himself and thought his continued presence in the attempt
would simply be a time waster and therefore, he withdrew his name. Doug displayed a
lot of class in his decision because he did have several very good ideas to grow the
party. Doug has a long history within the GOP working in the trenches with many
successes behind him. It will be interesting to see what Doug will do next. You can’t
keep a good man down!
I missed the Victory Breakfast, not because I couldn’t get up in time but I didn’t really
fancy watery eggs, stiff, overcooked bacon, and cold toast.
So, there were other activities going on which would be as boring on paper as they
were listening to them in person so I won’t bore you with those, however, I cannot
finish this report without telling you about the Convention Day highlight speaker,
Herman Cain. What a gifted speaker he is. His delivery is eloquent, his timing is spot
on and his message is clear, concise and conservative. Herman had the delegates on
their feet at least eleven time and roaring with approval. I believe his speech, as well
as Newt’s can be found on YouTube. I highly recommend you spend a half hour or so
listening to them both. Also, it’s time to start thinking about supporting you candidate
of choice. In Herman and Newt, we’ve got two great Republicans either of which would
make a great President. Whoever, we must see to it that Obama (peace be upon him)
is a one term Chief Office Holder. If we don't, we will soon become the USSA.
I want to thank the Gilmer GOP members, especially the Alternate Delegates who were
ready but not called upon, for their participation in the political process.
_______________________________________
do, but is doing it especially in challenging the Federal Governments encroachment
into State affairs.
- Friday evening was the fund raiser Banquet featuring
Newt Gingrich as the speaker. Newt never fails to
please with his reasoned arguments and common
sense and humorous quips that reveal the weakness
of the socialist philosophy of central government
control. The banquet was packed and the service was,
for the number of folks there, adequate, but the
chicken was rubbery, if you know what I mean. It was a
Too, I was once in the Army and can eat anything.
Significant to the purpose of the
convention were the elections of new
officers for the state wide GOP
organization. In the end, the current
Chairman, Sue Everhart prevailed in
the election results to finish her final
two years of a six year run. During
Sue’s chairmanship, Georgia saw a
historic change in political power with
the November 2010 sweep of Statewide
political offices by the GOP. Statewide
preparation for those victories, by the
GOP State organization, were essential to victory and Sue was in charge. Through her
leadership, county organizations grew throughout the state and party membership and
enthusiasm grew to unprecedented levels, which probably explains why I am here.
Sue was challenged by three other worthy candidates, a youthful Tricia Pridemore
whose candidacy was promoted by Governor Nathan Deal who, in his unprecedented
address to the assembled convention, concluded his remarks by publicly praising
Pridemore and asking for the delegates to vote for her. The remarks were first met
with stunned silence then a mixture of boo’s and cheers depending upon whose
candidate the delegates were individually supporting. I make no judgment on the
Governor’s reasoning for sticking his neck out and taking sides in a purely party battle
but I think he lost a lot of support doing so. Time will tell!
In any event, Tricia Pridemore showed real class after the final vote in her concession
remarks to Sue’s reelection and reminded the conventioneers that we were after all
still Republicans, that the die had been cast and we still had to march together toward
defeating Obama (peace be upon him) and the Democrats in 2012. Tricia is not gone.
She has enthusiasm, political skill and energetic drive. We will see more of her in the
future.
Speaking of class, the third candidate was Shawn Hanley, who called upon his history
of proven leadership in the US Marine Corps as the strength necessary to defeat
Obama (peace be upon him) in 2012. Hanley, after receiving only 14.9% of the first
vote, graciously withdrew his name from further consideration and pledged his support
to who ever won the Chairmanship. Hanley surly has a future in Republican politics.
The fourth candidate was a fellow who nominated himself from the floor and whose
name, I think, was Carter. In his two minute remarks to the delegates he identified
himself as a full conservative-libertarian whose political philosophy was applauded by
the delegates. While he only received 1.5% of the first vote and was, by rule, dropped
from further consideration, his mere presence and the reception he received clearly
shows that the Republican Party is moving right, albeit, slowly. This fellow, if he
continues pushing like he did, can be a contender in the very near future.
Bert Guy, the current GOP State Party Secretary was elected to 1st Vice Chairman
over an equally popular and qualified Justin Tomczak. It’s a pity they both couldn’t
have prevailed, but Bert got the votes and he will do a supreme job. Too, Justin isn’t a
quitter and his DNA is locked into political battle. Watch for him again. He has a long
history of political involvement ever since a he was a child.
Before the voting for the position of 1st Vice Chairman, our own former 9th District
Chairman, Doug Grammer, also a candidate, announced to the convention delegates
that he didn’t see victory for himself and thought his continued presence in the attempt
would simply be a time waster and therefore, he withdrew his name. Doug displayed a
lot of class in his decision because he did have several very good ideas to grow the
party. Doug has a long history within the GOP working in the trenches with many
successes behind him. It will be interesting to see what Doug will do next. You can’t
keep a good man down!
I missed the Victory Breakfast, not because I couldn’t get up in time but I didn’t really
fancy watery eggs, stiff, overcooked bacon, and cold toast.
So, there were other activities going on which would be as boring on paper as they
were listening to them in person so I won’t bore you with those, however, I cannot
finish this report without telling you about the Convention Day highlight speaker,
Herman Cain. What a gifted speaker he is. His delivery is eloquent, his timing is spot
on and his message is clear, concise and conservative. Herman had the delegates on
their feet at least eleven time and roaring with approval. I believe his speech, as well
as Newt’s can be found on YouTube. I highly recommend you spend a half hour or so
listening to them both. Also, it’s time to start thinking about supporting you candidate
of choice. In Herman and Newt, we’ve got two great Republicans either of which would
make a great President. Whoever, we must see to it that Obama (peace be upon him)
is a one term Chief Office Holder. If we don't, we will soon become the USSA.
I want to thank the Gilmer GOP members, especially the Alternate Delegates who were
ready but not called upon, for their participation in the political process.
_______________________________________
| Margaret and John Williamson (and table guest from Fulton County) at the banquet at the State Convention |
| Rita Odom and Phil Forest |
| Jack Smith, Greg Altman, and Paul Layman |