Tarboro NC - Edgecombe County Democratic Party Headquarters Grand Opening
Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Posted in Democratic Party Edgecombe County NC
by DCN
The Edgecombe County Democratic Party opened a headquarters the first in around 50 years or more some say at 4:00 PM today. The headquarters is located at 2109 Saint Andrew Street (Colonial Plaza Mall) Tarboro NC.
Genoetre Penny-Boone Chairwoman of the party presided. Prayer by Rev. Raymond Privott Pastor Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church Rocky Mount, Pledge of Allegiance led by Robert Bryd 2nd Vice Chairman County Party, welcome by Atty. Charles Rountree Chairman Precinct 1-3, introduction of speaker Janice Tolson 3rd Vice Chairwoman County Party and wife of the speaker Joe Pat Tolson NC House of Representatives, recognition of candidates Viola Harris Edgecombe County Commissioner, recognition of guest Reuben Blackwell Rocky Mount City Council and President and CEO of Rocky Mount OIC, fundraiser by Doris Howington Fundraising Chairwoman County Party along with Stephanie Hunter Treasurer County Party and Get Out the Vote Plan was presented by Allen Mitchell GOTV Chairman. Atty. Will Solomon President of the Edgecombe County Young Democrats talked about registering ex-felons who are now eligible to vote but may not be aware.
Tolson said ain’t it good to be a Democrat? He said we need to take advantage of this opportunity to elect Senator Barack Obama/Biden as our next President/Vice President and also statewide and local candidates.
Tolson said the other party talk about Democrats cutting taxes but yet they do so for the rich. He said they borrow money from other countries and just spend, spend, spend. The Democrats cut taxes but they take the money and spend it wisely to help the people.
Tolson said we need a strong leader and that is Obama. He said we can not stand 4 more years of Bush’s agenda. He said that if China was to call one day and want all of their money, he just don't know how we could make it.
Tolson said our economy is in bad shape. He asked how many people in the room can say they are better off than they were 8 years ago. No one responded.
Bill Bourne from Tarboro spoke on behalf of Lt. Beverly Perdue our next Governor of NC.
There were 2 young men present from the Obama headquarters in Rocky Mount representing Obama. One of the men is assigned to Edgecombe County. They said there purpose is to get Obama elected first and then to help get Democrats up and down the ballot elected also.
Kay Hagan’s son was present to represent his mom. He said he had left Ashville and drove to Tarboro this morning. He asked everyone to get involved and help out by registering and taking people to the polls.
Viola Harris asked the Democrats to vote her back in office in November and to hold her accountable.
Tolson also asked the Democrats to vote for him back in office in November and to hold him accountable. He told the Democrats to support Kay Hagans, Janet Cowell for State Treasurer, Walter Dalton for Lt. Governor, Perdue and all the Democrats across the state. He said make sure you find out who the Democratic Judges are so they can get elected because the other party has done a good job of campaigning for the Judges positions.
Penny-Boone said she was going to get a list of the Judges so if anyone do not know who they are they can stop by or call the headquarters.
There were around 100 Democrats present to witness this historical moment.
Gwen Wilkins Nash County Democratic Party Chairwoman was present, Sheriff James Knight Edgecombe County was present. Edgecombe County Commissioner Wayne Hines was present. Commissioner Doris Howington Whitakers Town Council, Commissioner Ann Adams Princeville Town Council and Commissioner Leah Vines of Pinetops Town Council were present. I believe Councilman Melvin Muhammad Tarboro Council was present but may have not been present during the time the others were recognized.
Penny-Boone praised Will Solomon for his work with the Young Democrats and she encouraged everyone to help get young folks involved because the older folks can’t walk and go door to door like they used to.
WHIG TV local cable station out of Rocky Mount was present. I don’t recall seeing anyone from the local newspapers The Tarboro Daily Southerner and Rocky Mount Telegram, however I am quite sure they will contact the headquarters to get some information. The weather probably played a factor in why they were not present. Of course you know yours truly The DCN was present to witness and to capture history on video.
I want to know where were the many other local Democrats of Edgecombe County such as Charlie Harrell Chairman County Commissioners, Vice Chairman Leonard Wiggins along with other commissioners T.C. Cherry, John Felton, Calvin Anderson, Evelyn Powell newly elected to replace Anderson, Register of Deeds Robin Carpenter, Edgecombe County School Board members and other local elected Democratic officials.
There were a very few white folks present so I hope that is not the sign of those who were not present are not going to support Barack Obama for President.
The grand opening was exciting however it was a little long. The chairwoman said she had hoped to be out in around 45 minutes however that time was almost doubled.
Refreshments were served.
The contact numbers for the headquarters is 252.641-1974 and the hours are 10 AM - 9 PM daily. Allen Mitchell Get Out the Vote Chairman contact numbers are 252.641-1974 and 252.442-7369.
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Sunday, September 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Rev Roosevelt Higgs who has held several prominent positions in the Edgecombe Co Democratic Caucus was present as wellNote: Nope sorry but the known criminal was not present. If he had been and if he was on the program and/or if he was recognized I would have stated such. It is obvious you were not there either. I imagine he was not there because he is not on the Edgecombe County Democratic Executive Committee and he can't call the shots. He will probably try to file a complaint saying he didn't know about the opening. LOL
Held several prominent positions in the Edgecombe Co Democratic Caucus? I guess you mean Democratic Party. He has been the Chairman, Vice Charman and now a Precinct Vice Chair in a Precinct that he does not live in. Oh well. C. Dancy II - Editor
Edited by curmilus on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Posted by Speed nc Reader