Jackson County Republicans celebrate and convene

Jackson County GOP members have engaged in a busy spring into summer schedule of celebration and convention. The group’s very successful Red White and Blue Gala fundraiser, held just prior to Memorial Day on May 22nd , brought in a capacity crowd all there to celebrate U.S. patriotic traditions. A sea of red white and blue balloons that filled the Great Hall of the Balsam Mountain Inn greeted GOP members, officials and their guests as they entered the historic ballroom. Previous to the main event sponsors, distinguished guests and GOP officers enjoyed a pre-event reception where they were welcomed by Uncle Sam (John Chaffee, Glenville); Abe Lincoln (Chet Damron, Sylva), Ben Franklin (John Armor, Highlands); and Martha Washington (Dodie Allen, Swain County). The featured re-enactors, representing our nation’s founders and historic presidents, continued to play to the historic theme as they circulated throughout the crowd during the evening. Each re-enactor also took the stage during the dinner for an in-character soliloquy.

A notable number of candidates who are running for elected office in the district were in attendance and each addressed the crowd. They included top of the ticket contender Jeff Miller, Republican challenger for the U.S. House seat presently held by Heath Shuler; NC State House entrant, Dodie Allen; Jackson County Commission candidates Doug Cody and Charles Elders; Independent candidate for Jackson County Sheriff, Mary Rock and Judgeship candidates Christine Earwood, Donna Forga and Roy Wijewickrama.

The evening’s fundraising highlight, a Patriotic Auction, increased the record amount of proceeds raised at the event. Auctioneer Allen directed the auction where the highest bidders walked away with historic posters, art and other significant U. S themed items.

The successful evening concluded with a Grand Raffle with multiple lucky winners claiming items ranging from local restaurant dinners to floral arrangements. All raffle items were donated by various businesses throughout the County.

Event sponsors included Historic Presidential: Jim Nichols, Cashiers; Historic Founder: Nancy and Orville Coward, Sylva; Joy and Lambert Hooper, Sylva; James Hooper, Whittier; Shirley and Ralph Slaughter, Cashiers; Grace and Jim Mueller, Glenville; Hosts: Kim and Bill Coward, Cashiers; Carol and Bill Adams, Glenville and the Mountain High Republican Women’s Club.

Members of The Red, White and Blue Gala Committee were Co-chairs, Dodie Allen and Carol Adams, Glenville; Treasurer, Phyllis Fox, Sylva; Sponsors Chair, MelisaMcKim, Cashiers; Candidate & GOP Liason, Ralph Slaughter, Cashiers; Decorations, Jeannie Salyer, Whittier; Raffle Solicitations, Jim Mueller and Gregory Hirsh, Cullowhee; Raffle Co-ordinator, Carol Odom, Glenville; Grace Mueller and Shirley Slaughter. Jim Mueller is overall Jackson County GOP Fundraising Chair.

On June 4-6 a sizeable contingent of delegates from Jackson County, led by Chair Ralph Slaughter of Cashiers and Jim Mueller, Vice Chair, attended the 2010 North Carolina GOP State Convention in Winston-Salem. State attendance rolls show that this delegation represented a record for the number of convention delegates from Jackson County. Among the delegates attending from the local GOP Executive Committee were Members at Large Carol Odom, Glenville; and Nancy Coward, Sylva; Treasurer Judy Milkey, Sylva.

The conventioneers heard featured speeches by Senator Richard Burr, state ticket leader; NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer; Pat McCrory, 2008 Repubican gubernatorial candidate, and guest speaker syndicated talk show host Herman Cain.   All speakers addressed topics in their areas of expertise and responsibilities while Cain inspired the audience to persist in holding conservative values. Burr, who spoke at several convention functions, ably informed the audience of Congressional and National political facts and figures. Joe the Plumber filled the bill in the celebrity attendance category Business meetings teamed with training sessions and social events rounded out the convention activities.

Convention and Gala highlights will top the agenda at the Jackson County GOP meeting on Monday, June 28, 7:00 PM at Ryans in Sylva. All members and prospective members are encouraged to attend. For additional information please call Jackson County GOP Chair, Ralph Slaughter at 828 586-9895 or 828 743-6491 or visit the organization’s website www.jacksoncountygop.com.  
Repubican Women's Club Officially Launched November 17th

Open Letter to Republican Women

Thank you to the forty Republican women from Jackson, Macon and Transylvania Counties who ventured out on a rainy and cold Tuesday evening to officially launch our Republican women's association.

North Carolina Federation Mountain District Director Kathy Hildreth guided attendees through to necessary steps to become a member of the NC and National Federation of Republican Women.  We adopted our name...  Mountain High Republican Women's Association, ratified the association by-laws, and elected the following dynamic team of officers.

President - Melisa McKim
1st Vice President - Melinda Barber
2nd Vice President - Dinah Davis
Secretary - Carol Odom
Ass't Secretary - Terri Coyle
Treasurer - Maureen Catania
Ass't Treasurer - Elizabeth Hoffman

At check-in on Tuesday attendees immediately completed the inaugural membership form and paid Founding Member dues. The Founding Member 2010 dues level, at $35 for active and associate members, will be in effect until December 31, 2009.   The membership application can be found at Participation Opportunities on this website.

For additional information please contact Mountain High Republican Women's Association (MHTWA) at:

P.O. Box 126
Cashiers, NC 28717
Phone: 828 200-0437

Information about luncheons and events will be sent via email throughout the winter.

Regards from the Organizing Comnmittee
Carol Adams, Glenville
Melinda Barber, Cashiers
Dinah Davis, Highlands
Melisa McKim, Glenville
Debbi Sanderson, Transylvania County  

Jackson County Republican Party©, Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
Revised:  June 25, 2010.