LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Dear Fellow Democrat:

On behalf of myself and the other Officers of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, let me thank you, in advance, for your commitment to the ideals of our Party, and your willingness to work with us in our mission to restore confidence in our local governments and to maintain momentum that the Party has created statewide. Our goals are ambitious; our challenges demanding; but the benefits far outweigh the efforts that we will be required to make.

In the first of our planned biweekly meetings, the Party Officers have identified three goals for the coming year: Communication, Organization, and Fund Raising., In the coming weeks, Precinct Leaders will be contacted by Jan Brewington and/or Ron Shackelford, whom I have asked to chair the Party’s precinct organization efforts. Success within the Party start~ in the precincts; and accordingly, we have committed to the goal of identifying at least thirty (30) good Democrats in each of our CountVs forty-six (46) precincts who are willing to serve in some active capacity in the precinct. Once Jan and Ron’s efforts are complete, we will have a dynamic, core organization of more than 1,000 committed Democrats who will insure that our message is delivered, our candidates have a strong Party banner to run under, and the much needed financial support is in place.

This fall, we will bring our Party together for an old-fashioned rally, where we will kick off Campaign 2002, led by you and thousands of other Democrats in New Hanover County. You are invited and encouraged to take an aótive role in these exciting efforts yourself, and also to help identil& other citizens in New Hanover County who are committed to our desire to "Make a Difference" and to implement the change that is needed.

Once again, thank you. We have a place for you and all right-thinking citizens in this Party, and my fellow Officers and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Gary K. Shipman

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS MARCH 21

The regular monthly meeting of the County Democratic Executive Committee will be held on Monday, May 21 at 6:30pm. We will be back in our regular meeting place, the Main Library at 3rd and Chestnut Streets. For you newly elected members, the Executive Committee consists of the County Officers, all Precinct Chairs and First Vice Chairs, local members of various legislative, judicial, and state committees, and Democratic elected officials. This will be our first meeting under our new Chair, Gary Shipman, who will outline his goals and action plans foi energizing our local Party. Please be sure and attend, or send an alternate to represent you. We need your input I

Incidentally, meetings of the Executive Committee are opened to any loyal Democrat who wants to get more active in Party activities. Yall come!

DISTRICT CONVENTION COMING UP

The Annual Democratic Convention of our Seventh Congressional District will take place this year at Lake Waccamaw, on Saturday, May 19 starting at 1:00pm. It will be held in the auditorium of East Columbus High School, which is just off Highway U574/76. New District Officers will be elected, and Congressman Mike McIntyre will be the featured speaker. Everyone interested in ride sharing car pooling with fellow Democrats should gather in the Main Library parking lot at noon. Plan to have lunch before departing, or bring it along. In addition to, those Delegates elected at our County Convention, any other loyal Democrats will be welcome to attend as observers, but without vote. For more information, call Charlie West (458-4136) or outgoing District Chair Steve Fowler (910-642-7850).

FALL 2000 ELECTIONS

Following are the municipal Council terms that expire this year, the seats that will be contested in elections this fall (see Calendar below).

WILMINGTON: Mayor Jones (R);
Councilpersons Moore (D), Rivenbark (D) and Heame (R).

CAROLINA BEACH: Mayor Rothrock (R);
Councilpersons Barbour (D) and Doetsch (R).

KURE BEACH: Mayor Medlin (R); 
Councilpersons Foster (R) andPilcher (R).

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH: Mayor Roberts (R); 
Councilpersons Miastkowski (D) and Whitten (R).

COUNTY DEMOCRATIC OFFICERS

Below is the current list of County Democratic Officers and members of the state Executive Committee, newly elected at our County Convention in April Any Democrat interested in getting more involved in the push toward Elections 2002 should call any one of these Officers to discuss where s/he might best be able to help out the cause. Politics is not a spectator sport I

Dem Women Bessie Funderburg 414 S 14 St Wilm 28401 763-6329

College Dews John A. Petrequin UNCW, PC Box 28176, Wilm 28407 962-5928
Exec Sec Charlie West 32 Forest by the Sea, Car Bch 28428 4584136
State Executive Committee: Jan Brewington, Bessie Funderburg, Charlie West, Barbara Schwartz, Dick Snyder, Joyce Binldey, Mike Glancy, Doris Thompsoh-ConnOr, Diana Hill, Earl Sheridan, William Crawford, Rose Ann Mack.

NEW HANOVER DEMOCRATIC CALENDAR

Thur May 10 Democratic Women - 6pm at McAllister’s, 740 S College Rd (2nd Thursday)
Mon May 14 Community Action Group - 5:30pm at Town Hall, 617 Castle St (2nd Monday)
Sat May 19 District Democratic Convention - 1pm at East Columbus High School,
Lake Waccainaw. (Meet at Main Library at noon fott carpooling.)
Mon May21 County Executive Committee - 6:30pm at Main Library (3rd Monday)
Fri July 6 Candidate filing begins for Wilmington and beach town elections
Fri Aug 3 Candidate filing ends at noon
Fri Sep 14 Last day to register to vote in Wilmington elections
F-Sun Sep 14-16 Democratic Women State Convention - at Sunset Beach
Sun Sep 16 Regional Unity Banquet - in Wilmington (Save the date!)
Sat Sep 22 Senior Democrats State Convention - in Charlotte
Tues Oct 9 Wilmington elections.
Fri Oct 12 Last day to register for beach town elections
Sat Oct 13 Vance-Aycock Celebration - at Grove Park Inn, Asheville
Tues Nov 6 Beach town elections (also Wilmington run-off, if needed)