SWAC-GOP update....
There was a lot of activity going on in the SWAC area Tuesday night.
Augusta County:
At a mass meeting, two Republican candidates were certified to run for the Board of Supervisors.
- David Beyeler: Running for re-election for the South River Magisterial District.
- Michael Shull: Running for election in the Riverheads Magisterial District.
Staunton City:
The Staunton Republicans were addressed by Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger, both candidates for the 24th District senate seat.
When Scott Sayre rose to begin his remarks, the Hanger supporters walked out of the room, then trickled back in one or two at a time, letting the door bang behind them.
(A couple of weeks ago when Mr. Sayre addressed the Republican Women the leader of the group, a Hanger supporter, walked out.)
The group then heard from Sen. Hanger.
That was followed by a media forum that asked: "Is there bias in the media or is it just business?" Panelists included Bruce Grover of the Staunton GOP, Stephen Winslow who has a blog called Conservative Viewpoints, Chris Graham who blogs and writes at The New Dominion, and a representative of WHSV TV-3 out of Harrisonburg.
Two newspaper reporters were invited and initially accepted but later turned down the invitation to sit on the panel when their editors and/or publishers said they couldn't participate. David Royer of the Staunton News Leader and Bob Stuart of the Waynesboro News-Virginian were not allowed to participate by their papers.
After remarks and questions from the audience, the meeting then moved to a GOP business meeting that turned contentious when the group that lost the chairmanship last year continued their tactics of bullying and intimidating the current chairwoman. After trying to work with them since winning the chairmanship last year (by an overwhelming margin), the chairwoman took control and ran an orderly meeting.
An interesting side note: The former Commissioner of Revenue who was voted out of office 18 months ago and who is part of the faction causing the disruption in the committee refused to shake hands with the chairwoman before the meeting. Reportedly when she put her hand out to welcome him his retort was, "I don't shake hands with a snake."
Interesting considering the chairwoman has done nothing except try to build her committee, bring in topical speakers, hold forums (such as last month's real estate tax and this month's media forum), and in June she will co-host an ice cream social with Delegate Chris Saxman.
Scott Sayre and the Realtors Barbecue:
After those two meetings the SWACers headed to Fishersville where a BBQ and debate party was being headed up by Spank That Donkey and the Waynesboro GOP Chairman for realtors in the area. We met at the home of Kathy and Michael Lacey ("Kathy's Restaurant" and "the Sunroom King" fame) which was beautiful with tables set up poolside and a media room to watch the presidential debate.
Scott Sayre was there to enjoy the evening and mingle with everyone. He campaign manager was also there.
There was plenty to eat, plenty to drink, the media center was great, and the house was beautiful. Thanks to Spank That Donkey, the Waynesboro chairman, and the Laceys for a great event.
Tomorrow morning: Legislative wrap-up breakfast with the electeds.
It's a busy week....
[Update: As I said it's been a busy week ... got the order of speakers backwards for Tuesday's meeting. Apparently the opposition is "contesting" that ... sorry for the mixup. Hanger first; Sayre second.]
Augusta County:
At a mass meeting, two Republican candidates were certified to run for the Board of Supervisors.
- David Beyeler: Running for re-election for the South River Magisterial District.
- Michael Shull: Running for election in the Riverheads Magisterial District.
Staunton City:
The Staunton Republicans were addressed by Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger, both candidates for the 24th District senate seat.
When Scott Sayre rose to begin his remarks, the Hanger supporters walked out of the room, then trickled back in one or two at a time, letting the door bang behind them.
(A couple of weeks ago when Mr. Sayre addressed the Republican Women the leader of the group, a Hanger supporter, walked out.)
The group then heard from Sen. Hanger.
That was followed by a media forum that asked: "Is there bias in the media or is it just business?" Panelists included Bruce Grover of the Staunton GOP, Stephen Winslow who has a blog called Conservative Viewpoints, Chris Graham who blogs and writes at The New Dominion, and a representative of WHSV TV-3 out of Harrisonburg.
Two newspaper reporters were invited and initially accepted but later turned down the invitation to sit on the panel when their editors and/or publishers said they couldn't participate. David Royer of the Staunton News Leader and Bob Stuart of the Waynesboro News-Virginian were not allowed to participate by their papers.
After remarks and questions from the audience, the meeting then moved to a GOP business meeting that turned contentious when the group that lost the chairmanship last year continued their tactics of bullying and intimidating the current chairwoman. After trying to work with them since winning the chairmanship last year (by an overwhelming margin), the chairwoman took control and ran an orderly meeting.
An interesting side note: The former Commissioner of Revenue who was voted out of office 18 months ago and who is part of the faction causing the disruption in the committee refused to shake hands with the chairwoman before the meeting. Reportedly when she put her hand out to welcome him his retort was, "I don't shake hands with a snake."
Interesting considering the chairwoman has done nothing except try to build her committee, bring in topical speakers, hold forums (such as last month's real estate tax and this month's media forum), and in June she will co-host an ice cream social with Delegate Chris Saxman.
Scott Sayre and the Realtors Barbecue:
After those two meetings the SWACers headed to Fishersville where a BBQ and debate party was being headed up by Spank That Donkey and the Waynesboro GOP Chairman for realtors in the area. We met at the home of Kathy and Michael Lacey ("Kathy's Restaurant" and "the Sunroom King" fame) which was beautiful with tables set up poolside and a media room to watch the presidential debate.
Scott Sayre was there to enjoy the evening and mingle with everyone. He campaign manager was also there.
There was plenty to eat, plenty to drink, the media center was great, and the house was beautiful. Thanks to Spank That Donkey, the Waynesboro chairman, and the Laceys for a great event.
Tomorrow morning: Legislative wrap-up breakfast with the electeds.
It's a busy week....
[Update: As I said it's been a busy week ... got the order of speakers backwards for Tuesday's meeting. Apparently the opposition is "contesting" that ... sorry for the mixup. Hanger first; Sayre second.]
posted by SWAC Girl at 5/16/2007 12:31:00 AM
7 Comments:
There's no reported to it. I heard him call out, in front of everyone, that he would not shake hands with a snake. This shows the most extreme incivility, rudeness, and immaturity imaginable. But you know, that's nothing new to this former Commissioner of the Revenue, Ray Ergenbright. If you sit in on a meeting, it will become more and more evident of this hostility and pure juvenile behavior. And you know what, that's probably what caused him to lose.
Is it fair to characterize the faction that lost and is unpleasant as those who favor more taxes and more government or is it all just personalities - like some squabbles I've seen?
While I can not speak with absolute certainty, I would have to suspect it's a mixture of taxes, the primary, and personalities.
On taxes, I hosted a forum in April with our Republican Councilman Dickie Bell and this small faction did not attend nor were they at the public hearings. They do support Emmett Hanger and as an extension I would have to suppose supported his votes to raise taxes.
On the primary, I was appalled at the rudeness they displayed when they got up and left while Scott Sayre was speaking. However, this was a marked improvement from the outright hostility that Mr. Sayre received the last time he appeared. I was quite impressed that he had the fortitude to return. But the bottom line is this, I don't care who you are supporting, at least show a modicum of respect! After all, aren't we all Republicans?
On personalities, it's a shame that there are individuals within the party who are more interested in their own ego and personal gain, then what is best for the party.
That being said, please don't think that this small faction is representative of the party as a whole. We are doing fabulous things in the Valley despite their behavior. The unit chairs, vice-chairs, and members of the Executive Committees in the SWAC region are a cohesive group. We work very well together and as a result, we are able to provide more support to our candidates and more information to our committees.
What a wonderful evening in Staunton! A good time was had by all. The Chairman of the Augusta GOP had a big smile. Ms.Taetzsch proved that you can be a proper lady and still be strong. Scott gave a nice speech. Sen.Hanger spun a folksy tale of his life. His use of the word "important" was more in keeping with a tavern though, not a public speaking engagement. There were a number of gray-haired children present, who seemed sad because they couldn't play with the big kids. The Democrats had their representative objecting to proceedings. Rumor has it that the attempted coup was forstalled until the next meeting.
I missed all the fun having spent the day smoking pork loins and a big ol' SteamShip round for the Realtors 4 Sayre event held at a prominent business couples home!
The business community says "We Need Change in the 24th"!
And probably the next...and the next...and the next...
While I have voted in every election since I was of age, I have never been involved in the internal workings of a political party. As an Augusta county resident, I was present at the Staunton meeting, because I wanted to hear the candidates speak, and was also interested in the bias in the media forum. I found those parts of the evening, enjoyable, and informative.
Once the forum was over, and the meeting turned to business, I stayed, because I felt it would be impolite to get up and leave at that point. To say that I was shocked by the conduct I witnessed during that business meeting would be a gross understatement!
I have participated in many parliamentary meetings in my time, and I have NEVER witnessed such rude, and disrespectful behaviour, as that coming from the floor! If Mr. Ergenbright and company had put nearly as much energy into a campaign, as they displayed disrupting the meeting, I suspect that he would still be in office, and that they would still control the comittee!
Mr. Ergenbrights, and others conduct, revealed much about their lack of character, while Ms. Taetzshc's professionallism, and courtesy spoke volumes about the strength of hers! As a gentleman, I was embarrasesed that a young lady should have to endure such treatment!
Hopefully, with her firmly in charge, the Staunton Rebublicans will be able to weed out those who are there only to serve their own egos, and draw the interest of new members interested in working for the good of the party, and the community as a whole!
As another person at the meting commented on his way out the door, with goings on like this in the Republican party, we won't have to worry about the Democrats hurting us, we'll self destruct on our own!
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