President Gerald Ford RIP, Remembrance

Saturday, December 30, 2006

President Gerald Ford RIP, Remembrance

At the Kansas City National Convention of 1976, the Wood County delegation and the entire West Virginia delegation had President Ford as their second choice for President . On the first ballot WV voted for Reagan. Most of us were Reagan Republicans but we realized it wasn't time for Reagan, it was Ford's, and at our caucus we swung over to Ford and were the votes that gave him the majority and the nomination. Governor Moore as leader of delegation gave the votes to a loud roar from all present.

President Ford was a dynamic, intelligent and personable leader. We were fortunate to have him talk to us at our caucus and I proudly display the photos of my wife and I with him at that meeting.

I had recently moved from the successful Young Republicans that inspired me to get more involved in the GOP to the unified and dynamic County Party (who fought the good fight after Watergate).. The two conventions I attended in 1968 and 1976 were a wonderful experience.

President Ford was from the old, what was then called the Rockefeller wing of the party. He was one of the few members of the GOP that the overwhelming Democrat Congress would approve for Vice President on the resignation of Spiro Agnew. Ford was an excellent choice to heal the country after the Watergate fiasco and his courageous pardoning of Nixon for the good of our country (saving three or more years of continued confrontation) contributed to his defeat and what turned out to be a disaster in the one term presidency of Jimmy Carter. However, unlike Reagan who latter confronted the Soviets and ended there reign over Eastern Europe, Ford followed the Nixon detente philosophy. I'll never forget his refusal to meet Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the White House--Reagan did. He also was more liberal on domestic policy trying to solve inflation with Herbert Hoover type remedies. I still have a WIN button that were distributed. WIN stood for Wipe out Inflation Now. It didn't work and Carter exacerbated the problem leading to 20% inflation and high unemployment during his term.

Another reason Ford lost to Carter was his foul up during the second debate when he tried to say the Polish people were not resigned to Soviet dictatorship. He made it sound as if they were not occupied at all. Also his tripping and stumbling which led to media coverage of his stumbling persona and jokes that he did not wear a helmet when he played championship football at Michigan. Actually he had trouble due to a knee injury from football which continued to bother him for the rest of his life. Also back to his intelligence, we who met him found him so different then the media's impression that it was like there must be two of him.

Carter led to Reagan who ended the Soviet brutality and dictatorship over so many countries.

If anyone visits the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Grand Rapids Michigan please check out one hallway with a picture of the inside of a bus. It is the West Virginia bus going from our motel in K.C. Kansas to the Convention Center in Missouri. Governor Moore is in the front giving the delegates a pep talk during the ride.

Rest in Peace, President Ford. You earned a fine place in American history.

Allen Ross
December 28, 2006 1:09PM

Democrat "good ole boys" Prevail

Finalists for vacant House seat selected

It's tough to beat folks who have a seat at the table. Committees should be important to public officials all the time, not just when they want something. Having seen this process conducted several ways let me say I'll stick to our procedure. Republican House of Delegates pre candidacy paperwork should start flowing in shortly, as I said previously, 2008 will be a golden opportunity to sweep all 3 seats in the 10th. There is plenty of work for all to do. Our opponents and objectives are clear to all who share these goals. The time is here to achieve the things we have talked about, and talk less about our differences. 2007 is shaping up to be the year where we Lead...Follow...or get out of the Way!

Happy New Year to all!

2007 and Beyond

It's time to look ahead as we all must do!

Things of interest to come in Wood County Politics:

• The Republican Party will finally pass the Democrats in voter registration.





• At least one of the Republicans in the House of Delegates will announce that they will not run in 2008.





• The next Republican President will start campaigning in West Virginia.

More to come I'm sure!

Local Democrats Square Off

14 file for House seat

So Far

"Auvil has received completed questionnaires from 2006 House candidate Steve Whitehair, former Parkersburg City Councilman Jim Ball, 2005 Parkersburg council candidates John Beary and Henry Elson and one-time state Senate hopeful Neil Patel, Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital’s Marketing Director Greg D. Smith, local attorney Jim Leach, former Parkersburg Catholic Girls’ Basketball Coach Dick Wildt as well as Brenda Brum, Jeff Lewis, Harold Brown, Don Eakin Jr., Steve Gilbert and Dan Poling."

*******************************

HOUSE OF DELEGATES
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Full Name:_________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________


E-Mail: ___________________________


Precinct where you vote: _______________________________________

Do you live within the 10th Delegate District:? Yes / No

List all Telephone Numbers: ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________


I.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This form must be fully completed and returned to the Chairman of the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee, Walt Auvil, 1208 Market Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia. Forty copies of the form are required to accommodate all members of the Committee receiving the forms as quickly as possible.

2. This form must be received no later than 12:00 Noon, Friday, December 22, 2006. Because of the short time within which the Executive Committee must act on this matter, combined with the intervening Christmas holiday, the untimely filing of or submission of an incomplete application may preclude consideration of your candidacy.

3. If you need additional pages to fully respond, set forth the question in full and the response on a separate page(s).

4. If you wish, you may include your current resumé with this form.

5. There will be a Special Meeting of the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee on December 27, 2006 at 6:00 o’clock p.m. at the public meeting room at the Donald F. Black Courthouse Annex on 319 Market Street, Parkersburg, WV. At this special meeting, the Committee will consider all applications and vote on a list of three persons to be submitted to the Governor for appointment to this position.

6. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, gender, age (over 18), handicap, national origin, religious preference, or ethnicity. Non- traditional candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

**********************************

For 16 years the Democrats have held on to one lonely seat in the House of Delegates here in Wood County. They have seen their lead of 3000 registered voters dwindle to it's current figure of less than 100. I urge my fellow Republicans to prepare for 2008 as this may be our best opportunity in decades to grab this 3rd seat.

Council to choose president Wednesday

Council to choose president Wednesday

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all candidates for Parkersburg City Council President the best of luck on Wednesday. I understand the temptation on the part of some to choose a favorite, however Council is a self contained organization elected by their individual districts as we are and deserves the right to choose their own internal leadership without the intervention of ANY member of our Executive Committee. This has been the position of the Committee for years. We work with all elected Republicans from the various county positions and can't allow ourselves the self indulgence to pick favorites. I would hope that Council would appreciate this hands off approach and respect for their process! Let's work together for a Great 2007 in Wood County and West Virginia for all.

Wood County GOP Perspective

The Young Republicans Are Back!!!

Wood's Young Republicans reconstituted

The Young Republicans are officially back in Wood County. It was been a long time since there has been an active Young Republican organization in this county but that void has now been filled. Last nights organizational meeting went extremely well. The new officers for the Wood County Young Republicans are myself (Mike Howerton) Chairman, Rocky Peck Vice-Chairman, Jeremy Taitt Treasurer, and Michelle Howerton Secretary.

I would like to personally thank Ashley Stinnett, Chairman of the West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans. Ashley and his girlfriend Sarah drove up from Huntington last night for our meeting to officially charter our new organization. I would like to thank my fellow officers for their support as well as Allen Ross for becoming our first associate member.

In addition to political efforts, the group will sponsor social activities for Young Republicans in the community to help foster a fellowship of like minded individuals, which I believe will help form a more cohesive group to work with future campaign efforts.

Below is a copy of a press release I sent to local media outlets today. Also, Bob Fish and I also went downtown today at noon to speak with Jess Mancini at the Parkersburg News.

Wood County Young Republicans Officially Formed and Howerton Elected Chairman.

The Wood County Young Republicans became the first officially chartered local chapter of the newly reformed West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans at their organization meeting held in the Board Room of the Wood County Public Library Tuesday night, November 14th, at 7:30 pm. In attendance was State Young Republican Chairman Ashley Stinnett, from Wayne County, who had an inspiring message for the group. The State Federation was officially re-chartered by the Young Republican National Federation for the first time since 1997 this past Saturday, November 11th, during the national meeting in Louisville, Kentucky.

“I am energized by the fact that Wood County is the first local chapter to form in West Virginia only three day after the State organization was re-chartered, Stinnett said.”

Mike Howerton , who is Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Coordinator for the West Virginia Federation of Young Republicans and former Vice-Chairman of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee, was elected Chairman of the Wood County Young Republicans at their Tuesday night meeting.

“I feel that our group will provide a positive presence in the community. We will actively support our Republican Candidates and develop political skills and leadership abilities among Young Republicans in Wood County as preparation for future service to our Party and Community, Howerton said.”

Bob Fish, Vice Chairman of the West Virginia State Republican Executive Committee, said, “I have known and worked with Mike for several years now and I am confident that he will provide a positive and motivational leadership to the Wood County Young Republicans and the state organization as he works throughout the region on their behalf.”

The other officers elected where Vice-Chairman Rocky Peck, Treasurer Jeremy Taitt, and Secretary Michelle Howerton.

Rocky Peck, former Chairman of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee, said, “I think this was a great idea and I am thrilled to be involved with it. I think that having a Republican organization specifically for young people, between the ages of 18-40, fills an important role in the community.”

Greg Smith, who was the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Political Representative for the Chris Wakim for Congress Campaign, said, “I had the privilege of working with several individuals from this group during Chris’s campaign and I feel they will offer an invaluable service to our future candidates.

If you would like to become a member of the Wood County Young Republicans or for additional information contact Mike Howerton, 304-482-2005 or via email mhowerton79@hotmail.com.

Former Chairman Rocky Peck Helps 4-H Exceed Campaign Goals

Congratulations to our former Chairman, Mr Rocky Peck.
Keep up the good work for our community.
Our lose is the 4-H's gain!

Wood County GOP Perspective

Republican Economy Booming

Wood County GOP Perspective

A Republican Tradition

Wood County GOP Perspective

2002-2006 Wood County GOP Honors Chairman Rocky Peck and Family

The Wood County Republican Committee 2002-2006 got together to honor our retiring Chairman, Rocky Peck, and those who were instrumental in maintained our dominance over our true enemy, the Democrats. We had a wonderful evening at JP Henrys honoring the man and his family who have given so much. During the last four years, we have not only focused on the mission of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee, but also increased our lead over our opponent.

President Bush visited our county three times, including the largest rally in our State for a single candidate with over 18,000 people attending the Parkersburg Stadium event in 2004. In addition, under Chairman Pecks leadership, we maintained control of all currently held county offices, and closed the voter registration gap from over 2500 in 2002 to just under 50!

Success isn't something that happens by chance or because you want it. Rocky Peck worked for our Party and our candidates and is one of the main reasons so many enjoy our current status. Many of you are aware of the sacrifices that Rocky made to serve our Party, some are just learning, some will never know or care.

Wood County GOP Perspective

Cold War Recognition

Many of you are eligible for this or know someone who is. I also might mention that the Armed Services average over 2000 casualties a year during "peace time".

Wood County GOP Perspective

2006 Homecoming Parade

The rain held off and a great time was had by all. Chris really hit it off with the folks on the parade route.


Chris had a good group of volunteers



Chris stopped along Market Street to chat with the crowd



Chris chatting it up with the parade goers




John Raese walking and waving to the crowd




Don't be fooled! This is a wax dummy




Fred Gillespie with his crew




I would like to thank the Wood County Christian School Teenage Republicans for making this a day to remember.

Wood County GOP Perspective

Broken Promises

Fully fund the program as passed or get rid of the machines.

Tell it like it is Senator Boley!

Tuesday August 1st 2006

Wood County GOP Perspective

Modesitt Defeats Peck for GOP Chair

The Farmer and the Snake

The Farmer And The Snake

Fables - Translated by George Fyler Townsend. Aesop, "The Farmer And The Snake "

ONE WINTER a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. "Oh," cried the Farmer with his last breath, "I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel." The greatest kindness will not bind the ungrateful.

Wood County GOP Perspective

A Thought for the Day

A quote that is sad but many times true.

In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.

Wood County GOP Perspective

Starwars 3.0... Update of a Good Stategy

In the not to distant future, possibly in my lifetime, there will arise an opponent to the United States of America who will see what I’m about to tell you if measures are not taken by the next President or President’s, whoever or whichever political party may win in 2008.

Our current nuclear defenses are based on a mishmash of defenses that have evolved over the last 60 years. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union our opponent has been somewhat vague, if not completely non-existent to the public. In an age of terrorist and people who follow tribal customs flying civilian aircraft into population centers, it’s fair to say that the times have changed, and so should our strategies.

No longer is simply a so-called “nuclear umbrella” sufficient to adequately defend the United States, but we must develop what I refer to as a Look Down- Shoot Down defense.
The reasons are this:
We can no longer contain the proliferation of nuclear production, material and weapons
As more countries become nuclear capable the possibility is greater that an exchange will occur
The United States nuclear defenses may be vulnerable to a small-scale accurate sneak attack: A well planned, well thought out attack similar to Japans strategy, just a little bigger with a follow-up land invasion…well, I don’t want to speculate much further here but, who would have thought that 19 people would fly airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon 5 years ago?

That’s why we must immediately, if we aren’t already, develop the ability to incapacitate an object before it reaches it’s trajectory altitude. We can no longer depend entirely on hitting something as it’s coming in, since the opponent of the future may have numerous devices and multiple and ingenious ways of delivering them. Taking out a countries ability to launch from their own soil will be necessary to deter a future enemy from picking their time and place to hit us. An enemy with less than 100 devices could leave us with some terrible options if they were willing to use them. I sincerely wish there weren’t a need for any weapons, but until that day comes let us prepare.

Wood County GOP Perspective

Things You Won't See

The only people life was better for under Saddam were the oppressors













Just wanted to pass these on to you all. Thanks Mom for sending me these.

Bush Should Die says Boggs

Glad to see the Parkersburg News finally said something about this. Too bad it was buried in the Saturday edition, March 25th, a full 6 days after this sad Wood County Democrat and Young Democrat sponsored event occurred. This should be front page news especially with Robert C. (the state bird) Byrd coming to town tonight to drool out some gibberish to his choir....

Saturday, March 25, 2006 Time: 11:27:33 AM EST

Boggs wish for Bush to die is disgusting
Thumbs down To William Boggs, a speaker at the March 19 protest marking the third anniversary of the war in Iraq. Boggs, who said he was a two-tour veteran of Vietnam, seemed to suggest that people pray that President Bush not survive his term in office when he said.If you pray for something, pray for God to call George Bush home early. This good Christian deserves to be called home to his savior. This comment did not serve anyones cause, and protest organizers should immediately have distanced themselves from Boggs. It is one thing to be against the war. However, it is another for someone to say the president of the United States should be called home to his savior. These disgusting comments had no business being said from the speakers podium.

The Wood County Democrats and the Young Democrats are organizing the protest

This used to be over the line!


William Boggs, a former Green Beret who spent two tours in Vietnam, was one of several speakers who addressed the crowd. Boggs, like many of those attending, focused the blame squarely on President Bush. God helps those who help themselves. The problem is not the war, the problem is George W. Bush... If you pray for something, pray for God to call George Bush home early. This good Christian deserves to be called home to his savior, Boggs said.

America Attacked...Check out the link on the right

Be Prepared...It's Powerful!

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Wood County GOP Perspective

SHEEP, WOLVES, AND SHEEPDOGS

If you or someone you know is in law enforcement, currently serving in the Military, or a Veteran, you will appreciate this story on why we have soldiers.

By LTC(RET) Dave Grossman, RANGER, Ph.D.,author of "On Killing."


Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for? - William J. Bennett - in a lecture to theUnited States Naval Academy November 24, 1997

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2004/articles/0726sheep.html





Wood County GOP Perspective

Local Malcontents Plan Anti-American Rally

Local Anti-American Rally Seen by only Democrat Faithful

Hardly enough people to hold this mess of a sign up

Listening to the same old worn out talking points from Walt

With some out of town help from a"professional peacenik"

But it was nothing more than the same cast of characters

Spreading the same old propaganda

So ate up with their loss to "W" that they will undermine our war effort for a little personal spotlight and gratification. Sounds like some mommy's just never wanted their little boys and girls to grow up. And there are always those who join the worlds finest military for the wrong reasons, looking only for the education and veterans benefits and forget they might actually have to defend our Freedom.

Time is a wonderful teacher, even "Hanoi" Jane Fonda has apologized (sort of) for her stupidity and ignorance so hopefully our local homegrown mouthpieces will someday put away their own personal issues and just be grateful that young men and women will volunteer to defend their rights as Americans.

The Wood County Democrats and the Young Democrats are organizing the protest

War protest march planned
By RACHEL LANE, Staff Writer
PARKERSBURG The Wood County Democrats and Young Democrats are organizing a rally to support the troops but not the war, officials said.The Sunday event marks the third anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq. Speakers, many soldiers from Iraq or with family fighting, will be speaking at Bicentennial Park on Market Street from 1 to 2 p.m., said officials. A protest march will start about 2 p.m. and be mainly on Market Street. We have to support these young men and women, said Rhonda McNamara, Wood County Democrat Club member. Supporting the troops means making sure the soldiers have proper equipment, veterans service and their families receive care and emotional support, she said. It does not mean supporting the war, she said. This war was wrong in the first place and three years later, its not any better, said David Daniels, Young Democrat member. He invited anyone who supported the soldiers to attend the event. Even people who don't know and want to hear from people over there should come, Daniels said. Anyone with an interest in what the people say can attend and not participate in the march, he said. We lose sight and forget what's going on every single day, McNamara said. The soldiers deal with stress and danger daily, she said.McNamara's son was a soldier in Iraq. He recently returned to the states and left the military.During the march, a 200-foot-long Wall of Remembrance will be carried. The Charleston Patriots of Peace group developed the wall. It contains the names of all 2,311 American soldiers that have died in the war, Daniels said.The wall travels around the state and it's been to Washington, D.C., he said. It's going to take 30 or 40 people to carry it. The Charleston group started the wall at the beginning of the war and has added to it as soldiers died. It's not about not supporting the troops. We're very supportive of the troops, Daniels said. Speakers will include Marine Cpl. Dan Wyatt, a two-tour veteran of the Iraq War, and Kari Gunter-Seymour, mother of a soldier in Iraq. For more information, go to www.woodcountyyoungdems.zoomshare.com or e-mail Daniels at daviddaniels1@hotmail.com.Contact Rachel Lane at rlane@newsandsentinel.com.

Three Years Ago...
Watch It Now!.
WTAP News
Amber Davison
Sunday marks the three year anniversary of the Iraq invasion. Protests are being held all over the world this weekend, and Wood County is no exception. Anti-war activists spent Saturday afternoon preparing for an anti-war rally here locally on Sunday. At a large war memorial, located just off Route 50 in Wood County, volunteers spent the day touching up the white paint on the crosses. Each cross symbolizes a soldier killed in the war in Iraq. The number continues to rise each day. Sunday's demonstration will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Bicentennial Park on Market Street.

The Wood County Democrats and the Young Democrats are organizing the protest

Damage to 2004 Market Street Headquarters

I'll bet that someone in the gaggle that shows up knows something about this "peaceful" destruction of property.

It took Wendy and I about 3 days to finally get this stuff off the windows.

There Must be More

Is this the best reporting that the Parkersburg News can do? A few paragraphs below the fold in section C. With supposedly 2 newspapers in town you would think that one of them could do a better job presenting both Party's issues in Charleston.

Many Challenges Ahead of New Republican Chairman

As the May 9th primary election approaches it is becoming clear that the next chairman will face many challenges…some new and some ongoing. The 2006-2010 Wood County Republican Executive Committee will have approximately 18 members who will choose their leadership and the direction of the local party for the next four years.

The new Chairman must:

• Make peace with his or her defeated opponents.
• Appoint a viable group of people to assist in operating the business of the committee.
• Work with elements in the county who have been excluded previously when possible.
• Have an effective agenda through the November election.
• Prepare for more VIP visits in support of the John Raese and Chris Wakim campaigns.

Of the 18 members that will be elected, as many as 8 may be first time members and as many as 3 that I know of supported Democrats in recent local elections! To those who are elected to the committee will be the responsibility to support their Chairman and the Party. I look forward to the challenges that face us and wish all those involved the best of luck!

Scrapbook

Do you have photos that would be of interest to other Republicans? Then this is the place to post them. Also, if you have pictures that you would just like to share that are family or political in nature.

Wood County TARS at WVU-P President Bush Visit

President Bush Visits Wood County 2004

Speaker of the House visits Parkersburg with Chris Wakim 2006

Sound Off!

This is the place for questions, comments and constructive criticism! Or if you just feel the need to let everyone know your views or opinion on a political or Republican issue. Please be courteous!