Lower Cape Fear Republican Woman
April 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED VOL. 6, ISSUE 2
1913 2012
ELSA DAVIES, NC SENATOR THOM GOOLSBY, JACKY O’GRADY
IN MEMORY OF ELSA DAVIES By Paige Freeman In 1913, Elsa Flower was born in assisted her husband in his work. presence to be an honor and a Paterson, New Jersey and she died Their many adventures together privilege to our club. Elsa was in March of this year in Wilmington, included flying inside the Grand actively involved in politics and The North Carolina. Elsa was the Canyon end-to-end, and trips to Republican Party. In 1993, she LCFRWC’s oldest participating Cuba and the Bahamas. served as President of the Lower member at 98, and aside from that Cape Fear Republican Women's remarkable accomplishment, she The Davies moved to Figure Eight Club, and she was a past precinct lived an extraordinary and admirable Island in 1980 where they were chairwoman of Harnett 7 in New life. Captain of the cheerleaders and active in the community and Hanover County. In 1994, Elsa class president in high school, Miss continued to enjoy a lifelong received honors from both the Flower went on to get her masters friendship with LCFRWC member National and North Carolina from Columbia University in New and past vice-president Jacky O’ Federation of Republican Women. York. During her career in teaching Grady and her late husband. Jacky Mr. and Mrs. Davies were major and counseling, Elsa was elected the was the dearest friend to Elsa and benefactors of The Davis Community first woman president of became a loving and in Porters Neck, where the Joseph B. the High School Teachers indispensable support to and Elsa Flower Davies Wellness Association in Rockaway, Elsa and Joe in their later Center is named in their honor. New Jersey. years. Jacky made sure Elsa attended our LCFRWC I propose a toast to Elsa Flower An aviatrix and member meetings and kept Elsa a Davies: A remarkable and truly of the Women Flyers of part of our club. In the last accomplished woman, a loving wife America, she shared her years, Elsa spent the entire to her Joe, and a dedicated love of flying with her day preparing for our Republican. The Lower Cape Fear husband, Joseph B. meetings where she always Republican’s Woman’s Club will Davies, an aerial photographer. Elsa arrived in style. I admired and continue to cherish her memory. also loved photography and she enjoyed Elsa as I felt her very Newsletter published LCFRWC OFFICERS: Karen Valiquettt, President; Paige Freeman, quaterly by LCFRWC Vice President; Sandra Criner, Secretary; Frances Coleman, Treasurer; Editor: Paige Freeman Sandy Best, Immediate Past President; Jacky O’Grady, At-large, and LCFRWC [email protected] Pam Higgins, At-large. NHC GOP 2012 CONVENTION by Rhonda Amoroso Wilmington-The New Hanover GOP annual County Convention was held on Saturday March 24, 2012 at the County Courthouse in downtown Wilmington. Over one hundred fifty people were in attendance including local elected officials, and candidates running for statewide and local office. Delegates were selected to represent New Hanover County at the District and State GOP Conventions.
Chairwoman Rhonda Amoroso opened the County Convention with an overview of how the economy has deteriorated over the last few years. “Times are tough, folks are out of work and many have given up looking for work, and the unemployment rate for our young people is abysmal,” she said. “Every day we see the price of gas going up and up and our leaders in Washington are doing nothing to change course.”
Chairwoman Amoroso urged the delegates to come together and unify. “We must work hard to throw out the progressive Obama regime and elect a Republican president in November” she said. “United we stand, divided we continue to march into big government/nanny state control at every level.” On the state and local levels, Chairwoman Amoroso called upon the delegates to work hard to get a Republican Governor elected in Raleigh, and as many Republicans elected to statewide office as we can up and down the ticket. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to finally have a representative in Congress who will represent our interests and values” she offered.
Moreover, Chairwoman Amoroso urged the full repeal of Obamacare. “This law must be removed from the books as soon as possible”, she said. The US Supreme Court is currently hearing oral argument on the constitutionality of this law.
While the Credentials Committee finalized the delegate list, statewide candidates came to the podium and spoke, including NC Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby, and four congressional candidates including Frank Palombo, Ilario Pantano, David Rouzer, and Randy Crow. Our local candidates will square off in a Debate, which is scheduled for April 26 at Jungle Rapids in Wilmington. Congressional District 7 candidates will have several debates including one in Wilmington on April 17 at the old courthouse downtown.
For more info go to: www.newhanovergop.com
Karen Valiquett & Lois Dixon check-in Sondra North
NHC Elected Officials NCFRW WINTER BOARD MEETING By Sandy Best
Greenville - Republican women from across North Carolina converged on the Greenville Hilton in February for the Winter Board Meeting of the NCFRW. Determined, but festive, attendees nodded their agreement to the work ahead to see the Marriage Amendment pass the ballot initiative in May. Honored guest and speaker Representative Carolyn Justice treated luncheon guests to a "Carolyn Classic" speech which highlighted almost everyone in the room and urged us to not become complacent but to fight for victory, instead. Looking to garner support, several statewide candidates attended the meetings, as well. From our club, Karen Valiquett, Beth Dawson, and I attended, in addition to Rep. Justice. It was great to see Helen Pannullo, our new Coastal Region VP, and Ceil Dena Barnes, Karen Valiquett, Helen Pannullo Wasserman, our former Coastal Region VP, in addition to President Dena Barnes, and NFRW Board Member President Karen Valiquett accepts the 2011 Martha Jenkins. Our club was honored with the 2011 Cardinal Club Award, which is given to clubs Cardinal Club Award which is given to clubs who reach who reach the goals of the RISE program, the goals of the RISE program. which represents: Recruitment, Involvement, Service and Education within the NCFRW.
Beth Dawson, Dena Barnes, Carolyn Justice Beth Dawson, Carolyn Justice, Sandy Best
SPOTLIGHT ON CLUB CANDIDATES PRIMARIES
Jeannette Nichols/NHC Board of Education
While serving on the Board of Education since 2000 and as Vice Chairman since 2002, I have never missed a meeting. Serving on all major committees and currently serving as chair of the Policy Committee, I have spent many hours acquiring information to help make effective decisions. One major decision has been to support the neighborhood school concept.
My experience as an educator provides insight into the challenges that parents, teachers, and students face in today’s world. This experience will help to determine programs and technology to prepare our students for the high-tech and high-skill world of tomorrow. My positive and professional relationship with the schools and community have developed a trust that takes time to establish; therefore, I am asking for your support to help me continue as a Board Member who represents ALL children. SPOTLIGHT ON Editor’s Note CLUB CANDIDATES by Paige Freeman
Beth Dawson/ The 2012 Election will pilot NHC Commission the road our great country travels. Will we continue Dear Members and our march to socialized Friends of the Lower medicine and bigger Cape Fear Republican Women’s Club, government? Will we continue to create mountains of debt along our I care about the future of path, as we wear away our personal freedoms our community and want to see us grow with each step? and prosper. The citizens of New Hanover I say we need Republican intervention and right County deserve a Board of Commissioners comprised of individuals with proven away! public service records and genuine commitments to serve. I decided to run That’s where the LCFRWC comes in. Attending for the New Hanover County Board of Republican clubs is a big step, but remember, we Commissioners because I am confident need to do more to win. that I will bring positive and effective leadership to the Board on behalf of all of Take the extra step to electioneer outside the the citizens. polls, hand-out palm card to voters, canvass the precincts or your neighborhood, ‘woman’ the Our county is faced with the challenge of phone banks. Prefer a quiet seat: be a poll minimizing taxes and adequately funding observer—we need so many and the shifts are our schools and county services. We must also promote and maintain a pro-business but 4 hours and can be quite interesting. We atmosphere and a respectable image in must have donations and help with fund raising order to retain our existing businesses efforts to win as well. and recruit new businesses with good jobs that are compatible with our wonderful, Take that extra step and let’s win in 2012. You but fragile coastal environment. We are fortunate to live in an area with an can find an extra duty that fits your schedule, exceptionally high quality of life supported your personality, and your pocketbook. by an excellent health care system, which are just two of the many great attributes WE NEED YOU NOW! that I feel make our county very attractive to new corporate investment. The course we chart for the future will determine our quality of life for tomorrow.
It is important for our county leaders to be able to listen and understand our citizen’s concerns. Prior to retiring from Bank of America in 2000, I spent my professional career helping others achieve their goals and solve their financial concerns by listening effectively and working hard to find beneficial solutions. I have been active in many community organizations, and local and state boards and commissions, including two terms on the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science Advisory Board. I am currently serving on the Southeastern N.C. Regional Economic Development Commission - an appointment that I was honored to receive from the N.C. General Assembly this past year.
An 11th generation North Carolinian, I attended Salem Academy and N.C. State University, have resided in New Hanover County for 26 years, and have been married to my husband, Dan Dawson, for 33 years. I am a retired banker, and a licensed N. C. Real Estate Broker. I am an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, and have been active in many community organizations. I have served on the county, district, and state Republican Party executive committees, as a national RNC delegate, and on the local and state boards of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women, and as a prior two term President of the Lower Cape Fear Republican Women. continued on page 5... The Evolving North Carolina Constitution
...continued from page 4 Fifty three percent of all of the registered voters in New Hanover County are women. There has not been a woman elected to the Board of County Commissioners in eight years. There have only been six women in history to serve on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.* The citizens of New Hanover County deserve a representative with public trust board experience, who will listen to the citizen's concerns, ask tough questions, do her homework, and make informed decisions on behalf of all the citizens.
I respectfully ask for your vote, and for your support, for election to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. Early voting is April 19th - May 5th, and the Republican Primary Election is May 8th. For early voting locations and times, visit www.nhcvote.com or call the Board of Elections 910-798-7330.
Your contribution of your time, talents, and your vote, for my candidacy, will be greatly appreciated! To volunteer or contribute to my campaign, please give me a call!
Sincerely, Beth Dawson www.ElectBethDawson.com 910-762-2010 P.O. Box 420 Wilmington, N.C. 28402
* http://www.nhcgov.com/Library/Documents/NHC%20Commissioners.pdf SPOTLIGHT ON CLUB CANDIDATES My Fellow Republican Women
My name is Tammy Covil and I am your Conservative Republican Candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education.
As some of you may know, I am the proud mother of four children, all of whom attend New Hanover County public schools. Following the birth of my first child, I took leave of my position as a tax accountant to dedicate myself to raising my family full-time. Because I believe that the academic success of children depends largely on the involvement of their parents, I spent countless hours tutoring, reading with students, and volunteering in the classroom. Additionally, I found the time to serve in leadership positions on various education-related boards. Having first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing teachers and students has given me a unique perspective that will be invaluable in my service to families in New Hanover County.
My growing concern about the direction of our public education system is the primary reason I decided to run for office. Our schools are slowly but steadily shifting from institutions that value high academic standards, reward success, and foster personal responsibility to establishments that are bloated, top- heavy, and overregulated.
Before I proceed further, consider the following statistics:
North Carolina ranks 42nd in the United States in proficiency as reported by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. In fact, we are far below even the basic proficiency standards nationwide. In North Carolina, the percentage of 4th graders at or above proficiency is 43%. Just four years later in 8th grade, only 36% are at or above proficiency. Although the graduation rate in North Carolina has increased slightly since 2007 (about 2.3%), the number of students requiring remedial courses in the community college system alone has risen 7% over the same period. More than half (50.75%) of students attending New Hanover County Schools are receiving Free and Reduced Meal Benefits (breakfast and lunch). For those of you unfamiliar with this program, The National School Lunch Program is a federal organization under the USDA that is currently operating in over 101,000 schools and child care facilities statewide. Participating schools receive cash subsidies for each meal they serve. Children in households already receiving Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance for continued on page 6...... continued from page 5 Needy Families/Work First Family Assistance Benefits qualify for free meals regardless of household income.
In order to qualify as a Title 1 school and receive additional federal funding, a school must have more than 40% of its students enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meal Program. Currently, 21 of the 43 schools in New Hanover County are designated Title 1 Schools . If economic trends continue, this number will likely increase.
In addition to these statistics, take into account other numerous public services being provided through our school system: annual vision, dental, and hearing screenings; social and psychological services; English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for students and/or families who do not speak English; Family Life Education (sex education/family planning services); and pre-kindergarten for students identified as “at risk.” Individually, these programs and services seem reasonable and fairly logical. Taken collectively, however, a disturbing pattern emerges that is difficult to ignore: there are those within our community and our country at large that are actively working to use our public school systems as a mechanism for the redistribution of wealth. One need look no further than the campaign platforms put forth by our Democrat counterparts to understand the depth of dependency they wish to impose upon us if they are allowed to gain control of the board of education.
That said, I would not be running if I didn’t believe that there is hope for reform. In order to put education back into the hands of the those it is intended to serve - parents and students - we must first elect principled, conservative Republicans who are willing to push back against the encroaching tide of tyrannical socialism that threatens to forever transform the landscape of our great nation. Additionally, we must work to defend the rights of parents as they make decisions regarding their children’s education. We do this by protecting school choice options: neighborhood schools, year-round schools, magnet schools, and charter schools. Allowing parents these kinds of choices leads to more competition among schools. And, when schools are forced to compete, the result is greater performance and accountability. Finally, sincere efforts must be made to work with state and local legislators to facilitate meaningful reductions in the size and scope of the Department of Public Instruction. This will allow our school board more flexibility to direct funds to the programs that will serve our community most effectively.
I am ready, willing, and able to serve families in New Hanover County as a member of the board of education. I am uniquely qualified to serve in this position because of my experience, skill set and commitment to conservative values. I am counting on your continued support of my campaign, and I thank you for your vote in the May 8th primary.
Tammy Covil www.covilforboardofeducation.com [email protected] NC Representative Carolyn Justice By Paige Freeman At the end of this year, our fellow LCFRWC member Carolyn Justice will have completed 5 terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives serving District 16 of New Hanover and Pender Counties. During her 10 years in the NC General Assembly, Carolyn Justice has served with honor, dedication, and purpose. We thank her for representing her constituents and her state so well. She was a part of the recent historic legislation coming out of Raleigh that will greatly benefit those living in North Carolina.
Representative Justice has decided not to run in the 2012 elections. As she dedicates her time to several campaigns, we know Carolyn will remain a strong and connected part of her community and her state. I will keep my eye on the horizon for her return to public service. And Mark your calendars!
Remember! April 5: LCFRWC Monthly Meeting Havana’s Restaurant, 6722 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, 6:30 pm RAFFLE TICKETS: We are Speaker: Candidate U.S. House District 7, Ilario Pantano selling raffle tickets for $5 each! 2 winners will each receive 25% April 14: District 7 Convention of the total pot and the club Brunswick County GOP headquarters nets the remaining 50%. 971 Old Ocean Blvd., Bolivia, 9:30am-12 pm Members are encouraged to sell tickets for the club! The tickets, April 17: LCFRWC, NHC-GOP, DISTRICT 7 GOP along with detailed instructions, D7 CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE will be available at our next Old NHC Courthouse, Wilmington, 7-8:30 pm meetings. Please contact Karen MAY 3: LCFRWC MONTHLY MEETING Valiquett or Susan Walker for Asian Buffet Private Room, tickets and more info. 6722 Carolina Beach Rd at Shipyard Blvd., 6:30 pm All Area CANDIDATES are invited: MEET & GREET WEBSITE: The Lower Cape Fear Republican Women’s Club May 8: PRIMARY ELECTION DAY has a new website. Check us out at lowercapefearrw.com. ~JUNE & JULY SUMMER RECESS~
AUGUST 2: LCFRWC Monthly Meeting/ SUMMER BLAST! Seapath Yacht Club Clubhouse, 330 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, 6:30 pm Speaker: NCFRW President Dena Barnes All local area Candidates are invited Brunswick County GOP Women are invited
Welcome New Members!
Cheryl Beall Michelle LaVigne
Carrie Bollenbacker Erika Lawrence Carolyn Justice, Danny McComas, Thom Goolsby & Tony McGhee Janice Brotherton Tonya Millis
Cathy Coleman Marlene Mitchell
Grace Cooley Rose Robinson
Tammy Covil Barbara Smith
ALICE CUMBERWORTH LUNCHEON, Cape Fear Country Club, August 2010