Why should local Democrats care what is happening in the local Republican party?
The simple answer to this question is that what is good for Upshur County should transcend what is good for any particular party.
I don't care when commissioners or any other politicians disagree. In fact, I would be suspicious if they agreed all the time. The problem occurs when disagreements are not truly over what is the best choice for the county, but what is the mandate being issued by the local political party.
Democrats should pay close attention to what is going on because, until recently, Upshur County has been "trending" Republican. When Ms. Lagrone was elected County Clerk she replaced a woman who was doing a good job despite major changes in her duties. While I don't know this for a fact, it is my firm belief that Lagrone was encouraged to run and supported by the powers that be because they expected her to toe the line when it came to the elections. Unfortunately for them, she instead chose to do her duties in an ethical and non-partisan manner, for which she quickly drew their ire.
It would not surprise me, and I have heard rumors, Ms. Patterson, the Upshur County Republican Chair, desires to be the next county clerk so that she can control the elections.
All of us, Republicans and Democrats alike, should be extremely concerned about that. Of all of the county offices that of County Clerk CANNOT be handled in a partisan manner. Certainly there is nothing untoward about the Clerk having a political affiliation but the moment that affiliation influences their duties in any manner they should be removed from office. If we know in advance a person has already tried to short circuit the system then they should never be elected.
By the way, if I heard the testimony correctly the failure of the Republican party to meet federal law in the upcoming primary due to the failure to sign the contract and the unsuccessful lawsuit can be placed squarely on the heads of Ms. Patterson and the other members of the Upshur County Republican Party Executive Committee. Apparently they had requested, and had been granted, a deadline for signing the contract until after they had a chance to meet. It was only after this meeting that the refusal occurred and the mess resulted. It appears that since the election CANNOT meet federal standards it at least will cast a shadow on all of the Republican primary elections and it would surprise me if we do not see more lawsuits from those candidates who lose their primary.
By the way, the Gilmer Mirror nailed their coverage of the trial, both factually and conceptually, in the Saturday edition of the newspaper. Likewise, the Longview New-Journal had a good article on the front page of their Saturday edition.
With all due respect and admiration that
I have for Proud Citizen and this blog-
I would like to make you aware that the entire blame for the republican parties
problems does lie on Brenda Patterson and a select few members of the republican executive commitee. I am ashamed to associate myself with her and those few, however I am on the commitee and have no part of her antics.
Only her select few are invited to her meetings and notified of her intentions. Perhaps if all
board members were made aware of her plans to use and abuse the authority given her by the people, we might have
stronger leadership with a true dedication to representing and promoting the party and its values rather than the main goal to be to gain
control of the entire election process.
It saddens me to know that a party I believe in wholeheartedly is being turned into a complete arena for a circus act.
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First, thanks.
It looks like many of what most of us assume to be the antics of the executive committee are actually the actions of only a few. The only way people will learn what is really happening for people "in the know" to speak up and let the public know who is doing what.
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AMEN!!!
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Alrighty-Then !!!!!!!!!!!!
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How many are on the EC and how many show up, can none EC's attend if so when will the next meeting be.
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I don't have any of the details but I hope a reader can enlighten us.
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There are 20 seats on the EC and currently there are 2 to 3 vacancies.
as a member of the EC, I am rarely informed of meeting time and dates. When I asked about the next meeting, I was told it was sometime in May.
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there are approximately 20 seats on the EC. Only about a handful usually attend because they are the "chosen ones" that usually follow the leader and are the only ones notified of meetings. About a week ago I asked about the next meeting and was told that it would probably be some time in May. I think its about time for a meeting myself
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incidently, there are about three vacancies on the EC-However a qaulified candidate for one of these spots was told that she (Brenda Patterson) already had someone else in mind for that spot-yet the seats remain vacant
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Another topic that should be brought out is WHY the Pattersons are living at the GOP HQ's???
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That is an interesting question and I think is something that the members of the Republican party might be interested in having answered. I wasn't aware of that.
Anybody else have any info? Do they own the headquarters?
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Nope, the GOP headquarters is a rented space.
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That is interesting. It would certainly explain one of the reasons why Ms. Patterson would be so reluctant to give up her position, if it also meant giving up her living quarters.
I would like to know what the other blog readers think? I know from the comments there are some of Mrs. Patterson's supporters and detractors who read this blog regularly.
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I wonder who is paying the rent, GOP or the Patterson's? If the GOP, could this be that party funds are being used for personal gain?
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Who is paying the rent on the GOP office, the Patterson's or the GOP?
If the GOP, wouldn't this be a misuse of political funds?
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