John Owen, chairman of the Moore County Republican Party, said it was the county’s turn to host the district, and about 40 people from the six counties in the district attended the meeting held at Board of Elections offices in Carthage.
A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Elections Director Glenda Clendenin on the county’s handling of the voting machine dilemma that faces all 100 counties in the state. The Moore County Board of Elections has recommended purchase of new equipment that will fully comply with a new state law requiring a paper trail for all voting machines, effective with the 2006 elections.
RESOLUTION — District Republicans also adopted a resolution asking the state legislature to call a special session to roll back the 2.8-cent gas tax hike that went into effect Jan. 1.
Owen, who made the second on the motion to adopt the resolution, said there was no reason to punish North Carolina drivers because of conditions resulting from the 2005 hurricane season in the Gulf region.
“We believe that the tax (hike) is unnecessary and unjust and will just increase the cost of living for working people,” Owen said Friday. “We feel the tax doesn’t contribute to anything good.”
Owen said there would be plenty of money for highways if the state had not raided trust funds established to build new roads and repair existing ones.
State Rep. John Blust of Guilford County made the motion to adopt the resolution, which says, in part, that “this 15 percent increase in North Carolina’s gas tax represents the state profiting from the misfortune of its citizens, who endured gasoline price spikes of up to $3.40 per gallon due to the natural disasters.”
The tax increase went into effect automatically because of a provision in state law that adjusts the tax rate according to specified economic conditions.
The resolution says, however, that the provision was included “so that the people’s elected representatives can deny responsibility for tax increases.”
Manila (Bud) Shaver of Seven Lakes was the other Moore Countian who made a presentation during the district meeting. He described the county’s political standing in North Carolina.
Sixth District Republicans attending the meeting enjoyed a barbecue dinner catered by Talbert’s.
VOTING MACHINES — The Moore County Board of Commissioners will be asked to award a contract for those new voting machines during the Tuesday, Jan. 17, meeting.
The board will convene at 6 p.m. in the historic courthouse in downtown Carthage. The board will be acting on a recommendation from the Board of Elections.
Two public hearings are on the agenda. One will cover an investment assistance proposal for Corneal Science Corp., a project of Partners in Progress. The other hearing will consider a rezoning request on the Sands property adjacent to Pinebluff Lake Road.
Also on the agenda are the annual report from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, postponed from the Jan. 3 meeting, and the mid-year outcome report from Finance Officer Lisa Hughes. The board will consider recommendations on audio-visual presentation and seating enhancements in the commissioners’ meeting room.
The board moved its meeting to Tuesday, because Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a legal holiday.
SPECIAL MEETING — The Moore County Planning Board will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. to discuss a proposal to initiate the Small Area Plan process.
The meeting will be held in the commissioners’ room of the historic courthouse in Carthage and is open to the public.
The board will be acting on recommendations made by an ad hoc committee appointed to discuss procedures for initiating the new planning program.
DSS — The Moore County Board of Social Services will recognize the Department of Social Services 2005 Employee of the Year at the Wednesday, Jan. 18, meeting.
Board Chairwoman Gladerine Dean will make the presentation.
Also on the agenda is an update on the Children’s Services Program, presented by Beckie Kimbrell, social work program manager.
The board will convene at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Carriage Oaks Facility board room in Carthage. The meeting is open to the public.
Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.
