September Meeting: "Run Red" and a Petition

The September Meeting of the Saluda County Republican Party was held at Saluda Presbyterian Church Social Hall on September 22. Doors opened and a meal of baked spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and dessert was served.

After the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, the program began.

Debbie Heim, First Vice-Chair of the Lexington County GOP, was the guest speaker. Her topic was “Run Red” a program for recruiting and helping excellent conservative Republicans for local elected offices, both partisan and non-partisan, as well as county boards and commissions. Debbie explained how she brought the “Run Red” concept to South Carolina with her when she and her family moved from Orange County California, and how this is the first year they are implementing it, in full force, in Lexington.

With the absences of Fruit Hill, Saluda 1, Pleasant Grove, Higgins-Zoar, and Ward, six of our eleven precincts were represented. In attendance were Holly, Hollywood, Holstons, Ridge Spring-Monetta, Saluda 2, and Sardis. Centennial and Richland Precincts are not currently organized. (Reach out to us if you are in one of those precincts and would like to find out how to get your precinct organized!)

After announcements by the chair, State Committeewoman, Gail Meyer, gave a report on the State Executive Committee Meeting in Columbia earlier in the month. The main order of business at that meeting was the dissolution of the Pickens County Republican Party and the plan to allow it to reorganize it again. Both Gail and Amy attended the meeting, and both felt Pickens never got a fair hearing in that process.

Second Vice-Chairman, Jay Dunbar, led his committee in giving the Voter Education Report. Jay focused on the ongoing redistricting efforts occurring nationwide. Regina Sanders gave a report on several State Bills under consideration and a hearing that will be taking place in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee on October 1 about a new Senate Bill proposing an end to all abortions in SC, including criminalization of those who perform abortions. Amy Potts, gave a short report on three major global concerns: The Russia/Ukraine War, the situation with China and the Panama Canal, and the increasing number of demonstrations for free speech overseas, especially in Europe. Philip Antley spoke of his rare disagreement with President Trump as he defended the position of Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Gail Meyer, who monitors county issues, gave an update on the road and timeline for development in Commerce Park. She also introduced a proposal to ask the Saluda County Council to implement a same-day signup period for citizens who want to speak at regular council meetings. The vote was four members YES, one member NO, and one abstention. The proposal will be put into petition form and be available for online signatures. GOP members and some Saluda businesses will make the petitions available for in-person signing. (Cal Forrest supports this petition and will have the petition at his downtown Batesburg store, Steam and Barrel beginning Wednesday, October 1. Go by and sign it!)

Sign the Petition!

Gail also delivered the report for the Hospitality Committee, mentioning several get-well cards that she had sent out. She also commended Jay and Michelle Dunbar who prepared the Baked Spaghetti and garlic bread that was served during the social half-hour prior to the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned after recitation of our creed: