Author: Brandia Deatherage | Published: May 26th, 2011

    The Democratic Party is in need of a new source of inspiration and hope, after sustaining political losses in 2010; but following Saturday's annual Democratic convention at the Beaufort County Courthouse, the Party walked out divided and weak.

    Though Surry Everett did not have any trouble getting elected as Chairman of the Beaufort County Democratic Party, he did have some difficulty finding the words for a post-election speech to the party and remarks to the press.

    Everett--the nominating committee's choice, elected unanimously by the delegates--approached the lectern without any emotion or excitement whatsoever and read two manuscripts written by Democratic Party State Chair David Parker and Governor Bev Perdue, instead of delivering a rallying speech of his own, as did the newly elected GOP Chairman Greg Dority at the Republican convention in March.

    "I look forward to the opportunity of serving the Democrats of Beaufort County," was the only statement Everett could muster during an aloof interview following the convention.

Former Beaufort County Democratic Party Chair Alice Mills Sadler steps down from her post at the Party's annual convention at the Beaufort County Courthouse.

    Everett was a shoo-in, an easy answer for the empty post, since he filled the same role during the 2006 to 2008 political season. He is replacing Alice Mills Sadler, who was almost equally evasive during her tenure, and will serve from 2011 to 2013.

    The most progressive, motivational remarks of the day came from Beaufort County Commissioner Jerry Langley, who acknowledged his Party's current position, and encouraged the roomful of delegates to work hard to regain the upper hand.

    "After we elected Barack Obama President, we went home and sat down and enjoyed ourselves," said Langley. "Look at all the cuts that are being made now. And you know who's going to suffer: Poor people...We have to bring about a change again."

Belhaven-precinct delegate Charles Boyette proposes forming a committee to discuss changing the method by which Beaufort County commissioners are elected.

    Minutes later, the divisive subject of limited voting took the stage. Limited voting is the current method for electing Beaufort County Commissioners, which was enacted to provide a certain measure of minority representation on the board.

    Delegate Charles Boyette, of the Belhaven precinct, requested that a committee be formed to discuss changing limited voting so that rural communities, such as Bath and Belhaven, might be able to elect representatives who hail from those areas.

    Sadler stood up to protest Boyette's proposal, on the grounds that Beaufort County has not evolved past the racism that necessitated limited voting in the first place.

    "If you think we've reached a point where we are just going to love one another and elect our representatives based on their qualifications, I think you are very naïve," she said.

Former Chair Alice Mills Sadler asserts that changing limited voting will damage the party and infringe upon minority representation.

    In other news, delegates to the Beaufort County Democratic Party also unanimously elected Watsi Sutton as First Vice Chair, Candace Gaynor as Second Vice Chair, John Chrystal as Third Vice Chair, Ann Cherry as Secretary and Mary Gurly as Treasurer.

    Four people were elected to the State Executive Committee, to be held Apr. 30 at the Raleigh Convention Center, preceding the Jefferson Jackson Dinner that night: Surry Everett, Watsi Sutton, Ed Booth and Cathy Gaynor.

    There were 18 people nominated as delegates to the 1st Congressional District Democratic Convention 2011, to be held on May 14 at 9:15 a.m. at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro. U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield is scheduled to be the keynote speaker.

    There were 27 people nominated as delegates to the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Convention 2011, to be held on May 14 at noon at the Dare County Center in Manteo.

    The delegates unanimously passed Boyette's proposed resolution of opposition to House Bill 635, a roadway-funding bill that he said would shift funding from rural to urban areas.

    Representative Butterfield will speak at the Beaufort County Democratic Women's Club meeting at King Chicken this Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The new slate of Beaufort County Democratic Party officers take their seats: (from left) Second Vice Chair Candace Gaynor, Third Vice Chair John Chrystal, First Vice Chair Watsi Sutton and Secretary Ann Cherry.

    This article provided courtesy of our sister site: Beaufort County Now

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