GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!
MAY 23, 2016
LAST ARTICLE: A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO CLARENCE STEPP!
TERRIFIC SENIOR DEMOCRATS STATE CONVENTION!
Under the leadership of their talented President, Matilda Phillips, the Senior Democrats of North
Carolina held their 38th State Convention at the newly renovated Marriott Crabtree Valley in
Raleigh on April 29th and 30th. A trolley ride through Olde Raleigh was a highlight of the
Convention for many of the Delegates.
President Matilda Phillips of Winston-Salem
organized an entertaining and highly
Two loquacious Democrats, Senator Paul
Lowe of Forsyth County and NC Commissioner
informative series of events for
of Insurance Wayne Goodwin regaled the
the Senior Dems.
Senior Dems with stories about the
difficulties of trying to work with the
GOP legislature.
NORTH CAROLINA’S SENIOR DEMOCRAT OF THE YEAR:
BILL FRANKLIN OF ALAMANCE COUNTY!
One of the major highlights of the Senior Democrats Convention was the presentation of the
“Senior Democrat Of The Year Award” to Bill Franklin of Burlington. This is the highest honor in
the Senior Democrats organization. Bill was honored for his outstanding work in promoting and
building the Senior Democrats.
Bill was in the US Army from 1960 to 1984 going from Private to Lieutenant Colonel. He
spent three tours of duty in Vietnam. During his military career he was in the Infantry, Special
Forces, and many forms of Intelligence and Special Operations. He retired to Burlington from the
Army Staff in the Pentagon.
Since his retirement from the military he has bravely spoken out on Democratic issues and
has promoted better healthcare and more opportunities for senior citizens throughout the state.
This picture was made when Alamance County Democratic Party Chair Jeremy Teetor
presented Alamance County’s 2016 SENIOR DEMOCRAT OF THE YEAR AWARD to Bill.
MORE SENIOR DEMOCRATS AWARDS!
The State Senior Democrats Convention featured the presentation of county
“Senior Democrat Of The Year” awards to the following Democrats:
Barbara Proffitt
Tom Kociemba and
Mecklenburg County
his wife, Rosalyn,
Evelyn and Mack Funderburk
Iredell County
Buncombe County
Bessie Yarborough – Wayne County
Walt Wiley – Forsyth County
Judy Williams – Cumberland County
George El-Khouri – Rowan County
Cynthia Perry - Union County
Wake County Senior Dems President
Our US Senate candidate Deborah
Benson Kirkman welcomed Senior
Ross addressed the Convention.
Dems from all over the state.
June Atkinson, Judge Rickey McKoy-Mitchell and Walter Smith were among the many candidates
who delivered informative talks to the Convention.
Eb Ablard of New Hanover, Edith & James Anderson
Rick Glazier of the NC Justice Center
of Franklin County, and Mona Keech of Wake.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Walker of Union County always enjoy supporting Senior Democrats events.
GOVERNOR HUNT RECEIVES FIRST-EVER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FROM FRANK PORTER GRAHAM CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE!
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute has presented its
first-ever LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE to Governor Jim Hunt.
Our four-term Democratic Governor was the architect of Smart Start, the state’s first early
learning initiative, which began in 1993. It helped local nonprofits provide health care and
programs to young children.
Governor Hunt created the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and chaired
the national Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. He established a reading program in
primary schools and put teaching assistants in every classroom in grades one through three.
The lives of millions of North Carolina children have been brightened by Governor Hunt!
LYNN ERDMAN GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
AT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY!
Lynn Erdman of Charlotte gave the Commencement Speech at the 2016 Graduation
Ceremony at William Peace University (formerly Peace College) in Raleigh. The University
awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Lynn during the ceremony.
She is CEO of AWHONN, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
which is a large national nurses’ organization.
Lynn graduated from Peace before continuing her education at UNC-Greensboro and getting
a Masters Degree in Nursing at the University of South Carolina.
Most weeks Lynn travels from her home in Charlotte to Washington, DC to work in the
national headquarters of AWHONN.
DAVID ERDMAN!
Lynn is the wife of attorney David Erdman who is famous for writing and performing
Democratic songs at Party rallies all over the state. David first sang political songs in 1972 when
he led the Singers for Sanford when Terry Sanford ran for President. In 1976 he traveled statewide
leading the Jim Hunt Singers when Governor Hunt ran for his first term.
Although David hasn’t sung at political events recently, in 2015 he was featured on the
front page of the Charlotte Observer for his song “Dream of a King” about Dr. Martin Luther King.
David has served as Chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party.
David was President of the Young Democrats of Mecklenburg County in 1980-81 when he
led the club to becoming the LARGEST YD CLUB IN THE STATE with 442 members!
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE
47th ANNUAL J-J BREAKFAST!
8:00AM – Registration & Buffet
9:00AM – Program
Tally Student Union, 2610 Cates Avenue, Raleigh
On Campus of NC State University
Hosted By The Democratic Women Of Wake County
Special Remarks By
Deborah Ross, Our Democratic Candidate For US Senate
Linda Coleman, Our Democratic Candidate For Lt. Governor
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MS. MANDY CARTER
(Pictured Above)
Mandy Carter is a southern African-American social justice activist with a 47-year
movement history of social, racial and LGBT justice organizing since 1968. She participated in the
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - inspired 1968 Poor People’s Campaign.
She is a recipient of the Union Medal, the highest honor from the Union Theological
Seminary, for her distinguished advocacy in both civil rights and LGBTQ justice.
Ms. Carter helped co-found two groundbreaking organizations, Southerners on New Ground
(SONG) and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC.)
She was one of the five national Co-Chairs of Obama LGBT Pride, the national LGBT
infrastructure for Barack Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign and election. She is a
former member of the Democratic National Committee’s Black Caucus and LGBT Caucus. She was
nominated for the Nobel peace Prize in 2005.
Purchase Your Tickets Online At: WWW.DWWC.NET/JJ
FIRST ANNUAL AMBASSADOR JEANETTE HYDE LEADERSHIP AWARD!
A spectacular feature of the J-J Breakfast will be the presentation of the FIRST ANNUAL
AMBASSADOR JEANETTE HYDE LEADERSHIP AWARD. The recipient will be a Democrat who
exemplifies the qualities that have made Jeanette Hyde one of North Carolina’s favorite
Democrats.
This outstanding lady was appointed by President Bill Clinton to be the United States
Ambassador to Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, and St. Kitts-Nevis.
Her embassy was on Barbados.
Soon after Jeanette arrived in Barbados, the famous movie actress Claudette Colbert
became her closest friend. Claudette had been living on Barbados for several years. Ambassador
Hyde said: “Claudette took me under her wing like a little sister and took me around and
introduced me to people all over the island.” At the end of her tenure, Ambassador Hyde brought
home seven pieces of furniture which Claudette Colbert had presented as farewell gifts.
Jeanette Hyde and her late husband, Dr. Wallace Hyde, have been major benefactors of the
North Carolina Democratic Party for many years. They gave a magnanimous donation for the
remodeling of the State Headquarters in 2002. She continues to have a great emotional
attachment to the well-being of the Goodwin House.
Amazing: On the last Saturday night before the General Election of 2008, Senator Hillary
Clinton was in demand at events all over the country. Where did Mrs. Clinton go that night? She
went to the Raleigh home of Ambassador Jeanette Hyde to greet guests at a fundraising event for
Kay Hagan!
All North Carolina Democrats join in saluting Jeanette Hyde and in expressing appreciation
for the establishment of the AMBASSADOR JEANETTE HYDE LEADERSHIP AWARD!
LET’S ALL JOIN THE YOUNG DEMOCRATS
FOR
“J-J AFTER DARK!”
9:00PM, Saturday, June 11th, 2016
State Party Headquarters
220 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
State Young Democrats President Timothy Webster and Young Democrats from all across
the state invite you to a happy rocking time following the J-J Dinner!
They really want EVERYBODY to come to this fun party! To make sure you can come they
have set an Early Bird Ticket Price which will be available from now until the day of the event.
Click This Link To Buy Your Ticket Today!
http://www.ydnc.org/jjad2016?e=46e884a41fb9e936a34bd3fb65774b4e&utm_source=ydnc&utm_m
edium=email&utm_campaign=jjad_2016_1&n=2
All North Carolina Democrats are proud of Timothy Webster
and the Young Democrats of North Carolina!
EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE STATE SHOULD VOTE ON JUNE 7TH!
On Tuesday, June 7th, Democrats in all 100 counties should go to the polls to vote in
the important race for a seat on the Supreme Court of North Carolina!
Democrats in the 2nd, 5th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Congressional Districts will also vote to select
a Member of the US Congress from their district that day.
Orange, Henderson, and Lenoir counties are three of the counties which have endorsed
Superior Court Judge Mike Morgan of Raleigh for this Supreme Court seat.
Judge Morgan’s impressive resume of judicial experience includes:
Superior County Judge – Currently
District Court Judge
Administrative Law Judge
Assistant Attorney General of North Carolina
Associate Attorney General of North Carolina
(The campaign of Dan Robertson has not provided any information to this publication.)
MOORE COUNTY DEMOCRATS!
More than 100 people attended the May 16th meeting of the Moore County Democratic Party
to hear from special guests including NC Court of Appeals candidates Attorney Abe Jones and
Judge Rickye McKoy-Mitchell, and Supreme Court candidate Daniel Robertson.
After the meeting this picture was taken with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Manzoor Cheema
(top row, left) whose presentation encouraged the empowerment of all the marginalized groups
that make up our great country, irrespective of race, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation or
any other background.
ARTICLES AND PICTURES
OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
WILL BE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF
“GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!”
DEMOCRATS SHINE AT THE GREEN TIE AWARDS!
Governor Jim Hunt was the Keynote Speaker at the Green Tie Awards in Raleigh on May
11 . The event was sponsored by the NC League of Conservation Voters and was held at the
th
Marbles Kids Museum.
Governor Hunt is talking with Dwight Willis of Brunswick County in the picture on the left
above. Dwight is Treasurer of the Brunswick County Democratic Party.
Dwight and Dr. Kyle Horton of New Hanover County are in the picture on the right.
Dr. Horton is First Vice Chair of the Seventh Congressional District Democratic Party.
Green Tie Awards were presented to Senator Floyd McKissick as Evironmental Senator of
the Year and to our Attorney General candidate Josh Stein as “Defender of the Environment.”
Anna Stein accepted the award for her husband who was speaking at another event at the same
time.
DEBORAH ROSS RALLY IN RALEIGH
ON NIGHT BEFORE STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION!
Everyone is invited to a big Rally for Deborah Ross at the Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh
on June 10th which is the night before the State Democratic Convention. The theme of the Rally is
“Women Trust Ross” but everybody is invited.
DEBORAH ROSS RALLY
5:00PM – 7:00PM, Friday June 10, 2016
Burning Coal Theater, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
FREE FOOD AND DRINKS
To Determine The Amount of Refreshments That Will Be Needed: RSVP IS REQUIRED
RSVP By Clicking This Link:
https://secure.deborahross.com/page/m/45f424d3/2cc67199/7d6e544/19f8354b/3514659214/VEsH/
YADKIN, SURRY, & WILKES DEMOCRATS
WILL HOST A BIG RALLY FOR DEBORAH ROSS!
6:00 – 7:30PM, Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Cedarbrook Country Club, State Road, NC 28676
(North Of Jonesville and Elkin)
Donation Levels
$50, $100, $250, $500, & $1,000
ENJOY REGISTERING ON LINE TODAY!
Click:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/drev160614
PATSY KEEVER VISITS WITH JOHNSTON DEMOCRATIC WOMEN!
The Democratic Women of Johnston County honored their “Wise Older Women” at their
May 19th meeting at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Smithfield. The meeting’s featured speaker,
State Party Chair Patsy Keever, joined in the picture with these ladies all of whom are 80 or older.
In alphabetical order the “WOW” ladies are: Belle Allen, Jeanne Foster, Eloise Hilliard,
Daisy Robertson, Faye Strickland Robinson, Louise Sewell, Thelma Wall and Lucy Penny.
Our State Chair gave an inspiring talk. In return the Johnston DW presented to Patsy a
check for $1,000.00 for the Building Fund of the State Headquarters in Raleigh.
Candidates who attended the meeting included 2nd District Congressional candidate Elton
Brewington, State Senate candidate Al Pacer and County Commissioner candidate Wendy May.
The members brought diapers and wipes for Harbor, Inc. Johnston County Party Chair
Sharon Castleberry is second from the left. Johnston DW President Gail Chandler is fourth from
the right. Council of Review Member Carolyn Crenshaw is on the far left.
PATSY KEEVER & RIVERKEEPER ADDRESS MECKLENBURG DW!
The Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County hosted State Party Chair Patsy Keever
at their May 11th meeting at the Asia Library in Charlotte. Patsy gave the group an uplifting report
on State Party activities and challenged them to make Mecklenburg County more blue than ever
in the 2016 General Election.
Emillee Syrewicze, Executive Director of Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation talked with the
members about her organization’s goal of educating more people about actions needed to protect
the Catawba-Wateree River Basin in North and South Carolina.
In the picture above Emillee is with Mecklenburg DW President Olma Echeverri and First
Vice President Sara Ellis.
Patsy Keever is happily going all over the state motivating Democrats to make an all-out
effort in this exciting 2016 election campaign.
Thanks to Elaine Bermudez for this pictures and information in this article.
WALTER SMITH IS CAMPAIGNING EVERYWHERE!
Our strong Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture, Walter Smith, is happily
traveling from one end of the state to the other to build support. He came within a few votes of
being elected to this position in 2012. Democrats all over the state are pitching in to put him over
the top this year!
In the picture above Walter and NCDP Second Vice Chair Veleria Levy are at the “Jiggy with
Piggy Festival” in Kannapolis in early Mary.
Walter joined County Chair Jan Nichols and a large number of Chatham County Democrats
at the big Fleet Reddish Banquet on May 15 th.
Be sure to invite Walter to YOUR county’s events by emailing him at WGSmith1@yadtel.net.
KENNIS & BRENDA WILKINS IN WASHINGTON!
NCDP Trustee Kennis Wilkins and his wife, Brenda Wilkins, recently attended a Kappa
Alpha Psi briefing on Capitol Hill and at the White House in Washington. They learned in depth
what is (and is not) being done on many of the major issues in America.
What is a Trustee? A Trustee is a Democrat who gives $5,000.00 to the NC Democratic
Party every year. Kennis has been a Trustee more consecutive years than any other Democrat in
the entire state!
Both Kennis and Brenda were Delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. They
have been Delegates to several previous National Conventions also.
SPECIAL FEATURE:
TRIBUTE TO CLARENCE STEPP
WORKING OVER 40 YEARS TO PURCHASE A HEADQUARTERS!
For over 40 years Clarence Stepp has been bringing beautiful homegrown produce to
Democratic meetings and to other events. Every dollar he has received from selling his produce
has been put in a bank account to be used one day
+
buy a new Headquarters for the Henderson County Democratic Party!
During these 40 years he has attended Democratic meetings in a myriad of places including
schools, churches, the old Hendersonville Post Office, the Train Depot, the law office of Sam Neill
and a place on First Street which he calls The Cave. The County Party is currently renting a
house.
Long ago Clarence saw the need for a Headquarters with adequate meeting rooms, lots of
parking places, a well-equipped kitchen, and a decent storage area.
Year after year Clarence has built up his saving account for a Headquarters. He has been
helped in this project by his wife, Mary, who is with him in the picture above. Also in the picture
are Dennis Berman and Nancy Harrelson.
Clarence is a native of Henderson County having been born in East Flat Rock. At age 16 he
decided to see the world. He worked in Washington, DC for two years and then went into the US
Air Force. He served in Korea during the Korean War and then in Japan with the highly decorated
5th Air Force, 3rd Bomb Wing, 13th Bomb Squadron.
When he returned from military service he was a different man. He now saw the world
differently. He lived by his motto of looking forward and by looking at the world in a more
progressive way. He also knew the necessity of respecting all people and their religions.
Clarence attended two community colleges studying theater and communications.
He once played a very southern Winston Churchill in a community college play.
Then he developed into a country singer sounding much like Hank Williams and
Roy Acuff. He has made CDs and performed on local radio stations.
When the population of Henderson County began to grow, Clarence was strongly supportive
of improvements including better highways.
At a recent meeting of the Senior Democrats of Henderson County, Dennis Berman read a
message from the organization honoring Clarence “for his forethought, knowledge, dedication,
persistence, and for the many other things he has done to make the county a more progressive,
better place to live” and for “his lifelong contributions to the Henderson County Democratic
Party.”
All North Carolina Democrats can join in saluting this remarkable Democrat – Clarence
Stepp of Henderson County!
Email messages can be sent to Clarence and Mary at: mary_stepp49@ymail.com.
Your Democratic Friend,
Melvin Williams, Secretary
North Carolina Democratic Party
Send Your GOOD NEWS To Me At: melvin535@gmail.com