Press Release: Spartanburg GOP Team Meeting
December 4, 2008 by Gary Coats
Filed under Press Release, SC Politics
PRESS RELEASE
SPARTANBURG – The Spartanburg County GOP will have a TEAM meeting on Saturday December 6th at the Junction Restaurant (Hearon Circle) at 9AM. This will include breakfast.
The officers and committee members will plan the 2009 calendar and begin the process of Precinct Re-organization.
Any members of the public are invited and are asked to call your reservation at 542-1992.
This is a FREE event.
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The Race for State GOP Chairman
December 3, 2008 by Gary Coats
Filed under SC Politics
I have been privileged to talk with the two known candidates throwing their hat in the ring to succeed the popular State GOP Chairman Katon Dawson. As many of you are well aware, Mr. Dawson is making a run for the RNC Chairman post and is one of the favorites to win it. Here is a quick overview of the candidates history and qualifications.
Rick Beltram
At the age of 57, Rick Beltram is making his first run for State GOP Chairman. Rick Beltram is a husband and a father of 5 children and proud grandfather of 5 grandchildren. He owns his own business, B Square Enterprises, which is an umbrella business for sales and consulting.
Rick Beltram has been the chairman of the Spartanburg County GOP since 1999 and has established himself as a hard worker. In the 2008 cycle, Rick led Spartanburg County organization efforts that helped John McCain win 60% of the vote in the county and one all but three races in the county. Those being Democratic strongholds in House District 31 (Harold Mitchell), Senate District 11 (Glenn Reese), and County Council District 1 (Michael Brown).
Kevin Hall
At the age of 44, Kevin begins to build for a second run for the GOP State Chairman. He began organizing in 2006 for a run in 2007 if Katon Dawson chose not to run for re-election. Kevin is a husband and father of 4 and is a practicing attorney at the Nelson Mullins Law Firm in Columbia.
Kevin has been active in politics since 1984, when he volunteered with John Courson’s first Senate bid. He has worked on various campaigns since then from the State House to Governor’s races. He has also served as counsel to the state GOP party and the finance co-chair of the GOP Victory 2008 Committee. He worked to ensure GOP GOTV efforts were well funded and organized and worked with the Republican National Lawyers Association in nationwide efforts to prevent election fraud.
Our Synopsis
Both candidates are concerned for the state of the party and are eager to rebuild and regroup.
Rick Beltram appears to understand the ground game and willing to get his hands muddy. He has a proven record of raising money and making Spartanburg a political hot bed in Presidential Politics.
Kevin Hall on the other hand seems to have the attitude needed to court the younger voters and is rock solid in organizing state wide efforts. His legal knowledge will be key in GOP efforts to keep the playing field equal.
In the End:
We wish both candidates the best of luck. Each have strong bases of support and will make sure that the State GOP Party is well recognized.
Why are Spartanburg’s Officers Over Worked
December 1, 2008 by Lynne Coats
Filed under Opinion
Just found an interesting article on goupstate.com. Thought our citizens would be interested to know.
Our county is paying over 100,000 dollars in salary to some of detention officers. Now, understand I am not against our jail system, other than the fact that these people are in prison, they do not deserve special treatment.
One detention averaged approx. 87 hours per week. Are we understaffed in our jails? If that is the case let the prisoners feel the economic situation the same as we are. Those bars are on those cells for a reason. Leave them in their cell longer each day. Is someone getting away with padding the books? I think an official audit needs to be done. Some one needs to explain. Why are our officers so over worked? Is there a situation that demands such overtime? We cannot afford this. Money has to be directed away from our education system and taking care of our elders. Children and education are the future of our country. Prisoners are not….