Russell County Democratic Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
December 28, 2017, 7 p.m.
Russell County Government Center
I. Call to Order and Welcome by Chair Steve Banner
II. Terry McReynolds provided an update on Ann McReynolds' health. She is doing better, but still needs our prayers.
III. Randy Williams opened the meeting in prayer.
IV. Brian Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
V. Reorganization Meeting.
As is required every two years by the Democratic Plan of Virginia, the Russell County Democratic Committee must re-form and elect new officers. Chair Steve Banner reviewed the plan for composition that our committee has adopted previously. A number of committee members would be accepted from each voting precinct with the number being based on registered voters in the precinct. Constitutional officers and committee officers are automatic committee members. Each precinct is allotted committee members as follows:
Copper Creek- 4
Drill- 3
Moccasin- 5
New Garden- 7
Swords Creek- 8
Elk Garden- 7
Honaker- 5
North Castlewood- 12
South Castlewood- 5
West Lebanon- 9
East Lebanon- 9
Cleveland- 5
Daughtery- 4
There can also be two at-large members per district, 10 county-wide.
All Committee members must complete a filing form. These were distributed and collected. There is a $5 voluntary filing fee.
Chair Steve Banner decided to keep reorganization open until the January meeting so more people may complete filing forms and become members before officer elections take place. Steve also announced that he will not be seeking re-election as Committee Chair.
James Hall made a motion to adopt the reorganization plan and committee composition as presented by Chair Steve Banner. Danny Dye seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
VI. Dustin Keith made a motion to make Lewis and Karen Combs honorary members of the Russell County Democratic Committee because of their hard work for the Democratic party and willingness to travel to Lebanon for our meetings. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
VII. The term for Russell County Electoral Board Member Herbert Woody Scott is expiring soon, and the Committee needs to make a recommendation to the Circuit Court Judge for this position. Because Democrat Ralph Northam won the election for Governor, the composition of Electoral Boards will remain with 2 Democrats and 1 Republican. The floor was opened for nominations for Electoral Board member nominee. Herbert Woody Scott was nominated. Woody spoke briefly about his time on the Electoral Board and asked the Committee to recommend him for another term. A motion was made that nominations cease and that Herbert Woody Scott be elected by acclamation. The motion passed unanimously. Woody will be recommended by the Chair to serve another term on the Electoral Board to the Circuit Court Judge.
VIII. Chair Steve Banner announced that the next meeting would be on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Committee Officers would be elected at this meeting.
IX. Brian Patton and Randy Williams spoke and presented a surprise plaque of appreciation to Steve Banner for his many years of service to the Democratic Party. Thank you, Steve, for all your service to Russell County and our Committee. Steve shared a few of his memories as Chair.
X. Meeting was adjourned.
Minutes of the Meeting
December 28, 2017, 7 p.m.
Russell County Government Center
I. Call to Order and Welcome by Chair Steve Banner
II. Terry McReynolds provided an update on Ann McReynolds' health. She is doing better, but still needs our prayers.
III. Randy Williams opened the meeting in prayer.
IV. Brian Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance.
V. Reorganization Meeting.
As is required every two years by the Democratic Plan of Virginia, the Russell County Democratic Committee must re-form and elect new officers. Chair Steve Banner reviewed the plan for composition that our committee has adopted previously. A number of committee members would be accepted from each voting precinct with the number being based on registered voters in the precinct. Constitutional officers and committee officers are automatic committee members. Each precinct is allotted committee members as follows:
Copper Creek- 4
Drill- 3
Moccasin- 5
New Garden- 7
Swords Creek- 8
Elk Garden- 7
Honaker- 5
North Castlewood- 12
South Castlewood- 5
West Lebanon- 9
East Lebanon- 9
Cleveland- 5
Daughtery- 4
There can also be two at-large members per district, 10 county-wide.
All Committee members must complete a filing form. These were distributed and collected. There is a $5 voluntary filing fee.
Chair Steve Banner decided to keep reorganization open until the January meeting so more people may complete filing forms and become members before officer elections take place. Steve also announced that he will not be seeking re-election as Committee Chair.
James Hall made a motion to adopt the reorganization plan and committee composition as presented by Chair Steve Banner. Danny Dye seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
VI. Dustin Keith made a motion to make Lewis and Karen Combs honorary members of the Russell County Democratic Committee because of their hard work for the Democratic party and willingness to travel to Lebanon for our meetings. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
VII. The term for Russell County Electoral Board Member Herbert Woody Scott is expiring soon, and the Committee needs to make a recommendation to the Circuit Court Judge for this position. Because Democrat Ralph Northam won the election for Governor, the composition of Electoral Boards will remain with 2 Democrats and 1 Republican. The floor was opened for nominations for Electoral Board member nominee. Herbert Woody Scott was nominated. Woody spoke briefly about his time on the Electoral Board and asked the Committee to recommend him for another term. A motion was made that nominations cease and that Herbert Woody Scott be elected by acclamation. The motion passed unanimously. Woody will be recommended by the Chair to serve another term on the Electoral Board to the Circuit Court Judge.
VIII. Chair Steve Banner announced that the next meeting would be on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Committee Officers would be elected at this meeting.
IX. Brian Patton and Randy Williams spoke and presented a surprise plaque of appreciation to Steve Banner for his many years of service to the Democratic Party. Thank you, Steve, for all your service to Russell County and our Committee. Steve shared a few of his memories as Chair.
X. Meeting was adjourned.
Russell County Democratic Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
- Chair Steve Banner called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance.
- Commonwealth's Attorney Brian Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance
- Sheriff Steve Dye opened the meeting in prayer
- Chair Steve Banner provided a brief report from Treasurer Ann Taylor.
- Independence Day festivities were then discussed. Honaker's celebrations are on Saturday, July 1 and Lebanon's are on July 4. It was decided that we would not sell hot dogs as we usually do, but we will still have a booth and our tent for our Constitutional officers to greet their constituents and hand out waters.
- 9th District Committee Member Karen Combs reported on VAN and how we can host trainings to better integrate the database into our campaigning. She is also working on precinct organization to build an infrastructure to support constitutional officers moving up to state-level offices.
- Chair Steve Banner expressed our need for more support from the District Committee and how important yard signs are in our area.
- Communications Director Dustin Keith will coordinate with Karen and other Russell County committee meetings on a VAN training soon.
- Chair Steve Banner wants the Committee to organize town hall meetings with constitutional officers and Mark Mitchell, one in Lebanon, Honaker, and Castlewood, at the high schools to give constituents an opportunity to visit with our elected officials and have hot dogs. We will aggressively notify the public of these meetings through VAN, robocalls, mail notices, email messages, social media promotion, and an ad in the paper. Steve asked that these meetings take place by Labor Day.
- Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center in the Board of Supervisors meeting room
Russell County Democratic Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
- Chair Steve Banner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
- Commonwealth's Attorney Brian Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance
- Commissioner of the Revenue Randy Williams opened the meeting in prayer
- Communications Director Dustin Keith reported on the 9th Congressional District Democratic Convention held on May 20 at the 4-H Center in Abingdon.
- Newly-elected members of the 9th District Committee representing Region 4 were in attendance and introduced themselves- Ms. Karen Combs, Mr. Walter Jenny, and Mrs. Rose Ann Jenny. Each spoke briefly about their vision for the 9th District Committee and their role as Committee Members.
- Mr. Bill Bunch from Tazewell County was in attendance and announced his candidacy for House of Delegates Member- District 3, which covers three precincts in Russell County. Mr. Bunch requested support from our committee and coordination with the precinct captains. He laid out his platform to include healthcare and jobs for the District.
- Chair Steve Banner introduced the Democratic Constitutional Officers in Russell County.
- Chair Steve Banner gave his thoughts on the November 2016 election and the current state of the Democratic Party. Others present contributed to the discussion.
- Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center in the Board of Supervisors meeting room
Russell County Democratic Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center
- Jerry Stinson called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
- Commonwealth's Attorney Brian Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance
- Commissioner of the Revenue Randy Williams opened the meeting in prayer
- Vice Chair Jerry Stinson, Jr. discussed the June 13 primaries for state office
- Electoral Board Chair Archie Combs presented election information
- Only Governor and Lt. Governor will be on the ballot
- Absentee voting starts tomorrow (April 28)
- All polling places will be open
- Voters will be asked in which primary would you like to vote
- Communications Director Dustin Keith added that the last day to register or change your voter registration information is May 22, 2017
- Commonwealth's Attorney Brian Patton gave an overview of democratic candidates
- Various comments were made from members
- Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Russell County Government Center in the Board of Supervisors meeting room.
Russell County Democratic Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Russell County Courthouse
Minutes of the Meeting
Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Russell County Courthouse
- Archie Combs made a motion to accept the resignation of Mr. Justin Stacy as Communications Director & Secretary and nominated Dustin Keith to fill these roles. There were no other nominations, and Dustin Keith was elected by acclamation.
- Discussion was given to the very important and upcoming 2017 governor election.
- Two committee members suggested moving the meetings back to Government Center in the Board of Supervisors meeting room. This was put in the form of a motion and passed unanimously.
- Lee Potter gave update on the coal miner health benefits bill in Congress and their lobbying efforts. The committee discussed the current status of coal in our region.
- Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Board of Supervisors meeting room at the Government Center.