Firing up headquarters

Sep 07, 2008

I'm not first with the pictures, I'll simply settle for having the best article with them.

Despite a lack of other press coverage (something about this little rainstorm blowing through) the Wicomico County Republican Party opened its headquarters yesterday. I counted about 80 people crammed into the front lobby of the building at the peak of festivities, so there were about 100 people in attendance insofar as I could tell. And we were all fired up.

Let's begin with how the place looked when I arrived, just before the rain hit.

The front of the building was already decorated thanks to the hard work of several volunteers, and the Harris truck made for a good framing. There's some guy in the window looking at me strangely.

The space is quite nice - let me tell you, having worked in the last location we used this will be about a 100% improvement. Hopefully we can find a similar space for 2010.

I took this shot before the actual ceremony began, so imagine this room twice as full. But you can see the great workspace I'll be sitting at on those days I've volunteered to man the store, starting Friday. I don't guarantee the balloons will still be there, though.

Undoubtedly, we had a guest of honor - our next Congressman, State Senator Andy Harris. But most of our local Republican elected officials participated in the actual ribbon-cutting ceremony. My camera timed that just right for once, and I was just a smidge left of ideal. I think I got everyone though.

The ribbon is cut to officially open the Wicomico County Republican Party headquarters for 2008. From left to right with the ribbon is County Councilwoman Gail Bartkovich, Sheriff Mike Lewis, State Senator Lowell Stoltzfus, Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, State Senator and Congressional candidate Andy Harris, State Senator Rich Colburn, Delegate Page Elmore, and Delegate Addie Eckardt.

The young lady who served as a master of ceremonies but more importantly spearheaded the effort to secure the space is our county McCain campaign chair, Bonnie Luna.

Longtime GOP campaign worker and former candidate for Delegate Bonnie Luna was the person who got the ball rolling on our headquarters. Thanks Bonnie!

In turn, each of the state representatives there got to say a few words, with Andy Harris leading off. If you hold your mouse over the photo, the caption will have the notable quote or thought each expressed.

Andy Harris noted that he's 'glad I'm not on the Obama-Biden ticket' in his brief remarks. He also termed the turnout 'phenomenal' even with the conditions.

State Senator Lowell Stoltzfus (left) predicted Harris would be a 'wonderful, wonderful Congressman.'

State Senator Rich Colburn echoed Stoltzfus's remarks and was glad that a more conservative alternative to Wayne Gilchrest succeeded where he hadn't. Colburn was an unsuccessful GOP primary challenger to Gilchrest in 2004.

Delegate Addie Eckardt opined that the 'Straight Talk Express' needed to have an additional name added to it - the McCain-Harris Straight Talk Express.

In turn, Delegate Jeannie Haddway urged a vote for Andy Harris not just for our generation, but for future generations to come.

Delegate Page Elmore told us that when he needed things done for his district, Harris could be counted on to assist in the State Senate. 'He's done more for the Eastern Shore than our current Congressman', noted Elmore.

We also heard from Wicomico County Republican Party chair Dr. John Bartkovich, who said this was an "opportunity to show people that Wicomico County is Republican and conservative" by supporting both Harris and McCain.

Our final speaker was Luis Luna, who had a firsthand report of how the GOP convention went. He even dressed the part.

Luis Luna spoke about the national convention and led us in a brief rally for the John McCain/Sarah Palin ticket.

It's hard to believe that even with the nasty weather, the turnout was this good. This brought together almost every GOP elected official in the county and the gathering was abuzz with talk about the McCain-Palin ticket. Okay, moreso on the Palin side, but either way we soundly beat the alternative when it comes to experience and ideas for real change, not the dimestore phony variety that other side pays lip service to.

I added the last picture just because I liked it.

An elephant never forgets, so you shouldn't either. Come out to the headquarters at 800 S. Salisbury Boulevard (next to FedExKinko's and across from Giant) and pick up a yard sign, bumper sticker, or just ask a question.

Firing up headquarters

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