Central Region

Veterans Town Hall Meeting in Cary

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:40:53 -0600

Kay is a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform.

Kay comes from a military family herself. Her father-in-law is a retired Major General in the Marine Corps, her father and brother served in the military, her husband is a Vietnam veteran, and she has two nephews who are currently serving our country on active duty. Kay hears first- hand the issues and concerns facing our veterans here in North Carolina.

Robin Hayes Profits from Record Gas Prices

admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:11:58 -0600

With up to $23 Million in Big Oil Stock, Robin Hayes Profits from North Carolinians Paying Record Prices at the Pump

Hardworking North Carolinians may question why Congressman Robin Hayes sides with Big Oil and against them as they struggling to pay record-high gas prices.

Financial reports released this week could explain why -- Robin Hayes owns up to $23 million in Big Oil stock, meaning that Hayes actually profits off of North Carolinians struggling with record prices at the pump.

While Hayes makes money on his millions in investments when Big Oil makes record profits, he also voted to give Big Oil $85 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies. Big Oil has thanked him with nearly $175,000 in campaign contributions.

Raleigh to be Site of North Carolina’s Democratic Presidential Debate

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:45:43 -0600

The North Carolina Democratic Party announced today that Raleigh’s RBC Center will be the site for the April 27th Democratic Presidential Debate.

Click here to apply to attend the debate.

It will be held in partnership with North Carolina State University and CBS News.

CBS will broadcast the 90-minute live debate, beginning at 8 p.m., immediately following 60 Minutes. Katie Couric and Bob Schieffer will moderate.

Gov. Easley Announces NC Ranks First In Small Metro Business Growth

admin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:09:33 -0700

Greensboro-High Point Named Top Small Metro Region; Two Rural Communities Also Take Top Spots

Gov. Mike Easley announced today that North Carolina placed first in the nation in Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of states with small metropolitan areas having the most new and expanded corporate facilities. The Greensboro-High Point area in Guilford County was named the No. 1 small metro region. Lexington-Thomasville in Davidson County and Statesville-Mooresville in Iredell County swept the first- and second-place spots for rural areas.

“The latest Site Selection ranking proves that it is not just the large cities that benefit from North Carolina’s investments in education, workforce development and the state’s top-ranked business climate,” Easley said. “As industries recognize they can find the 21st century training programs and qualified workers they need in all communities across the entire state, we gain jobs and effectively compete to lead in the global economy.”

Mecklenburg Precinct Reorganizing Successfully Underway

admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:07:09 -0700

NCDP Chair Jerry Meek announced today that the process of reorganizing the Democratic Party’s precinct organizations is moving “quickly, successfully, and strictly by the rules.”

Applications to serve as temporary precinct Chair, for the purpose of holding an organizational meeting of each precinct, are due at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Application forms may be obtained here. Temporary precinct Chairs will be announced on the website over the weekend.

All precincts will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19th. Precinct meeting locations will be posted to the State Party website, www.ncdp.org, by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th. All registered Democrats are encouraged to attend their precinct meeting.

As of 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, 101 Democrats, representing 85 precincts, have applied to serve as temporary precinct Chair.

“While this has been a difficult time for the county party,” Meek said, “I am heartened by the energy displayed in organizing these precincts throughout Mecklenburg County.”

Cooper and UNC Act to Protect Students

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:44:42 -0700

Attorney General Roy Cooper went to Chapel Hill on Thursday to endorse the work of the UNC system's safety task force and to argue for new safety measures in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Parents expect their children to be safe at a state university campus, Cooper told the UNC Board of Governors. Campuses have to prepare for the worst possible catastrophic events.

"You never know when someone will come on one of our campuses and start shooting," he said. "You'll never know when someone comes with a bomb. You'll never know if someone drives a vehicle on a campus and starts to try to run over people. You just never know, and we have to be ready."

The UNC board is reviewing an extensive set of recommendations by a task force that has worked for six months.

In January, another statewide panel appointed by Cooper will issue a report that takes a broad view of campus safety across public universities, community colleges and private colleges. That panel is likely to recommend changes in mental health treatment and rules around gun permits, Cooper said.

Speaker Pelosi to join Presidential Lecture Series at Meredith College

admin — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:02:05 -0600

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi will present a public lecture as part of Meredith’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Presidential Lecture Series.

Speaker Pelosi will discuss the accomplishments and current work of the New Direction Congress. After the event Speaker Pelosi will take questions from the audience.

Speaker Pelosi will hold a press conference with North Carolina Congressmen Brad Miller and David Price following the question and answer session.

“I want to thank Meredith College for their hospitality in hosting today’s event. It’s a pleasure to welcome Speaker Pelosi to my home district to highlight the accomplishments and future goals of the Democratic Majority,” said Congressman Miller.

Davidson County Democrats Hold Education Forum

admin — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:42:07 -0600

By SETH STRATTON, The Dispatch

An education summit Saturday sponsored by the Davidson County Democratic Party brought together students, parents, teachers and government officials to discuss and ultimately come up with solutions for problems facing the area's schools.

Will Westmoreland, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said the workshop, in the planning stages for the last five months, was meant to be a non-partisan forum for those concerned with education in the county to share ideas.

"This is the first time we've done something like this," Westmoreland said. "One thing we found when we were doing this is everybody was excited about sharing their ideas."

Forum participants spent the day rotating through four sessions focusing on school funding, performance, safety and dropout issues. The invited speakers included two N.C. Department of Public Instruction administrators; Dr. Max Walser, former superintendent of Davidson and Montgomery County schools and county commissioner; and the Rev. Fran Cook, a gang specialist with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Take Back Charlotte Canvass: This Saturday, Sept 29th

admin — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:43:21 -0600

This November, we have a chance to retake the Mayor's office in Charlotte. And I want to help make that happen.

That's why I'll be in Charlotte this Saturday, September 29th, working for our Democratic municipal candidates.

I hope you'll join me this Saturday, from noon to 3:00 p.m., as we go door-to-door, spreading the word about our municipal candidates and their vision for Charlotte. Volunteers will gather at noon at Plaza Presbyterian Church, located at 2304 The Plaza, in Charlotte. From there, we'll canvass Democrats and unaffiliated voters in a nearby precinct.

With a national mood favoring Democrats and strong candidates, this could be our best chance in years to make significant gains in Charlotte's municipal races. But it's going to take hard work -- including direct voter contact on a regular basis, between now and election.

If you can join us, just reply to jmeek@ncdp.org. I hope to see you Saturday.

Best Wishes,

Jerry

Gov. Easley Announces 494 New Jobs

admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:04:32 -0600

Gov. Mike Easley announced today that PRA International, one of the world’s leading clinical development organizations, will move its headquarters from northern Virginia to Raleigh. The company plans to invest $2.89 million and create 494 jobs during the next four years. The announcement was made possible in part by a Job Development Investment Grant.

“The addition of PRA to North Carolina’s list of prominent research organizations that provide drug development services continues our state’s leadership in this field,” Easley said. “Companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare industries know that they find the knowledge, talent and skill in North Carolina they need to succeed in the global economy.”

While wages for the new jobs will vary by job function and responsibility, the expected average yearly salary for all the new jobs will be more than $75,000 plus benefits, which is more than double the Wake County average of $35,672 not including benefits.