Special to The Citizen

More than 160 Fayette County Republicans met March 20 at Fayetteville Middle School

to select the party chairman. There were two candidates for the two-year term Eric Dial

and Lane Watts.

Both candidates espoused similar platforms, stressing party unity and the need to continue

to reach out to new voters in the county. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that the party play a

more active role assisting and working with

elected officials in the county and beyond.

The candidates chose to "take the high

road" during their campaigns with commitments

to work together during and after the election.

Each campaigned strongly for the seat, sending

cards, making calls and galvanizing supporters.

Chairman Kathy Chamberlain stepped down after serving for two years, passing the gavel

to Eric Dial who was elected at the County Convention with a total of 94 votes, defeating

opponent Lane Watts who received 60 votes.

Dial was "humbled and honored that the Republican Party chose me to be chairman. I

look forward to the next two years as an

opportunity to reinvigorate the party with hard work,

commitment and cooperation," he said. "It is my

vow to see that this county gets the best

representation possible and all of our Republican

elected officials are served well by the party."

Dial is the director of development for the Southeastern Legal Foundation, a public

interest law firm which advocates limited

government, individual liberties, private property rights

and the free enterprise system. He is an Elder at Berachah Bible Church in Fayetteville.

His past political experience includes three years working for Congressman Mac Collins

as a legislative assistant and constituent

services representative.

Additionally, he was chairman of the Liberty Fund of Georgia, a conservative Political

Action Committee and state field director for Paul

Heard for Governor. He and his wife, Cheryl, and

son, Connor, live in Peachtree City.

The executive committee was also elected at the convention. The following Fayette

County Republicans will serve a consecutive term

with Dial. First vice chairman, Charlie B. Harper;

secretary, Shirley Frady; treasurer, Carl Davis;

vice chairman of membership, David Studdard; vice chairman of rules, Phillip Smelley; vice

chairman of operations, Sara Molchan; assistant

vice chairman of operations 104th District, Lane Watts; assistant vice chair of operations 105th

District, Lyn Murphy; vice chairman of

administration and public relations, Danny Harrison; vice

chairman of awards and recognition, Charlie G. Harper;

vice chairman of finance, Mike Amos; vice chairman

of events, Troy Besseche.

Several awards are given at the county

convention. This year, Ronnie Chance received the 1998

Republican of the Year award. Ronnie Chance, Lee

Mrosek, Lane Watts and Mike Seigal each received

Republican of the Quarter Awards. Janet McGregor

received the 1998 Fayette County Republican Community

Service Award.

A special award was given to Susan and Lauren Powers in memory of their father, Paul Powers, a

noted Fayette County Republican, who died in 1998.

At the county convention, representatives from

each of the 36 precincts vote for the chairman of the

local party, the party officers and on the proposed list

of delegates for the district and state Republican

conventions. If amendments or additions are proposed

for the party rules, these are also voted on by those

in attendance. Each precinct is allowed a set number

of delegates and alternates based on the number of

registered voters in the precinct. At the convention a

temporary chairman and secretary are elected for the

proceedings. The chairman appoints a parliamentarian.

Senator Rick Price gave the invocation and

Sheriff Randall Johnson lead the pledge of allegiance to

the flag. Other elected officials in attendance

included Representative Kathy Cox, County

Commissioners Greg Dunn, Herb Frady and Linda Wells, State

Court Solicitor Steve Harris, Tyrone Town Council

members Ronnie Cannon and Ray Bogenshutz,

Fayetteville City Councilman Walter White and School

Board members Debbie Condon and Connie Hale.

Tom Parker was elected as the convention

chairman with Reid Spearman serving as convention

secretary, Steve Keiser as convention parliamentarian and

Phil Smelley as rules and regulations chairman. Arnie

Geiger served as sergeant at arms.

The Fayette County Republican Party meets first Saturdays for breakfast at 9 a.m. at Baci Italian

Restaurant in Fayetteville.

Many local elected officials regularly attend

the breakfasts and frequently give updates or answer

questions on local issues. Guest speakers for the

breakfasts have included Senator Paul Coverdell,

Congressman Mac Collins, Matt Glavin and other political

figures. During elections, debates are held between

various county and state candidates. It is not necessary

to be a dues paying member of the Republican Party

to attend. There is a nominal charge for breakfast.

For more information regarding the Fayette

County Republican Party, call Eric Dial at 770-486-6171

or e-mail [email protected].

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