On Dec 9th, The Gilmer Co. GOP held its third annual Christmas Dinner and 2nd amendment observance, a black tie and levi event, the theme being The U.S. Constitution. Ninety-seven folks signed up and paid $15.00 a ticket to attend the event, held once again at the Cameron Hall Assisted Living Center, Ellijay. That wonderful facility pulls out all the stops for the quality of its food and the efficiency of its staff. A Cameron Hall employee, Raquel Bustos, after the pledge and a prayer, sang an opening rendition of “I’m Glad to be an American” that revved up the blood of the conservative diners and set an up beat pace for the dinner and program that followed.

The Gilmer party hosted a social hour preceding the dinner with a selection of wines from one of Gilmer’s newest  businesses, Cartecay Vineyards, donated by Larry Lykins. Other donors included our State representative David Ralston, Trends Formal Wear, owner Nancy Layman, North Georgia Diamonds, owners Bill and Allison Craig, and Medical Data Solutions, Edna McClellan, owner.

Distinguished luminaries who attended included State Senator Steve Gooch, former State Senator Chip Pearson, 9th District Congressional GOP Candidate, Hunter Bicknell, currently Chairman, Jackson Co. Board of Commissioners, Gilmer County BOC Chairman, JC Sanford, Representatives from Doug Collins’ campaign, Representative from Tom Graves, who was unable to personally attend, Georgia Chairman of the State Republican Party, Sue Everhart, GOP Executive Director  Kevin Harris, Communications Director Rick Richardson, Lumpkin Co. GOP Chairman, Jeff Clymer and 9th District GOP Chairman, Andrew Turnage as well as Gilmer County Sheriff, Stacy Nicholson. Also in attendance  were Appalachian Judicial District Attorney Joe Hendrix, Gilmer Clerk of Court, Glenda Sue Johnson and Anita Mulllins, Judge of the Gilmer Co. Probate Court.

The evenings program included tongue in cheek remarks by George McClellan, Gilmer  Chairman, on how to recognize the differences between conservatives and liberals and how those differences came to be. Senator Steve Gooch offered a few brief remarks and introduced former Senator Chip Pearson who, in a solemn moment, eulogized the memory of our own political work horse Bess Connor, recently deceased. Chip then introduced the speaker of the evening Sue Everhart, whose remarks focused on the mission of the next year to defeat Barak Obama.

An engraved silver presentation tray, simply recognizing the many contributions to the Gilmer Republican Party made over the years by Bess Conner, was received by her husband, Jim Conner. Another Republican work horse also recognized was our own Col. Oscar Poole, of Pool’s BBQ from where  many a political campaign has been launched. Col. Poole was in Florida and actually missed his first GOP function in years. The on coming cold weather chased him off to warmer climes but his plaque was accepted by Mr. Kevin Harris, a long time friend and associate as well as the state GOP Executive Director.

The evening ended with the raffle of a splendid over and under 20 gauge shotgun won to Craig Taylor. Other door prizes included books by Ann Coulter, George W. Bush and others.

It was another splendid Christmas dinner evening and all who attended it went away well satisfied.

George McClellan, Chairman,

Gilmer Co. GOP