Monthly update
April 9th, 2022 | Monthly Meeting | Pinehurst Village Hall
Meeting Minutes
Co-president Tiffany Bartholomew called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. This was the first meeting presided over by new co-presidents Tiffany Bartholomew and Jeanette Sabo. Tiffany asked if there were any new members in the group. Several people stood or raised their hands and were met with a round of applause.

Paula Shelton, immediate past president, made an announcement on behalf of member Kerry Arnold. Sadly, Kerry’s husband passed away the previous Friday night. Paula brought cards of condolence for everyone to sign.  

Heather Van Horn, Vice President for Communications, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tiffany asked for a moment of silence to honor the refugee populations around the world. She identified the top five countries of origin for refugees in 2021, which are Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Venezuela. The country hosting the highest number of refugees is Turkey.

The March 2022 minutes were approved following a motion from Laurie O’Laughlin and a second by Tina Ganis.
Membership Report
New membership chair Katherine McWilliams gave the membership report. She stated we currently have 75 members, including five new members from that morning! The DWMC board will be ordering new business cards for members to distribute to anyone they think might be interested in joining us.
Treasurer Report
New treasurer Pamela Young gave the treasury report. She reported a balance in good standing. Pamela encouraged everyone to pay their $30 annual dues if they have not yet done so. There are several ways to pay: 
  1. Send check made out to DWMC by mail PO Box 2017, Southern Pines, NC 28388
  2. Online on the new website: Democraticwomenmoore.com
  3. Cash or credit card at monthly meetings
Upcoming Events
  • April 26, 2022
Primary Early Voting begins
  • May 14, 2022
Primary Early Voting ends
  • May 14, 2022 11:00 a.m.
DWMC New Member’s Brunch at the Campbell House in Southern Pines. Invitations coming soon! ALL members are welcome and encouraged to attend this event! It is not only for new members!
Save the Date!
Quote of the Month
The quote of the month came from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, once a refugee, who died on March 23, 2022 at the age of 84. 
Recommendations of the Month
Tiffany introduced a new tradition: the Recommendations of the Month. This month the DWMC board offered three recommendations for members to consider:
News Update
Tiffany offered some national and state news. “The good, the bad, and the North Carolina.”
  • The Good: Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the federal Anti-Lynching Bill signed 
  • The Bad: Florida’s “Don’t say Gay” bill passed; Republicans picking on transgender kids and their families
  • The North Carolina: 50B protection orders guaranteed to same-sex couples in dating relationships by N.C. Supreme Court; Madison Cawthorne has been off the chain (again) discussing alleged cocaine-fueled sex parties Republicans are having in Washington, D.C., during a podcast.  
Setting the Record Straight
Tiffany introduced another new addition to DWMC monthly meeting programming: "Setting the Record Straight." This month we are setting the record straight about the newly-confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson. Justice Brown-Jackson’s achievements and accolades include the following:  
  • National debate champion
  • Harvard undergrad
  • Harvard law
  • Clerked at every level
  • Federal public defender
  • U.S. sentencing commission
  • Federal district court judge
  • D.C. circuit court of appeals judge
The Guest Speaker
The April meeting guest speaker was Mr. Wayne Vest, the Moore County manager. Mr. Vest agreed to join us in place of Catherine Graham, who was originally scheduled to speak but was unable to attend due to a personal conflict. 

Mr. Vest is a Moore County local, who grew up in West End. Mr. Vest has worked for Moore County for 24 years, including positions in the tax department and administration. In this role as county manager, Mr. Vest works directly for the county commissioners. He explained how commissioners are elected in Moore County. There are three seats up for election in 2022. The upcoming election, combined with the unexpected death of Commissioner Louis Gregory, means that in less than one-year four-fifths of the board’s members will change. Mr. Vest described this impending transition as “unsettling” for the staff who report to the board. 

Mr. Vest stated that his office oversees the Moore County Department of Social Services, the Board of Elections, and works closely with the Sheriff’s office, which runs the detention center, the register of deeds, the department of public safety, and the emergency management service. Residents can check county dashboard measures at https://www.moorecountync.gov

Mr. Vest described different services available in the county, including transportation, the library system, the senior system, and solid waste. He stated that Moore County is in “great fiscal shape,” which he attributed in part to higher-than-expected sales tax collection.
Moore County will receive the standard allocation of $10 million from the American Rescue Plan. (N.B.: The American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Congress without any Republican support in the House or Senate.) Mr. Vest stated that the county’s primary focus for these funds will be on water, sewer, and broadband services.  

Mr. Vest listed several recent achievements for the county government, including the Carthage court facility construction project, improvements to the Senior Center, and the county parks and recreation facility, also in Carthage. 
Committee Reports
School Supplies
Tina Ganis reported that donations have been distributed to the five Title 1 elementary schools in Moore County. There is a new request from Southern Pines Elementary School for refillable water bottles. To donate please contact Pamela Young or Marcey Katzman. Tina also offered to pick up supplies from you. Tina can be contacted at chrisganis@mac.com
Food Bank
Ernestine Chapman offered a Food Bank committee update. As of March 2022, 15 lbs of food and $20 anonymous donation have been donated. Ms. Chapman stated that during that day’s meeting, donations worth $100 were received.
Community Outreach
Former Co-Vice President for
Programming and new Recording Secretary, Jessica Wells, spoke about our newest DWMC committee. This committee is meant to harness the existing energy of DWMC members by organizing community volunteer events where we can participate collectively to help our community and get our name out there. A signup sheet was passed around for those who are interested. All ideas and suggestions for activities are welcome!  
Other Announcements and Updates
Ariadne DeGarr, DWMC corresponding secretary and candidate for Board of Moore County Commissioners from District 2 offered remarks about her candidacy. Ariadne stated that it is important that the board reflect all of Moore County, which, in its current state, it undeniably does not. 

O’Linda Watkins offered updates from the Moore County NAACP, including information on the “Unlock our vote” campaign to ensure that “thousands of people in our state directly impacted by the criminal legal system have a civic voice and are able to participate in our democracy.” More information is available here: https://unlockourvotenc.org 

4/30/22 Earth Day Event, “Every Day is Earth Day”, West Southern Pines Cultural Art Center, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

O’Linda Watkins motioned to adjourn the meeting. Laurie O’Laughlin seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
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