LC Republicans meet, elect new county leadership team

Every two years, each political party meets to elect it’s leadership team. Lincoln County Republicans met in Davenport on December 6 and elected the following to lead the local conservative political organization:

Chairman: Sue Lani Madsen (continuing from previous term)

Vice Chairman: Scott Hutsell

State Committeewoman: Bonnie Hardy

State Committeeman: Peter Davenport

Secretary: Merrie Foster

Area Directors: Scott Hutsell, Mark Stedman, Rob Coffman (for their respective commissioner districts)

Shelley Sieverkropp is stepping down as treasurer in order to focus on her quilting business but is willing to help a new treasurer make a smooth transition. A new treasurer will be recruited prior to the next meeting on January 24, 2013.

Suggestions will also be sought on the formation of a new 13th Legislative District Committee. “As the newest county in the 13th Legislative District, we look forward to building more political and economic ties with our neighbors across the Central Basin,” said Madsen.

Recognition was given to Carol Paul for her many years of service as State Committeewoman and as a past County Chairman. Retiring County Commissioner Dennis Bly was also recognized for his service.

Newly sworn-in Rep. Matt Manweller (R., Ellensburg) attended the meeting and provided an update on issues for the upcoming legislative session, including modifications to the Prevailing Wage laws to reduce school construction costs and encouraging a focus by DNR on better forestry harvest practices to reduce fire risk. Manweller thanked Lincoln County for a strong “get out the vote” campaign in the 13th Legislative District and encouraged the group not to be shy about contacting him with comments and concerns while he is in Olympia.

By statelaw, only elected Precinct Committee Officers (PCO) are eligible to vote at the organizational meeting, although others attended as guests. This year, in a compromise with county elections officials statewide to streamline the process and control costs, the legislature passed a law stating that if only one person registered for PCO in a precinct, their names need not appear on the ballot and they would be declared elected. Only two PCO positions in Lincoln County were contested, in the towns of Odessa and Almira. A total of 18 PCOs have been elected; additional PCOs will be appointed to fill vacancies in the remaining 28 precincts.