Oconee County Democratic Party

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/aug/24/officials-say-candidates-companion-insulted-democr/

SENECA — A Democratic Party official says a companion of U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene went from table to table “hurling insults” at a breakfast event in Seneca.  The breakfast, held at Jimmy’s Restaurant in Seneca, ended with Greene and his companion being asked to leave. Police arrived to escort them out.

Mike Evatt, a state executive committeeman for the party, said Tuesday that Greene arrived with a woman whose nickname is Dotty.

Greene, 32, had been scheduled to speak at the meeting on Saturday, but after he was indicted Aug. 13 on a felony charge of showing pornography to a college student, the party withdrew the invitation according to the Associated Press.

Charles Hamby, former chairman of Oconee County Democratic Party, said the woman accused people at the breakfast of being racist.

“It looked like she was just hunting trouble,” he said. “I’ve seen disagreements, arguments; I’ve seen people fall to pieces mad, but I’ve never need anything like it.”

Marilyn Hemingway, Oconee County Democratic Party chairwoman, doesn’t fault Greene for the situation.

“As far as I’m concerned the incident is over with,” she said. “It really wasn’t Mr. Greene who was the problem. It was the woman who was with him.”

“Dotty” started sharing her opinions on Thursday when she called Evatt.   She left two “derogatory” messages on his home phone and one on Friday.

“I told her I didn’t appreciate the messages, and I wasn’t going to listen to it,” Evatt said.

The party has asked her to stay away from future Oconee County Democratic Party meetings.

“I hope we’ve heard the last from her, but I have a feeling we haven’t,” Evatt said. 

Greene is running against U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican, and Tom Clements of the Green Party in November. 

Vincent Sheheen Rouses The Crowd!

It was hot, muggy and sunny.  But no one cared, as some 300 Democrats from the Third Congressional District gathered at the downtown Anderson Farmers' Market to enjoy great BBQ and good talk.  Sen. Vincent Sheheen, candidate for SC governor (www.vincentsheheen.com), keynoted the event with a rousing talk about being "tired of Mark Sanford" ... and all that Sanford has/has not done.  Other candidate-speakers were Jane Dyer, 3rd Congressional District (www.janedyerforcongress.com); Frank Holleman, SC Superintendent of Education (www.hollemanforeducation.com);  Tom Elliott, SC Commissioner of Agriculture; Tom Dobbins, SC House #8 (www.electtomdobbins.com), and several Anderson-area candidates.  Check the Photo Gallery for more photos.

L to R, Lavelle Marcengill, Jane Dyer, Marilyn Hemingway ...  Frank Holleman and Charles Hamby 

The regular monthly meeting of OCDP was sparked with a motivating talk by Tom Dobbins, candidate for SC House #8.  His plea for participation and standing up as "proud to be Democrats" was met with applause.  Sandra Burgess Orr, current Oconee probate judge and candidate for re-election, described her years of service and dedication to the community.  Not only did we enjoy breakfast and speakers ... but also had a phone banking session afterwards to enlist more volunteers. (See Photo Gallery for Phone Bankers!)     Go, Oconee Dems!!

Photos, left to right: Tom Dobbins, candidate for SC House #8;  Sandra Orr, Oconee probate judge and candidate for re-election 

Voting for the June 8th Primary has started across the state with Absentee voting.  Cast your vote today by requesting an absentee ballot by mail or vote in person at the Oconee County Voter Registration and election office.  To request a ballot or cast a vote  in person:  415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC29691, 864-638-4196.

The Adopt-A-Highway clean-up team from the Oconee County Democratic Party was selected as the 2009 Oconee County District Group of the Year. The Keep Oconee Beautiful Association recognized this distinction with a certificate of appreciation and a KOBA artwork by Nancy Basket, local kudzu artist.  "We are thrilled to be recognized for our work," said team leader Ellis Hughes.  "We've enjoyed making sure our stretch of Hwy 123 in Seneca is free of trash; this award makes that just more special."

WALHALLA — Almost 70 enthusiastic Oconee Democrats gathered Saturday and, in an historic move, the group elected Marilyn Hemingway of Seneca as the first African-American woman to hold the post of chairwoman of the county party.

Hemingway has 30 years experience in South Carolina politics. She is also the Upstate Coordinator for Vic Rawls for US Senate campaign.

Candidates and candidate representatives spoke about their respective campaigns at the biennial event, held at the Oconee County Courthouse.

Speakers were: Jane Dyer, candidate for the Third District Congressional seat; Tom Dobbins, candidate for state house in District 8; Amy Sheheen, wife of gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen; Adam Rex, son of gubernatorial candidate Jim Rex and E. Riley of Seneca, speaking for South Carolina Superintendent of Education candidate Frank Holleman.

Keynote speaker was John Tynan, co-director of Upstate Forever's Clean Air & Water Program, and newly elected as the only Democrat to the Greenville Water Commission in the Democratic sweep of the City of Greenville elections.  Tynan challenged everyone to find their cause and to take a stand in support of it because individuals truly can make a difference.  

Additional activities included electing delegates to the April South Carolina Democratic Party Convention in Columbia as well as reviewing and amending resolutions to deliver to that event.