In an online Zoom convention Saturday attended by about 150 people, delegates of the New Hanover Democratic Party elected a proposed slate of new officers by acclimation. There were no nominations from the floor. The meeting featured a live address from State Party Chair Dr. Bobbie Richardson and an emotional appeal from NC District 18 Representative Deb Butler. Butler thanked outgoing New Hanover Chair Richard Poole for his years of service and urged party members to work diligently and patiently toward Democratic ideals. 

 

The slate of new officers reflects the diversity of our community and includes both new and experienced members. Serving from 2021 to 2023 will be:

• Andre Brown - Chair
• Victoria Garcia Velazco - First Vice Chair
• Susanne Werner - Second Vice Chair
• Bandorian Cromartie - Third Vice Chair
• Brenda Fong - Treasurer
• April Farr - Secretary

In addition, the following were elected to serve on the State Executive Committee: 

 

Male SEC Members	Female Members
Richard Poole	Sonya Bennetone Patrick
Clayton Hamerski	Leslie Cohen
George Vlasits	Veronica McLaurin Brown
Dorian Cromartie	Jill Hopman
Herb Harton	Carter Jewell
	Sheila Johnson
Ex Officio:
Andre Brown

​

Despite Moratorium, Some Landlords in North Carolina Still Ousting Tenants

 

A series of articles in NC Policy Watch says some landlords are finding legal loopholes to evict tenants despite a federal eviction moratorium issued in September by the Centers for Disease Control. The COVID-19 pandemic has put incredible economic stress on families to maintain their rent payments in the face of job losses, reductions in working hours and other issues. That stay in evictions officially lasts through June 30, but it hasn't stopped all landlords. NC Policy Watch said, "Nonetheless, many landlords have found legal loopholes to evict their tenants. Some skirted the CDC moratorium by suing for other reasons, including lease violations." 

 

Emily Benfer, a law professor at Wake Forest University, and two sociologists from WFU and Winston-Salem State have trained a group of students who observe eviction cases in Forsyth County courts, according to the Policy Watch article. Benfer said eviction hearings are still routine, “despite the eviction moratorium that should have protected most renters.”

 

Read about it here.

 

New Hanover Went Blue for President for First Time Since 1976

 

The last time a Democratic Presidential candidate beat the Republican in New Hanover County, Apple Computers was a start-up, "Afternoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band was playing on the radio, and gas was 59 cents a gallon, according to thepeoplehistory.com. New Hanover County election records show Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale beat out Gerald Ford and Robert Dole by a count of 14,504  to 13,687 in 1976. The percentage margin was not much different in the most recent election as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris edged out Donald Trump and Mike Pence 66,138 to 63,331. Thanks to Rae Hunter-Havens at the Board of Elections for that information.

 

New Hanover also voted for numerous statewide Democrats, including Roy Cooper, Josh Stein, Beth Wood and Elaine Marshall, who won New Hanover and their race. New Hanover also voted for Cheri Beasley, Lucy Inman and Jessica Holmes, who won our county but not their race.

 

Take a bow if you contributed to these New Hanover victories. It may be a sign of things to come.

 

NHCDP Monthly Meeting

Where: Zoom. Use this link: 

 

First Monthly Meeting with New NHCDP Officers.

Upcoming Democratic Events To Note On Your Calendar

 

2021 Congressional District Convention Meeting – Saturday, May 22nd

2021 Summer SEC Meeting – Saturday, August 7th