Outgoing co-chair Garry Gamble
Only 11 people battled the sub zero weather and wind to attend the 2013 Republican Party’s Cook County Convention held February 19 at 7 p.m. at the Cook County Senior Center, but they were a determined lot, dedicated to bringing their party’s principles back to prominence in the county.
Garry Gamble chaired the event, but said this would his last time leading the party. He also said his co-chair, Mark Breitsprecher, wasn’t interested in continuing his position, either.
“I don’t want a perception of a conflict of interest,” said Gamble, who was elected to the county board as a county commissioner last fall.
“Our culture is so polarized that I would be more unencumbered by giving up my role as co-chair. But stepping down doesn’t mean stepping away from what I believe in,” Gamble said.
As for Breitsprecher, he is busy with his ancient coin business and looking to move from Cook County if the opportunity presents itself.
Just who will serve in the role as chair or will co-chair the party is up for grabs, because no one at the meeting was ready to assume that mantle of leadership. Gamble said he would investigate party rules to see how long the local BPOU (Basic Political Operating Unit) had before calling a special meeting and electing someone to chair the party.
As for the other positions, Mary Petz was reelected secretary and Jim Hall treasurer. Hall has worked for the party since the mid 1950s and he was commended for his service.
Mary Petz was elected to be a delegate and her husband, Ben Petz, an alternate delegate to attend the state conventions on April 6 and
December 1. Just where these meetings will be held is still undetermined, said Gamble.
Jim Hall was elected to be the county’s Republican delegate at the 8th District meeting that will be held in Grand Rapids on March 16.
Rae Piepho said she would work as a fundraiser for the party. Hall said there was only $100 in the county unit’s coffers and fundraising was going to be a necessity. Piepho also said she thought the low turnout was due to it being an off year for major elections. Last year 76 people turned out for the county’s February convention, said Piepho.
With the party somewhat in tatters due to the recent presidential election, Gamble said its members must remain true to their roots.
Attendees spoke of the economy with its rising prices, flat wages and rising unemployment. Currently the unemployment rate is 7.9 percent. It was 7.8 percent when President Barack Obama took office four years ago. A worrisome number for all Americans—Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
Some familiar themes expressed along those lines were less government, not more; less taxation, not more; less regulation for businesses, not more; less governmental spending, not more; less governmental intrusion into health care, not more; and a willingness to work to create an environment for economic prosperity for all and protection for the unborn.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Cook County Republican Party unit is encouraged to contact Mary Petz at 475-2500.
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