Macon GOP Chairman Message on Passing of Senator Carpenter

Senator Robert "Bob" Carpenter passed away at his home on Saturday, August 6th, 2011. Members of the Macon County Republican Party will miss him dearly. He was a true gentleman and a man who spent the majority of his adult life serving his family, his community and his country. Senator “Bob” was the quintessential public servant.

Some men spend their whole lives complaining about how things are and how they should be. Senator Bob stood up to the plate many years ago and made a positive difference, changing lives for the better in his community and state. His presence at our Republican and community events will be noticeably missed, always with his lovely wife Helen.

Senator Bob was a man full of life and political experience and a man who was always willing to give good advise and patient counsel to those of us with less experience. He was a well respected man. Our condolences and prayers go out to Helen Carpenter and the entire Carpenter family in this time of sorrow and we hope they know we will never forget “our Senator Bob”. May he rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.

August 08, 2011
Macon County Mourns Loss of Senator "Bob"

Senator Robert C. "Bob" Carpenter, 87, of Franklin, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011.

Bob was born and raised in Macon County. The Carpenter family has been in Macon County since the 18th Century. He was the son of the late Edgar Jackson Carpenter and Eula Dean Carpenter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 39 years, Ruth Cope Carpenter who died in 1985; three daughters, Elizabeth Poppe, Jane Gullett and Deborah Marshall; three brothers, Jack, Dean and Edgar and stepson, Clyde Bryant, Jr. Bob was a graduate of Franklin High School and the University of VA, School of Banking. Bob was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He was a bank executive with Bank of Franklin, Bank of Asheville and was Vice President for First Union, managing five branches in the local area. After retirement Bob entered his political career becoming Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly serving eight terms. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, K.O.C., American Legion, S.A.R.S., Rotary Club of Franklin as well as many other civic, political and youth organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, T. Helen Edwards Bryant Carpenter; five children, Robert D. Carpenter of Sylva, Dale R. Carpenter of Hurricane, WV, Thomas Carpenter of Conyers, GA, Edgar G. Carpenter of Charlotte, NC and Christine M. Carpenter of Waynesville, NC; brother, Kenneth Carpenter of Warner Robbins, GA; sister, Louise Darnell of Franklin; three step daughters, Deborah Bryant of Franklin, Susan Zolo of Fairfield, Iowa and Rebecca Prince of Franklin;34 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Father Alex and Father Cahill will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery with military graveside rites by VFW Post 7339 and the American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, at Macon Funeral Home.

North Carolina Senate Update - June 20, 2011
State Senator Jim Davis

Senate Keeps Promises, Bucks Status Quo in Historic Session

Raleigh, N.C. – After one of the most efficient and productive legislative sessions in modern history, the North Carolina Senate adjourned early Saturday morning.

The Republican-led Senate passed hundreds of bills in 87 legislative days, including many long-overdue reforms that will put North Carolina on a new, more responsible path to better economic growth, prosperity and public education.

And it was the quickest adjournment in a long session since 1973.

“I’m proud of my Senate colleagues for refusing to accept the status quo, especially amid fierce resistance and overblown rhetoric from the left,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham). “We fought for the responsible change North Carolinians have long needed and deserved. We did what we said we would do, and we did it more openly and efficiently than any legislature in decades.”

Among other actions, the legislature:

• Balanced a b ipartisan budget that cuts taxes, reduces spending, and reforms and improves public education – all while closing a $2.5 billion deficit. The $19.7 billion state spending plan became law Wednesday, when the Senate overrode Gov. Bev Perdue ’ s politically-mot ivated veto. It fully funds classroom teachers and teaching assistants, makes important education reforms, and protects other core state services. By reducing spending by more than $1 billion, it ’ s finally making North Carolina ’ s government live within it s means.

• Made tax reforms that will jump start the economy by helping the private sector create thousands of new jobs. The state budget eliminates a nearly $1 billion “temporary” sales tax hike that Gov. Perdue and legislative Democrats raised in the peak of the economic recession and promised would end this year. It also eliminates Democrats ’ “temporary” income tax surcharge and enacts a $50,000 income exemption for private businesses – the job-crea t ing engines of North Carolina ’ s wounded economy. The tax savings return more than $1 billion to the pockets of North Carolina citizens and businesses, where it will create as many as 15,000 jobs in the short term and thousands more in the future, economis t s say.

• Crafted education reforms that will lower class sizes by hiring 1,100 additional teachers, eliminate the cap on the number of public charter schools, pay teachers based on merit, and ensure students can read. The education reforms will help boost N orth Carolina ’ s unacceptable graduation rates. Currently, more than 1 in 4 high school students do not graduate. Many that do graduate are ill-prepared for post-secondary education, straining our community colleges and universities by requiring extensive r emedial coursework. Many of those reforms were in the bipartisan budget. The bill to eliminate the charter school cap was signed into law Friday.

• Passed sweeping changes to the state ’ s regulatory environment that will simplify outdated rules and regulatio ns. More than 15,000 new or amended regulations have hit the books over the past decade. Many are complex, confusing, and unnecessary rules that are imposed by unelected bureaucrats and cause uncertainty for the state ’ s businesses. The bill that passed the House and Senate prohibits new state regulations that are more restrictive than federal rules, and requires the state to review and eliminate burdensome regulations annually.

• Approved medical malpractice and other tort reforms that will help North Caroli na lure medical jobs and make health care coverage cheaper and more accessible for everyone. The current lottery-like system lets trial lawyers win big while doctors flee to other states where they can practice medicine without fear of frivolous lawsuits. North Carolina doctors practice defensive medicine, and often must order unnecessary tests and procedures to avoid being sued. That enormous added cost is passed on to taxpayers in the form of higher insurance rates and taxpayer-funded medical programs fo r the poor. It ’ s one of the highest costs of health care, and these reforms help fix a broken system.

• Passed a measure requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. Studies show photo ID requirements boost voter confidence and participation. It ’ s a hugely popular measure – a no-brainer that Gov. Perdue should sign into law.

• Reformed the state ’ s annexation laws to protect private property rights. The long-overdue, comprehensive annexation reform the legislature passed will keep municipalities from forcibly annexing private property and saddling residents with the high costs of hooking up to municipal services. Residents often pay thousands of dollars to connect to water and sewer lines – against their will. This is the first time North Carolin a ’ s annexation laws have been reformed in more than 50 years.

• Protected the Second Amendment rights of North Carolinians. A bill on the governor ’ s desk would further protect property owners who use a weapon in self-defense, and expand the number of places citizens with a concealed carry permit can carry firearms.

• Fought to protect North Carolinians from President Obama ’ s overreaching federal health care law. The legislature passed a bill early in the session that gave North Carolinians the right to opt out of the law, the same right the Obama administration extended to some favored corporations and Washington insiders. The governor said she would let the bill become law, and then vetoed it.

The Senate will reconvene Wednesday, July 13 for a special one-week redistricting session.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Historic Veto Override

The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday voted to override Governor Beverly Perdue’s veto of the bipartisan budget, the final step before the state spending plan becomes law.

The passage of this bipartisan budget signals a new and more responsible era in North Carolina state government.  One in which legislators spend tax dollars wisely, fuel job creation in the private sector, and refuse to settle for average results in public education.  Despite the governor’s intense media campaign, her sky-is-falling rhetoric, and creative accounting, the facts are clear.  Our $19.7 billion budget will do more for public classrooms and help the economy create more jobs than her proposal.  The will of the voters and the representatives they elected prevailed over the governor’s frantic attempts to defend the status quo. 

The five House Democrats who voted for the budget held firm to their convictions and did not fold, even under intense pressure.  We applaud the courageous votes of Representatives Crawford, Spear, Hill, Owens, and Brisson. 

Having an approved budget completed before July 1 st allows those with budgets contingent on state appropriations to begin their budget year knowing exactly what they have to work with.

If you would like to read the budget (there are 342 pages), follow these steps:

1.      Click this link  NC General Assembly

2.      Type H200 in the “Find a Bill” box, top right, and click on “Go”.

3.      Open “SL2011-145”

4.      The document that opens should look like this at the top of the first page -

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2011 SESSION LAW 2011-145 HOUSE BILL 200

AN ACT TO SPUR THE CREATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS; REORGANIZE AND REFORM STATE GOVERNMENT; MAKE BASE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT OPERATIONS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS; AND TO ENACT BUDGET RELATED AMENDMENTS.

Senate Approves Bill Requiring Photo ID to Vote

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Senate passed a hugely popular, common-sense bill that requires North Carolinians to show a photo ID when they vote. 

75% of all voters want a photo ID bill and believe it will add confidence and help ensure every vote is a valid and legal vote. 

Requiring voters to show a photo ID will boost voter confidence that their vote counts, and increase participation at the polls, two things the governor should join North Carolinians in supporting.  If the governor is serious about protecting the integrity of elections, she will sign this bill.

Budget Funds Directed to Classrooms

The 2011-12 budget funds all teachers and teacher assistants.  When you see a reduction in force involving teachers and teacher assistants, it is being done at the local level.  Many of you have contacted our office about job losses.  Two things are in play here.  Many systems sent out pink slips earlier this spring in anticipation of large budget cuts in the range of 10-12%.

The actual cut to K-12 education is less than 5.8%.  Also, after July 1 st , local school systems will not be allowed to transfer teacher and teacher assistant appropriations into other budget items.  Worth noting, 1,100 additional teacher positions are funded in grades 1 through 3 to reduce class sizes to 1-15 over the next 3 years.

There is still much work to do for the people of North Carolina.  We are willing and able.  We are ready.  And we are humbled and honored to serve.

"One man with courage makes a majority." ~ President Andrew Jackson

N.C. budget makes long overdue changes
Thursday, 02 June 2011 - Macon News

The North Carolina Senate released a state budget this week that makes government live within its means and puts more money in the pockets of taxpayers, while protecting essential public services.

Among others, our budget makes three responsible, longoverdue changes:

First, it reforms North Carolina’s broken education system. An educated workforce is vital to our state’s future.

But our system isn’t working – it’s ranked near the bottom in national graduation rates. Instead of dumping more money on a failing system, we’re making reforms. We’re fostering early childhood education by adding more than 1,000 teachers to classrooms in grades 1-3. We’re implementing a program to ensure students can read by fourth grade – making them much more likely to graduate. To hold teachers to high standards, we’re developing a program to pay them for performance, not seniority. And we’re adding five days to the school year.

Secondly, our plan right-sizes state government. By saving more than $1 billion, we’re getting government off the backs of job-creating businesses. We’re eliminating vacant positions, consolidating departments, and reducing administrative costs and bureaucracy. Spending money wisely allows us to add teachers to classrooms and fully fund the state retirement system for the first time in years.

Finally, our budget slashes taxes and returns more than $1 billion to the private sector, where it will help businesses create thousands of new jobs. For too long, bloated government has prevented tax cuts that will get North Carolinians back to work and allow the private sector to pull us out of the recession.

Sen. Jim Davis on behalf of Senate Republican Caucus

Cutting spending is an imperative first step
Thursday, 02 June 2011 - Macon News

From now through the presidential election of 2012, America will be having an important debate between those who want to continue to spend money we don’t have and those who want to reduce the spending that has brought us to the edge of economic disaster. Of primary concern will be issues regarding the size and scope of our federal government and a reminder that our Constitution limits its power. While those on the left continue to ignore the fact that we have a Constitution that limits the power and scope of the federal government, those on the right continue to remind them of those limitations.

The first paragraph of Ben Utley’s (Chairman Of The Macon County Democratic Party) recent letter to the editor regarding raising the debt and the scope of the federal government speaks volumes about the mindset of those on the left.

The assumption that the federal government is responsible at all for the “health” of “its people” is contrary to the Constitution itself. The Constitution never mentions the word “health” but does use the words “general welfare,” and Mr. Utley referring to us as “its people” gives the impression that we are subordinate to the federal government when, in fact, the federal government is subordinate to We the People.

It seems to me that the reference to the federal government being responsible for our health is code word for Obamacare, another federal government invention to mandate more, control more, spend more and enable more, and the words “welfare of its people” suggests that we need to be taken care of by the great federal nanny state. The Constitution states that “We the People” established the constitution to “promote the general welfare,” not to get on welfare.

While it is gracious of Mr. Utley to suggest a timetable for the Tea Party or anyone else to “fight for those values” regarding the national budget and spending, I suggest that it’s always the right time to fight for those values in which you strongly believe. Mr. Utley was quick to ask for solidarity for an increase in the debt ceiling, but not surprising was the absence of the asking for a reduction of spending commensurate to the amount of debt ceiling increase. Raising the debt ceiling first (or at all) would be putting the cart before the horse, and we all know how well that works out.

Mr. Utley asks representatives to wait to debate, that it would only bog us down. Debate never “bogs” us down; debate is the blood of our political system, that which makes us come up with the best solutions, the best candidates, and a responsible fiscal foundation. I encourage therefore, Mr. Utley and our Democratic neighbors in Macon County to join us in pushing for the immediate passage of legislation that will mean a reduction in spending equal to any increase in the national debt ceiling. This is one time we need to work together! Then later, we can work on other aspects of a secure and prosperous nation.

Chris Murray, Chairman
Macon County Republican Party

Chapmans Attend North Carolina State GOP Convention

Representative Allen West is a shining star in the Republican Party and Gail Chapman wishes he would run for President in 2012. He has rock solid conservative values. He is a dynamic speaker and doesn't have to use a teleprompter!		Out of FL, U S Congressman LTC Allen West, retired military, is a staunch conservative and excellent public speaker. His keynote address was received with rousing applause and a lengthy, enthusiastic standing ovation.
The NCGOP Chairman for 2010, Robin Hayes, was pleased to be re-elected as Chairman for 2011. Everyone agreed that he did a great job with the 2010 election.		Hal Chapman & Pat McCrory discussed the strategy for Pat's upcoming 2012 campaign for Governor.
S C Congressman Tim Scott was the keynote speaker at the Saturday evening banquet. He gave a rousing speech and ended it with the song, "Hit the Road Jack" to which many of us sang, "Hit the Road Barrack."		Following Friday evening's banquet, the Open House of the consortium of N C Tea Party's was one of the largest and best attended of the entire weekend.

Macon County NC Republican Convention - Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Macon County Republican Party held its annual convention on Saturday, March 12th, at the Macon County Community Building. About one hundred members attended. The following officers were elected; Chris Murray, chairman; Jim Tate, vice-chairman; Dawn Trammel, secretary; Mary Jane Lofton, treasurer. At large officers continuing their positions were Joyce Handley, Larry Hollifield and Carla Miller. » See Photos

Former chairman Gary Dills and vice-chairman Vince West received plaques of appreciation for their work for the party. Senator Bob Carpenter (Ret.) presented. Peggy Patterson, former Republican official on the Macon County Board of Elections was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Gary Dills. The Honorable Judge Donna Forga was the guest speaker and moved the crowd with her speech. Attorney and prior judicial candidate Greg Boyer offered the invocation and led the National Anthem.

Chairman Chris Murray closed the convention by saying, “I humbly accept the chairmanship of the Macon County Republican Party and look forward to the next two years working with you, the team.” Considering the off election date of the convention the turnout was great and may be a signal of the enthusiasm for the next election cycle.

Corbin sworn in to office on new Board of Commissioners
By Christopher Carpenter — Macon County News

On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the year’s first regular meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, Kevin Corbin took the oath of office to complete the remainder of Senator Jim Davis’s term on the board. The local insurance agent and past chairman of the Board of Education was unanimously selected by the Executive Committee of the Macon County Republican Party after Davis won his bid for N.C. Senate during the midterm elections in November.

After Corbin was sworn in, he thanked his friends and family for attending the ceremony. He also thanked the Republican Party for the opportunity, in particular Gary Dills, chairman of the executive committee of the Macon County Republican Party, who he said had first approached him about serving the remainder of Davis’s term.

Although the majority has now shifted to the Republicans, Corbin dismissed talk of a new era of partisanship on the board. “One of the first things that Gary said to me was that they wanted someone who could represent everybody in Macon County, not just the Republican Party,” Corbin said. “This board is going to work very well together.”

Corbin is a Macon County native and a Franklin High School alumnus. He attended Appalachian State University, where he majored in marketing and business management. Corbin serves as a deacon at Holly Springs Baptist Church. He and his wife, Beth, have two children, Matthew and Maggie.

The Corbins own and operate Corbin Insurance Agency, a partner in the Blue Ridge Insurance Group, Inc. From 1992 to 2006, Corbin served as the chairman of the Macon County Board of Education. Currently, Corbin sits on the Board of Directors for Southwestern Community College as well as on the the Board of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Corbin’s father, Harold Corbin, who also attended the ceremony, served as chairman on the Board of Commissioners for several years until 2002 and currently serves on the Airport Authority Board.

November 02, 2010

Thank you to the candidates, the many volunteers and the voters in the mid-term elections. Macon County voters turned out in record numbers and Republicans did well here and across Western North Carolina. Well done.

• For Macon County Election Results Click Here

• For North Carolina Election Results Click Here

But, we still need major changes in Washington, DC. The looming presidential election will not be easy. This is a time for all Americans to stand up for fiscal responsibility, for individual accountability and for a lessening of federal power and influence even when it impacts a project which you love and want to keep. To control spending, to reduce federal government involvement in our lives, to keep taxes at the same level and reduce the deficit, we must eliminate and reduce federal programs particularly welfare programs (known politically as ‘entitlements’) even when they impact us personally!!!!

Obama will continue to blame Republicans and conservative Democrats for stopping his spending crusade to make all Americans dependent on the government. Republicans and conservative Democrats will be criticized by the media, by some Democrats, and by some Republicans during every phase of this effort.

Changes will not occur quickly – remember it has taken 70 years to get us where we are – it will take time, patience, and dedicated, persistent voters to put America back on track.

So, let’s get ready for the next round!!!!! Email maconrepublicans@gmail.com to volunteer in your precinct, to help raise funds, to establish a network in your neighborhood and on-line, and to turn out the vote in 2012. It is not too early to prepare.

Again, thank you for all your work and your vote.

CHAIRMAN
MACON COUNTY GOP