ESSEX COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEETING

March 31, 2009

6:00 P.M.

Supervisors Chambers, Elizabethtown, N.Y.

            Call to Order by Chairman Jackson.

            Salute to the Flag, led by Noel Merirhew.

            Call of Meeting read by Debbie Palmer.

            Chairman Jackson thanked everyone for attending this important meeting, what he considers the high-light of the year. He asked that the committee listen to all the candidates and then vote.

            Chairman Jackson mentioned that Jim Scozzafava was in the hospital with pneumonia and asked that everyone keep him in their prayers, as well as Catherine Sweatt, former Committee man in the Town of Lewis was also hospitalized with a broken hip.

Introduction of Guests:

            Chairman Jackson then introduced guests that we had in the audience - Justice Thomas and Terry Mecure as well as J. Patrick Barrett, former NYS Republican Chair.

Appointment of Sergeant at Arms / Election Chair / Inspectors:

            Chairman Jackson appointed Lew Sanders as Sergeant at Arms. Wayne Taylor as Election Chair. Donna Reed Austin and Shaun Gillilland as Election Inspectors. Oaths of Office were taken.

            Roll-Call by Debbie Palmer - a quorum was present, and proxy’s were collected.

Drawing for Rotation:

            Joyce Morency, 2^nd Vice-Chair, conducted the drawing of candidates for speaking. For the Sheriff’s race, first to speak - Henry Hommes, second to speak - Michael Tyler.

For the District Attorney race, first to speak - Kristy Sprague, second to speak - Brian Barrett, third to speak - Julie Garcia.

Filling of Committee Vacancies:

            Town of Elizabethtown - George Huttig

            Town of Minerva - Frederick Morse and Rose Morse

            Town of Moriah - Leilani Sprague, District 2; David Yelle, District 3; John Maye, District 4

            Town of North Elba - James Bishop, District 2; Denise Fredericks and Ken Jubin, District 4; and

                                                   Sandy Treadwell, District 7

            Town of Schroon - Anthony Bartolomeo, District 1; Meg Woods, District 2

A motion made by Jerry Hall, seconded by Lew Sanders and adopted.

Approval of Minutes / Finance Reports:

            Approval of Minutes dated 12/1/08

A motion was made by Lew Sanders, seconded by John Maye and Jerry Hall. Unanimously adopted.

            Approval of Finance Report was not made as there was a calculation error to be corrected.

Nomination of Delegates / Alternates for Judge Thomas E. Mecure - (4^th Judicial District):

            113^th Assembly District: Daniel Manning and Dominick Viscardi - Delegates;

                                                                Carl Rubino and Mike Gallant - Alternates.

            114^th Assembly District: Joyce Morency - Delegate; Georgia Murphy - Alternate.

A motion was made by Jerry Hall, seconded by George King and adopted.

            Chairman Jackson went over the rules of length of speeches and questions as well as the voting procedures.

Nomination of Candidates / Speeches / Questions & Answers / Votes:

            Sheriff - candidate Henry Hommes was nominated by Grace Drummond, seconded by George King.

            Sheriff - candidate Michael Tyler was nominated by William Potskowski, seconded by Gay Gutierrez.

The Committee’s recommendation being Henry Hommes - 11,369 votes.

            The results of the vote is as follows: Out of a possible 13,244 votes there were 422 void votes, leaving a total vote of 12,514.50 to be cast, 6,257.25 to win. The total votes per candidate - Henry Hommes-11,369 votes; Michael Tyler-723.50 votes.

            District Attorney - candidate Kristy Sprague was nominated by Joyce Morency, seconded by William Potskowski.

            District Attorney - candidate Julie Garcia was nominated by Thomas Scozzafava, seconded by Grace Drummond.

            District Attorney - candidate Brian Barrett was nominated by Lynn Jarvis, seconded by Wayne Taylor.

The Committee’s recommendation being Kristy Sprague.

The results of the vote is as follows: Out of a possible 13,244 votes there were 1151.50 absent, 0 void votes leaving a total vote of 12,092.5 to be cast, 6,046 to win. The total votes per candidates - Brian Barrett-215.50 votes; Julie Garcia-3,623.0 votes; Kristy Sprague-8,254.0 votes.

            The District Attorney candidates thanked the committee.

Announcements:

            Chairman Jackson reminded everyone that refreshments were being served at the Cobble Hill Restaurant, everyone was welcome.

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Palmer, Secretary/Treasurer