Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990 TAG: 9005130260
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
"We came out of it with a very good feeling," said Marvin Lougheed of Boones Mill, a leader of the resolution movement. "We hope we set a pattern for the rest of the state."
The resolution seeks the resignations of state chairman Donald W. Huffman, executive director Joe Elton, treasurer William H. Hurd and budget director John Eanes.
The action came in response to the GOP's well-documented financial problems and failed attempts by Republican leaders to suppress a report critical of party management, Lougheed said.
"They felt this was the only way to clean up our act," he said. "Otherwise, people felt the party had no future."
Huffman, in a telephone interview from his Roanoke home Saturday night, said he would not quit even if other district conventions adopted similar resolutions.
"If the time comes that the State Central Committee doesn't think I'm the one to lead the party, they won't have to force me out," Huffman said.
He said problems outlined in the audit report have been corrected, and many of the 5th District delegates who voted for the ouster resolution "did so because they had some misinformation."
District chairman Donald L. Moseley of Buckingham argued against the resolution, but said he was outnumbered because about 80 delegates who signed up for the convention failed to attend.
"Nobody had any idea this was coming," he said. "Some people got together and pulled it off."
Two weeks ago, a committee report blasted Elton, Hurd, and other officials for a two-year pattern of weak oversight that left the party reeling with about $240,000 in federal back taxes, penalties and interest.
Other findings revealed a trail of $4,709 in bounced check fees, nonexistent balance statements, budget overruns and other accounting mishaps at party headquarters in Richmond.
by CNB