THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 19, 1995 TAG: 9504190423
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: By MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
New Democratic leaders will be selected Saturday in scores of the state's 100 counties when party loyalists gather for the first conventions since the Republican ran roughshod in last fall's elections.
In the Albemarle, one or more of the meetings will be fractious as Democratic leaders jostle for party posts that can influence the outcome of community elections this year and next. Mayors and city councilmen in many municipalities will be picked this year, and commissioners and other county officers will be on the ballots in 1996.
Adding to the tensions will be the comments and actions of some county chairmen who plan to step out after only one two-year term. Traditionally, local party leaders serve two terms.
This comes at ``an all-important time when we're regrouping for the 1996 presidential voting cycle,'' said Sallie Stohler, newly named communications director of thestate Democratic Party in Raleigh.
In one of the more controversial moves, Catherine Meggs, chairman of the influential Pasquotank County Democratic Party, said Tuesday that she would not seek a second term. High population counties like Pasquotank are allotted more voting delegates to subsequent district and state party conventions.
``I've appointed a nominating committee and I'm sure we'll find a worthy new chairperson,'' said Meggs.
Meggs, 33, has several times been caught in heavy sniper fire from older Democrats in Elizabeth City since her election as head of the Pasquotank party.
Ignoring the traditional neutrality of county chairs, Meggs actively campaigned for her chosen candidates in last year's races for Albemarle district attorney and Pasquotank County sheriff. Then she showed only lukewarm support for the popular retiring sheriff when he came up for an interim appointment to the Pasquotank Board of Commissioners.
Meggs is reportedly considering a state-level job in the Democratic administration of Gov. James B. Hunt Jr.
In Dare County, Gervas ``Bo'' Taylor, a Nags Head building contractor, also said he doesn't expect to run again at the conclusion of his first two-year term.
Aubrey Heath Sr., a Federal Emergency Management official and the incumbent first vice chairman of the Dare Democratic Party, is expected to succeed Taylor.
``Everybody knows and likes Aubrey,'' said Taylor, ``and, while there's a possibility of some floor nominations, I think Aubrey will be elected to succeed me. I'm heavily burdened with work and I need more time to devote to my children.''
An outspoken incumbent Democratic chairman in Tyrrell County explained in no uncertain terms why he didn't think he would seek re-election.
``It's frustrating,'' said Irdell Hassell, a retired federal employee who is completing his first term as Tyrrell's Democratic leader.
``Our Democratic folks in Tyrrell just don't have the interest. The only time they care about anything is when they want some sort of an appointment,'' Hassell said.
Hassell insisted that ``if I'm nominated, I won't serve.''
But then he added: ``The only reason I might run is if it looks like somebody who shouldn't be in the job tries to get it.''
Democratic party rules have provided a successor to Winnie Wood as head of the Camden County organization.
Wood, a Camden County grain company executive and longtime Democratic leader, had to vacate her county chairmanship when she recently moved across the Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County.
Wood was automatically succeeded as chairman by Camden First Vice Chairman Brian Forehand, a high school teacher.
``We have been organizing our precincts and now we'll vote on a new first vice chair,'' Forehand said.
Perquimans County Democrats are expected to elect Lillian Holman, who has been party treasurer, to the chairmanship. Holman has been with the county register of deeds office for nearly two decades.
In Currituck County, where Democrats sometimes consider politics a contact sport, B.U. Evans III, a former county commission chairman, apparently has an inside track to succeed Rosalie Rose.
``So far we haven't seen or heard of anyone else,'' said Rose. Evans, a real estate executive, was one of the veteran Currituck Democrats defeated in a voter rebellion that marked the last commissioner elections.
``B.U. has the expertise to pull the party together and he has my full support,'' Rose added.
Chowan County Democrats will elect a new slate of party officers, said William L. Phillips, who has completed two terms as chairman.
``So we'll be naming a new chairman and probably a first, second and third vice chairmen,'' said Phillips. ``And we'll also have to recommend nominees for several county offices that will become vacant.''
Chowan Democrats will hear remarks by District Attorney Frank Parrish when they convene at 11 a.m. in the new Edenton courthouse. by CNB