THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 1996 TAG: 9607300434
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 37 lines
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman R.V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. has long been active in local and state politics. Now he's going national as a member of the Democratic National Party platform committee.
``This is quite a challenge, quite an opportunity,'' Owens said Monday.
Owens is in the midst of a re-election campaign against Republican challenger Stephen Sawin for his commissioner's seat. He also represents Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. in eastern North Carolina.
As one of four North Carolinians on the platform committee, Owens will help decide what the party platform delegates will vote on at the Democratic convention in Chicago that starts Aug. 2.
The chairman said he was not privy to the reason his name surfaced at the state party convention in June, when he was nominated.
``I really can't say, unless it's that I've been around the block two or three times.''
Also appointed to the unpaid post from North Carolina were Julie Ann Howell of Greensboro and Barlow Herget and Lori Harris, both of Raleigh.
The 186-member Democratic platform committee will meet Aug. 5-6 in Pittsburgh.
``They'll be taking a draft of the platform and going through it with a fine-tooth comb,'' said Andy Soloman, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. ``It's a very essential role.''
Owens said he was honored by his appointment, and considers it a chance to help his party.
``I want to bring the Democratic Party back to the middle of the road, because that's where it should be.''
Issues that he believes belong on the platform include pro-choice protection, crime prevention and education and welfare reform - ``what you would imagine for a good, solid Democrat.'' by CNB