In this Newsletter:
| Message from the Chair | I’m a socialist, communist, Marxist??? |
| GWCDP News | Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout tickets on sale now! July Breakfast Meeting recap Volunteer of the Month announced Search & Support Committee meeting |
| Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights | Redistricting is underway Ninety Six elections in November |
| Our Community | 2nd Annual Black Market Commerce Event Ware Shoals children’s fundraiser a success! Precinct Leader Info Session on Monday |
| News & Noteworthy | Poll workers needed for 2022 |
| Legislative Updates | Child tax credit expansion |
| Upcoming Events |
Message from the Chair
Crazy. Just crazy.
Recently, Rep. John McCravy stirred up passions about how critical race theory “must not be allowed to pollute the minds of our children in school”.
I really wish I could trace backwards how this became the Crisis Du Jour (“crisis of the day”) because Critical Race Theory has been around for 40 years as an advanced subject taught in law and graduate schools. I commented on Rep McCravy’s thread as such and assured all that our children were safe from this invented social concern.
Well, that certainly didn’t go over so well.
I was immediately called a communist, a socialist, and a Marxist by strangers on the internet. I really wish they would get together and make up their minds! But honestly, those attacks are so predictable and boring at this point. None of them know the anything about those terms they tried to insult me with, let alone the first thing about Critical Race Theory. But what it does expose is “white fragility” about coming to honest terms with our country’s past and how it continues to impact the present.
A letter-to-the-editor in the Index Journal recently shows how far we collectively have to go. In this letter, the author made the argument that the replacement of the plaque on the Greenwood War Memorial with one that did not segregate the soldiers names by race was criminal:
“…the sad part is that the significance of those listed as “colored” has been erased from history.”
The author then went on to decry how Critical Race Theory has been forced into our schools and is enslaving our children! Huh??? I guess history should only be taught through racist monuments and nowhere else.
Oh… did I mention that the letter writer happens to be on the Greenwood County Board of Assessment Appeals? Get involved and run for something! Otherwise, this craziness will continue to spread.
GWCDP News
Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout tickets on sale now!
You won’t want to miss this celebration of the legendary servant of Greenwood County, Floyd Nicholson. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online here or you can call the number on the poster below.
July Breakfast Meeting Recap
On the morning of Saturday, Jul 10, we held our first in-person Breakfast Meeting in over a year on the lawn of gracious hosts Robert and Ken Headley Downs. Exceeding all expectations, over 80 were in attendance to hear a slate of amazing speakers and to be informed on what’s happening with the GWCDP. The Index-Journal had a great writeup about it last week.
If you missed it, all of the segments were recorded so that you can watch at your leisure.
Volunteer of the Month
Congrats to our Volunteer of the Month, Cathie Swindell. Fewer have worked over the years to promote the GWCDP than Cathie!
Search and Support Committee
The Search & Support Committee will meet on Thursday, Jul 22. Call 864-715-2341 or reply to this newsletter if you are interested in joining. The purpose of this Committee is threefold:
- Clearly lay out how we, as the Greenwood County Democratic Party, can help our candidates (both experienced and new) succeed in their campaign
- Identify the characteristics of the “ideal” candidate and have a plan to help them capitalize on their strengths and shore up their weaknesses.
- Look to upcoming elections and make use of tools to help identify those who may make for strong candidates and recruit them to run for office.
Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights
Redistricting is Underway
South Carolina Senate redistricting website
Senate leader expects SC redistricting to finish by October
SC Senate to hold public redistricting hearings around state, starting in Columbia
“On Tuesday, two of three Democrats on the Senate’s redistricting panel — Sens. Dick Harpootlian, of Richland, and Margie Bright Matthews, of Colleton — questioned why the committee would hold public hearings before Census data is released and expressed concern the time crunch would leave the public out…”
Ninety Six elections in November
Most of the election chatter is about 2022, but we do have an Election coming up on Nov 2, 2021 here in Greenwood County!
Representatives from Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 5.are up for election in the Ninety Six Town Council. If you reside in any of these Wards, consider performing a public service by running for Town Council!
Candidate filing opens on August 20, so if you have even the slightest interest or are just curious about the process, fill out this information form and someone will follow up with you!
Our Community
2nd Annual Black Market Commerce Event
GWCDP Alternate Committeeman, Ahmad Hart, successfully launched this event last year and is moving strong into a second event in a few weeks! Come on out and support local businesses on Aug 14 from 1 – 6 pm.
Ware Shoals children’s fundraiser a success!
The GWCDP partnered with Councilwoman Valerie Jackson to raise $1,000 for the children of Ware Shoals, offsetting costs of an educational program and providing back-to-school materials. Eight gift certificates to local restaurants were generously donated for raffling and the lucky winners are now enjoying some fine food!
Thank you to O’Charley’s, Chick-fil-A, Granny Hands & Landis, South Soul on Main, Tony’s Salad Bowl, and Applebee’s for your support!
Precinct Leader Info Session on Monday
We are continuing to recruit leaders for each of the 50 voting precincts in Greenwood County. Our next 30-minute informational session will be on Monday, July 26 at 6 pm. You can attend the session in person at the library or dial in through Zoom. Please sign up here to secure a seat!
News & Noteworthy
Pollworkers needed in 2022
Connie Moody, director of Voter Registration & Elections for Greenwood County, recently wrote in the Index Journal:
“Were you aware that it takes more than 300 people to run the polls in Greenwood County on Election Day during countywide elections?
With what promises to be a very hectic 2022 election season, we are now in the process of recruiting poll workers and poll managers.”
Read the article for more information and then visit the Greenwood County web site to learn more about signing up to be a poll worker.
Downing of a Flag
At our last Breakfast Meeting, producer Candy Fletcher spoke to us about the now airing documentary Downing of a Flag, and in-depth look at the Confederate Flag that until recently flew atop of the South Carolina State Capital building.
This 2-part documentary is available to watch online – but it expires on Aug 8, so watch this important work now while you can!
Legislative Updates
Child Tax Credit Expansion in effect
Also visit
Upcoming Events
| Search & Support Committee Thu, Jul 21 6 pm Floyd’s Fish Fry Planning Committee Sun, Jul 25 2 pm Precinct Leader Info Session Mon, Jul 26 6 am – 6:30 am GWD Library & Zoom Register Bill Kimler on Finding Me Podcast Tue, Jul 27 6:00 pm Live on Facebook Redistricting Public Hearing Mon, Aug 2 6:30 pm GVille County Council Chambers 301 University Ridge GWD County Council Tue, Aug 3 5:30 pm Greenwood Public Library Watch on YouTube In-Person Breakfast Meeting Sat, Aug 7 9 am – 11 am American Legion Post 224 “The Hut” Register |
| 2nd Annual Black Market Commerce Event Sat, Aug 14 1 pm – 6 pm Uptown Greenwood @ the Fountain Greenwood City Council Mon, Aug 16 5:30 pm Municipal Building 520 Monument St Watch on FB Live GWD County Council Tue, Aug 17 5:30 pm Greenwood Public Library Watch on YouTube Exec Committee Thu, Aug 19 6 pm Greenwood Public Library Precinct Leaders Mtg Thu, Aug 19 7 pm Greenwood Public Library LABOR DAY Mon, Sep 6 Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout Sat, Sep 11 11 am – 3 pm Boys & Girls Club Tickets on sale now! |
