1st Quarter 2022 Update

The first quarter of 2022 was chock-full of events for High Country Republican Women.

January. The HCRW Board met on its first “zoom” meeting. We submitted our 2022 membership list of 32 members to the National Federation of Republican Women from our December Membership Drive & Christmas Party.  We changed our regular meeting times to the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Our schedule this year has been affected by redistricting court battles vis-a-vis the availability of if the GOP headquarters. Please note: the primary elections will be held May 17th 2022. Please try to attend the many candidate forums listed on the Haywood County website: haywood.nc.gov.

February. On Monday February 7th Jason Hughes, Tony Cope, and Bill Wilke, the 3 Republican candidates running for Sheriff of Haywood County met for a panel discussion at the Haywood County GOP Headquarters. The candidates were given questions culled and compiled from questions submitted by the membership, their friends, and families. The headquarters was filled to capacity with 88 people.  The audience participated with the Sheriff candidates in a lively conversation, so we had a closer look at the candidates.

March. On Tuesday March 8th we enjoyed a luncheon at Ian and JoJo’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant in Waynesville.  Jennifer Best, incumbent running for Haywood County commissioner; Judge April C. Wood, running for NC Supreme Court judge; Judge Donna Forga, running unopposed for district court judge for the 30th Judicial District; and Michele Woodhouse, former chair of the 11th Congressional district running for U.S. Congress, joined us to discuss the challenges of “Women in Politics.”

Judge April Wood emphasized the need for experience, a thick skin, a sense of humor, persistence, and, of course, charm as key elements for being a women in politics. Michele Woodhouse agreed adding the necessity for high voltage energy. Judge Donna Forga stressed the importance of experience for the job. And Jennifer Best expressed the “precious” nature of our right to vote.

On Tuesday March 22nd, HCRW hosted a panel discussion on “Grandparents’/Extended Family’s Rights" in custody of grandchildren
of drug/alcohol impaired parents. We had 3 speakers: Ellen Pitt, co-founder of Grandparents Coalition; Madalyn Skiles, 45 yr. veteran Foster Care parent & MAPPS Trainer; and Karla Wood, Family Practice attorney.

The issue was presented from 3 different points-of-view which sparked many questions. The panelists generally agreed it is better for families to step-in before the Department of Social Services is involved. “Stepping-in” can be tricky, as school teachers are required to report any suspicions of child endangerment, as soon as possible, catching grandparents and extended family often unaware of a quickly deteriorating situation.  

The 3 panelist encouraged HCRW members and concerned friends to reach out to them with any further questions or for more information.
Contact information:

Ellen Pitt, Grandparents Coalition
email: [email protected]

Madalyn Skiles, 45 yr. Foster Care parent & MAPPS Trainer
(tel.) 828.479.1256 (best way to contact)
email: [email protected]

Karla Wood, Family Practice attorney
(tel.) 828.734.6910
email: [email protected]

April.  The next meeting of HCRW will be on Tuesday, April 26th. We are hosting the judges running for two Appeals judge seats and one NC Supreme Court seat. This may be a zoom meeting so more judges can attend.  If you are unsure or unable to zoom on your computer, laptop, or i-phone - we will also be meeting in person at the HCGOP headquarters where you can see and hear the meeting on a large screen.

May God Bless our country, our leaders, our families, and our club.

Paula