County Democrats elect new leaders
By John Joyce
Published in News on April 18, 2015 10:34 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
From left, Chair Ernestine Wooten, Vice Chairs, Agnes Batts and EJ Cromartie, and Secretary, Tamara Boyd are newly appointed as county officers for the Wayne County Democratic Party.
A new slate of officers will take over the direction of the county's Democratic Party, as Democrats prepare for several key elections locally and statewide.
The Wayne County Democratic Party Convention was held in Courtroom No. 4 at the Wayne County Courthouse Saturday.
Outgoing party chairman Gene Britt said he stepped down to focus more time on his law career and family.
"It has been and honor and a privilege. We have had some adversity, but we have tried to overcome a lot of it and have had a lot of growth," he said.
Earnestine Wooten now steps into the role Britt vacates after two years.
"I have the utmost confidence in Mrs. Wooten," he said. "If there is anybody who is capable of leading the Democratic Party and of leading this county, it is Mrs. Earnestine Wooten."
Mrs. Wooten, a Winston-Salem State University alumnus, said her major concern is to unite the party under one purpose -- service.
"I feel that we are here in order to give special service. And as we work with each other and bring each other together, I think we can move forward," she said.
"I feel that everyone has something to offer. I think if we can put together our abilities, we can move forward, not just for one group, but for everybody."
Also elected to office were Carolyn Branch, first vice chairman, Agnes Batts, second vice chairman, Edward "E.J." Cromartie Jr., third vice chairman, Tamara Boyd, secretary, and Lynn Dail, treasurer.
In attendance Saturday, Rep. Larry M. Bell, said that it is time to work across the aisle to bring elected officials together to work for all people.
He referenced 9/11 as a source of inspiration for coming together.
"Those fireman and police officers that went into those buildings didn't bother to ask, 'What party are you with,'" he said. "They knew there were Americans in there."
Bell said divisive issues such as health care are polarizing people far too much and it is time to come together for the benefit of all people.
Bell concluded his comments on the subject of spending, saying that money spent here in Wayne County is not "state" money or "federal" money.
"It's your money," he said.
He referenced tax season, reaching into his back pocket and retrieving his wallet.
He said on April 15 everybody sent their money to Washington, D.C. and to Raleigh, but it all came out of the same wallet.
"They don't print any money in Raleigh. And, yeah, they do print money in Washington (D.C.) but that doesn't make it theirs," he said.