Tuesday, January 29, 2013 11:57 PM

Democrats receive 'Termination' letter

By Janet Conner-Knox Times Staff Writer A letter from the State Board of Elections, dated Dec. 14, 2012, to the treasurer of the Wilson County Democratic Party, Felicia A. Atkinson, states that the local Democrats can no longer spend or collect money. The letter is the Notice of Termination of Active Status. According to the letter from Amy Strange, compliance specialist for the state board of elections, the Democratic committee is late filing necessary reports. Strange said she didnt send the letter to everyone in the party, just the treasurer on file, Atkinson. According to statutes, we only send the letters to the treasurer, Strange said. I have talked to Felicia Atkinson twice since November. I believe she is trying to file those overdue reports. Atkinson did not respond to phone calls or messages left for her by The Wilson Times. Strange said the local Democrats bank statements have to be compiled to accompany those reports. Asa Gregory, Wilson County chairman, said he didnt know the Wilson Democratic party had been terminated until Monday when he called the state board of elections about another matter. I was unaware of our status until I spoke with an official from the state board of elections when she made clear to me our status, Gregory said Tuesday afternoon. Gregory said he was shocked at the news. The reason our status has been terminated to fund raise or spend money with the state board of elections is because the second and third and even the fourth report is late the fourth has since been filed, but we have been terminated, Gregory said. Felicia Atkinson as treasurer is responsible to file those reports and she failed to do it. I have done my job. Strange said also that Monday afternoon was the first conversation she had ever had with Gregory about the terminated status. State Democrats will be meeting Saturday in Durham to choose a new state leader for the party. Local Wilson Democrats were concerned they would not be able to vote for the new leader because of the terminated status. But state Democrats said Wilson votes will be counted to pick the new state chair. The membership has had precinct meetings and worked as a party, so they will be able to vote in the election this week, said Clay Pittman, public information director for the North Carolina Democratic Party. Frank Emory, an executive board member, said he is surprised about the termination. I had not heard about that, Emory said. We are good people. Wherever the fault lies, we will get it straight. I believe that. Zette McArn, President of the African American Caucus-Wilson County Democratic Party, spoke candidly. It has become clear to me that our county party is dysfunctional, McArn said. This matter is a segue way to close and reorganize under leadership that can take care of business on all levels professionally, ethically and responsibly. McArn said she also didnt know about the termination and is shocked.

What we have here is an apparent failure to file and comply, McArn said. There appears to be no system of checks and balances in place. It is the responsibility of the treasurer and the chair to file reports on time to meet any and all deadlines. Once all of the reports have been turned in, Strange said, there will also be penalties assessed. She said the local party can either pay the penalties or appeal the charges. janet@wilsontimes.com | 265-7847