by Ron Gregory
ronjgregory@gmail.com
WILLIAMSON — Not that it matters to the organization, but it turns out the Mingo Democrat Ladies have set their much-lauded Meet the Candidate event for a time that conflicts for many. Candidates will apparently be asked to choose where to be on Saturday, when the women, known for the secret signs and handshakes of their “order” have scheduled the Meet the Candidate event for Williamson’s former pool location.
It just so happens that the ribbon-cutting for the much-anticipated Twin Branch race complex is set for 1 p.m., Saturday. The ladies, in their infinite wisdom, chose 2 p.m. for their event to kick off. While attempting to keep the Meet the Candidate show a secret from the voting public, it has been learned that many Democrat candidates in the May 10 Primary had no received invitations to the ladies event as of Monday afternoon.
Despite requests from this newspaper, the ladies schedule routine meetings without notice to the public. They also have picnics, Meet the Candidate events and other special occasions without public notice.
One county Democrat candidate said Monday afternoon, “I suppose they don’t want some of us there since they don’t seem to intend to invite us.”
Democrat Ladies organizations exist throughout the state and nation. They are allegedly designed to promote the party. Mingo’s Democrat Ladies have been similar to other county political groups in fostering more division than unity. In addition to holding meetings, the Ladies claim to be in charge of the display case at the Mingo County Courthouse, although questions have been asked regarding that concept.
“Why are the Republican ladies not in charge of it?” one statewide GOP candidate asked when told about the arrangement. A reporter responded that there may not be a Republican womens group in Mingo, whose registration is heavily Democrat.
In addition, a birthday party for a 100-year-old will be held later in the day at Gilbert. “They sure scheduled this Meet the Candidate at the wrong time,” said one candidate who WAS invited. “It’s going to be tough to be in two or three places at once.”