Minutes of Libertarian Party of West Virginia
Business Meeting
May 9, 1998
1:45 P.M.
Charleston House Holiday Inn
Charleston, West Virginia
(Amended 1998-09-12)
Present: Members of the Executive Committee and convention attendees.
The meeting was called to order by State Chair John Brown.
A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the minutes in order to save time. The motion was seconded and passed.
Officers' Reports:
Secretary-Treasurer John Sturgeon reported cash in the checking account of $1121.68 and upcoming convention expenses of $2800. A plea was made to be generous at the fund raiser to be held after the evening dinner and speeches.
Old Business:
Voting Procedure: A motion was made to vote by acclamation, and, if a race is contested, by written ballot. The motion was seconded and passed.
Election of Candidates:
U.S. House of Representatives:
1st District Richard Kerr, M.D. Passed
2nd District John Brown Passed
3rd District Joseph Whelan, M.D. Passed
A motion was made to vote in blocks to save time. The motion was seconded and passed.
West Virginia State Senate:
4th District Alan Handleman
9th District Joy Johnson
10th District Liz Kinchon Simmons
14th District John Bartlett
The block of candidates passed by acclamation.
West Virginia House of Delegates:
10th District Art Kelly
22nd District Richard Church
23rd District David Whelan
27th District Wallace Johnson, M.D.
30th District John Welbourne
31st District John Sturgeon
32nd District Greg Henshall
40th District David Wolfe
43rd District David W. Croft
44th District Bob Jones
The block of candidates passed by acclamation.
Circuit Clerk:
6th Judicial District William Jack Neel
Passed by acclamation.
County Surveyor:
Jefferson County William Clem
Passed by acclamation.
County Commission:
Pocahontas County - unexpired term Jerry Heinman
Passed by acclamation.
Pocahontas County - expired term John Leyzoyek
Passed by acclamation.
An end was called to nominations of candidates.
A total of twenty one candidates were elected.
All candidates were to meet in Room 1233 to fill out forms that need to be filed by midnight Monday, May 11, 1998.
Nomination of delegates to attend the Libertarian National Convention in July, 1998:
Nominees: Wallace Johnson, M.D. Joy Johnson
Greg Henshall John Welbourne
David Croft Richard Kerr, M.D.
John Brown John Sturgeon
David Wolfe Bill Clem
Karl Swisher Travis Raines
Jeff Robinson Joseph Whelan, M.D.
Michael Todd, M.D. Mari Sullivan Walker
Sixteen people were nominated for eleven positions.
Each nominee gave a brief speech of introduction and stated their position on the Membership Pledge and the Abortion Issue.
A motion was made to add "None of the Above" to the ballot. The motion was withdrawn.
The vote was taken by written ballot. The delegate positions went to the eleven nominees with the highest vote total, the others remaining as alternates.
The eleven delegates are:
Wallace Johnson, M.D. Joy Johnson Greg Henshall
John Welbourne David Croft Richard Kerr, M.D.
John Brown John Sturgeon David Wolfe
Travis Raines Michael Todd, M.D.
Current Bylaws Needing Passage to Continue:
0. The position of Vice-President - Public Relations shall be added to the State Executive Committee.
1. The position of Vice-President - Campaigns shall be added to the State Executive Committee.
2. The position of Vice-President - Membership shall be added to the State Executive Committee.
3. District Vice Chairs may substitute for District Chairs at Executive Committee meetings.
4. The State Executive Committee shall serve as a default committee for all vacant executive committees in the state.
5. Delete "or be nominated as candidates for public office" in section IV-4, and add to section IV-5 to read, "only registered Libertarians may be nominated as candidates for public office." Previous section IV-5 is now IV-6.
6. Replace "in odd numbered years" with "between general elections" and delete "If the LPWV has attained ballot status for an election, a convention must be held to nominate candidates for public office" in section V.
A motion was made that the above amendments to the bylaws be enacted. The motion was seconded and passed.
New Exectutive Committee Offices:
7. The LPWV office of Secretary/Treasurer shall be separated into two offices: Secretary and Treasurer.
Passed.
8. The position of Vice President-Finance shall be added to the State Executive Committee, and shall be in charge of raising funds other than dues.
Passed.
Defining LPWV Membership Requirements:
9. The LPWV membership pledge shall be changed to: "The only legitimate purpose of government is to protect the rights of the people."
10. Persons may be members of the LPWV without being members of the National Libertarian Party. The pledge against advocating violent overthrow of the government shall be optional.
11. No oath or pledge shall be required for membership in the LPWV.
A motion was made to table discussion of Item 9 for discussion of Item 11. The motion was seconded and passed. Discussion of Item 11 ensued.
A motion was made to stop discussion. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 11 was passed by acclamation.
Item 9 and Item 10 were rendered moot. Motions were made to withdraw the items. The motions were seconded and passed. The items were withdrawn.
State Executive Committe Meeting Requirements:
12. The requirements to vote in an LPWV Executive Committee meeting chall be the same as the requirements to vote on a nomination at the LPWV State Convention.
13. All meetings of the LPWV State Executive Committee shall be open to the public.
14. The members of the LPWV shall have access to Initiative, Referendum and Recall with the organization.
Discussion of Item 12. Call to question. Passed. Item 12 was defeated.
Discussion of Item 13. Call to question. Passed. Item 13 passed.
Discussion of Item 14. A motion was made to table the item. Seconded and passed.
LPWV "Statement of Principles":
15. Adopt the following as the Statement of Principles of the LPWV:
We, the members of the Libertarian Party of West Virginia, believe all individuals have an inherent right to be free and live in whatever manner they choose -- provided they engage in peaceful and honest activities. With this right comes the responsibility to respect this equal right of others. Government is nothing more than a service created to defend this right. A world of liberty and voluntary cooperation fosters prosperity, and is preferable to an immoral world of force and fraud. Our aim is to make our state's motto, Montani Semper Liberi, a reality in West Virginia.
16. Statement of Principle of the LPWV:
The only legitimate purpose of government is to protect the rights of its people. Our aim is to make our state's motto, Montani Semper Liberi, or "Mountaineers Are Always Free," a reality in West Virginia.
A motion was made to take a vote on whether to adopt a Statement of Principles. Discussion followed. The vote was Aye - 13, Nay - 5. Passed.
John Brown deferred the chair to Richard Kerr so that Mr. Brown could speak for Item 15. Discussion of Item 15 followed. Call to question: adoption of Item 15 without amendment. Ayes carried. Ruled passed by the chair. John Brown resumed the chair.
Discussion of Item 16. Call to question. Seconded. The item was voted on and defeated.
Election of Executive Committee:
Nominated:
State Chair John Brown
State Vice Chair Richard Kerr, M.D.
Treasurer John Sturgeon
Secretary David Croft
1st District Chair Bob Jones
2nd District Chair Karl Swisher
3rd District Chair Wallace Johnson, M.D.
VP - Membership Greg Henshall
VP - Campaigns Joseph Whelan, M.D.
VP - Public Relations Travis Raines
VP - Finance Open for nominations.
Nominated for VP - Finance:
John Welbourne Declined the position
Michael Todd, M.D. Seconded and Passed.
Motion that nominations for State Executive Committee be closed. Seconded. Passed.
The slate of candidates for State Executive Committee was voted on and passed.
New Business:
None
A motion was made to adjourn. Seconded and passed.
The meeting was adjourned.