The newly elected Columbia County Republican Party chairman pledged to strengthen the relationship between elected county officials and the party.
"In the past, I think we have had issues with the party and the elected officials, and I'd like to put those behind us," said Lawrence Hammond.
He was elected chairman Saturday after 67 delegates voted at the Columbia County Republican Party Convention held at the Board of Education building.
The Evans accountant said he hopes membership at committee meetings will increase and noted that two recently elected commissioners, Charles Allen and Trey Allen, served on the county party's executive committee.
"I think that bodes well for us having good communication and a good relationship with the elected officials, because without these guys, we're not really a factor," he said.
Hammond replaces Debbie McCord, who held the position for two years.
"Columbia County can be very proud that we are a solid red county," she said. "We have a lot of work we still need to do in the county to recruit members that are identified as Republicans but not really engaged in the process."
Other officers elected to the board include Pat Goodwin as first vice chairman, Deanne Hall as second vice chairwoman, Wanda Duffie as third vice chairwoman, Jim Bartley as fourth vice chairman, Roy Luke as secretary, Mike Wiltse as treasurer and Nita Boeglen as at-large district chairwoman. The following will serve as district chairmen: George Snelling in first district, Lee Benedict in second district, Ye Sun Wiltse in third district and Dick Manion in fourth district.
Also at the convention, a motion allowing electronic notification to be used for county committee meetings passed, while a consideration that would allow elected officials to become voting members of the committee failed after some delegates objected.
During the gathering, recently retired Commissioners Diane Ford and Tommy Mercer also were recognized.
"Under their watch, the residents of Columbia County experienced responsible financial leadership," Boeglen said.
Also at the convention, delegates and alternates were elected for the 10th District Republican Party Convention, to be held April 18 in Athens, Ga., and the Georgia Republican Party State Convention, on May 15 and 16 in Savannah, Ga.
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