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August 07, 2005

State party chairman to speak at Lynchburg headquarters opening

All across Virginia, Democrats are organizing and plotting the course that will put Tim Kaine in the governor's mansion. In my neck of the woods, the Lynchburg area, this is very much in evidence. As Amherst County chair, I often work with my friends "across the river." Last year, we saw a very encouraging growth in the number of volunteers, given the excitement of a presidential race. We'd like to build on that in 2005. An Aug. 19 appearance by the state party chair might be just the thing to get us rolling. (By Rick Howell)

Party chair Richard Cranwell will speak at the grand opening ceremonies of the city committee's new permanent Democratic headquarters. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The headquarters is located inside the Galleria building on the city's Main Street, downtown. Once inside the building, go to the third floor.

I've lived in Virginia for all of my nearly 49 years, except for a five-year period as a journalist when I worked in Tennessee and Kentucky. I followed state politics even when I didn't live here, and the name "Dick Cranwell" seems to have always been a part of it. For many years, he was our strongest voice when a Republican was in the governor's chair, and our second strongest leader when we held it.

He truly is a legend, not just in Democratic Party politics but in Virginia political history. Somehow, we knew he wasn't done when he left the legislature. Now, as state party chairman, he'll guide our efforts in Virginia with the same combination of intelligence, wit, bravado, and the occasional use of sarcasm to which we're all accustomed.

The headquarters in Lynchburg has actually been in operation for a while, and is serving as a work station of sorts for Tim Kaine's regional field director for this area. Tim Kaine meet-ups are held there, too. City Democrats are making every effort to staff the headquarters on a regular basis.

They are also holding a fundraiser to help with the necessary finances. That event, scheduled for Sept. 24, will be held at the city's historic Point of Honor. For more information about either event, call the headquarters at 434-845-1400. But, hey, don't miss a public appearance by chairman Richard Cranwell. Entertainment is guaranteed!

(Rick Howell is chairman of the Amherst County Democratic Committee. He publishes a political Web blog at http://rickhowellspeaks.blogspot.com He can be reached at NewCenHowell@aol.com)

Posted by rickhowell at August 7, 2005 04:58 PM

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