The Park County Republican Central Committee elected its new Executive Board Wednesday night. The reorganization process takes place every two years in the major political parties. The entire Central Committee, made up of the party's precinct leaders, elected officials, and operating committee members, choose the board to lead them through the upcoming elections and policy decisions, and to handle the business of the party.

The only contested position on the board turned out to be Chairman, with Susan Pullman of Bailey and Lee Phillips of Alma vying for the seat. Phillips is an attorney in the Alma - Fairplay area and was nominated by Fred Wegener. Wegener said that he was asked by Phillips for a nomination to the seat, but also said that both candidates would do a fine job as Chair. He encouraged Republicans to work together and not divide themselves over party leadership issues. Seconds for the Phillips nomination came from Commissioners Leni Walker and John Tighe. Susan Pullman is the wife of outgoing Chair Jack Pullman, who served for four years before deciding not to seek the position again. The Pullmans have been involved in the Park County Republican party since moving to the area 15 years ago. Susan was nominated by Ron Melvin of Guffey. A call for seconds to the nomination brought a line of elected officials to the podium. Assessor Dave Wissel, Commissioner Doc McKay, Coroner Sharon Morris, and Clerk Debra Green all stood to speak in support of Pullman.

PCRCC Board (left to right) Treasurer Joyce Lang, 1st Vice Chair Lillian Wissel,
Chair Susan Pullman, 2nd Vice Chair Richard Ballinger, Secretary Mary Ann Melvin

Thirty voting members were present for the meeting, with 8 other members voting by proxy. The final count was Pullman - 24 votes, Phillips - 12 votes, and Lillian Wissel - 1 vote. Wissel was not in the running for the chairman position. She recently served out the remainder of the term of the late Commissioner Jim Gardner. The current Chair's vote was withheld to prevent a tie or serve as tie-breaker.

For the position of 1st Vice Chair, Commissioner Doc McKay nominated incumbent Lillian Wissel. There were no other nominations for the position and Wissel was elected by voice acclamation with none opposed. Sam Calanni nominated Richard Ballinger of Guffey for the position of 2nd Vice Chair. Ballinger had served in that position before resigning due to his work commitments out of state. When that work situation changed, he expressed an interest in becoming involved with the party once more. No other nominations were heard and Ballinger was also elected by acclamation with none opposed.

There seemed to be no question that the other two board members would be kept in their offices for the next two year term. Appreciation was expressed for the hard work of Secretary Mary Ann Melvin and Treasurer Joyce Lang. They were both re-elected by acclamation. No one expressed opposition.

The new and returning board members will now take up the business of the local party, including an election for two commissioners in 2008. They hope to keep both seats in Republican hands.