Comments by Ray Leary | Eastern NC Now
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Commented on Queen Garris Runs Amuck AgainThe NC Republican Party adopted a new Plan of Organization during the NCGOP Convention in June 2026. This new plan requires revisions to the 2025 Beaufort County Plan of Organization. To date, I have seen no efforts by the BC Republican Party to modify the 2025 PoO to align with the new state plan.
There were statements made by the local party leadership that did not comply with the state 2024 state PoO in effect at the Beaufort County precinct meetings and the Beaufort County Republican Convention. The rules stated before the state convention were not effective in February and March 2026. Hopefully the local Beaufort County Republican Party can come into compliance before the 2027 BC GOP County convention.
Commented: Friday, August 14th, 2026 @ 7:42 pm
By: Ray Leary
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Who authorized the Facebook ads denigrating Adam Oneal in October 2025? Who authorized the Facebook ads with caricatures of Hood Richardson and Joe Davis in October 2025? If these were not paid for by the BC GOP, who did?
The Beaufort REC (Republican Executive Committee) campaign report on the NC State Board of Elections website for 2025 year-end report shows a $2,389 donation received from the Elect Keith Kidwell Committee dated 8/19/2025 on page 27 in this report. Is this an erroneous report? The 2026 NC GOP State Convention adopted a revised State Plan of Organization. In this plan, the Executive Committees are required to approve or reject the chair of subcommittees appointed by the state or county chairs. It will be interesting to witness what changes are made to the Beaufort County Plan of Organization to comply with the new state plan.
Commented: Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 @ 6:19 pm
By: Ray Leary
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Commented on Republican Party Begins Sanitizing ItselfThe problem we have here is illustrated in an old joke. Someone asks a friend if he/she knows the difference between ignorance and apathy? The friend's response is, No and I don't care.
This is where we are. The process for voting is very simple. Register to vote and when election day(s) roll around on the calendar, one finds his/her polling locations and shows up to vote. After the preliminaries of identifying yourself, you are handed a ballot with federal, state, and/or local candidates for elective office. Panic ensues. The voter is only aware of two or three candidates they planned to vote for, most likely a president, governor, or county commissioner. They look at the ballot and see there are 15-25 offices they are allowed to vote for. They do not know what these offices do and they do not know any of the names on the ballot. They have two options. Only vote for the candidates and offices they came to vote for or vote every office on the ballot.
Commented: Monday, June 29th, 2026 @ 7:47 pm
By: Ray Leary
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Commented on Queen Garris Does it AgainThe 2025 BC GOP Plan of Organization enacted March 22, 2025 calls for a minimum of six Executive Committee meetings per year.
This BC GOP 2025 Plan of Organization is not to be confused with the State DRAFT plan of 2025, which was not approved at the 2025 state convention or the DRAFT 2026 state plan that will be presented at the June 13, 2026 state convention.
Commented: Monday, April 13th, 2026 @ 6:54 pm
By: Ray Leary
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John Steed,
It is easy to see how the GOP elites sway the machinations of the GOP. They rig the state party conventions in many ways to prevent the grassroot republicans from having any influence over the outcomes. The Plan of Organization is ignored or overridden by parliamentary procedures; attendees are shutdown from speaking by ruling comments or motions from the floor ruled out of order, and counting votes for chairman and other officers from members not in attendance. Participates are discouraged from attending by charging exorbitant fees to attend the many functions they have during the three days. When you add the three nights hotel expenses and travel, it can easily cost $800 to attend and participate in all the functions. Why attend if your vote is going to count even though you are not in attendance?
Commented: Thursday, November 6th, 2025 @ 8:28 am
By: Ray Leary
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Commented on Kings and QueensThe protestations coming from those who perceive powers they do not have is also illustrated when it comes to the Beaufort County Republican Party Plan of Organization (PoO). When it suits there position, they drive it hard. When the PoO does not comport with there desires, it is ignored or there are efforts to change it to meet their desires. That desire is total control of the electoral process, be it in local, state, or federal elections. Should an undesirable slip by, the strategy then moves to use every thing that elected official does or says as a cudgel to drive them from the political stage. Challenges to the status quo will not be tolerated.
Commented: Sunday, October 5th, 2025 @ 9:02 am
By: Ray Leary
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Commented on School Board goes NON-transparent on Snowden closureI am still waiting for the DPI review of the projected enrollment to evaluate the reasonableness of this projects and size as required prior to issuing the grant for the new K-3 elementary school in Washington, NC as required by NC General Statute.
NCGS 115C-546.11(d) (d) The Department of Public Instruction shall review projected enrollment to evaluate the reasonableness of a project's size and scope.
Commented: Thursday, May 29th, 2025 @ 10:14 am
By: Ray Leary
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Dr. Cheeseman made it very clear at the Monday, May 19, 2025 meeting of the Beaufort County commissioners budget meeting that HE would not be closing the S. W. Snowden school in Beaufort County. He clearly stated if the school was closed it would be the responsibility of the elected school board members. It is also very clear that closing Snowden is his preference and he will encourage the elected members to consent to his desires. Dr. Cheeseman and the staff that works at his pleasure are responsible for assigning teachers and teacher assistants to each school. Should a school board member not bend to his wishes, he can reassign key personnel from one school to another district school requiring longer travel time for teachers.
Hood is correct. If there is a constant rumbling that the Snowden is slated for for closure, it is natural for parents to select other options for their children's educational options when available. Aurora and the Richlands community deserve better.
Commented: Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 @ 7:12 pm
By: Ray Leary
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Commented on THE SINKING OF THE S.S. SNOWDENShreve and Carlton did not vote to close SW Snowden. They voted to have public hearings to allow the public to voice their opposition or support for closing SW Snowden. Voting not to hold public hearings would have deprived the public an opportunity provided the NC General Assembly.
What was mentioned that public schools with 100 or less students could be closed. Actually, the statute says that schools with less than 100 students would not have a 12 month principle paid for by the state. There are options to closing and transporting students to Chocowinity, NC. The Snowden school could be classified as an Academy. See the link below. www.ncleg.gov Another option would be to allow the Richland Township students to attend the elementary and middle schools in Pamlico County. The Pamlico County schools are 10-15 miles from Aurora, not 23-35 miles from Chocowinity. The public hearings will allow everyone to explore these options.
Commented: Monday, March 31st, 2025 @ 8:21 pm
By: Ray Leary
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