Oxford County republicans to meet

OXFORD -- The Oxford County Republican Committee cordially invites all republicans to a 6 p.m. May 15 meeting at the Advent Evangelical Church, Route 26.

A business meeting will be preceded by a delicious lasagna dinner prepared and served by The Hannibal Hamlin Women’s Republican Club at the minimal cost of $8 per person paid for at the door. In addition, the winner of the first Oxford County Young Republican Scholarship award will be presented to the recipient with his family present; it will be an honor and a tribute to the recipient to have many witness this historic event!

The committee appointed to evaluate the applications for this prestigious award has been hard at work undertaking the reviewing process. About 24 outstanding applications were received. Applicants were evaluated on non-academic high school achievements; high school level of activity involvement; level of community involvement; areas of leadership responsibilities; high school academic performance; indications of Republican values; future public service involvement; letters of support. To the best of our knowledge, the Oxford County Republican Committee is the only politically oriented organization in the state of Maine that offers a scholarship.

On the agenda is election of a new chairman of the committee; Steve Merrill has resigned that position to devote all of his free time to his re-election as commissioner of Oxford County. He has served in many positions within the county and state Republican organization and his wisdom, leadership skills and unending tenacity to work for responsible government will be a great loss. The election of the new chairman will be by the full county committee so it is urged that as many Oxford County republicans as possible attend.

The meeting will also talk about the scheduling of several summer events. It is the intention of the Committee to have at these to-be-announced meetings as many local candidates as possible to express their views on matters of local interest; this is being done in order that we may be as informed as possible before the November 6 general election.

They will discuss the Republican forum at the Franco-American Centre, Lewiston, on at 7 p.m. on May 16. A “meet and greet” with refreshments and a cash bar beforehand on the lower level will begin at 6. This will be an excellent opportunity for all area republicans to hear what the six candidates seeking to be elected to the congressional seat of retiring Senator Olympia Snowe have to say about their positions on important issues of the day. A review of discussions at the recently held Maine Republican State Convention in Augusta on May 5-6 will be discussed.

For additional information, contact Tom Curtis at 744-9248.