OR: LPO Convention Elects New Chair, Replacing Reeves

From a release by the LPOregon (not the group recognized by the Secretary of State or LPHQ):

Despite all of the internal issues with which the LPO has had to contend in recent years, members gathered at Pendleton’s Red Lion hotel on March 21st for the LPO’s 2015 Annual Business Convention.

At this convention officers were elected, vacancies on the Judicial Committee were filled, and amendments to the bylaws were considered.

Why Pendleton?

LPO bylaws require the location of our Annual Convention to be rotated.  In the year after a regular election for governor, our bylaws require that our Annual Convention must be held in Grant county or in any county adjacent to Grant county.  Umatilla county, where Pendleton is located, is adjacent to Grant.  Rotating the location of our Annual Convention helps the LPO underscore that it is a statewide organization.

Next year, the convention will be in or near the Portland metropolitan area.

Who was Elected:  Ian Epstein, a longtime Libertarian living in the Portland area, was elected as the LPO’s next state Chair.  Tim Reeves, who served as the LPO’s state chair since 2011, was elected Vice-Chair.  Richard Burke, the party’s 1998 nominee for governor and current public office holder, was elected Secretary, and Greg Burnett was re-elected to the position of Treasurer.  Eli Stephens, Nick Hazelton, and Steve Dodds were elected to fill vacancies on the LPO Judicial Committee, joining Mark Delphine and M Carling.

Bylaws Amendments: One amendment to the LPO’s governing documents was initially approved which would ensure that the LPO would not become responsible for FEC reporting.  It reads, “The Party shall not make any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of any money or anything of value, for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office.” Amendments must be approved at two consecutive bylaw conventions, so it will be voted on again in 2017.  If it passes, it will be enacted.

Other Happenings:  Progress on Operation Groundswell (see below) was discussed including progress on the LPO’s 2015 legislative agenda, candidates running for local office in the May 19th elections, and other activities.  The night before the convention saw participants enjoy each others’ company during a reception held at the conference hotel’s lounge.  Morale was high, the energy was good, and attendees saw the convention as a springboard for a productive 2015.

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NOTE: The reader would be well-advised to enter “Oregon Libertarian Party” in the search box to find some 75 articles about events in the Oregon LP since the spring of 2011 and earlier.