Libertarian Party of Alabama 2015 convention liveblog

I’m on the scene at the following event. My reporting will be in the comments.

https://www.facebook.com/events/632508180217258/

2015 Libertarian Party of Alabama Convention Schedule
The Libertarian Party of Alabama will host its annual convention on Saturday, June 13, 2015. The convention activities will take place in the Richard Arrington Auditorium on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library. The Linn-Henley building is located between the Main Birmingham Public Library building at 2100 Park Place and Linn Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The Linn-Henley building may be accessed on the west side from Linn Park and from the Main Library building via the 3rd floor pedestrian bridge. Free parking is available at the Main Library building. An outing with our speakers has been planned to Regions Field in downtown Birmingham for after the convention to watch Chattanooga vs. the Barons. We have a limited amount of tickets available for $10/person.
Convention Schedule:
1:30-2:00 pm – Registration and Credentialing
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm – 2014-2015 Officer Reports (Chair, Treasurer)
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm – Business Meeting
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm – Executive Committee Elections
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm – Break
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Steven Bradley – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm – Wes Benedict – Executive Director of the Libertarian Party.
5:15 pm – 9:00 pm – Baron’s game – Game starts at 6:30pm and its Used Car night!!
The Libertarian Party of Alabama is currently conducting ballot access petition efforts or 2016 placement in Jefferson County. This designation allows the Libertarian Party of Alabama to run candidates for all county positions including 17 Constable positions, several school board races, Treasurer/Asst. Treasurer along with several district judge seats. If you are interested in running for a political office in Jefferson County as a Libertarian or attending the convention, please contact: Mr. Leigh LaChine, Chair, 205.936.9387 or [email protected].
The Libertarian Party of Alabama is the official State affiliate for the national Libertarian Party. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party believes in achieving liberty through economic freedom and social tolerance, and is the nation’s fastest growing political party. More information is available at their respective websites: http://www.LPAlabama.org/ or http://www.LP.org/.

paulie June 14, 2015

“The Libertarian Party of Alabama held their annual convention and elected leadership for the upcoming year in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, June 13, 2015.

Mr. Leigh LaChine, a Birmingham resident, was elected to a third term as the party’s State Executive Committee Chair. Mr. LaChine also serves as the Chair of the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance and is the managing member of an environmental consulting firm.

“I wanted to thank all of our members and activists that took time out of their schedules to attend the annual convention. Our volunteers have done an incredible amount of work to make the Libertarian Party of Alabama what it is today,” said LaChine. “The party ran a slate of 13 candidates last fall, the first time we have had multiple candidates on the ballot since 2002. We are currently conducting ballot access petitioning for Jefferson County and are looking for qualified candidates for 17 constable positions, two (2) school board position, and County Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer.”

Other members newly elected to the State Executive Committee were Charles Kessler as Vice Chair, Nicole Jordan as Secretary, and Ross Lowe as Treasurer. Charles Kennedy of Birmingham was elected to an At-Large Representative with James Cargo serving as an additional At-Large Representative. The four (4) Regional Representative positions were filled by Tim Cowles, Colin Albea, Amanda Beshears-Cook, and Dennis Knizely.

The Libertarian Party of Alabama is the official State affiliate for the
national Libertarian Party. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party believes in achieving liberty through economic freedom and social tolerance, and is the nation’s fastest growing political party. More information is available at their respective websites: http://www.LPAlabama.org/, http://www.LP.org/, or [email protected].”

38 Comments

paulie June 14, 2015
Yes, Colin is Jim’s son.
Chuck Moulton June 14, 2015
Is Colin Albea related to Jim Albea? Another generation of libertarians?
paulie June 14, 2015
Colin Albea took some video of the speakers, I will post it if and when I see him post it.
paulie June 14, 2015
“The Libertarian Party of Alabama held their annual convention and elected leadership for the upcoming year in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
Mr. Leigh LaChine, a Birmingham resident, was elected to a third term as the party’s State Executive Committee Chair. Mr. LaChine also serves as the Chair of the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance and is the managing member of an environmental consulting firm.
“I wanted to thank all of our members and activists that took time out of their schedules to attend the annual convention. Our volunteers have done an incredible amount of work to make the Libertarian Party of Alabama what it is today,” said LaChine. “The party ran a slate of 13 candidates last fall, the first time we have had multiple candidates on the ballot since 2002. We are currently conducting ballot access petitioning for Jefferson County and are looking for qualified candidates for 17 constable positions, two (2) school board position, and County Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer.”
Other members newly elected to the State Executive Committee were Charles Kessler as Vice Chair, Nicole Jordan as Secretary, and Ross Lowe as Treasurer. Charles Kennedy of Birmingham was elected to an At-Large Representative with James Cargo serving as an additional At-Large Representative. The four (4) Regional Representative positions were filled by Tim Cowles, Colin Albea, Amanda Beshears-Cook, and Dennis Knizely.
The Libertarian Party of Alabama is the official State affiliate for the
national Libertarian Party. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party believes in achieving liberty through economic freedom and social tolerance, and is the nation’s fastest growing political party. More information is available at their respective websites: http://www.LPAlabama.org/, http://www.LP.org/, or [email protected].”
paulie June 13, 2015
Not a big deal. I wouldn’t have brought it up if Matt had not asked why I didn’t run for the state committee.
Chuck Moulton June 13, 2015
Sorry to hear you’re not getting respect, Paulie.
paulie June 13, 2015
I’m skipping the social outing after the convention because it’s too late to catch the city bus afterwards and no one agreed to give me a ride after I explained that and asked a couple or three times.
paulie June 13, 2015
Wes Benedict is up next and will do some training and demonstration of fundraising tactics among other things.
paulie June 13, 2015
2009: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/07/party-secretary-sarah-wires-libertarian-party-of-alabama-convention-report/
paulie June 13, 2015
2013: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2013/06/libertarian-party-of-alabama-convention-tomorrow-june-8-2013/
paulie June 13, 2015
Last year’s LPA convention coverage if anyone is interested:
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2014/05/alabama-new-mexico-libertarian-conventions-today/
paulie June 13, 2015
Stephen Bradley
http://www.leap.cc/
http://www.southerncannabis.org/
paulie June 13, 2015
Nothing new, I’m used to it. You have to have thick skin to petition for a living. Or to stick with the LP for 20 plus years.
Matt Cholko June 13, 2015
Damn. I’m sorry to hear that.
paulie June 13, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCVR_ajL_Eo
paulie June 13, 2015
I offered to run for Vice Chair and/or At Large and did not get a second for my nomination. I also offered to do the Director of Outreach position rather than have it be eliminated, but there was an overwhelming hand vote to get rid of it.
Also couldn’t find anyone to give me a ride to the convention from another event where I was getting signatures, so I walked an hour in the hot Alabama sun
Matt Cholko June 13, 2015
why didn’t you run for something Paulie?
paulie June 13, 2015
Business meeting adjourned, 15 minute recess then speaker from LEAP
paulie June 13, 2015
Region reps = Tim Cowles, Region 1; Colin Albea region 2.
Re-elected in absentia, Amanda Cook (region 3) and Dennis Knizley (region 4).
Doug Craig June 13, 2015
I went to an Alabama convention many years ago….their activity is much higher than back then…good to see it…I know their social media is much higher than most..
paulie June 13, 2015
James Cargo,
Charles Kennedy
elected
paulie June 13, 2015
At Large
James Cargo
Charles Kennedy
NOTA
paulie June 13, 2015
Nicole Jordan is the only human candidate for Secretary. Elected unanimously.
paulie June 13, 2015
Ross Lowe (incumbent) is the only human candidate for Treasurer. Re-elected unanimously.
paulie June 13, 2015
Charles Kessler is the only candidate for vice chair other than NOTA. Kessler elected unanimously.
paulie June 13, 2015
Leigh Lachine re-elected unanimously as Chair.
paulie June 13, 2015
Fails.
Addendum, it also said they could not have been active with another party within the past year.
paulie June 13, 2015
Proposal that candidates can not be active members of other political party.
paulie June 13, 2015
2nd bylaw proposal fails
paulie June 13, 2015
Wes Benedict has arrived
paulie June 13, 2015
Proposal: Add 90 day minimum gap between national and state conventions
paulie June 13, 2015
Passes
paulie June 13, 2015
First proposal, get rid of director of outreach position on the executive committee.
paulie June 13, 2015
15 voting members. 3 bylaws amendments proposed. Need 10 votes each.
paulie June 13, 2015
Treasurers report, Ross Lowe
paulie June 13, 2015
Next year’s convention will be in February, to be ahead of the March 1 deadline to nominate candidates and wil feature a presidential debate (presuming candidates accept the nomination).
paulie June 13, 2015
Leigh said he will try to get speakers for the monthly meetings in Birmingham.
paulie June 13, 2015
Starting 5 minutes late. Doug Craig is here from Georgia.

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