Banks, Leighty resign from GOP leadership, replacements will be sought via caucus in June
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Change is ahead for the Whitley County GOP.
Whitley County Republican Party chairman Jim Banks announced today that he will be stepping down from leadership of the county political party. Additionally, party secretary Crystal Leighty has announced she will step down as well.
After more than four years of leadership of the county GOP, Banks notified party members of his decision in writing today, stating that he enjoyed leading the group and looked forward to serving the party in some other way in the future.
"With my election to State Senate and growing time demands elsewhere I have announced at a few events over the past six months that though I’d be willing to serve the rest of my term if someone else was ready to step up, I’d be pleased to pass on the leadership opportunity to a new leader," Banks said of the two years remaining in his term. "To my pleasant surprise I had a handful of local community leaders approach me about their interest in leading the party." Banks recently completed his first term in the General Assembly as District 17 State Senator.
With many individuals voicing interest in leading the local GOP, Banks has decided to hold a caucus to find his replacement and county precinct committee members will decide who will lead them. Both Banks' position and Leighty's position will be filled that day.
The caucus is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. at the Brew Ha coffee house in downtown Columbia City. Each Republican precinct committee member and vice precinct committee member will have an opportunity to cast a vote.
According to party rules, anyone interested in serving as county GOP chairman will need to contact Banks in writing at least 72 hours prior to the caucus. Those interested in serving as secretary will be nominated from the floor.
Vice chair Laurell Hodges and treasurer Dr. Neil Hanni will both continue on the GOP board.
Anyone wanting further information on the caucus or who might be interested in serving should call Jim Banks at (260) 579-5828.
Change is ahead for the Whitley County GOP.
Whitley County Republican Party chairman Jim Banks announced today that he will be stepping down from leadership of the county political party. Additionally, party secretary Crystal Leighty has announced she will step down as well.
After more than four years of leadership of the county GOP, Banks notified party members of his decision in writing today, stating that he enjoyed leading the group and looked forward to serving the party in some other way in the future.
"With my election to State Senate and growing time demands elsewhere I have announced at a few events over the past six months that though I’d be willing to serve the rest of my term if someone else was ready to step up, I’d be pleased to pass on the leadership opportunity to a new leader," Banks said of the two years remaining in his term. "To my pleasant surprise I had a handful of local community leaders approach me about their interest in leading the party." Banks recently completed his first term in the General Assembly as District 17 State Senator.
With many individuals voicing interest in leading the local GOP, Banks has decided to hold a caucus to find his replacement and county precinct committee members will decide who will lead them. Both Banks' position and Leighty's position will be filled that day.
The caucus is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. at the Brew Ha coffee house in downtown Columbia City. Each Republican precinct committee member and vice precinct committee member will have an opportunity to cast a vote.
According to party rules, anyone interested in serving as county GOP chairman will need to contact Banks in writing at least 72 hours prior to the caucus. Those interested in serving as secretary will be nominated from the floor.
Vice chair Laurell Hodges and treasurer Dr. Neil Hanni will both continue on the GOP board.
Anyone wanting further information on the caucus or who might be interested in serving should call Jim Banks at (260) 579-5828.