When the Rowan County Republican Party meets Saturday for its biennial convention, its outgoing chairman is hoping for a fresh start and a focus on education.

Leatherman’s term as chairman will end on Saturday, after he announced earlier this year that he wasn’t interested in seeking another term. When he became chairman two years ago, Leatherman said he realized he wasn’t the party’s first choice.

“I was asked to come in during a time of transition and hopefully we can all decide to work together,” he said. “I want want the Republican Party to be constructive and not throw rocks at the glass. We’ve got to have people with experience in the Republican Party. It’s got to be a fresh start.”

This week, Leatherman said the nominating committee’s slate of candidates would have his vote. A separate slate was also posted on the Rowan County Republican Party’s Facebook page. The nominating committee’s slate includes several candidates who have previously been chairman of the Rowan Party. The alternate slate includes a former chairman of the Rowan County Commissioners, a current member of the party’s executive committee and a former candidate for the county’s board of commissioners.

As for the future of the party, Leatherman said a focus should be on supporting the Rowan-Salisbury School System and education.

“We, everybody in Rowan, should be asking to our superintendent and principals ‘what do we need today?’ “, he said. “We need to unite behind our superintendent and principals and say we want to make sure we’re getting the job done.”

Leatherman’s focus on education was evident during this year’s general election, as the Republican Party dumped a couple thousand dollars into the campaigns of Phil Hardin, Dean Hunter and Travis Allen. However, the race isn’t partisan, meaning party affiliations don’t show up on ballots. Two of the candidates supported by Republicans won.

Adams partners with Alabama representative for Civil Rights Cities Act

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-12, introduced a bill this week with help from an Alabama peer that would annually designate one municipality as a civil rights city.

In honor of Black History Month, the first two cities would be Greensboro and Selma, Ala. because of their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Selma is the hometown of the bill’s other primary sponsor Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat who represents Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.

“We must never forget the notable contributions of American cities in the fight for civil and human rights. Our nation must commit to preserving and protecting the legacies of these notable cities while recognizing their unique roles in American history,” Sewell said.

Cities would be identified based on their past contributions to promote and protect civil rights by preventing discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or disability.

“Greensboro’s long and distinguished contributions to the African American Civil Rights Movement should be honored and celebrated. This bill will ensure that and will also set in place a procedure for other cities to receive this rightful designation. As a nation, we should celebrate our brave cities and never forget the tireless contributions of communities that have rallied behind the fight for social justice,” Adams said.

County officials travel to meet with new city manager

Three of Rowan County’s top officials took a field trip to Lenoir this week for a lunch date with incoming city manager Lane Bailey.

Bailey is the current city manager of Lenoir. He was joined for lunch by Rowan County Board of Commissioner Chairman Greg Edds, Vice-Chairman Jim Greene and County Manager Aaron Church.