Frederick County Central Committee: Recap

By Eric Beasley 

Even without an election right around the corner, there’s still plenty of local happenings to cover. It can be difficult to find these local happenings, so A Miner Detail relies on tips and hints from our readers. Such a reader gave me a tip a few weeks ago and said that I should start attending the Frederick County Republican Central Committee meetings.

It’s not the first time that I attended such a meeting. Last time was over a year ago, and the only words to describe the ineptitude, incompetence, and insanity of that meetings would make the average person’s eyeballs melt from the fiery vulgarity. It was an indoor train wreck. Like a sloth trying to run a marathon. Painful for both the attendees and the viewers.

Some of you may not be aware, the Frederick CC is no longer controlled by one of the many heads of the Houghzali Hydra, County Councilman Billy Shreve is the current Chairman. Now let’s be honest, anyone that knows me also knows there is no love lost between myself and Shreve. I used to despise him almost as much as the Houghzali. Keywords: “used to.” But we’ll get to that.

The biggest story to come out of the meeting is the Lincoln Reagan Dinner Guest Speaker. Arguably one of the best members of Congress will be in attendance, Congressman Thomas Massie. The pro-2A, off-grid living, Tesla driving, anti-Government waste, anti-Boehner, and anti-illegal NSA spying Libertarian Congressman that I personally wish I could clone and have elected in 240 districts across the country. I am definitely going to be buying a seat for this event, and considering the speaker I predict this event will be sold out.

The Central Committee needs it, considering the poor attendance at last year’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner. In 2015, there were 144 attendees, compared to 2014 when they had 247. Many folks in the area refused to attend last year because of the poor work ethic and divisive rhetoric from the CC Chairwoman, JoeyLynn Hough.

I’m sure you all remember her. Boy, I thought she was bad as Chairwoman. She’s definitively worse as an unseated Chairwoman on the Central Committee. Not a single productive comment came out of her mouth the entire evening, nothing but bitter snark and active attempts to undermine Shreve.

Some other news to come out of the meeting. Amie Hoeber invited the Frederick CC out to dinner. You know, something that candidates in areas should probably do. It gives them a chance to chat with the candidate and hopefully get some backing. Sitting back in the corner, picking her nails and texting someone, Hough remarked “Why does she want us for dinner” with a scowl. NEWS FLASH: It’s your job on the Central Committee to get Republicans elected. If you do not want to help, then resign and let someone else take your seat.

More news, in Frederick County we will have a 4th Early Voting location in Middletown for the general election. While I am sure most people are against early voting period, at least they chose a decent location.

The venerable Don Murphy, creator of the 10 Campaign Rules to Live By and GOP operative was there discussing the MDGOP nominated delegates to convention. He was requesting that delegates to the RNC included delegates from all campaigns instead of solely the Trump campaign as a show of Republican unity, similar to what was done in 2008. The most entertaining moment was when he looked at Hough and said “Congratulations to the Trump team” and Hough’s reply was “What?” That’s what happens when you spend an entire meeting texting on your phone like a teenager.

In a stark contrast to the last Chairman, Shreve asked the auxiliary groups in attendance to give a brief report to the Central Committee. The Republican Club (Mark Schaff), Young Republican (Jesse Pippy, the new Dad), and Women’s Club (Connis Onspaugh) mentioned upcoming events and such.

After the reports, Cynthia Houser expressed some concern about people cheating during the RNC votes. I’ve been trying to figure out how this could even be a concern, considering the rest of the candidates have suspended their campaigns. Trump is the presumptive nominee, whether you like it or not. It was a little…. strange.

Shreve adjourned the meeting and Ole’ Uncle Don told some stories of the GOP back in the day. Kinda wish I had a campfire, a pipe, and a mason jar of Whiskey, which would have completed the effect. I snuck into Dave Schmidt’s office and left a note telling him that Army > Marines (he caught me on his surveillance cameras the next day, I got something for you next month….).

I will be covering future meetings as requested by this anonymous person. Shreve has been doing an excellent, if not slightly arrogant job, at running the Central Committee and there is no reason for him to be concerned about me being there to chronicle events.