THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504230037
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Pasquotank County Democrats kept it all in the family Saturday when they elected Betty Meggs to succeed her daughter Catherine as head of the county Democratic Party.
Betty Meggs is a nationally recognized Democratic organizer. Her election by acclamation was so smoothly managed that even Johnny L. Houston, an Elizabeth City State University professor who wanted the job, seemed happy with his selection as first vice chairman of Pasquotank Democrats.
Kathy Boyce, an Elizabeth City credit manager, was named second vice chairwoman. Cecelia ``Ceci'' Austin was elected Pasquotank Democratic treasurer and Audrey Shields was named secretary.
``We are a party of compassion, a party of hope, and we are making progress in spite of a setback last November,'' said Senior Superior Court Judge J. Herbert W. Small of Elizabeth City in opening the Pasquotank Democratic convention, one of dozens held Saturday in county courthouses across the state.
About 50 leading party members came to the meeting in Pasquotank County courthouse, many uneasily anticipating controversy over the picking of a new county leader.
Earlier this month, Catherine Meggs, at 33 one of the younger Democratic chairs in North Carolina, announced she planned to step down without seeking a second two-year term. Most chairs serve two terms for four years.
The younger Meggs has been under fire from older Democrats for playing favorites in last year's races for Albemarle District Attorney and Pasquotank sheriff. Traditionally, county chairs remain neutral in local races.
Catherine Meggs spent much of last week searching for enthusiastic successors.
Party insiders said the only Pasquotank resident who seemed eager for the job was Houston, a veteran faculty member at the predominantly African-American ECSU. Before the Saturday meeting, there were reports that a floor-nomination effort would be made for Houston.
Instead, the election of Betty Meggs, Catherine's mother, was unanimous. She was nominated by Lillian Sugg, another Democratic leader. The convention at one point named Sugg honorary Democratic ambassador from Pasquotank County.
Betty Meggs has been a Democratic activist for many years, but her nomination by Sugg was unexpected.
Originally Catherine Meggs was a nominating committee's choice to succeed herself. Nomination of Betty Meggs was impromptu - ``parliamentary procedure on the go'' - according to her daughter.
Betty Meggs, widow of Dr. David P. Meggs, has been active in Democratic politics at a national and state level for many years. She has been a party officer at many Democratic national conventions. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Earlier this month, Catherine Meggs said she would step down as head
of the Pasquotank County Democrats without seeking a second two-year
term.
by CNB