By Andrew Wilkins
What is the proper role of a political party?
The Founding Fathers were mostly skeptical of political parties, but several went on to participate in them— seeing them as a natural, yet problematic, outgrowth of factions and differing opinions on governance.
In my world, Hamilton County’s GOP just voted in new leadership that promises to be more transparent and recruit new blood for the party. Suburban Nashville’s Williamson County had a similar upheaval in their Republican County leadership— and we’ve all seen how President Donald Trump and MAGA principles have transformed the party on the national level.
The Catoosa County Republican Party is having its convention next week. One of the most pivotal issues is: does a political party, a private organization, have the right to vet and even exclude candidates from running as a representative of that party in its primary, or should voters decide who advances to the general election? The current Catoosa GOP leadership prides itself on efforts building party participation and turning out votes for President Donald Trump, but some county Republicans are unhappy with another element of their work to renew the party: vetting and excluding some candidates from the Republican ballot.
Multiple court cases and social media posts have wrestled with the issue. Current party leadership tried to exclude four candidates from last year’s county commission primary ballot, but a judge allowed them to run. The candidates the party attempted to exclude all had served on the commission, and party leadership said they did not govern with Republican values like lowering taxes and shrinking government. Current party leadership also said those candidates had every right to run for office as independents, but the four candidates said they are Republicans and voters should decide who’s a Republican— not a small group of party leadership.
Two of the candidates the GOP tried to exclude won their commission races, and all four of those candidates are part of a group trying to elect new party leadership. But after all the back-and-forth, the issue will come down to a vote of the county precinct chairs on Tuesday, March 18.
The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle * Tuesday, March 18 @ 6:30 pm
FRIDAY
At Calhoun’s Rock Garden, there’s a Mushroom & Medicinal Plant Foray for kids! The event will take participants through a nearby woods to learn about local plants an what they do. The event is hosted by Tree of Life Farms. Register here.
1411 Rome Rd SW, Calhoun * 10 am – noon * $10 + fees
SATURDAY
Are you a runner or need some inspiration to run? There are two races in Walker County this weekend.
There’s a 5K (3.1 miles) Catch the Leprechaun race in LaFayette Saturday morning hosted by the LaFayette Recreation Department. It’s the first year for the event. Register here.
Downtown LaFayette * 11 am – 3 pm * free
All routes for the The Cove Trail 10K, 30K, and 50K Race start at Mountain Cove Farms and climbs Pigeon Mountain. The longest route sounds amazing and winds past waterfalls and down former mining trails.
Organizers are looking for volunteers to help with the race, or runners can register here.
The Cove, 994 Dougherty Gap Rd * 7 am – 3 pm * $70 – $110 plus fees
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Best described in my opinion as somewhere between a hug and a prayer, reiki is an alternative health treatment.
It might not be everyone’s cup o’ tea, but a community reiki session is being held at a studio in Dalton. The technique of Japanese origin can help relax— and some claim heal— your body.
Blue Sun Fusion Studio also offers belly dance classes, cosmetology services, henna, and more.
616 S. Hamilton St. Dalton * 10 am – 3 pm * free
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Enjoy your weekend!
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Village NW Georgia 