Approximately 70 people met Saturday morning at the Edgecombe County Democratic Convention, to choose delegates to attend the district and state conventions.

There are 21 precincts in Edgecombe, at least one delegate had to be present for the meeting to be held. There were 11 present, as well as a number of those who were not delegates.

County Chairwoman Genotre Penny-Boone welcomed the crowd.

"This is an exciting time, an exciting year," she said. "We expect to get great things done."

Tarboro Attorney Charles Rountree, chairman of Edgecombe Count Precinct 1-3, introduced the keynote speaker, state Court of Appeals Judge Jim Wynn.

The charismatic black judge said he was once asked how he had arrived where he is today, from being raised in a poor background in the tobacco fields of North Carolina.

"I was honored and blessed where I came from, not hindered by it," he said.

Wynn set the mood of the convention when he told the story of a young judge who was watched intently on his first day on the bench by an old judge with an impeccable reputation, who sat in the back of his courtroom.

At the end of the day, the old judge approached the new judge, looked him in the eye, and said "You've done great job ... so far."

"The N.C. Court of Appeals usually gives 1,600-1,700 opinions a year," Wynn said. "In contrast, the N.C. Supreme Court gives less than 30."

Wynn said he adds diversity to the Court of Appeals, which has a total of 15 judges, divided into groups of three.

"More than half of the people in the correctional system are African-American," he said. "Those in Edgecombe County would have a different viewpoint than those in Wake County. Judges ought to be fair."

Party Secretary Florence Armstrong said the county had 53 delegates. Two additional people were added during the meeting bringing the total to 55 delegates for the district and state conventions.

The Democratic District Convention will be May 17 at Edgecombe Community College; the State Convention on June 21 in New Bern; and the National Convention will be Aug. 25-28 in Denver.

During the meeting, the Rev. Roosevelt Higgs of Speed enthusiastically spoke up several times, endeavoring to correct the order of the meeting, which obviously flustered Penny-Boone, who said she had read the rules and knew what she was about. She did permit him to speak twice, which is according to order and then asked him to give others a chance to speak.

Parliamentarian Joseph Boone added his confirmation to the procedures.

Tarboro native Bernice Pitt read a letter from presidential hopeful Sen Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., which gave a Web site, www.NCAskMe.com, where North Carolinians can go online and submit questions of interest to the candidate.

Pitt also read a letter from state Sen. Kay Hagan, D-Guilford, who is a candidate for the U.S. Senate, reminding voters that Hagan has been rated one of the most effective state senators in her last three terms.

Those present re-elected the following committee members:

Prosecutorial: Carol White and Jim Marrow; state Senate: Roland Clark and Alice Wilson; state House District 24: Ruth Cherry and Linwood Williams; state House District 23: George Barnes and Gladys Shelton (Shelton was elected to replace Nina Fountain who stepped down because of illness.)

County Commissioner Viola Harris read letters from candidates who could not be present: Richard Moore for governor; Walton Dalton, Pat Smathers and Hampton Dellinger, all for lieutenant governor; Sam Irving for Court of Appeals; Wayne Goodwin for Commissioner of Insurance; Beth Wood for State Auditor; Ronnie Ansley for Commissioner of Agriculture; Mary Fant Donnan for Commissioner of Labor; Elaine Marshall for Secretary of State; Michael Weisel for State Treasurer; and Clark Jenkins for state Senate District 3.

Allen Mitchell, chairman of the Get Out and Vote committee, praised the crowd for its enthusiasm and good attendance.

"I want to encourage people to get out and vote early, so you don't have to wait in line," he said. "And also tell anyone that wants a ride to the polls, to call 442-7369 any day and we will come and pick them up. We need all the precincts involved."

Mitchell said the county Democrats are looking for an office in Tarboro they can use for a temporary headquarters.

"If anyone knows of a place that is reasonably priced, let us know," he said.

Patricia E. Williams spoke for Jim Neal for U. S. senate; Dot Spruill spoke for Alvis "Butch" Armstrong, candidate for Edgecombe County Register of Deeds. Bill Bourne spoke on behalf of Lt.Gov. Bev Purdue for governor.

State Senate candidate Shelly Willingham of Rocky Mount said he felt he could represent the people in District 3 in a more effective way, because the majority of the people in the district are black.

"I understand the people in Edgecombe County, because I am the same as they are," he said.

Willingham said he was disappointed with a story in The Daily Southerner Friday because they said he had thrown in the "race card."

"I didn't mention race, they did," he said. "Let's keep race out as an issue."

Willingham cited his experience as a police officer, county commissioner and position as president of the board of a non-profit organization as aids to his future effectiveness as a state senator.

Register of Deeds Incumbent Robin Carpenter said her position in the Register of Deeds office, for the past 17 years, is her career.

"I am qualified, dedicated, experienced and ultimately responsible for over a half million taxpayer's dollars," she said. "It is a very important office that doesn't need to be taken lightly."

"My qualifications far exceed the qualifications to file for Register of Deeds," she added. "I am a certified Register of Deeds by the North Carolina Association of Register of Deeds.I have an understanding of the many policies, procedures and statutes, therefore there would be no learning curve. Without accuracy, meticulous attention to detail and professionalism, the Register of Deeds Office cannot function."

Zenira Wiggins, and her son Dacor, spoke briefly for presidential hopeful Sen, Barack Obama, D-Ill.

"We are having a Tarboro for Obama meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Stephen Baptist Church in Tarboro," she said. "We would like to invite you all to join us."

"This is the first time ever, I have talked to the kids about a political campaign," Wiggins said. "We sit down and watch the debates and then have an open forum and discuss what was said. The main thing I want people in Edgecombe County to know is they have the right to vote- please exercise that right."

Penny-Boone said she was pleased with the meeting Saturday.

"We had a very productive convention and good attendance, and I was pleased with the many candidates who sent letters, materials and campaign people," she said. "I am hoping everyone will go and vote. It is an exciting year to vote, not only because of the presidential election, but also because of the state and local races."