Columbia County NAACP to Hold Election for Officers: Florida State Conference to Preside
Dale Landry, Regional VP of the
FL State Conference of the
NAACP, will be on hand to see
that the local election is run
by the book.
Posted November 30, 2012 05:30 am
Updated December 2, 2012 10:20 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On December 15th at 10 am, in Columbia County's Richardson Community Center, Dale Landry, regional vice president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP, will preside over the local branch election process. Vice President Landry explained that nominations for all positions will be taken from the floor and then elections will be conducted after the slate is established. He said the election will be conducted consistent with the NAACP 2012 unit election guidelines.
Long time Columbia County Branch President, John Mayo, added that in order to vote, one must be a NAACP member for at least 30 days.
President Mayo encourages every member to attend, even if they can't vote. He said, "I hope everyone that can attend this important meeting attends. When they see how the NAACP works, maybe they will have others join."
President Mayo said he hopes a younger person will run for president of the organization. "It's taught me so much. It's a wonderful position to have. It is so rewarding."
Long time Columbia County NAACP officers, (left to
right) Glynell Presley, Secretary, and John Mayo,
President, stand together on Martin Luther King Day in
2011. They may be turning over the reigns of the local
branch to the next generation of leaders.
President Mayo continued, "I would like to see someone get elected so I can help them along – a young person. That is what I am hoping for."
"The NAACP is a great organization and we don't want the local branch to fall apart."
The Observer asked, "Do you have a problem with the state organization coming in and running the election?"
President Mayo answered, "Absolutely not. The state supports the president. Any time that they feel that I need a little bit of help to make sure that I am not intimidated by anyone -- whatever they need to do -- they will always come and help you out. This year they feel that I need a little help and that's why they will be here."
President Mayo joined the NAACP when he was a teenager in the 50s. "At that time," he said, "The membership fee was only five dollars and I never realized that I would be so active. I just wanted to do my part."
"I remember when my membership came in the mail. My mama said, "'My lord, you don't know what you're doing. We might have visits from those people -- the KKK.'" I had no fear."
"I'm looking forward to the future and forward to the election. I know that the NAACP has made a difference in this country. I know that – I know that. I would never turn my back on the NAACP. I am hoping a young person steps up."