[1] Today marked the official organization of the Southwest Virginia Young Democrats as a large group of young (and a few not so “young”) people from all over the Ninth Congressional District convereged on Los Arcos in Abingdon, Virginia.

The group approved their official name, voted on a constitution, elected officers, and approved the beginning of the chartering process with the [2] Virginia Young Democrats.

Serving for the 2006-2007 term will be Tabitha Hibbitts Peace (Wise County), Chair; Brian Patton (Dickenson County), Vice Chair; Sara Sword (Russell County), Secretary; and Joseph Puckett (Russell County), Treasurer.

There were representatives from Bristol City, Washington County, Scott County, Wise County, Russell County, Dickenson County, Grayson County, and Smyth County on hand. The group intends to open membership to anyone within the Ninth Congressional District.

Special guests were Tom Graham, Ninth District Committee Chairman; Jack Heacock with the Bristol City Democrats; and John W. Peace II, member of the Wise County Board of Supervisors. All three showed up to show their support for the organization of a Young Democrat group for Southwest Virginia, and praised the efforts of all who came out.

The group will meet again on August 6, 2006 at 6 p.m. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held at Macados in Marion, Virginia, located at 142 East Main Street. For more information, or to become a member, contact Tabitha Peace at 276-393-1055 or by email at [3] TabithaPeace@hotmail.com.