Insurance Commissioner Goodwin Visits Senior Democrats of Wake County

Last week I had the personal pleasure to join the Wake County Senior Dems as their monthly luncheon speaker.

In addition to sharing with the gathered activists the duties and scope of the office of Insurance Commissioner and of the Department of Insurance, the senior citizens posed many insightful questions. Their queries spanned the topics of health insurance reforms in Washington, D.C. to the State Health Plan involving state employees, retirees, and their dependents; from coastal insurance to the vital consumer protections provided by the office of Insurance Commissioner.

"I was especially pleased to share with them the mission of my Department's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program," said Goodwin. "We talked in depth about how we have trained SHIIP volunteers around the State who are available to help folks navigate the maze of Medicare Part D."

Richmond County, Eighth District Dems Attend 2007 Senior Dems State Convention

When Senior Democrats from all across North Carolina recently gathered for their annual state convention, once again senior citizens from Richmond County and other Eighth Congressional District counties were well-represented.

Among the 2007 delegates were Glenn Sumpter, Robbyn Sumpter, and Lee Quick of Richmond County. Ms. Sumpter serves as the Secretary for the Statewide organization. Mr. Quick serves as President of the Richmond County county chapter. Joining them as special guests were State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin and former lawmaker Wayne Goodwin. (Pictured, left to right, in the accompanying photograph.) Other legislators included Rep. Lorene Coates of Salisbury and former lawmaker B. Holt of Burlington.

The delegates heard inspiring remarks from U.S. Congressman Mel Watt, who previously served as President of the Congressional Black Caucus, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and NCDP chairman Jerry Meek. Larry Kissell, the 2006 Democratic nominee for Congress in the 8th District, and candidates for statewide office also attended. One of the statewide candidates was Pat Smathers, mayor of Canton and one of four Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor thus far.

The convention spanned two days in Salisbury, sponsored by the Rowan County Senior Democrats.

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