A trio of candidates who hope to challenge U.S. House District 8 incumbent Larry Kissell in the November general election spoke Monday night at the Scotland County Republican Party convention.

Laurinburg resident Bill Owens, the sole Republican candidate vying for Scotland County commissioner, also spoke to the 45 registered Republicans and visitors in attendance.

The event was held at the county courthouse in Laurinburg.

First to speak was former WSOC-TV sports reporter Harold Johnson, a United States Marine Corps veteran who asked the veterans in attendance if they recognize the America they once served.

"What are we doing in this country, when terrorists seem to get better treatment than the military?" he said. "What is going on in this great country called America?"

Johnson cited stipulations in the health care bill that he said would take considerable amounts of money away from programs and institutions designed to aid seniors.

"This bill would cut millions from Hospice," Johnson said, "and would take half a trillion dollars away from Medicare. There's stuff in this bill that most people haven't even heard about."

Johnson said that President Obama has his priorities "totally backward, because he doesn't see himself as president, but as a 'world leader'. He goes around the world, apologizing for America. We got through Jimmy Carter, so we will get through this."

Lee Cornelison from Mecklenburg County began by saying that Republicans need to "take this country back".

"We (candidates) all share the same ideals and concerns for this country, and we need to put the best qualified person in Washington to see the change we all want," he said.

Cornelison said that while Washington needed change, Republicans were not blameless in bringing the country to its current economic state.

"The Republican party lost its way, and I'm not just talking about George W. Bush," he said. "Some of us forgot we are the party of less government and less spending. A lot of people in Congress are more interested in getting reelected than they are in taking care of the country."

Cornelison said he entered the race for the sake of his grandchildrens' future.

"We need people in office who care about this country, and can reverse this legacy of despair being passed on to our children," he said. "I could retire and live the rest of my life in ease, but I am running because I want to be able to look my granddaughter in the eye and at least be able to say I've tried to change this country."

Cumberland County resident Lou Huddleston, a familiar candidate to many in attendance due to his numerous visits to Scotland County, said he would discard the background information in his opening remarks.

"I know most of the faces here tonight, so I will just share what I've heard in my travels from Fayetteville to Charlotte. People are telling me that they want less government, not a bigger government, and they are saying that they don't want the government to run the health care system," Huddleston said. "They also don't believe the federal government has the responsibility to create jobs at the expense of the private sector, but that it should create the conditions for small business entrepreneurs to survive."

Huddleston said national security was one of the public's top concerns, and said that people "don't want the federal government thinking they can fix society's ills. The people want a Congressman to go to Washington with their values and beliefs, and I am that candidate."

He cautioned the audience not to vote for someone who only shares their philosophical beliefs.

"Ask yourself if your candidate is qualified," he said. "Does he have the bandwidth, depth, and attitude to do your work? I believe I have those qualifications; a common sense, conservative leadership leads to common sense, conservative results."

Owens

Owens followed the congressional candidates by listing four objectives he plans to address if elected a county commissioner from the Stewartsville District.

"First, I plan to lower the tax rate in order to boost jobs; second, I want to focus on improving the Laurinburg-Maxton runway, in order to make this a major source for growth; third, I want to promote transparency in government. I would like to put the county budget online, to let the public see how their funds are being spent. If the state of Florida can do this, we ought to be able to do it as well."

Owens' fourth goal is to find an alternative to the proposed county megadump.

"The county has already spent $14,000 studying a new landfill proposal," he said, "and this issue caused serious division in our county two or three years ago. Scotland County can do better than this."

Owens cited the $10,000 discretionary fund received by each commissioner as a practice that needs to be discontinued.

"Each commissioner receives this fund, with $15,000 to the board chairman, as money meant to go to the charity of each commissioner's choice," he said. "I consider this a prime opportunity for commissioners to buy votes, and it needs to stop in the name of good government."

Party chairman Suzanne Allen complemented the candidates on what she called "the cleanest race" she'd ever seen.

"They've all done a wonderful job," she said following the program. "They are all so good; it will be a tough choice for the voters."

Audience member Horst Hanak agreed.

"Before tonight I was locked on Tim D'Annunzio, but after listening to these candidates it will be hard to make a decision," he said. "They are all impressive."

Representatives for Tim D'Annunzio and Ilario Pantano spoke in their respective candidates' absences.

The primary will be held May 4.