| More candidates and a higher profile were two of the main goals set at the Calhoun County Republican Executive Committee Thursday night.
Chairman Gaylen Duskey said the GOP needs to get its local act in gear if it hopes to become the viable party needed to give Calhoun County a two-party system.
Duskey said it was very frustrating for Republicans and Independents to basically have no say in who was elected to what office in the county.
He said that was basically decided in the Democrat primary where there were multiple candidates and Republicans and Independents had no say in who was nominated.
Then in the general election, since the GOP failed to come up with people to run for office, all the Republicans or Independents could do was basically say "yes" or "no" on whoever was running unopposed in the general election and if the candidate voted from themselves they were elected.
"It's just wrong for it to be that way," Duskey said, adding that the problem was created by the inactivity of the Republican party.
People have until January 28 to file for office and Duskey said he is hoping that some Republicans step forward in 2012.
Meanwhile the committee set its goals for 2012.
These are the goals for the Calhoun County Republican Executive Committee for the 2012 calendar year:
Increase county Republican registration by five per cent
Present a full slate of candidates for the 2012 election
Fill all Calhoun County Republican Executive Committee slots
Hold Lincoln-Reagan Dinner
Hold forum for statewide GOP candidates
Have at least two fund-raising events
Prepare list of campaign workers for the general election
Increase visibility of the Calhoun Republican Party in the media including print, electronic and online
Find and sponsor deserving youths to attend the state GOP camp
Meet monthly in 2012 | 
