Local Republicans received another boost to the 2012 political season recently as they officially opened the new GOP Headquarters at 151 West Main St. inside the former Merle Norman location in Centre.

A good crowed gathered for the Grand Opening ceremony which included refreshments and a tour of the new spacious facility. The event included state and local Republican candidates who took the opportunity to share a few words with local constituents.

District 10 Senator Phil Williams led things off by expressing his appreciation to the local Republican Party on the fine job they have done on the new headquarters.

“This is awesome, so professional,” said Williams. “You walk in the door and you just feel like you are in the middle of something wonderful. Thank all of you.”

“I am not a candidate right now, praise God,” said Williams. “I have the luxury of sitting back and watching people run, but I don’t feel like it is a luxury to watch somebody else run. You have to be supporting them. We have great candidates in this county.”

“There are a bunch of other people that maybe aren’t going vote Republican and maybe don’t have a sign in their yard,” said Williams.

“Or folks who are thinking they are going to get away from ever being a Democrat again and need to know why they are going to vote Republican.”

“And I’ll bet some of you have friends in places like Ohio, Florida and Virigina you can call,” said Williams.

“I feel absolutely positive that Alabama is going to vote overwhelmingly Republican and I am proud to be part of that,” said Williams.

“I don’t mind being in the vast majority where I know that you stand on principles like fiscal conservatism, moral values, standing up against things like gay marriage and making sure that God is in our platform.

“Those things we all believe in.”

“But there are other states right now that are still malingering what they are going to do and it lingers all the way down to the local candidates,” said Williams.

“That is not going to happen here. We are going to vote them in. All these folks that have their signs in Cherokee County that are working hard, we are going to vote them in.”

Kirk Day is running as a Republican candidate for Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge.

“It is great to see everybody here tonight,” said Day.

“This is a wonderful crowd we’ve got, a wonderful start to wrapping up what is going to be I think our road to victory in November.

“I am excited about what I am hearing out and about. I have heard people say, ‘No I have never voted Republican, in my entire life, This year I am going to do it.’

“And what is even better to hear is the ones that say ‘You know, I am just going to vote that straight party ticket,’ and that is really encouraging to hear.”

“And I am hearing that not only in Cherokee county, but from friends in Etowah County,” said Day. “It is just a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

Day encouraged those present to tell their friends to vote Republican Nov. 6.

“I want to thank the local party because this has been a long road even before this year,” said Day.

“There are people here who have been here from the start in building this party and I think we are going to see the fruits of their labors come November. I think we are going to have a sweep.

“Get with your neighbors, your friends and say ‘This is why I am voting and why.’ That is the best endorsement any of us candidates can get.”

Randy Jones is a Republican candidate for Cherokee County Commission District One.

“You are the kind of people that men and women died for preserving this right and preserving the things that we believe in,” said Jones.

“I just want to say thank you.”

“I jumped into this political thing kind of new,” said Jones.

“I know I have gotten people behind me because you have encouraged me, you have helped me. I just thank you very much.”

Some of the concerns on Jones’ mind as a candidate for Cherokee County Commission include keeping Weiss Lake clean, economic development and providing more local jobs and opportunities and a school system that is currently $20 million in debt.

“I think we can tighten our belts, do some things to help our county,” said Jones.

“Thank you for to the Republican party for the nice facility here,” said Jones. “Specifically you sitting out here for being who you are and standing for what you believe.”

Marcie Foster is running as a Republican for Cherokee County Commission District Three.

“Thank you for coming,” said Foster. “It is great to see everybody. I see a lot of familiar faces.”

Foster feels it is important to get the right people in these positions who need to be accountable for the decisions they make, particularly with the budget slashing which has taken place in Montgomery and across this country over the last few years.

She also seeks the help of the local Republican Party in reaching out to Cherokee County citizens, noting that it is impossible to make it to every home and business while on the campaign trail.