Conservationist Addresses Ashe Democrats L-R: Register of Deeds Shirley Wallace, Party Chair Melba Jones, Chairman of the National Committee for the New River Jeffery Scott and Party Treasurer Sandra Hamm. Jeffrey Scott, executive director of the National Committee for the New River (NCNR), spoke at the last monthly meeting of the Ashe County Democratic Party on Tuesday, Sept. 26th at 7 p.m. at Smokey Mountain Barbecue Restaurant in West Jefferson. Scott has directed activities of the NCNR, based in West Jefferson, for the past six years. Before that he was director of several nonprofit conservation organizations, which are working to preserve the natural beauty and environment of the northwest Blue Ridge Mountains. He has edited and published a local nonprofit journal focusing on recreation and environment in Watauga and Ashe County and has worked internationally in South America on issues dealing with the rain forest in Brazil and on a cloud forest reserve in Ecuador. Scott earned an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in geography and planning from Appalachian State University. Scott, an avid hiker, has through-hiked both the Appalachian Trail and North Carolina’s Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail. Scott, his wife, and two sons reside on a small farm near the Watauga-Ashe county line in Todd. In his power point presentation to the group, Scott stated that for the mountain region to preserve and maintain its heritage and rugged beauty, citizens must work to restrict over development and keep the natural environment as undisturbed as possible. Conservation is important to Ashe County as a factor in drawing tourists to the area. Ashe County Democratic Party 1st Vice Chair Jerry McMillian introduced the speaker and praised his work in preserving the natural environment. In other Democratic Party Business, Ashe County Democratic Party Chair Melba Jones said that the “Autumn Gala” was a great success with a large local turnout and a number of attendees from five surrounding counties. Rep. Jim Harrell III from Alleghany was the keynote speaker for that event. Jones requested that Century Club contributors turn in their money to Treasurer Sandra Hamm so that plans could be finalized for the Century Club Dinner in early November. The Ashe County Democratic Party meets each fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Smokey Mountain Barbecue Restaurant in West Jefferson. Jones invites all interested citizens to attend and participate in the events. For more information, call 336-846-9068.