LaWana and Rhonda enjoying the fellowship at the MeckPAC pre-election party at the Morehead Inn on August 30, 2007. Photo by Richard Thomas       Teri and Russ enjoying the pre-election party Photo by Richard Thomas   What's the latest scoop? Robert and J.D. sure seem to know as they gab at the Morehead Inn pre-election party. Photo by Richard Thomas     Partners Donna and Connie enjoying the pre-election party. Connie is a past co-chair of MeckPAC and was one of MeckPAC's courageous founders who worked hard to lay the groundwork for the organization's ongoing success. Photo by Richard Thomas     Ed Farthing of Equality North Carolina, Trent Merchant who is an incumbent MeckPAC-endorsed candidate for Board of Education, and MeckPAC steering committee chair Phil Hargett share a laugh at the pre-election party. Photo by Richard Thomas       Phil Hargett, chair of MeckPAC's steering committee, announces MeckPAC's candidate endorsements for the Fall 2007 local elections at the pre-election party at the Morehead Inn on August 30. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed candidate for Charlotte City Council (At-Large) Raphael Basisa. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed incumbent candidate for City Council (At-Large) Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Burgess. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed candidate for City Council (At-Large) Jack Flynn. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed incumbent candidate for City Council (District 1) Patsy Kinsey. Photo by Richard Thomas   Phil introduces endorsed incumbent candidate for City Council (District 5) Nancy Carter. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed candidate for City Council (District 7) Nicholas Heath. Photo by Richard Thomas   Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed candidate for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (At-Large) Liz Downing. Photo by Richard Thomas     Phil presents MeckPAC's campaign contribution to endorsed incumbent candidate for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (At-Large) Trent Merchant. It should be noted that Trent (a wonderful "straight ally" of the gay/lesbian community) nominated the first-ever openly gay person, Kelley Doherty, to the Board of Education's all-important Equity Committee. Kelley's historic appointment to the committee was approved by a vote of the entire Board of Education based on Trent's nomination and solid support. Photo by Richard Thomas   MeckPAC's endorsed candidates for the Fall 2007 local elections surround MeckPAC's steering committee chair Phil Hargett at the August 30 pre-election party at the Morehead Inn (not pictured are: endorsed candidate for Charlotte Mayor, Beverly Earle, who was in attendance but had to leave for another event before this photo was made; endorsed City Council candidates Jack Flynn and Edwin Peacock). Photo by Richard Thomas     The crowd of over 125+ (which overflowed into rooms other than the room pictured here) enjoys MeckPAC's August 30, 2007 pre-election party at the historic Morehead Inn. Photo by Richard Thomas     James, Jim, and endorsed incumbent candidate for City Council (At-Large) Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Burgess enjoy the pre-election party at the Morehead Inn. Photo by Richard Thomas       Greg and Carlos enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the pre-election party. Photo by Richard Thomas