Pike County Republicans open temporary spot to bolster votes

As people become more and more involved in the upcoming general election, Pike County residents will have a place to go to ask questions about Republican ideals and candidates.

The Pike County Republican Party opened a temporary headquarters on the corner of South Brundidge and Madison streets in Troy on Thursday.

“Quite frankly, the general public is not informed,” said Tom Haigh, chairman of the Pike County Republican Party. “This is a venue where people can come in and get information that isn’t second-hand, off the Internet. The reality is everyone has Republican values.”

Haigh said he fears people in the South vote Democrat because their parents and grandparents did, instead of investigating what the party stands for.

“It has changed drastically,” Haigh said. “It is no longer the party of Franklin Roosevelt.”

Haigh also said the headquarters will be beneficial to Republican candidates in Pike County who haven’t run for office before.

“They can come here and compare notes and get advice from each other,” Haigh said.

Current Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarbrough is running for re-election and said she is pleased the Pike County Republican Party is so helpful to the candidates.

“We couldn’t ask for better support,” Scarbrough said, adding that she hopes community members use the headquarters to find out about what Republicans really believe.

“We don’t discriminate against anyone,” Scarbrough said. “Sometimes there is a lot of misinformation out there.”

Ryan Flowers is running for the District 4 county commission seat and said he wants to hear from Pike County through the headquarters.

“I am hoping this is a way for people to stop in and let us know what they want to see done,” Flowers said. “I want people to use this building to speak to us.”

Presidential and local candidate yard signs, bumper stickers and other items are available at the headquarters, as well as candidate and party information.

The building will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in September. Haigh said those times will be extended in October.

“This headquarters gives people that are working toward the same goal a place to come to get informed and then spread that information,” said Pike County District 2 Commissioner Robin Sullivan.

The Pike County Democratic Party has no plans to open a headquarters, but will be meeting soon to discuss opportunities for community outreach and involvement, according to Pike County Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Williams.