On Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m., sixteen members of the Southport Democratic Committee gathered for a quarterly meeting at the Southport Public Library.  The group discussed a number of timely topics. In order to promote outreach, the group decided that at the next meeting in September members should be encouraged to bring a guest.  The committee also discussed inviting knowledgeable speakers to address such topics of national, state, and local significance as taxation, rank order voting, citizen rights, and/or social and economic inequality. However, the main item for immediate action at last night’s meeting was the election of party officers, especial the choice a new local party chairperson. For two-year terms, Bill Messmer was elected the new party chairperson, Jean Hawley was re-elected secretary, and Vernon Rail, treasurer.

After over 15 years in that office, Richard “Dick” Snyder recently announced his retirement as the chairperson of the Southport Democratic Party.  Several months ago Dick sold his large home located at Cape Newagen on Southport and moved to Boothbay Harbor. Originally, from North Jersey, Dick and his family had lived there since 1979, first during the summer months, but for well over a decade full time. Since he now no longer lives on the island, he has relinquished his chairmanship.

Snyder was instrumental in making Southport’s once fledgling Democratic Party a strong political force. Prior to Dick’s involvement, Phyllis Cooke and Dick Dill  were the leading Democratic voices on Southport Island charged with organizing and mobilizing Southport’s cadre of Democratic loyalists during state, local, and national elections. When Dill retired as chairman he urged Snyder to assume the chairmanship, and, although reluctant, he accepted the draft. At a picnic at Cooke’s house held to introduce for the first time Chris Johnson as an aspiring Lincoln County politico, Snyder took the helm of the Southport Democratic Party and since then, has ably guided the body. His spacious Newagen home with its large fireplace and two gigantic leather sofas, became party headquarters, the place where, under Snyder’s direction, political strategy took shape.  From that small, but fervent band of committed Democrats, a dedicated flock, but one rarely winning elections, Southport Democrats under Snyder have been victorious in numerous elections. As local party chairman Snyder was also a delegate to both the Lincoln County Democratic assemblies and at State party conventions.

Aside from his involvement in local Democratic politics, Snyder has been active in other organizations including the Southport Island Association (SIA) and from 1988-1989 Commodore of the Southport Yacht Club.  The Southport Democratic Party celebrates Dick’s long tenure as party chairman, and wishes him a long and healthy retirement in beautiful Boothbay Harbor.