CONSERVATIVE COFFEE KLATCH: The GrassRoots Conservatives of Cherokee County are getting together Friday mornings at the Wendy’s in the Toonigh area to discuss issues and hear from candidates. The meetings are at 7 a.m. and usually last about two hours to three hours.

The meetings, which began with a few people getting together for coffee and discussion, have blossomed into a pretty large group of regulars and visitors, according to one of the group’s main organizers, Bill Dewrell, former mayor of Woodstock.

Dewrell, along with retired former Woodstock Councilman Bill Long, and Joe Long, no relation, but father of former county commissioner Jimmy Long, are considered the leaders and officers of the GrassRoots group.

With local campaigns in full swing right now a number of candidates, elected officials and ex-elected officials are dropping in each week to see and be seen.

Sometimes, Dewrell said, the group’s members don’t agree on who they are supporting, but do respect each other’s opinion. He also said it was great to hear from candidates in a more intimate setting and that they are hearing lots of differing views at the meetings.

Among those at recent meetings were state Rep. Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs), Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) Sheriff Roger Garrison, former County Commission Chair Mike Byrd and sheriff candidate David Waters. Each candidate gets three to five minutes to speak, he said.

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DINNER PLANS: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser is planned for District 3 County Commission candidate Brian Poole at the home of Jackie and Ted Archer Saturday evening. Poole is seeking the seat now held by Commissioner Karen Bosch, who decided not to seek the post for another term. Poole is facing off against Chris Hampton, Bosch’s appointment to the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and the candidate she is backing to take her place on the commission.

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NEW CLUB: After a long attempt at rounding up enough members, the Towne Lake Rotary Club is celebrating receiving its charter tonight. According to Ivan Garcia, president-elect of the new service club, Rotary clubs from Canton, Cherokee and Woodstock all helped the club reach its goal and finalize its charter membership.

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OPTIMISTIC: Cherokee County Superior Court Judge candidate and Woodstock attorney Mark Shriver was a guest at the Laurel Canyon Optimist Club this week.

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ICE CREAM AND POLITICS: The Cherokee County Farm Bureau and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a political forum June 21 under the wooden pavilion at Cagle’s Family Farm in Hickory Flat. A perennial election season event, all local, state and national candidates running for office in 2012 will be invited to attend. All candidates with opposition will have an opportunity to speak. Home-made ice cream will be served by the Boy Scouts Troop No. 465. The forum is open to the public.

“Around Cherokee” is compiled by Rebecca Johnston and the editorial staff of the Cherokee Tribune.