REC Meeting Summary for 6/9/2010
Chairman Sid Dinerstein called the meeting to order and Sid Lanier led us in prayer followed by the pledge.
Chm. Dinerstein then called for a moment of silence to honor Kristin Hoke, WPBF Reporter/Anchor that passed away earlier in the day. He described her as a consummate professional and praised her for her brave battle with cancer.
The Board congratulated Chm. Dinerstein and especially his wife, Esther, on their 43rd Wedding Anniversary.
Chm. Dinerstein announced that the County had dropped the issue of the additional 1% sales tax for the Fire Department. He thanked those of us that attended the meetings as well as the efforts of other groups that participated in opposing the tax.
Our speaker, Pam Bondi, candidate for Florida State Attorney General was introduced and a brief biography was given. Pam, a fourth generation Floridian and graduate of Stetson Law, sees the AG as a legal job and not a political position. She has 18 years experience as a prosecutor and has worked with Fox News as a Legal Consultant. She supports smaller government and reduced regulation for businesses. On immigration, Pam fully supports Gov. Brewer of Arizona and the legislation she recently signed into law. She noted that the Governor had no choice but to enact legislation at the state level given that the Federal Government has failed grossly to enforce existing laws and secure our borders by any means necessary.
Visitors were recognized. Chairman Dinerstein questioned Mark Hock as whether to vote on the current applicants or to wait on the outcome of the next motion. The decision was made to go ahead with the vote on candidates. Although 5 new members were admitted to the Committee, Mark reiterated that they would be unable to vote tonight.
Mark Hock noted that an affirmative vote of 107 would be necessary to pass a motion to amend our Constitution and change the structure of the Committee from a district system to a precinct system. Under the current system we have 100 districts with 4 committee members per district for a total of 400 positions, 240 of which were open as of May 2010. The precinct system calls for 1 committeeman and 1 committeewoman per 1000 registered voters, precincts would have 2 to 8 committeemen, totaling 2400. John Parsons then reintroduced a motion for same that was tabled at our May 12 meeting. Second was made and Dean Taffel presented the argument against the motion*. Several committee members spoke to the issue, the majority being in favor. Linda Mazziotti explained how the roll call vote works with the Chairman only voting in the event of a tie. Chm. Dinerstein cast the 108th vote for, with 16 against, and 3 abstentions.
Greg Langowski made announcements regarding upcoming events.
Numerous candidates were given 2 minutes each to address the assembly. The audience was dwindling precipitously and one candidate commended the remaining members for staying, saying we were the core of the party.
Other Committee members were given 2 minutes to address what was left of the crowd.
Chairman Dinerstein adjourned the meeting around 8:45.
*Dean also pointed out that we need to go directly to the people using the examples of Scott Maxwell’s successful bid for Lake Worth City Commission because of our grassroots effort. His other example was how much absentee voting picked up after the radio spots that Sid Dinerstein had recorded were aired. This was met with much applause.
A Reassuring Afternoon with Our Veterans
Last week a relative called to let me know that she would be in town with the Youth Chorale from her church in Dublin, Georgia who would be performing at the VA Medical Center (her children are members of the chorale and she accompanied as a chaperon). I have been in this area for six years and pass the hospital almost every time I go to town, but am ashamed to say that I had never as much as been inside until Wednesday. Aware of all the horror stories in the news about the deplorable condition of the military’s medical facilities (especially Walter Reed), I was leery of what to expect. After navigating my way through the expansive grounds and wide, well lit hallways I followed the sounds of the energetic teenage voices to the Extended Care Facility. Although most of the patients were wheel-chair bound, they seemed to be very alert and enjoying the entertainment. Most importantly, the veterans appeared to be aware of the deep debt of gratitude bestowed on them by all present. I was pleased to see the patients being well cared for in a very nice, clean, pleasant environment with a good staff to patient ratio. Our veterans deserve to have the best medical care throughout their lives and from what I saw they seem to be getting it, in West Palm anyway.