Fire/Rescue Sales Tax Status

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The 1 percent sales tax proposal has been pulled from further consideration for the November ballot. Confirmed by county staff, the reason given was problems with the statute that made wording for the ballot measure difficult to craft. Perhaps our patient opposition and public outcry had a positive effect? Thanks to all who participated in saving the taxpayers from a BIG mistake.

See the text of the letter from County Administrator Bob Weisman to Commissioners and staff at

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On Tuesday, June 8, the Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 to continue on to “First Reading” of the ballot initiative for November. In spite of the fact that 33 of 34 speakers were VEHEMENTLY opposed to the measure, Commissioners Marcus, Aaronson, Vana and Santamaria voted to proceed. Commissioner Taylor changed her vote from last time and opposed it. For a blow-by-blow description of the events and who said what, see the featured article at as well as the Post and Sun-Sentinel articles on the subject that are linked from there.

Many members of Republican Club of the Palm Beaches came and spoke against the proposal, including Melissa Andrews, Barry Carson, Tami Donnally, Nancy Hogan, Carol Hurst, Mike Lameyer, John Parsons, and Fred and Iris Scheibl.

Sighted in the audience were Sid Dinerstein, Carl Domino, Claire Jones, Yvonne Inglis and Bette Anne Starkey .

NEXT STEP:

Tuesday 6/15/10 – We need to turn out again, in larger numbers (if that is possible 🙂 to once again speak against the proposal. We can expect more speakers on the other side at that meeting as they will try to counter the optics of overwhelming opposition.

Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Scott Interview at DC Works for US

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Fred and I drove down to Coral Springs in order to hear Rick Scott, GOP candidate for Florida Governor, running against FL Attorney General Bill McCollum in the primary. Mr. Scott is considered controversial – because, as he put it, he ‘upset the apple cart’ as he started to gain in the polls against the assumed GOP candidate. Scott is also controversial because of his role as CEO of Columbia/HCA during a huge 1997 Medicare/Medicaid fraud scandal. However – he also had been a huge opponent of Hillarycare. And he was the guy running the Conservatives for Patient Rights commercials battling Obamacare. My post is for information only – I think we need to hear/see more from all of the viable candidates.
Fred summarized Scott’s approach as ‘Government by Audit’ – when asked what he could have done differently at HCA, he said they should have had more auditors to keep tabs on things. An answer that he could have given (but didn’t) is that a leader can set an example for an organization that breaking the law is not OK.

I took a lot of notes and this is a long post. Many of the questions asked of him should also be the kinds of questions we ask of our candidate for other state offices (such as in the Senate debate on 6/24).

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Here’s a few pictures (fuzzy cellphone – sorry) of the event. The narrative continues below them.

Meeting Summary

Karin Hoffman kicked off the meeting and spoke about the need for activism. She also spoke in defense of the DC Works for US strategy of endorsing primary candidates. She feels that waiting until August is too late to build up the volunteer base and techniques and that it’s more important to pick the candidates NOW. She also spoke about needing to win, not 30 or 40 congressional seats – but over 110 in order to have a veto-proof majority. Karin also announced that Bill McCollum will appearing at DC Works for US in about two weeks.

Opening Remarks: Mr. Scott said that he has spent the last 1 1/2 years fighting the healthcare bills. But that he’s running because the state is a mess and we keep electing the same type of politicians. We need someone who has runa businesses before. Rick has done all kinds of menial jobs and came from modest means. He purchased his first business at 21 – a donut shop. (As an aside, he remarked that if you let the employees eat unlimited donuts, after the first couple of days they will never eat one again!) He owned various businesses since then, the largest being Columbia/HCA with 285 thousand employees. He’s lived the American Dream and he has had setbacks. We need accountability in government, like there is in the private sector. We need to balance budgets. He also spoke to making the climate better for businesses in Florida. That the only way we’ll recover is by bringing in businesses and expanding the economy – not by spending programs.

1) Accountability budgeting – set measureable and outcome oriented goals and measure them daily.

2) Arizona-like immigration bill.

3) Defend the state of Florida (eg from federal actions)

He doesn’t need this job but feels he needs to act.

Karin then followed with questions submitted by members by email. There were no questions from the audience.

Speak to your Columbia/HCA Controversy: Can’t make excuses. The company had 1)best patient satisfation 2)Lowest prices 3) Best patient outcomes. But did a bad job of internal/external audit. In business, the executives are accountable; in government – NOT. How to fix it in government? More internal/external auditing. How to enforce immigration? Use the Governor’s pulpit to educate/cajole. Push the Federal government to act and do their job. Pass an Arizona-like bill. Use all agencies to enforce the law. Make e-verify mandatory? Yes – or something like it. But he wants to remain sensitive to not overwhelming businesses with regulations. How will you decide when to use the National Guard (eg in oil spill/border issues)? Need a forceful governor and legislature. It’s their obligation to act if the Federal Government doesn’t How to prevent the oil spill from damaging FL and what is your position on drilling? 1) First solve it (the oil flow) 2) hold the companies accountable and keep them responsible for compensating those whose businesses/livelihood damaged 3)we need to be energy independent – which includes nuclear, alternative energy as well as offshore drilling. How about distance for drilling? Find out what caused the blow-out. Need experts. How to handle the rise in unemployment/create jobs? 1) Create a state budget that business people won’t feel relies on increased taxation 2) limit regulations that impact business from coming to the state 3) States that have lower spending as a percent of their GDP have better business environments – so lower spending. 4) The governor has to be a salesperson – promoting the state. What is your position on Hometown Democracy? (Iris’ note: Amendment 4 on Nov ballot) It’s a disaster. Job killer. We elect individuals to be responsible for monitoring/planning growth. Can’t have every decision voted on. Why vote for you? Not a career politician, not accountable to any interest group, not going to pander. How to protect Floridians from actions by Congress/Federal Gov’t? Educate the citizens. He didn’t see Governors and Attorney Generals speaking out to their people during the healthcare fight and talking about the implications. Our state elected officials need to take a stand. So when Congress votes – the impact on the states will be clear. Use laws. Defend states rights. Impact on FL of gov’t standards on waterways? Get the facts. Sit down with everyone. High Speed Rail? What is the ROI? Will it pay for itself? From what he’s learned, it won’t. Position on accepting Federal Stimulus Dollars? Against the stimulus bills because you can’t tax or spend your way to prosperity. We should not have accepted the stimulus dollars. We want our elected officials to stand up for our state. Agenda 21/Sustainable Development? Not familiar with it. FL Senate Bill 6? His daughter is a special needs teacher. He believes in accountability and merit pay. The best teachers should make the most money. New teachers should not be getting tenure. What’s the purpose of public schools – to teach! Vouchers? Absolutely believe in them. FL HB 21/SB 98, Right to bear arms? Strong believer in gun ownership and right to bear arms.

At this point, after Karin had squeezed in 3 or more questions after Mr. Scott’s handlers had said he had to leave, Karin thanked him and the candidate was whisked away through the crowd. A few candidates for various office spoke very briefly but the meeting was over.

Anne Roberts Scholarship Awarded to Cindy Morris and James Shackelford

This year, in a break from the past, the Scholarship Committee led by Dorothy Harper decided to award our annual scholarship to two worthy individuals.

Cindy Morris, a mother of 5 with a 3.6 GPA attends Palm Beach Atlantic University and hopes to graduate this year with a BS in Elementary Education.

James Shackelford is attending FAU with a 3.57 GPA. He is Chairman of the FAU chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), and a member of FAU student government. He spoke to his interest in politics and his involvement with the FAU online radio show Owls with Issues, where he represents the Republican point of view. If he maintains his academic standing and reapplies, James will continue to be eligible for a continuing scholarship.

The Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship, which honors a founding member of the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches and a recipient of the Jean Pipes Award, is available to any Republican student seeking to further their education (undergraduate or graduate). Current members may refer applicants for this scholarship. In 2009, RCPB made the commitment to follow the Scholarship recipients annually, up to 4 years with a $500 Scholarship, considering the criteria is met.

Congratulations to both Cindy and James. We wish them success in their endeavors.

Gene Simmons Salutes the Troops

For Memorial Day

Shark Tank Video of Thrasher Remarks

For Javier’s commentary CLICK HERE

Senate District 25 and 27 Town Hall Debate – 6/24

Sponsored by the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches and South Florida 912

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District 27				District 25
Lizbeth Benaquisto	Mike Lameyer	Sharon Merchant		Ellyn Bogdanoff	Carl Domino

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On Thursday, June 24 at 6:30pm, the Republican Florida Senate candidates for districts 25 and 27 will share the stage for a “Town Hall” style debate, at the First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach. Co-sponsored by the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches and South Florida 912, a non-partisan grassroots organization. The event will feature the candidates answering questions on current issues at the state level, chosen to give them an opportunity to contrast their positions with those of their opponents.

The church is conveniently located in downtown West Palm Beach, just south of Okeechobee Blvd. If you’re not sure how to get there, below are driving directions.

From the North and South
Take I-95 to Okeechobee Blvd. Okeechobee Blvd east to Flagler Drive. Turn right on Flagler Drive, church is about 1/4 mile down on the right.

From the West
Take Okeechobee Blvd east to Flagler Drive. Turn right on Flagler Drive, church is about 1/4 mile down on the right.

 

[RSVP]

Thank You Soldiers

From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights,  Virginia

RCPB May Lunch Meeting

Lunch – Bear Lakes Country Club

SENATOR JOHN THRASHER (FL SD8)

(Pending Special Session-Special Star TBA)

Former Speaker of the House, now representing the Jacksonville area in the Senate, Thrasher is our new star hero  Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. You will be totally engaged by his take on this year’s legislative session and his update on the plans for rebuilding the state Party.

Meet our  2010 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

11:30am Meet & Greet 12:00 Program Begins

Fire Rescue Sales Tax Dropped from 5/18 BCC Agenda

The Board of County Commissioners has dropped the sales tax item from its agenda on 5/18 because the cities have not had enough time to reach their own decisions. Postponed for 30 days, it will be taken up at the June meeting and the focus will shift to getting the measure on the ballot for November rather than August.

We must still keep the pressure on! Plan on attending the June meeting and write to your city councils and the county Commissioners, and check frequently for updates.

Ambassador Al Hoffman Highlights RCPB April Lunch Meeting

Starting with the premise that the Obama “Change Revolution” has more in common with the French Revolution than the American one, Ambassador Hoffman related Obama’s desire to “share the wealth” to the French concept of Equality (Liberté, égalité, fraternité).   This French system, which devolved into a “tyranny of the majority”  led quickly to the Napoleanic dictatorship.  This is not an uncommon result of socialism when equality of result is mandated by the state.   Laws, said the Ambassador, should encourage us to “harmonize with”,  not “conform to” the social compact.

In the question and answer session, Ambassador Hoffman was asked about the problems of dealing with the liberal media, and this led to a general discussion that focused on the Palm Beach Post, particularly since a reporter for that organization was present.   Sid Dinerstein suggested that the Post was worse than the media in general because rather than being simply biased, the Post goes out of their way to disparage conservatives in an overtly hostile way.   The reporter responded along the lines that if you get all your news from Glenn Beck you are intellectually challenged.   There was at this point a general show of support for Glenn Beck in the room.

After this interesting exchange, a number of candidates in attendance spoke to the group, including Sharon Merchant (FL Senate district 27),  Mike Lameyer (also district 27), Steven Rosenblum (House district 89), and Nancy Cardone (House district 83) who gave a spirited discussion of the coming dénouement following Governor Crist’s decision to abandon his friends and supporters in the Republican Party.  Javier Manjarres of the “Shark Tank”, CRA, and a past RCPB speaker, spoke for Marco Rubio, and the latest challenger for Debbie Wasserman-Schultz seat, Brian Reilly (Congressional District 20).  Ralph Eltringham spoke for Colonel Allen West and Carol Hurst spoke for Francisco Rodriguez (FL House district 83).

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