No July Meeting in Support of the Jamboree

Help our Club continue as one of the most staunch supporters of the Bi-annual Old Fashioned Political Jamboree held every other summer in an election year.

We are a co-sponsor with a special tent to sell a little jewelry and some cute desk elephants to raise money for our scholarship fund. Look for our tent at the park.

Bring your reservation check (to Rep Party of PB County) or $30 cash to our scholarship lunch on June 27. We will provide your reservation in a LIST OF ATTENDEES to the Jamboree Organizers.

WHAT:	OLD FASHIONED POLITICAL JAMBOREE, (camaraderie, friends, candidates)
WHEN:	SATURDAY, JULY 14, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
WHERE:	South County Civic Center/Park—16700 Jog Rd, Delray (across from Morikami)
COST:	$30 for the BEST BBQ and all the fixin’s (check or cash)
BRING:	Your appetite and a fan (it’s summer in FL)

Dr. Emma Banks to present the 2018 Ann Roberts Scholarships

Presenting the awards for the club will be our featured speaker, Inlet Grove Community High School CEO Dr. Emma Banks.

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Dr. Banks, CEO of the Inlet Grove Community High School (Charter School), developed and implemented the first successful Mentor’s Program for teen parent students in the PBC school system. At Inlet Grove under her tutelage, 99% of students get into college or the service industry upon graduation.

As a TV producer, she is working on the documentary “Street Talk”, which provides insight to the needs of the youth who have dropped out and have committed crimes. She is also responsible for “Reality High” a real life drama show, and the children’s teen talk show “Our Future Generation” which was the number one children’s show n the Nielson ratings.

The only child of Jennie Miller and born in the small town in Monticello, Florida, she began her education at Delaware State where she received her Bachelors Degree in Distributive Education, her master’s degree in Administration and her doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She began working for the State Department of Education in Florida in 1978 then she moved to West Palm Beach and began working at an adult vocational school in 1987 as an Assistant Principal. In 2004, the adult vocational school became a charter high school and Dr. Banks became Principal of the 700-student facility. She is now the President / CEO of Inlet Grove.

Rick Roth Updates on Recent Legislative Session

House District 85 Representative Rick Roth, featured at the April lunch, gave us his overview of the recent session in Tallahassee.

Agriculture in the state is declining, he said, with subsidized farms in Mexico taking their toll. The big priority to come will be water – having enough clean and available as the population grows from 20 to 30 million.

The session was dominate by the impact of Hurricane Irma and the Parkland shootings. The Parkland bill was done quickly and is a good first step. Calling it a “massive failure of government” – from BSO to the FBI, the response was bipartisan. $400M was set aside for school safety, resource officers will be added to the schools and more funding will be available for mental health programs.

In the financial area, $170M in tax savings was passed and an additional property tax exemption will be on the ballot in November, along with a proposal to require a 2/3 majority of the legislature to increase taxes or fees.

Through the strong leadership of Richard Corcoran in the House, we passed an $88M budget with additional spending on education, public safety, medicaid, and land conservation. $15K in sales tax savings were granted to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to help with the mandate to buy generating equipment.

On opioids, prescriptions will be registered and there will be new transparency in record keeping.

Some specific bills mentioned were HB37 to allow primary care agreements to not be regulated as insurance, and HB351, which will bring transparency to prescription drug prices.

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Also at the meeting was Baxter Troutman, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. A citizen farmer and cattle rancher from Polk County, Baxter has been placing people in farm jobs in Florida and Georgia for 21 years. His five top issues for the campaign are: Water resources, the citrus greening disease that has reduced crops by 75%, Labor – finding enough, land – prevent crowding out of farms by developers, and NAFTA, which is killing Florida agriculture.

Next Month, join us on May 23 for Michele and Joseph Assad, the former CIA agents who have written the book “Breaking Cover”.

Authors of “Breaking Cover” at May Lunch

ARE YOU CAPTIVATED by ESPIONAGE? Do you read Spy Novels? Real Life INTRIGUE ? (Ted Bell, Daniel Silva, Nelson DeMille, Ken Follett, John le Carre’)

Bring your Friends May 23 to hear from TWO former CIA secret agents who have walked the walk and lived the life for 10 years—- Joseph and Michele Rigby Assad—who met in school in central Florida, graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College, finished graduate studies at Georgetown, Washington DC, and were sent by the CIA after 9-11 to countries whose names had to be redacted from Michele’s book, “BREAKING COVER”, for protection.

Michele believes that God/Providence brought her together with Egyptian immigrant, Joseph Assad to direct both their lives in ways she will explain…..how SHE in particular, was forced to blend in to the middle east culture to obtain highly sensitive information helpful to the US Government’s work there.

Michele and Joseph will keep us in suspense as to their project to vet and re-locate a number of Iraqi migrants and their quest to find a country that would take them; in this case, it was Slovakia. There were many ups and downs when the airport closed frequently on the days they were scheduled to leave due to impending air strikes and many checkpoints to deal with. (This was a featured story on ABC’s 20/20). Both Michele and Joseph continue their work as international security consultants splitting time between the Middle East, Florida, and Washington, DC. We are lucky she has this date free for us.

Michele reports on the 3 handicaps of a CIA agent’s experience: “We are Americans; we are non-believers; we are CIA officers: — and for her, “She was a Woman”.

There will be copies of Michele’s book for purchase.

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Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. Trained as a counterterrorism specialist, Michele served her country for ten years, working in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations.

Upon retirement from active service, Michele and her husband Joseph (also a former agent) joined a group of Americans who wished to aid persecuted Christians. Their efforts resulted in the evacuation of a group from northern Iraq that was featured on ABC’s 20/20 in December 2015.

Michele holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University. Today she serves as an international security consultant, splitting her time between the Middle East, Florida, and Washington, D.C.

Tallahassee Update with Rick Roth

Rick will give us an update on the accomplishments of the 2018 Legislative Session.

We will also hear from Baxter Troutman, candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture. Baxter is a 4th generation Florida farmer with a lifetime of experience working in citrus and cattle. For two decades Troutman has been chief executive officer of Labor Solutions, a personnel services company that has placed over 50,000 people in jobs throughout Florida.

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BIOGRAPHY OF REPRESENTATIVE RICK ROTH

Representative Rick Roth was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach and he was raised in Belle Glade Florida. Rick graduated from Belle Glade High School in 1970. He went on to study at Emory University where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics. Family life is busy for Rick and his wife of nearly 40 years, Jeanie. Most importantly to him are his children, Lindsay, Ryan and Ashley and his grandchildren, Hannah, Ezra and Ella. He is a founding member of the Truth Point Church in West Palm Beach.

As the President and principal owner of Roth Farms, Inc. and Ray’s Heritage, LLC Packinghouse, Rick has been a driving force of the agricultural community in western Palm Beach County.

Representative Roth has served in numerous leadership roles in his community. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. Rick supports many community organizations, including Florida Association of Food Banks, Farmers Feeding Florida and the South Florida Sweet Corn Fiesta.

Representative Roth’s community service includes work with the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and Belle Glade Rotary Club to name a few. He is the Co-Founder of Farm City Week for the local Chambers and hosts many educational Farm Tours for Elementary Schools.

Representative Roth was elected to serve in the Florida Legislature as a State Representative for District 85. Rick’s election is a culmination of his 35 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. District 85 covers the northern and central parts of Palm Beach County including the Town of Juno Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Village of North Palm Beach and parts of Jupiter and Loxahatchee Groves.

Committees:

• Commerce
• SubCommittees: Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations
• Agriculture & Property Rights
• Oversight, Transparency & Administration
• PreK-12 Quality

Peter Feaman on March 28 – Congressional Midterms?

If the Democrats win just 24 seats – a 6% turnover and not an unusual midterm result, then EVERYTHING CHANGES!

Speaker Pelosi? Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff? Financial Services Chairman Maxine Waters? Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings? Could it be any worse? What is the likely outcome?

Join us on March 28 to hear Florida’s RNC Committeeman Peter Feaman handicap the House races and tell us how we can affect the outcome.

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Peter Feaman was elected in 2016 to a four-year term as the national committeeman of the Republican Party of Florida, and serves on the RPOF Executive Committee.

As a practicing trial attorney, Mr. Feaman was recognized by the Florida Trend magazine as one of Florida’s “Elite Lawyers” in the field of business and commercial litigation in 2011. He has a JD degree from the Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, and a BA in Political Science from Union College in Schenectady, NY.

In 2007, Mr. Feaman published his first book entitled “WAKE UP, AMERICA!” subtitled, “Understanding Jihad for Dummies!” His second book “The Next Nightmare: How Political Correctness Will Destroy America” with a forward by former Congressman Allen West, was published in 2012. Mr. Feaman has appeared on Fox News and numerous radio talk shows throughout the United States to discuss the threat of radical Islam, current political issues and how political correctness will destroy America.

Ryan Hnatiuk at February Lunch

Ryan Hnatiuk, Executive Director of the PBC GOP was our February speaker.

Describing part of his job as “finding Republicans wanting to run for local office and providing them assistance”, he spoke of the importance of city councils as a farm team for future party leaders.

It is a fact that the best places to live in this country are run by Republicans and it is important for all of us to get out and vote in the local elections to support these people. “We don’t get good leaders at the top,” he said, “unless we have them at the bottom,” and “it is better to stamp out the bad ones early,” before they gain momentum.

Ryan described the range of services that the local GOP office can provide to local candidates, and gave the membership some tips on researching the candidates – such as looking up their financial records online.

His list of candidates in the upcoming March 13 election that need your support include:

• Mark Mullinix – North Palm Beach Council
• Bob Gebbia – North Palm Beach Council
• Judy Dugo – Greenacres Council
• Armand Grossman – Boca Raton Council
• Jeremy Rodgers – Boca Raton Council
• Martha Webster – Royal Palm Beach Mayor
• Scott Maxwell – Lake Worth Commissioner
• Pam Triolo – Lake Worth Mayor
• Selena Smith – Royal Palm Beach Council
• Alysen Africano-Nila – Highland Beach Vice Mayor/Commissioner
• Dawn Pardo – Riviera Beach Council

We also heard briefly from RPOF Field Director Sheen Mayberry, who has been organizing support for CD18 Congressman Brian Mast.

Candidates present at the meeting to introduce themselves included Nick Kimaz, running in the August Republican primary for District 22 (Ted Deutch seat), and Martha Webster, Royal Palm Beach Mayor candidate in the 3/13 election. Fred Scheibl reminded Palm Beach Gardens residents to VOTE NO on March 13 to all 4 ballot questions, and join us for sign waving at PGA and Military on Friday 3/2 and 3/9 from 3:30-5:30pm.

Please join us on April 25th for Florida’s RNC representative Peter Feaman.

Thanks to Carol Porter for these photographs.

Apply Now for the 2018 Anne Roberts Scholarship

The Republican Club of the Palm Beaches’ Scholarship was named after a long-standing and active member of our Club, Anne Roberts.

The Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship is available to any resident of Palm Beach County who is a full or part time undergraduate or graduate student seeking to further their education. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above and plan to attend an accredited college. Applicants must be registered (or pre-registered under 18 yrs. of age) Republicans. Current members of our Club may refer applicants for this scholarship. The deadline for this application is May 31. The recipient will be eligible to receive up to $500 to be sent to the school they will attend. Award will be presented at the monthly luncheon June 27, 2018.

RCPB Scholarship application 2018

Previous Years Winners

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Last year, our new winners were Jessica Blakley, majoring in Political Science and Economics at Belmont University (she was also awarded an internship during the 2018 session of the Tennessee Legislature), and Madison Andrews, step-daughter of our former Club President, Melissa Nash Andrews. Madison moved to PB County from Utah and is a freshman at Palm Beach State. We also continued Jenna Calderaio, studying entrepreneurship at FSU, Lauren Staff who is studying telecommunications at UF, and Ryan Walker who is at Stetson Law School.

Lauren and Jenna were first time winners in 2016.

Lauren graduated from Dwyer High School in 2015 and is presently a Junior at UF. She writes for the Independent Florida Alligator Newspaper and works for ESPN Gainesville Radio 95.3 researching sports statistics. She tells us that Law School is in her future.

Jenna graduated from Jupiter Community High School in 2016 and is attending Florida State University. Her major in business and entrepreneurship will prepare her for a career in product development. She attended the Florida Sunshine Summit in Orlando witnessing 14 presidential candidates which supported her goal to be a strong conservative leader for the Republican Party on a local or national level.

In 2015, our new winners were Aaron Mejias, who studied Political Science and History at PBAU and Ryan Walker, a political science major at the University of Florida.

In 2014, our previous undergraduate recipients kept up their grades to receive additional scholarship: Dylan Brandenburg, John Clark, Jason Ferrara, and Daniel Kozell. Because of the generosity of our club members, we were able to add a fifth recipient, Hanna Matry, a junior at UF majoring in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering and a member of the University’s Rocket Team in the NASA Hybrid rocket competition.

2013 was an expansive year for our scholarship program, with 6 recipients. They went to Elizabeth Cayson, a county employee who is attending Walden University in Illinois remotely, and Danielle Madsen, who recently graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic and is working at a TV station. Three Florida State students received grants including John Clark (3rd year), Dylan Brandenburg (1st year) and Daniel Kozell (2nd year), and Jason Ferrara who is attending the University of Alabama received his third year scholarship.

In 2012, there were 5 scholarships awarded: James Schackelford in his 3rd year at Florida Atlantic University and Daniel Kozell entering Florida State University. We continued to follow John Clark, Jason Ferrara and Shirley Schaff.

In 2011, there were four scholarships awarded. John Clark attending Florida State University, Jason Ferrara attending University of Alabama, Shirley Schaff attending Northwood University and Kimberly Twoey attending Palm Beach Atlantic University.

In 2010, one scholarship was awarded to Cindy Morris, mother of 5, in her final year with 3.7 GPA at Palm Beach Atlantic College School of Education with endorsements in special education and English and a second language.

The second 2010 scholarship was awarded to James Shackelford, majoring in accounting at Florida Atlantic University. With his passion for politics, he is active in student government and volunteered for Allen West and Marco Rubio campaigns. After receiving his masters in Finance, James plans to attend law school.

The 2009 recipient, Nicole Vega, from Berean Christian High School, aspired to be a civil engineer. After much mentoring by several Club members, Nicole has changed her studies to major in Communications with a minor in Political Science at Palm Beach State College.

RCPB Scholarship application 2018

Fran Hancock Named Statesperson 2018

Our club President, Fran Hancock, was honored by America Connected last evening as the “Statesperson 2018” at their annual Statesman dinner. The award is given for “.. dedicated years of outstanding service and commitment”. Fran, who was our longtime county RPOF Committeewoman, was chosen by a panel of county GOP leaders.

An enthusiastic group of club members was on hand to celebrate with Fran at the dinner at the Boca Marriott last evening.

Thanks to Carol Porter for the pictures of the event.

PBCGOP Executive Director Ryan Hnatiuk at February Meeting

Join us in February as Ryan will give us the local party’s view of this election year, with particular focus on the March municipal elections.

We will also be inviting candidates to introduce themselves at this meeting.

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Ryan C. Hnatiuk is the Political and Executive Director of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. He was born and raised outside of Flint, Michigan. He, and his wife of 14 years, have one son who is a very active toddler and is a full time job in his own right. Since coming to South Florida, Ryan has had the opportunity to work with various candidates, consultants and fundraisers primarily within Palm Beach County but has also consulted in the counties of Martin, Broward, and St. Lucie. He has worked in various sized campaigns from town council to congressional and county commission seats.

Ryan recently attained his master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Conflict Resolution and is also a certified mediator. Prior to getting his master’s degree he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a minor in International Relations with primary focus being on Latin American governments and their emerging markets. He is looking to use the skills he has attained to strengthen friendships, build lasting coalitions and open dialogue to attract new people to the Republican Party.

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