Action Alert CANCELLED – UPDATE – BCC Mtg 4/6

The County has made room in its South County facilities in Delray Beach sufficient to allow the Tax Collector staff to handle DMV licensing. At the same time – the state has delayed closure of the existing DMV facility by two months to permit Tax Collector Gannon to complete the transition.

I have confirmed that the agenda item 5B1-2 has been replaced from tomorrow’s BCC meeting agenda with:

5B-1 DELETED: Staff requests Board direction: regarding a proposed Lease Agreement with Larise Atlantis, Inc. for a new Lantana Service Center for the Tax Collector. (FDO) (Being replaced with one (1) new item)

5B-2 DELETED: Staff recommends motion contingent to 5B-1 to: A) adopt a Resolution authorizing a new Tax Collector Lantana Service Center, replacing the current suburban Lake Worth Branch and ratifying and affirming the Tax Collector’s other existing branch offices;..(FDO) (Being replaced with one (1) new item)

5B-3 ADD-ON, TIME CERTAIN 10:15 A.M.: Staff recommends motion to approve: providing the Tax Collector with expanded facilities to support the continued provision of driver’s license services in the South County area. SUMMARY: The State Department of Motor Vehicles has indicated it will close its Delray Beach office on July 1, 2010. The Board has expressed a desire to provide for the continuation of such services in the South County area and the Tax Collector is proposing to assume responsibility for such services. Staff has developed a proposed plan for providing the Tax Collector additional space within the South County Administrative Complex in which to perform such services. Essentially, the plan entails relocating the Property Appraiser from the Administrative Complex to the former West Atlantic Library building and renovating the vacated space for use by the Tax Collector. (PREM) Districts 4, 5 & 7/Countywide (HJF) (FDO)

While the final estimates aren’t in yet, it is estimated that the renovations to existing facilities will cost $1.5-$2 million and no lease expenses – whereas the original approach was going to cost $4 million plus commit the county to another $4 million in lease costs.

Thanks to all who contacted their commissioners. There is no need to attend the meeting tomorrow. For more details – here is an article in the Palm Beach Post.

ORIGINAL POST:

 

 

Stop the County from wasting $4 million!

Doug Armstrong represented South Florida 912 two weeks ago at the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and a decision was delayed by two weeks. The time as come for us to ACT. Please read the details from Dougin his post entitled The Elevator to Tax Waste in Palm Beach County and RSVP below.

The topic is Time Certain at 10:15 am on Tuesday. The County Commission Commission meets at:

Government Center
Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers
301 N Olive Ave 6th Fl

When you enter the chambers, pick up and fill out a card to speak on the topic (agenda item 5B1&2) – put together a few sentences about why you think the spending is the wrong thing to do (helps if you prepare it in advance – there’s nothing wrong with reading it – that’s what most people do!). Just sitting in the audience is NOT enough!

The brief is found on page 25 of the agenda which can be found here. The staff recommends approval of the expenditure.

We need you to come out and show that we don’t want our tax dollars spent in vain!

Watch the Rubio / Crist Debate Here

On Sunday March 28, the first debate between Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist was held for a national audience on Fox News Sunday. For a local take on the contest, see the poll and analysis by Michael C. Bender in Post on Politics HERE.

Part 1

Part 2

First Rubio/Crist debate on Fox News Sunday on 3/28

FNS can be viewed at 11 am on WFLX but is also shown on Fox News (cable channel 44) at 6pm. Now that candidate Smith has dropped out – these are our two remaining Republican candidates for FL Senator.

See details here. You can also post questions for the candidates on the FNS website or email them to fns@foxnews.com.

Ed Lynch on Fox Business Channel on 3/26

A summary of an energizing luncheon and outstanding movie!

Yesterday was a very busy day for RCPB – with both the luncheon, plus the Right Nights showing of Tea Party, The Documentary.  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make both outstanding events!

Luncheon: 

We had a sellout crowd at the luncheon.  There were more than 10 walk-ins and the Bear Lakes staff had to scurry around to get more place settings set at the check-in tables.   Melissa Andrews (President) called the meeting to order, and Yvonne Inglis led us in the Invocation and Pledge.  Anita Mitchell, club 2nd VP, introduced our first speaker, Holly Benson – who is one of four candidates running for Florida Attorney General.  Holly cited her experience as the Former Secretary of the FL Agency for Health Care Administration as vital to supporting and following up on Attorney General Bill McCollum’s suit on behalf of Florida against the Health Care law.

Sid Dinerstein, the Palm Beach County GOP Chairman introduced his long-time friend and our main speaker, Aubie Baltin – Editor of “Uncommon Common Sense” an e-mail Economic, Political and Financial newsletter.  Aubie spoke about his views of the current banking system (it’s broke), advised buying gold, and told an interesting story from his youth with the resulting point: ‘don’t play the other guy’s game’.  That’s one we have to keep in mind as we fight the political battles ahead of us.  Melissa extended his time as we wanted to hear more.

After Aubie, candidates Sharon Merchant (Fl Senate, District 27), Pat Rooney and Nancy Cardone (both FL House 83) and Tami Donnally (FL House 85) had their few minutes to call for action.  Richard Bowman Carr spoke on behalf of Francisco Rodriguez – also running for FL House 83.

Right Nights:

Ken Barnett in Revolutionary attire ahold of his Gadsden flag, greeted people in the plaza outside of Muvico Parisian at City Place.  Attendees were directed downward by club VP John Jamason, and welcomed by Melissa Andrews – our club President.  Lots of other club members helped out at merchandise tables and holding signs to inform the public about the movie.  Melissa kicked off the meeting with the Invocation and Pledge lead by David Donnally.   Ed Lynch – Republican candidate for the April 13th CD19 Special Election spoke about the importance of the election and the short time remaining.  We all have to get involved to make it happen!

Time for the movie – and it was great!  As one of the several folks in the club who marched on Washington last September 12 – it brought everything back – the march was amazing!  The movie traced five normal people (read non-activist) who first got riled up with the bailout of the banks and TARP in 2008, then even more incensed by the Stimulus Bill in early 2009, and each ensuing outrage which turned them into activists.  The audience applauded in agreement several times throughout the movie.  It was extremely well done and lasted about 105 minutes.

After the movie, Melissa held a drawing for a free copy of the DVD and Sec’y/Treasurer Bette Anne Starkey sold additional copies.  If you weren’t able to join us – see the club for additional copies that may be available or find a friend who bought one.  You won’t be disappointed.  And if you’re feeling down after last weekend – the movie will get you energized to keep on fighting. 

If you’re not involved yet – stop complaining and STAND UP.  SILENCE IS CONSENT!

Here are some pictures taken by member Shirley Schaff – thanks Shirley! Click on the picture to see the full size version.

Wanted – Republican College Student in need of a $500 Scholarship

Do you know a student who could benefit from a $500 scholarship.

writing papers for sociology

? 

Apply for our Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship  to be presented in May 2010.

Deadline to return the application is May 1 . 

The scholarship is available for Palm Beach County  Republican undergraduate or graduate  students with minimum of 3.0 GPA.

Click here to see the application.   Instructions appear at the bottom of the application.

RCPB members celebrate the 1 yr anniversary of South Florida 912

 Several members of our club also are members of the South Florida 912 Project. Last Sunday, the group celebrated its one-year anniversary with a return visit to McKenna’s in Greenacres. Carol Hurst did volunteer duty at the sign-in tables and also got the names of political candidates who wanted to speak. Melissa Andrews brought flyers about our Right Night at the Movies showing of the Tea Party: The Documentary Film.  Delia Garcia took photos and the one shown here was a group photo of RCPB members attending.  We got to hear from several of the candidates and a good time was had by all.

The Florida Legislature is in Session. Research bills yourself!

The Florida Legislature is in session. See session dates here.

The House and Senate websites both have good search features to allow you to find bills by number, but the Senate website is a little more cluttered – so I’ll use the House website for a short primer:

Let’s say you want to find all bills with the word ‘immigration’ in them. On the House website cover page, click on Search Bill Text tab at the top, leave the chamber as House, and type in the word immigration and click on ‘GO’. The site will bring up all the bills in the House containing the word and the latest status of the bill, the sponsor, the bill number, etc. You can click on the bill title for more information. From that same page you can select House, Senate or Both to get all bills with the text you wish to find. You can also find all bills by number, type, sponsor and some other criteria.

You don’t have to rely on the Palm Beach Post or the Sun-Sentinel to follow what’s going on. Do your own research on the topics that you’re interested in!

Feel free to comment with questions if you need help in finding something.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Vote on March 9th – municipal elections.

We keep learning over and over that EVERY VOTE COUNTS! And that all politics is LOCAL.

Vote next Tuesday, March 9th at your town or city’s elections. Voting will be from 7am-7pm at your normal polling location (with some exceptions due to FCAT conflicts at some schools). There is NO early voting for these elections, but absentee ballots can be picked up at the 4 Supervisor of Elections offices found here.

Sample ballots for your town can be found here.. Contact your municipality or the Supervisor of Elections ((561) 656-6200) if you need additional information.

Here is a list of the municipalities having elections:

Boynton Beach

Delray Beach

Greenacres

Jupiter

Lake Park

Manalapan

North Palm Beach

Ocean Ridge

Pahokee

Palm Beach Gardens

Riviera Beach

Royal Palm Beach

South Bay

South Palm Beach

Tequesta

Wellington

Saturday Rallies

Both the South Florida 912 Project and the South Florida Tea Party had rallies on this cloudy, rainy Saturday. First, the South Florida Tea Party assembled in honor of the 1 year Tea Party anniversary of Rick Santelli’s Rant on CNBC (2/19/09). A crowd of 30-50 showed up at noon on the corners of Okeechobee and Military Trail. (Another group stood at PGA and Military Trail.) Everett Wilkinson, one of the founders of the group and its leader and spokesman, took a video of the participants with signs protesting government spending, the size of government,the health-care reform bill, West Palm Beach term limits, and numerous other issues. Ed Lynch, candidate for Congressional District 19 stood with us. There was a lot of traffic at the fast moving intersection and we got the usual honks and thumbs up as well as some not so favorable hand gestures.

Next was the South Florida 912 Project’s Rally for America with Elizabeth at Okeechobee and 441. People lined up with their signs around the corner as the 50 or so demonstrators joined Elizabeth Andrijauskas. There was slightly less traffic at this intersection and the cars went by somewhat slower but we got a lot more honks so this neighborhood was more supportive. Candidates Lynch and Tami Donnally (Florida House 85) joined us as well as Dennis Lipp (Vice Mayor of Loxahatchee Groves). Joe Budd came with a giant flag. People from as far away as Miami participated. South Florida 912 Project co-founders Shannon and Doug Armstrong mixed with the crowd and spoke with Everett when he joined us at this rally too. The mist turned into a heavy drizzle as the crowd persisted with umbrellas and ponchos.

A number of members of RCPB participated in the rallies, including Mercedes Garcia (who stands with Elizabeth on many weekends), Delia Garcia Menocal, Carol Hurst, Madi Page, and Fred and Iris Scheibl.

As many of us transition to activist activities directly helping candidates for public office, it’s important to make a visible statement every so often so that the public knows that the ‘sleeping giant’ is still awake!

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