Adam Putnam for May Joint Event

Dr. Larry Kawa to be Featured at April Lunch

We are excited to announce that our speaker on April 23 is going to be Dr. Larry Kawa, who founded and operates a successful orthodontics and oral surgery practice in Boca Raton.  Dr. Kawa has taken on the Obama administration by filing suit against the federal government arguing that the decision to defer the implementation of the “employer mandate” is unconstitutional.  He has been a frequent speaker on the issue of Obamacare.

In addition he has worked on outreach efforts to the black community on economics and fiscal conservatism and serves on the Board of the Black Republican Council of South Florida.  As a conservative political activist he has served as the President of the Palm Beach County Chairman’s Council, Florida Regional Chairman of Physicians and Dentists for Mitt Romney, and Finance Chair for Adam Hasner.  He also the founder of American Courage, a conservative Political Action Committee.

In addition to his professional and political activities, he is also heavily involved in volunteer activities. He is closely involved with the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Haven (a home for abused and neglected children), Bartons Boosters (program of underprivileged children), and the National Children’s Dental Health month project.  He has served as the official team orthodontist for the Florida Panthers since 1997

His philanthropic activities include serving on the board of Propel, helping underprivileged children, and being a sponsor for Operation Cash for Candy for the United States Marine Corps and Operation Hire Our Heroes.

Dr. Kawa has been a frequent and entertaining speaker so we look forward to having him at our club.  Be sure to join us for what will be a very interesting presentation by Dr. Kawa.  We hope you will be able to join us.

Peter Feaman – Reasons for Optimism

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014, the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches had our own member Peter Feaman, the elected Palm Beach County’s State Committeeman and Florida’s Republican National Committeeman, as our guest speaker. What a treat! Dismissing doom and gloom, he said we should be excited about things like the recent David Jolly election.Peter talked to us about the positive things that are happening at both the state and national levels of our party. He told us how the Republican party is “getting it” regarding how we can reach potential Republican voters through non-traditional media which was used so successfully by the opposition in 2008 and 2012.

Republicans believe that people who rely on themselves, their families and their god, are going to prosper when government gets out of the way. People are now being told to rely on government, but this is wrong and it has never worked before. As Republicans we must stand up on every front and say that’s wrong, whether it is in a restaurant or the checkout line at the supermarket. We are fighting an entire philosophy.

He pointed out how important the 2014 election will be as a preface to 2016’s election cycle and one key race will be re-electing Governor Rick Scott in 2014. You may have noticed the recent ads being run by RPOF telling the Governor’s compelling story about his background as someone who came from nothing and succeeded on his own merits. It is a truly American story that needs to be told. He has been a good Governor and has significant achievements in increasing employment and tourism, and in decreasing taxes, while caring for those who need help the most.

Republicans need to realize that even if there are areas of disagreement, we need to elect Republicans to office, pointing out that “while pragmatism without principle is surrender, principles without pragmatism is suicide.” The opposition to our view of limited government grew slowly starting with adoption of the income tax in 1917 and we will not turn things around overnight. We can’t change policies until we elect people to govern who can move policies more to the right. Republicans and other conservative voters need to realize that having access to elected Republican officials, who they may view as less than 100% consistent with their views, is far better than having no access to a Democrat who will move on liberal policies without regard for our views.

Financially, the RNC has been successful in raising money in 2013. Instead of hoarding it until the 2016 election, it is spending money now to get the message out and to help get more Republicans elected. It is also building up a staff, most of whom are located outside of Washington, D.C., to lead and organize the boots on the ground effort. For example, the RPOF has an Executive Director who is from Wisconsin, a former blue state which through the work of Scott Walker, Reince Priebus, and Paul Ryan has turned into a red state. If this can be done in Wisconsin, it can be done elsewhere. With the RNC’s new approach, fund raising results, better use of new media, a beefed up staff and tens of thousands of precinct captains throughout the United States, there is a new model in play.

Some pictures from the event:

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Time Shift Interview

Peter Feaman is March Guest

He will be addressing issues and current plans of the State and National Parties for this election cycle–how we are going to WIN!!

Peter Feaman was unanimously elected in 2012 by the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Florida to be its National Committeman to represent Florida Republicans at the Republican National Committee in Washington, DC. He currently sits on the Rules Committee of the RNC.

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.

In 2007, Mr. Feaman published his first book entitled “WAKE UP, AMERICA!” subtitled, “Understanding Jihad for Dummies!” His second book “THE NEXT NIGHTMARE” 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.

This will be another great program, so we hope you will be able to join us.

Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below

or by emailing info@gopclubpb.org, or by calling 561-855-0749.
Please respect Club rules: Cell Phones Silenced, Business Casual Attire, Please No Jeans

Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
PO Box 2585
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
(561) 855-0749

February Lunch Featured DEP Secretary and Madison Institute CEO

Our February meeting featured Herschel Vinyard, Florida Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and Dr. Bob McClure, CEO of the Madison Institute.

After the Invocation and Pledge led by Virginia Brooks, Rick Kozell (Club President) kicked off the meeting by describing the successful Lincoln Day Dinner. Many in the group had attended the sell-out event.

Rick is on the board of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the James Madison Institute, a conservative think tank, and personally knew both keynote speakers. After introducing both, Mr. Vinyard took the podium.

He began by giving a boost to Governor Rick Scott. The Governor has had a tremendous impact on bringing Florida’s economy back from the depths of the recession. Mr. Vinyard said that the Governor’s ‘laser-focus’ on jobs was deeply personal to the Governor. The Secretary of DEP then segued to two examples of ‘federalism in action’, where Florida was able to wrest control back from the Federal government with Florida-based solutions.

The first, water body nutrient levels, has been an ongoing issue with the EPA. Rather than accept the federal solution, Vinyard’s team came forward with an alternative proposal that was found acceptable, yet customized for the state.

The second was Everglades water management, another long-term conflict with the federal government. Florida had been embroiled in a lawsuit since the 1980s and Governor Scott, solutions-oriented as he is, found that unacceptable. The DEP was able to offer an acceptable, Florida based solution to satisfy all the federal administrative organizations.

Admitting it is not always easy, Secretary Vinyard has shown that it is possible for states to engage productively with the Federal regulatory bodies.

In closing, he also encouraged us to partake of the wonderful Florida State Park System which also falls under the DEP.

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Dr. McClure, President of the James Madison Institute, talked about “bending the river current” towards greater freedom in this country. His theme was the “great sorting out” of the states that is in progress, with red states led by conservative governments attracting people and money away from the high-taxes, oppressive regulations, and infringements of our freedoms of the Progressive-led Blue states.

There are four states to watch that could be a harbinger of all our futures. Will we emulate Texas, with its supercharged economy, low taxes, and minimal government? Or will we go the way of California, Illinois or New York – arguably examples of crumbling infrastructure, excessive debt and failing governments after years of Progressive policies.

Believing that “everyone is conservative, privately“, he pointed out that “Freedom works every time it is tried./em>”

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Present at the meeting were CD18 candidates Alan Schlesinger and Ilya Katz, and a spokesperson for Carl Domino. Alan spoke with respect about the admirable candidacy of Ellen Andel, who recently withdrew from the race.

Some pictures from the event:

Apply Now for the 2014 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship is available to any Republican 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 Palm Beach County residents and registered (or pre-registered under 18 yrs. of age) Republicans. Current members may refer applicants for this scholarship. The deadline for this application is April 30.The winner will receive $500 to be sent to the school they will attend. Award will be presented at the monthly luncheon June 25, 2014.

RCPB Scholarship application 2014

Vinyard and McClure at February RCPB Lunch

After our very successful District 18 Candidate Forum last month, we are looking for another big crowd to hear two important speakers discuss how federalism is working in Florida, with more local control over our own state and less coming from Washington. Both of these speakers will show how locally controlled community oriented programs are superior to big government controls.

Secretary Vinyard was appointed in 2011 by Governor Rick Scott to tackle one of Florida’s most challenging problems: sustainably managing Florida’s wetlands, Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. He will speak about our State’s efforts to conserve and protect its world-renown natural resources in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way without undue control from Washington bureaucrats. His extraordinary efforts to date represent a tremendous example of the ways that more limited and localized government by the people can be superior to centralized planning on a national level.

Dr. Bob McClure heads the James Madison Institute, a Florida nonpartisan public policy research organization that has operated since 1987. Dr. McClure will elaborate on the same principles of Federalism as they apply to school choice. He will talk about some of the ways that our State and local communities can promote a more effective and efficient educational system, independent from the sorts of centralized policies advanced in Washington. Dr. McClure has written numerous papers and is widely published both in Florida and nationally on a variety of policy issues. His dedication to public service is reflected in his various past and present memberships on groups such as the Florida Elections Commission, the State of Florida Education Strategic Planning Council, the Florida Advisory Council of the National Center for Policy Analysis, the Florida Committee for the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights, and on the Editorial Board for the Journal of School Choice.

This will be another great program, so we hope you will be able to join us.

Make sure you submit your RSVP in advance by clicking on our link below

or by emailing info@pbcgop.org, or by calling 561-855-0749.
Please respect Club rules: Cell Phones Silenced, Business Casual Attire, Please No Jeans

Republican Club of the Palm Beaches
213 -29th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407

CD18 Candidates on View at January Lunch

In a heavily attended lunch today at Bear Lakes Country Club, five of the six Republican candidates aiming to challenge Patrick Murphy for the CD18 seat gave their views of the campaign, the issues, and their own unique qualifications for the job.

The candidates are Juno Beach Councilwoman Ellen Andel, businessman and former State Legislator Carl Domino, Writer and cartoonist Ilya Katz, Former Connecticut State Representative Alan Schlesinger, and athletic trainer and former Tequesta Vice Mayor Calvin Turnquest. The sixth candidate, Beverly Hires was a last minute cancellation.

Campaign Approach

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Moderated by RCPB president Rick Kozell, the candidates were first asked how they would defeat the incumbent Patrick Murphy.

Better understanding of the district and inspiring voters of the next generation to create a 21st century party, said Calvin Turnquest. Carl Domino offered that he was the most knowledgeable about the issues, is the only candidate who served in the military, and will raise the issues of the constitutionality of Obamacare. Alan Schlesinger cited fighting Obamacare and making inroads with minorities. Raising the fight against the sovietization of the US, offered Ilya Katz. Ellen Andel, the only woman in the group today, will blunt the Democrat narrative of the war on women, children, workers, etc. and be a candidate people can relate to.

Issues

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Moving on to policy, they were asked to name three major issues facing the country that they could affect if elected, and the answers were all quite different.

Calvin Turnquest listed (legal) immigration, Obamacare’s failure to meet any of its promises, and help for small business – such as repealing the capital gains tax. He has experienced all three as an immigrant, health care worker who has owned a small business.

Carl Domino cited ending Obamacare (although he conceded that it is a defensive position until we have a new President), military and veterans issues, and jobs . Regarding the tax system, he said he believes in progressive taxation, but everyone should pay something.

Alan Schlesinger said numbers one, two and three were all the same – end Obamacare and reject the single payer system that is waiting in the wings when the ACA implodes. “They stuck it down our throats” he said, “now we should stick it up their ballot box.”

Ilya Katz would eliminate all business taxes, attend to cyberwar and energy grid protection, and repeal Obamacare.

Ellen Andel cited lack of fiscal responsibility, the health of Lake Okeechobee – an issue that got Murphy some attention but on which he hasn’t delivered, and ending the “selfishness of the ruling elite” with term limits, and elimination of legislator pensions.

Unique Attributes

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Next, they were asked to differentiate themselves from the field. Some mentioned the “Reagan rule” about not talking ill about fellow Republicans, and they all stuck to highlighting their own strengths.

When asked “what sets you apart..”, Calvin Turnquest got some laughs with “Isn’t it obvious?” then went on to talk about leading the next generation of “Turnquest Republicans” who were not around to experience being “Reagan Republicans” first hand. “I am the candidate that Murphy most fears,” he said.

Carl Domino stressed his accomplishments, including portability, fighting Digital Domain in Port St. Lucie, helping bring Scripps to the county and creating jobs in his own business.

Alan Schlesinger said he had “taken out Democrats” (in Connecticut), had the best grasp of fiscal and health care issues, and will “wrap Obamacare around Murphy’s neck.”

Ilya Katz, citing his unique life experience and knowledge, said he has nothing to lose and would move to impeach Barack Obama. He would also offer “free contraceptives to Democrats”, and cited his “Chicago accent” (but different than the President’s).

Ellen Andel pointed out that she has obtained former Congressman Allen West’s endorsement, and brings the persistence and perseverance of a competitive athlete to the fray. “It is time for new leadership”, she said.

January – Candidate Forum for Congressional District 18

RSVP by Jan. 20 with the following button,

or by email: info@gopclubpb.org
or phone: (561) 855-0749

Another election year begins and our Club is kicking off the new year with a roar. Congressional District 18 is going to have an exciting primary race to determine who will be the challenger to incumbent Democrat, Patrick Murphy. After the closely fought race against Allen West in 2012, he will be facing a difficult time keeping his seat given his support of Obamacare and his left of center voting record. District 18, with almost 480,000 registered voters, has 38% Republican voters and 36% Democratic voters, meaning the remaining 24% of voters will be critical in determining the outcome.

Ellen Andel, Carl Domino, Beveryl Hires, Ilya Katz, Alan Schlesinger and Calvin Turnquest have all committed to participate in a panel to answer the questions posed by the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches to gain support for their campaigns, explain why they are running, and explain how they plan to beat the incumbent in the fall general election.

Winning back this seat is of critical importance so that Palm Beach County can be part of a wave of new Republican incumbents in Congress who can help turn things around, and work with what we hope will be a Conservative Republican majority in the Senate.

You won’t want to miss this event as we kick off our 2014 series of luncheons. Make sure you invite a few friends (other Republicans, Independents, and even Democrats) to join you and learn more about these candidates. We are going to need a coalition of conservative voters to assure a victory regardless of how they might be registered.

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