Right Nights Gets Cozy by the Fire.

Ok, there was no fire, but there was a cozy chat by the fireplace. This month’s Right Nights featured speaker was author, attorney and  Palm Beach County Committeeman, Peter Feaman.  Peter covered topics from his first book Wake Up, America and his yet to be published second book Wake Up, America! Please!  Peter’s books cover the ongoing conflicts between the believers of Islam and other world religions; mainly Christianity and Judaism. After a fact filled and eye opening presentation, Peter took questions from the audience. An all out discussion of our current government and it’s failings in dealing with Muslim extremeists, past terrrorist acts, and the Old Testament followed. Once again, Right Nights gives our members a chance to interact with our speakers and create a great dialogue about the subjects we are dealing with everyday as a country. next month’s right nights will come ion the form of a debate at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach on June 24th. See the club’s homepage for more details

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.

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.

 

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John Thrasher highlights a very well attended luncheon

Over 100 people attended our luncheon this afternoon.  It was great to see a room full of energized Republicans, discussing the issues.  Melissa, club President, had to encourage the folks to enter the buffet lines so that we could begin the meeting!
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Sid Lanier led us in the Invocation and Pledge, followed by Lou Galterio doing his wonderful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.  Melissa pointed out many of the office-holders  and PBC GOP officers in our midst, after which State Committeeman, Peter Feaman teased his topic, Islamic Terrorism,  for tonight’s Right Nights meeting.   Melissa also made some announcements.

Dorothy Harper, Asst. Sec’y and Treasurer also served as our Scholarship Chair.  As such, she did a heartfelt biography of Anne Roberts, after whom our Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship was named.    Dorothy then introduced our two scholarship winners – Cindy Morris and James Shackelford.  Cindy, 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 is attending FAU, with a 3.57 GPA.  He spoke to his interest in politics and the FAU online radio show Owls with Issues.  We congratulate both of our scholarship winners!

Anita Mitchell, 2nd VP, introduced our keynote speaker, Florida Senator  and RPOF Chairman John Thrasher.    John thanked many of the PBC GOP leaders in the audience as well as Senate President Jeff Atwater for their leadership this year.   Some key points that John made in his talk:

• RPOF will not be taking sides in the primaries!
• He summarized the legislative session – Florida is having a difficult year with 1.1 million unemployed and a record number of foreclosures.  So the key focus of the lawmakers was to “do no harm to the people and small business”.  They didn’t raise taxes and fees and also kept a focus on education.  Next year will be equally challenging if not more so as stimulus dollars will be fewer next year.
• John also focused on the legislative sessions focus on education.  An amendment will be on the ballot in November modifying the class size amendment from 2002.  He also mentioned that standards in Math and Science were increased.  Also increased were tax credits for businesses that provide scholarships.  And he mentioned Senate Bill 6 – which was vetoed by Governor Crist.
• 2010 Elections – John noted that as he travels the state, passions and concerns by Republicans were palpable.  The day to day assault on capitalism, the rising debt and deficits and the concerns about our countries future has more people involved than ever.  He was happy with the caliber of the candidates and quoted Jeb Bush as saying that ‘we need people who paint in bright colors’ – those with a passion for reform, low taxes and limited government.     Thrasher also predicted the Governor Crist will come in third in the Senate race (and challenged Palm Beach Post-on-Politics reporter, George Bennett to quote him!).  He also said that fund raising for the first quarter of 2010  was going well and that expenses were $1 million less than the prior year.

The talk was followed by a brief Q&A Session.  Francisco Rodriguez asked if John thought the Florida Healthcare Freedom Act was the right thing to do.  John replied positively.  Steve Rosenblum asked about release of the RPOF credit card statements.  Mr. Thrasher said that they had been released 3 weeks ago.  Peter Feaman asked about the Gulf oil spill crisis and the President’s response.  John replied that Obama didn’t create the spill nor would he be able to solve it.  While he feels that our Governor wants the special session to eliminate offshore-drilling off Florida shores, Thrasher feels that our Attorney General needs tools to go after BP and that the state should shore up its Recovery Fund in anticipation of damage to families and industry (eg tourism and fishing) from the impact of the spill.  John Parsons asked about the failure to pass any bill on illegal immigration.  Senator Thrasher wasn’t able to answer why the E-Verify bill was passed overwhelming by the House but not addressed at all by the Senate.  He felt, however, that Arizona had a right to pass its law and that we ought to take a look at doing something similar.

The meeting closed with short candidate talks by Joe Budd (CD19), Steve Rosenblum (FL H 89), Ellyn Bogdanoff (FL S 25), Lizbeth Benacquisto (FL S 27), Sharon Merchant (FL S 27), Carl Domino (FL S 25), Pat Rooney (FL H 83), Mike Lameyer (FL S 27) and Nancy Cardone (FL H 83), followed by raffle results.

Thanks to everyone who made this an exciting, successful luncheon!

Immigration in 1907

‘In  the first place, we should insist that if the  immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes  an American and assimilates himself to us, he  shall be treated on an exact equality with  everyone else, for it is an outrage to  discriminate against any such man because of  creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is  predicated upon the person’s becoming in every  facet an American, and nothing but an  American…There can be no divided allegiance  here. Any man who says he is an American, but  something else also, isn’t an American at all.  We have room for but one flag, the American  flag… We have room for but one language here,  and that is the English language.. And we have  room for but one sole loyalty and that is a  loyalty to the American  people.’
Theodore  Roosevelt 1907

Florida Does or Does NOT need an Immigration Law?

I would like for our members to weigh in on these statements and create a dialog.

Argument:  The reason why Florida doesn’t need the Arizona law:  Because all officers and elected officials ALREADY take an OATH to protect and defend the Constitution.  So I ask, why are our LOCAL officials not able to honor their oath without another law.  The law already exisits…

Francisco Rodriguez Town Hall

This afternoon, in the picturesque seaside Palm Beach Shores Community Center, Francisco Rodriguez, candidate for Florida House District 83, held a town hall for members of that community.  Organized by Carol Hurst, a supporter and Palm Beach Shores community leader, the event was an opportunity for Francisco to give his views on a variety of issues facing Florida today.

When asked for his view of the Sunrail bill, passed by the legislature earlier in the year and sold as a way to bring federal stimulus dollars into the state, he was very clear.  It should not have been passed and he would have voted against it.  Accepting federal money now but obligating the state to provide significant funding for it in future years is a bad deal for Florida.

A common theme that pervades Francisco’s thinking on several subjects is the Constitution and the rights of states to determine their own destiny.  For example, the Federal Government is required to manage the border and control immigration – it is not a state responsibility.  That said, when the job is not being done it is acceptable for the states to see that federal law is enforced.  Arizona did not need to pass the controversial law, but by doing so it provides political cover for law enforcement.  In another example, states are free to adopt any fiscal model they wish – and spend and borrow as they see fit, but when the day comes that bad decisions lead to potential default, the other states (or their citizens through federal taxes) should not be asked to bail them out.  The time has come for states to stand up for their rights and start using the 10th amendment to push back against federal overreach.

The Health Care Freedom Act is one example of this, and Francisco would support a mechanism whereby the states could control the amount of taxes collected in the state that gets sent to the federal government.

On state taxes, Francisco is not a fan of property taxes – which he equates to “paying rent” on a property which you own, and instead prefers use-based taxes with defined purposes such as a gas tax to fund only roads.

Schools, he believes, should be controlled at the local level – including such things as curriculum content and testing approach.  He was not a fan of the recently vetoed education bill, saying it gave too much control over local decisions to the bureaucrats in Tallahassee.

Florida House district 83, currently held by Carl Domino who is running for Senate district 25, sits at the northeastern part of the county and includes parts of Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, along Singer Island and Palm Beach Island to just south of Southern Boulevard. ( Click HERE for map. ) In the Republican primary on August 24, Francisco faces Realtor Nancy Cardone and Palm Beach Kennel Club manager Pat Rooney.

A number of RCPB members were in attendance, including organizer Carol Hurst, Jim Vissi, Melissa Andrews,  Delia Garcia Menocal, Clair and Don Jones, Sue Varey, Bette Anne Starkey, Helen Wilkes, and Fred and Iris Scheibl. Following are a few pictures from the event.

PBC Staff Analysis of Fire/Rescue Sales Tax Opposition Claims

At the request of Palm Beach County Commissioner Santamaria, the Director of the County Office of Financial Management and Budget (OFMB), Liz Bloeser, evaluated the points made by the Economic Council in their letter to commissioners (and which echo the points made on the website). Her letter is posted on the website.

Her analysis determined that each claim is accurate (although they feel the call rate does not completely account for the 82% budget increase.)

Sunday's Palm Beach Post: "Cities should reject fire tax"

Sunday’s editorial came out strongly against the fire/rescue sales tax proposal. Many of the points made echo those made by both the Economic Council as well as those highlighted in the website One of the closing remarks in the editorial states:

Firefighters suggest that the shift would spread the burden of paying for fire-rescue service to tourists, who use the service but don’t pay for it directly.

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Perhaps, but a higher sales tax would fall disproportionately harder on the poor. The real reason they want the tax shift is to put firefighters in a separate financial pot, to spare the union the pain of budget cuts that all cities are having to confront in all departments. As governments cope with declining tax bases, fire-rescue reductions have to be part of their calculations.

The editorial can be found here.

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