September Lunch with Slade O’Brien had a Focus on Activism

Today’s RCPB Luncheon was focused on activism.  After the Invocation and Pledge led by Sid Lanier, Club President Melissa Nash welcomed Honoraries – Gary Nikolits, PBC Property Appraiser and Bill Diamond, Palm Beach City Council.  Melissa then had several club members briefly comment on their experiences at Presidency 5 and CPAC-FL in Orlando the prior week. 

Melissa then introduced Slade O’Brien, Florida State Director of Americans for Prosperity.  While Slade covers all of Florida, he lives in Palm Beach County.  He has been leading several seminars on activism and  GOTV in the area and folks should take advantage of the next ones when available.  For more information on AFP Florida go here..

Slade also mentioned a few other organizations:  True the Vote was one of them.  Also he suggested joining Liberty Linked  as an activist website that enables one to connect with fellow conservatives.  He talked about the importance of social media in the upcoming election cycle, and touched on Anita MonCrief and her whisteblower role in the Acorn scandals.

Melissa also pointed out that future REC meetings will be held at the Vista Center and that October’s RCPB meeting will be a Special evening meeting with a panel discussin Illegal Immigration in Florida.

Pictures by Delia

Call to Action – County Budget Meeting, 9/13/11

This is a call to action for next week’s county budget hearing, Tuesday evening, 9/13/11 at 6:00pm. The meeting is in the county government center, 301 North Olive in West Palm Beach. Come early as the meeting is expected to be crowded.

As you prepare for the meeting, here are some resources that may be useful:

• September Talking Points
• Sample email and 3 minute remarks
• The 2012 TAB Proposal – September Update
• September Budget Hearings – Some Background

Also check the “News Articles” tab on the TAB website for the latest budget stories from the Palm Beach Post, Sun Sentinel, and others.

Those on the “receiving” side of the budget will be out in force. Those of us on the “paying” side must also have their voices heard. If you can’t attend, send an email. Addresses for the commissioners and administrator can be found on right side of the TAB website, or you can email all at once at: BCC-AllCommissioners@pbcgov.org.

For some specific details about this meeting, see the 9/9 TAB email.

Senate President Haridopolis Highlights July Lunch

The July RCPB lunch featured Mike Haridopolis who was well received as President of the Senate, even if he has ended his Senate campaign.

As previously reported, he recognized that the importance of leading the FL Senate would require more time than allowed by being a candidate for US Senate. He vowed that he would not be running for any office while holding his present position.

Of interest to many in the group, he answered a question about the disposition of the E-Verify bill that did not pass the legislature, or even emerge from the Senate committees for a vote. This was the perfect segue into the fact that our club will present a program on Thurs. Oct 27 on the merits of E-verify with organizations and local businesses who are pro/con.

The event was attended by several new members who enjoyed the program enough to comment: “I am so impressed with your speakers and programs that I want to be a part of your club.”

Here’s a few pictures from Delia:

Former Ambassador Al Cardenas Highlights June Lunch Meeting

On Wednesday, June 22 at Bear Lakes, Keynote speaker Al Cardenas of the American Conservative Union, gave his views on current events and emphasized how important it is to stand on principles, such as boldly supporting the Ryan budget, given it is the only “real” proposal on the table to fix our structural fiscal problems. He considers it a moderate document, since it takes 28 years to achieve balance and does not touch Social Security. We need to stand for conservative principles, both while running for election and governing. Consistency provides mandates – if you take a controversial stand and are elected on that basis, then you have a mandate to implement that position. Ambassador Cardenas also announced that a regional CPAC convention is to be held in Orlando coincident with Presidency 5.

Also noted at the meeting was the formation of a new grass roots group in the county, the Palm Beach County Tea Party. Pam Wohlschlegel, formerly county coordinator for SFTP, has formed a new group to build a coalition of activists from related organizations dedicated to fiscal responsibility, constitutionaly limited government and free markets. She pointed out that she has been a Republican since her school days, but decided to work through a non-partisan group because of their success in attracting disaffected Democrats and Independents to the conservative cause.

Also speaking were Joe Kaufman, candidate for CD20 (Debbie Wasserman Schultz), and Starla Brown, PB and Broward coordinator for the Mike McCallister for Senate campaign. The meeting was hosted by Bette Anne Starkey.

Pictures by Boris Balaban and Delia Garcia Menocal.

Join us for Lobsterfest 2011

Thursday, July 7, 2011    6 – 9pm

 

The Beach Club

755 North County Road

Palm Beach, FL

 

Tenth Annual Lobsterfest!

 

Spacious, cool indoor location on the OCEAN!

Hear the Latest from Honorary Chairman Jeff Atwater, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, and other Elected Officials and Candidates

 

Menu:
South African Lobster Tails, Chicken, Salads,
Corn on the Cob and Dessert • Cash bar$80 per person • Casual Attire

Buy your eTickets for the 10th Annual Lobster Fest- Republican Party of Palm Beach County-by clicking this link: https://www.donationtickets.com/donationticket/eventTicket.asp?guidEvent=565756

Ambassador Al Cardenas – Won’t you join us?

Join Republican Club of the Palm Beaches as we host New Chairman of the American Conservative Union, Al Cardenas Our Luncheon Speaker.

 

Al Cardenas began his passionate conservative activities in 1975 as Florida’s Co-Chairman of Ronald Regan’s 1976 challenge to then President Gerald Ford and attended the ’76 GOP National Convention as a Regan delegate.  In 1993 Al was elected Co-Chair and then Chairman of the RPOF. In his decade of service the Florida GOP gained majorities in the state legislature and congressional delegation for the first time since reconstruction. As the Florida GOP Chairman he led our state to elect George HW Bush as the 41^st President of the United States.  Al Cardenas was elected Chairman of the American Conservative Union this year being nominated by Secretary Bolton.

 

You have seen him frequently on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, Univion, CNN Espanol, and Telemundo. He is also a regular guest columnist. In addition he was elected by his peers nationally as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” from 2007-2010.

 

Wednesday, June 22nd

Bear Lakes Country Club

Meet & Greet 11:30

Program Begins 12:00

 

$20 Members / $25 Guests

 

RSVP info@gopclubpb.org or by calling 561-804-4591

 

You don’t want to miss Al as he is a compelling speaker while sharing an incredible positive energy to all.  This is  a “WOW” event not to miss.

 

Save The Date:  July 27 – Sen President Mike Haridopolos

Note:  ***NO AUGUST LUNCH MEETING***

FH83 Representative Pat Rooney Highlights Award Lunch

On May 25th, the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches was pleased to welcome state representative Pat Rooney at its monthly luncheon.  Representative Rooney provided a summary of the 2011 legislative session, including its highs and lows and some of the initiatives most directly affecting South Florida.  Most notably, Representative Rooney discussed the Republicans’ successful efforts to trim burdensome government spending in order to promote the creation of private sector jobs, offset the ever-increasing federal tax burdens on Floridians, and propel Florida’s economy out of the ongoing recession.  He also discussed the passage of a bill designed to help balance Florida’s long term budget by requiring state employees to fund a small portion of their own pensions.  He expressed great optimism about the opportunities to solve the challenges of illegal immigration while also recognizing the complex impact that any such solution will have on Florida’s agricultural industry and the overall economy.

As a businessman, Pat described the frustrations of being a freshman legislator working through the considerably different world of lawmaking, and some thoughts of how to improve the process, including his proposal for using video conferencing to connect the lawmakers from the southern part of the state during committee time, to make more efficient use of everyone’s time.

Although the session was somewhat contentious, and much was sandwiched into the last few weeks, there were some good things to emerge. In Pat’s view these included saving some funding for libraries and the disabled, FRS reform, and the bill to curb pill mill abuses.

Representative Rooney also took part in the Club’s ceremony awarding the 2011 Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship.  This year, the scholarship was awarded to four deserving candidates who are in the process of pursuing their college degrees.  Representative Rooney and the entire Club were pleased to recognize all four candidates for their academic accomplishments and their embodiment of Republican values.   

There were four scholarship winners this year, each receiving a check for $500, and the awards were announced by surprise guest (via video recording) Congressman Allen West.

Receiving the scholarships were John Clark, Shirley Schaff, Kimberly Twoey, and Jason Ferrara.  Click here for the Press Release – ARM Scholarship 2011

Pictures courtesey of Delia Garcia-Menocal.

Join us for Rep Rooney and ARM Scholarship

Welcome Representative Rooney with a post session wrap up.  Freshman Representative and RCPB member Pat Rooney will be the featured speaker on May 25^th at noon.  Additionally, RCPB will be announcing the 2011 recipients of the Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship.

We’re expecting a packed house, so please be sure to reserve your seat.

Members $20

Guests $25

RSVP info@gopclubpb.org  or by calling 561-804-4591

Senator George LeMieux Highlights April Lunch

Former Senator (and now candidate) George LeMieux gave us an interesting perspective on the federal budget struggles and what is at stake in the battle over the debt limit. Appointed by Charlie Crist to fill the slot vacated by Mel Martinez, his Washington experience gives him some advantages over his two announced competitors Adam Hasner and Mike Haridopolis, but all three would make capable Senators and it will be a spirited campaign.

Here are a few pictures of the event:

Welcome Sen LeMieux to RCPB April 27th

IT’S GETTING CROWDED!                  

Former US Senator George LeMieux  will provide a provocative and interesting session since the media has been filled with speculation about his running for the US Senate in 2012.   Just recently  he announced he would join two other announced candidates.  Senator Lemieux was appointed by then -Governor Charlie Crist to fill Senator Mel Martinez early- vacated seat for a one year term.

Find out how Mr. Lemieux would be voting were he still in the Senate.  Come at 11:30  to  network.  It is exciting to see the club growing by leaps and bounds; most of our guest speakers have addressed a sold-out crowd.

RSVP by  noon, April 25 (561) 804-4591

or e-mail:   info@gopclubpb.org

Cancellations by COB, April 25 will be honored

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