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!

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.

Wake Up, America! Please!

You’re invited to join us to hear from author, attorney and  Palm Beach County Committeeman, Peter Feaman.  Peter will be talking about his two books and the war against terrorism, both domestic and foreign.

BOOK # 1:  “WAKE UP, AMERICA”-

BOOK # 2:  “WAKE UP, AMERICA!  PLEASE!” 

PETER M. FEAMAN, ESQ., Author, Attorney, Activist, has subtitled his books, “Understanding Jihad for Dummies”

WHERE:              Bear Lakes Country Club, 1901 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach

                                 Club Rules: Business Casual Dress (No Jeans); Please Silence Cell Phones, NO VALET TONIGHT—SELF PARKING

TIME/DATE:      Wed. May 26 ; 5:30 Gathering;  Program 6-7

COST:                   $5 Members and Guests  /  Light Refreshments / Cash Bar

RSVP:                       by MONDAY, May 24 NOON — 561-697-4911 or email:  info@gopclubpb.org  (NEW EMAIL ADDRESS AND WEBSITE)

Ambassador Al Hoffman Highlights RCPB April Lunch Meeting

Starting with the premise that the Obama “Change Revolution” has more in common with the French Revolution than the American one, Ambassador Hoffman related Obama’s desire to “share the wealth” to the French concept of Equality (Liberté, égalité, fraternité).   This French system, which devolved into a “tyranny of the majority”  led quickly to the Napoleanic dictatorship.  This is not an uncommon result of socialism when equality of result is mandated by the state.   Laws, said the Ambassador, should encourage us to “harmonize with”,  not “conform to” the social compact.

In the question and answer session, Ambassador Hoffman was asked about the problems of dealing with the liberal media, and this led to a general discussion that focused on the Palm Beach Post, particularly since a reporter for that organization was present.   Sid Dinerstein suggested that the Post was worse than the media in general because rather than being simply biased, the Post goes out of their way to disparage conservatives in an overtly hostile way.   The reporter responded along the lines that if you get all your news from Glenn Beck you are intellectually challenged.   There was at this point a general show of support for Glenn Beck in the room.

After this interesting exchange, a number of candidates in attendance spoke to the group, including Sharon Merchant (FL Senate district 27),  Mike Lameyer (also district 27), Steven Rosenblum (House district 89), and Nancy Cardone (House district 83) who gave a spirited discussion of the coming dénouement following Governor Crist’s decision to abandon his friends and supporters in the Republican Party.  Javier Manjarres of the “Shark Tank”, CRA, and a past RCPB speaker, spoke for Marco Rubio, and the latest challenger for Debbie Wasserman-Schultz seat, Brian Reilly (Congressional District 20).  Ralph Eltringham spoke for Colonel Allen West and Carol Hurst spoke for Francisco Rodriguez (FL House district 83).

The Children’s Project of Palm Beach

Have you seen the recent commercials on television or seen the ads in the paper?

The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation is spearheaded by Dave Lawrence of The Children’s Trust in Miami-Dade County. The Foundation is sponsoring The Children’s Project of Palm Beach– a feasibility study about the potential for organizing and building a politically powerful Children’s Movement of Florida, significantly shaping the State’s priorities for children.

Those priorities include:

• Access to quality health care.
• Training for parents and guidance for mentoring.
• Early screening and treatment for children who might have special needs.
• Stimulating and nurturing child care.
• High-quality pre-kindergarten.

This is a countywide outreach project to strictly educate and inform Palm Beach County residents about essential issues regarding children in order to ensure that they are prepared and ready to learn in school and able to succeed in life.

To that end Dave Lawrence at The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation  http://www.teachmorelovemore.org/ECIF.asp , funded by the Kellogg Foundation www.wkkf.org , is promoting the Children’s Project of Palm Beach during April and May.  The goal during these two months is to learn how media messages and grassroots organization might educate and inform the public about the need for a “movement” for children.  This non-partisan effort seeks to measure the extent to which people, once informed, can actually tell us how they received new information and why it is important for children. That then gives us a better chance of prioritizing resources to benefit children and families.

RCPB is pleased to be co-hosting an event which will further our understanding of the program.  The event is FREE – but reservations are REQUIRED.  Please contact Bette Anne at 561-697-4911 or via email info@gopclubpb.org

The Childrens Project 5-11-10 Click Here for Invitation

Cordially invite you to a presentation about early childhood development and children’s issues: If children are our future – shouldn’t we invest more in them now?

Presented by

 Roberto Martinez, Esq.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Meet And Greet: 5:45-6:30 p.m.

Presentation: 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Bear Lakes Country Club

1901 Village Boulevard

West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Business Attire, No Jeans Please

Cell Phones must be silenced

Light Refreshments and Beverages Provided

The Bar will be OPEN for Credit Card Purchases

SELF PARKING – No Valet Service

There is NO Fee to attend and learn more about the Children’s Project of Palm Beach County

Reservations are REQUIRED

R.S.V.P. to

(561)-697-4911

Right Nights – Uncommon Common Sense – Encore by Aubie Baltin

5:30 to 7 pm – By Popular Demand at Bear Lakes

Hear a Pin Drop as  DR. AUBIE BALTIN, Publisher/Editor, “UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE” connects the dots between Communism and Progressivism.

Apply for 2010 SCHOLARSHIP by May 3 at www.gopclubpb.org

 

RSVP by Mon Mar 22 (561) 697-4911—BA Starkey

or e-mail:   info@gopclubpb.org

RCPB Luncheon – Take Back Our Country

“Take Back our Country”

Lunch – Bear Lakes Country Club

AMBASSADOR AL HOFFMAN

West Point graduate, Fighter Pilot, Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of WCI Communities, Nat’l Republican Leader, Nat’l Finance Chair for Presidents Bush 41 & 43; State Finance Chair for Jeb’s successful elections; Appointed Ambassador of Portugal by Pres. GW Bush

Lessons learned from the Democrats- How to get past being the minority party-How to get rid of the elitist tag and portray Republicans as common folk–

11:30am Meet & Greet 12:00 Program Begins

Tax Day Tea Party Pictures

These are from Joy and Delia
To see videos of the entire event (from Boris Balaban) Click HERE.

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