Rabbi Alan Sherman at January Lunch

Fresh off a gig at the Trump Club 45, Rabbi Alan Sherman had some uplifting thoughts at our January lunch.

A former Army chaplain who ministered at the 1000 bed Pittsburg Army hospital, the Rabbi works with various Palm Beach County non-profits, including Morse Life Health System. A Trump supporter, he came sporting his “Israel Supports Donald Trump” yarmulke, which had been signed by the President at one of the Air Force One arrivals.

When he was a member of the 1500 member Union of Reform Judaism, he stood alone in opposing their disrespect of Donald Trump by ignoring his well wishes on Rosh Hashanah, and finally quit when they dissed the US Israel policy by condemning settlement expansion in the West Bank.

It is clear that the Rabbi holds conservative views compared to much of the left leaning Jewish community. On immigration, he believes in assimilation – if people are not willing to adopt our culture when they come here they should stay home. He believes that gender confusion, a result of the latest push by the left to reject the principle that only there are only two biological genders, is hurting children. The ten to one ratio of leftist professors in the colleges and Universities is outrageous. And of course, Socialism is dangerous – just look at Venezuela.

He does see reason for hope though. “Be strong, stick together and we’ll get the President re-elected!”

Also at the meeting was House District 91 candidate Sayd Hussain with a plan for replacing Democrat Emily Slosberg. The incumbent is vulnerable this year after her arrest for trespassing and criminal mischief last March and a hospitalization for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In keeping with the March 17 Presidential Primary that is also a municipal election in many of the cities, towns and villages of the county, next month we will have a candidate expo. Council and Commission candidates from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and Boynton Beach have agreed to participate, and we are inviting several more. These people are the future leaders of our county – come and meet them, even if there is not a municipal election in your own city.

Cruise Line’s Efforts in Dorian Relief

At our December lunch, Anita Mitchell and her daughter Kimberly were on hand to describe the efforts of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to provide relief on Grand Bahama Island following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Dorian, the category five monster that turned much of the Abacos and Grand Bahama into rubble in September, remained over the northern Bahamas for a day while we in South Florida hunkered down for the blow that didn’t come. We “dodged a cannonball” in Anita’s words.

Mitchell, who is the Corporate and Community Relations VP at the cruise line, described how their ship, the Grand Celebration, sailed shortly after the storm’s passage to initially provide evacuation assistance from Grand Bahama during a 12 hour stop. Later, they would ferry needed supplies, equipment and volunteers to the island to assist in the recovery. Other cruise lines were helping too, but their larger ships had to anchor out while the Grand Celebration was able to tie up to the dock, greatly facilitating loading and unloading.

Their ships were also involved in hurricane relief during 2018 in the Virgin Islands.

Kimberly Mitchell, Executive Director of the Everglades Trust and a former WPB Commissioner, spoke about the effort to set up a charitable organization to continue providing relief, described the efforts of the local business community in West Palm Beach, particulalry restaurant owner Rodney Mayo.

The businesses provided supplies and donations as well as loaning their employees to help in the efforts. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Bahamas Relief Cruise (BRC) was created with the help of Gunster and former Senator George LeMieux. Donations are accepted at their website.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operates two cruise ships from the Port of Palm Beach, providing 2 night trips to Grand Bahama and Nassau. Many of the club members have been on these trips and spoke well of the experience. Anita described what the ships have to offer in the way of accommodations, food and entertainment, and brought along two of the on-board performers who gave us a taste.

Vocalist Tamula Browning Helmuth entertained us with a variety of musical selections including Etta James “At Last” and a hearty rendition of John Fogerty and CCR’s “Proud Mary” as rendered by Tina Turner. She was accompanied by saxophonist Rashad “the SAX Man” Reckley.

Reckley, an Abacoan victim of the hurricane himself, performed with his leg in a cast as Helmuth related how he clung to a tree as the hurricane destroyed his home.

Also at the meeting was CD18 candidate Nick Vessio.

Congressman Brian Mast at Veterans Lunch

Fran Hancock, President of the Republican Club of the Palm Beaches, on November 6th honored the Veterans in attendance and celebrated them by providing a free luncheon. Keynote speaker was Congressman Brian Mast, who is currently serving in his second term for District 18. Brian is currently a member of two committees:
– The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and
– United States Foreign Affairs Committee.
He lives in Palm City, FL with his wife, Brianna and four children.

Brian opened up his presentation by honoring the Veterans and recalling the time he spent in the military. He mentioned by name his close friends that served with him and some of which gave their lives for our country. He expressed how proud he was of the men and woman who put on the uniform and served in the military.

Brian went on and discussed how the impeachment process was a sham and nothing else will likely get accomplished in the House of Representatives in the foreseeable future. The following is an excerpt from Brian’s presentations:

I’ll be blunt – this impeachment investigation has become an embarrassing circus, completely disconnected from real America, with Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Schiff as ringmasters.

After weeks of closed-door meetings and cherry-picked testimonies, the House passed a resolution to formally launch an impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump. This resolution gives Chairman Schiff complete control over this investigation including the schedule, witnesses and hearings, including whether they are open or closed to the public.

This publicity stunt vote is a brazen attempt to stack the deck even more in favor of the narrative Democrats want to be true, instead of trying to find the actual truth — it gives Chairman Schiff unilateral power to decide what facts to tell the American people and which ones to hide from them.

The bottom line is that House Democrats have made it clear time and time again that they’re more interested in putting politics and hatred for the President ahead of our country’s best interest. It’s time to end this sham.

Congressman Brian Mast concluded his presentation by taking questions from the floor. He mentioned one of his areas of focus and passion is clean water for the residents of Florida.
and thanked the Republican Party of Palm Beach for all of their continued support.

Armand Grossman on Being Successful

The featured speaker at our September lunch was Armand Grossman, former Vice Mayor of Miami Springs, FAU Trustee, PBCGOP board member, and current President of the Boca Raton Regional Republican Club.

Sharing with us anecdotes on a wide variety of subjects, including ‘rule of law’, the experience of driving in the Presidential motorcades, and ‘male/white privilege’, Armand opined that the real privilege is having been born in America.

Speaking on the “DNA of the Flag”, he characterized much of our history as being driven by Freedom. Today, while those of our persuasion see threats to that freedom which must be opposed, the left has a much different view. They see the three major threats to our country as “The right wing”, “Climate Change”, and Capitalism. Freedom has no place in their agenda.

Armand also spoke about his upcoming book on the traits of successful people.

Leading the list is the “privilege of adversity”, relating his rough and tumble upbringing leaving him better equipped for future challenges. Another way of saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, I guess.

He also counsels “never let anyone else define you”, and that the #1 trait of the successful is engendering trust.

Armand’s book should be available later this year.

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Our October/November meetings are being combined into a single lunch on Wednesday, November 6, featuring Congressman Brian Mast. With all that is going on in Washington these days, expect an interesting session.

Joe Budd on the 2020 Outlook

Joe Budd, State Committeeman and Trump Club 45 President, gave us a positive rendition of our chances for 2020.

An early Trump supporter, Joe was on board within a couple of weeks of the escalator ride. He noticed that it was the outsider candidates (including Fiorina, Cruz) that were getting most of the attention, and Trump was the best of these. Working as volunteer co-chairman of the campaign in the county, Joe helped his candidate achieve 52% of the vote in the primary and more votes in the general (41%) than Romney, McCain or Bush.

In 2020, it looks like the outsiders have the energy among the Democrats as well, with Biden falling and candidates like Kamala Harris making their mark. Joe expects the eventual candidate to move away from current Democrat leadership. Socialism and massive spending programs though, are not likely to do well in our center-right country.

He had some advice for our Congressional candidates. The only state-wide race in 2020 is for President, so that is where the focus and energy will be. Republican candidates need to attach themselves to the Trump agenda and the Trump campaign, otherwise it will be hard for them to raise funds or get noticed. Going it alone is not a smart strategy for next year.

Florida of course is very important to a 2020 victory, and we constitute a campaign region by ourselves with a state Chairman already in place. Unlike 2016, this time the RNC and the Trump campaign are joined at the hip and working smoothly together. This is true also of RPOF.

Joe and the Snowdens started Trump Club 45 to keep track of the large group of voters who came out to vote for Trump, maybe as first-time voters. Turnout was 52% better than in 2012 and we want to keep it that way. The club took the PBC Trump email list that we had compiled during the campaign, and more than doubled it. It is now the largest such club (of many) in the country. Unlike chartered Republican clubs, TC45 is independent, and has a fair number of Democrat members. This is a good thing as the support for the President here in PBC is bi-partisan.

Scholarships Awarded at June Meeting

At our lunch meeting on June 26, we announced the Anne Roberts scholarship awards to five students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the continuing pursuit of their studies.

Education is the KEY to making a difference in the world and supporting their future in preparation for what life brings.

In addition to our featured speaker, Former Congressman Tom Rooney, a fellow at the George LeMieux School of Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University, we heard from a previous year’s graduate, Lauren Staff, UF FL graduate, who has just returned from travels in Italy. She is taking a position at Villanova University Sports Broadcasting with the hopes of attending law school in the future.

In his remarks, Congressman Rooney reflected on his 10 years in the Congress. He is leaving after a self imposed term limit pledge he made when he first ran for the office.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he spoke of what he was able to accomplish, but suggested that the elimination of earmarks has made an appropriator’s job harder. Instead of elected representatives making the decisions on what projects in their districts should get funding, the job is done by the un-elected bureaucrats in the agencies. He also spoke of how much being in the minority is not pleasant. After his stint in Nancy Pelosi’s House the last time around, he had no desire for a repeat experience.

At PBAU, Tom will be teaching a course in criminal law, with another one on politics planned for next year.

Our 2019 awards of $500 each went to:

1. Jenna Calderaio, one of 80 in the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship at FSU. Jenna interned for Congressman Brian Mast last summer and this year is interning at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton Ohio as a criminal investigator. She created her own business, SanMatic (an automated sensor bathroom stall door lock) and has been active in FSU Republicans and Turning Point USA. Jenna will graduate in 2020 and hopes for a career in product development.

2. Jessica Blakley, majoring in Economics and Public Policy at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, is in her senior year, to graduate this December. Among her achievements as one of the winners of the Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Awards, President of future Business Leaders, and 2nd place winner at PBA Entrepreneurship Challenge, she created her own business “Make Up Doctor”. At Belmont, she was elected Congresswoman in the Student Government and was chosen to intern last year in the Tennessee Legislature. Jessica has volunteered in Haiti Missions, Belle Glade Missions, Puerto Rico Missions, and the Christ Fellowship Office. Jessica has been interning with Laffer Associates, one of the key crafters of Reaganomics, in the health care policy division and has accepted a full-time position with Laffer upon graduation. Jessica aspires to study for a Doctorate degree to eventually work as an economic analyst for the Federal Reserve.

3. Ben DeHaan, from Ada, Michigan, is in his junior year at Palm Beach Atlantic University studying business management and political science. Because of his recommendation by Dr, James Todd of PBAU for an internship with the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee, Ben was also recommended for our scholarship by the PB County REC Chair, Michael Barnett and our Club Member, Claire Jones. Ben is spending this summer in Michigan working for TGG Solutions, a business solutions company, specializing in Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance policies. Ben plans to join our Club on his return to school.

4&5. TWINS: Keelie and Rileigh Hanley—came to our committee as a pair and presented themselves to our membership as a duo. Both graduated from the celebrated SunCoast High School with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and plan to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautics University in Daytona Beach, studying Computer Science and Global Security with the intent to apply for the US Air Force Academy in 2020.

Also at the meeting were Christian Acosta, candidate for Congressional District 21, and Rick Roth who is running for re-election in House District 85. Christian will be facing several other Republicans in next year’s August primary for the right to challenge Democrat incumbent Lois Frankel.

Please join us on July 24th for Joe Budd, PBC State Committeeman and President of Trump Club 45. Joe will fill us in on plans for 2020 and how we can prepare to re-elect the President.

2019 Session Accomplishments with Representative Rick Roth

Our May meeting featured HD85 Representative Rick Roth, who described some of the significant actions taken by the Florida Legislature in the just completed session.

• The House passed a parental notification act for abortions by minors, but it was not passed by the Senate.
• Felon voting rights re-instatement (from 2018 amendment 4) was clarified to state that all aspects of a sentence must be concluded (including restitution if applicable)
• Smokeable marijuana is no longer prohibited for medical use with a doctor’s letter
• Texting while driving is now a ‘primary offense’ meaning you can be stopped for it (Emily Slosberg’s crusade)
• The “Certificate of Need” requirement for expansion of medical facilities was eliminated
• Coverage of 21 types of cancer are now covered under firefighter health plans
• HB7113 transportation bill authorizes 3 regional corridors to be built
• The Parkland bill that allows for the arming of teachers (with board approval) passed
• The “assignment of benefits” to rebuilding contractors was limited and polices can be written to preclude it
• The “sanctuary cities” bill (SB168) passed, allowing for the fining of local governments who do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities

For more detail on the major bills from this session, see:
2019 Legislative Session Update

Please join us next month on June 26 for the awarding of our annual Anne Roberts Scholarships. The presenter will be former Congressman and Senior Fellow at the Lemieux Center for Public Policy, Tom Rooney.

NCNC – Imparting Local Knowledge for 10 years

Our April meeting featured Sal Faso, President of the North County Neighborhood Coalition.

Started by a small group of concerned residents 10 years ago, NCNC has grown to encompass 23 Communities and Condo/Homeowners Associations in the North County, with 45,000 residents and 30.000 voters. With a mission to “improve the quality of life for residents in North Palm Beach County”, NCNC operates by educating its members on the local issues that affect them, and by making government accessible by hosting meetings with local officials.

As a non-partisan group, Sal and the NCNC have hosted candidate forums for county and municipal races, and their monthly meetings are well-attended by candidates running for offices at all levels. With a 76% average voter turnout by NCNC community members (compared to 60% county wide), candidates ignore NCNC at their peril.

Sal and his team advocate for many local issues affecting residents, including safety and security, economic prosperity, the character of the area, financial accountability of government, and maintaining home rule.

For more information on the NCNC, or to get your community involved, check out their website at: http://www.ncncpbc.org/

Everglade’s Foundation’s Erik Eikenberg Discusses Water Projects

A design element of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), authorized by Congress in 2000, is a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee referred to as the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) reservoir. Currently a key feature of proposed solutions to the toxic algae problems plaguing the estuaries on both coasts, it would allow the diversion of Lake outflows away from the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, and help restore the flow of fresh water through the Everglades to Florida Bay.

Erik Eikenberg, who heads the influential Everglades Foundation, presented a hopeful outlook for the project as we now have in Governor DeSantis someone who can potentially make it happen.

A Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School graduate, he recalled the influence of that school’s namesake on him. (Douglas, the author of “River of Grass” in 1947, helped redefine the popular conception of the Everglades as a treasured river instead of a worthless swamp.) Long a player in Florida Republican politics, he was an intern for Congressman Clay Shaw, who authored the CERP, and saw the introduction of the snout beetle into the ecosystem to manage the proliferation of the invasive Australian Melaleuca. Chief of staff for Governor Charlie Crist, he also worked for former Governor Bob Martinez.

Water is a “unifying issue”, he said, as many of us depend on the Everglades for our water supply. West Palm Beach, for example, depends on the Grassy Waters Preserve. The toxic blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria), is a health issue, and threatens the use of our waterways and hence the tourism economy of the state.

Governor DeSantis campaigned on fixing the problem, and is supported by Congressman Brian Mast (who is the Governor’s point man on the issue). The Governor’s recently released state budget includes $625M for the project in addition to expected federal funds. One significant roadblock of course is the decision by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to extend the Florida Crystals lease on the EAA land for another 8 years. This was done without public notice and several days before the Governor’s inauguration, in spite of an impassioned plea by Brian Mast to delay it. In an unprecedented move, DeSantis then demanded (and got) the resignation of the entire SFWMD board.

Time will tell how this plays out, but it is a hopeful sign that President Trump will be visiting the Lake to review related projects (such as dike repairs) on Friday of this week. The Governor’s good relationship with the President should be helpful in moving this project along.

Also at the meeting was CD21 candidate Christian Acosta who has announced his exploratory quest to unseat Congresswoman Lois Frankel in 2020. This D+17 seat was uncontested in 2018, allowing the incumbent to remain in office without campaigning for the privilege. Stretching along the coast from Singer Island through Delray Beach and encompassing most of the county south of Southern Boulevard, including Wellington, it deserves a Republican challenger.

Christian is a resident of Boynton Beach and teaches Electric Power Engineering at Palm Beach State. A nuclear engineer and Pittsburg transplant, Christian has been making the rounds of the Republican clubs and plans to introduce himself at the Trump-45 Club next month.

Next month, please join us on April 24 for Sal Faso, President of the North County Neighborhood Coalition.

Representative Mike Caruso Describes the Recount Circus

Our February lunch featured FH89 Representative Mike Caruso.

With the nickname “landslide” in Tallahasee, given his 37 vote winning margin, Mike relayed some of the arduous steps involved in moving through the circus that was Susan Bucher’s election operation.

Although he admits he very much enjoys the work of the capital, he may have thought twice about running if he knew what was in store for him. The coastal district, held for the last 8 years by Bill Hagar, was described to him as an easy Republican win when he decided to run. “Easy” is relative of course as the district is actually only R+1.6, practically even.

The campaign was dirty, with opponents stealing signs, lots of nasty lies spread in mailers, etc., but the worst was to occur after election day.

FH89 was one of the four races that were close enough to trigger a recount, and Mike witnessed first hand all the corrupt practices that were on display at the Supervisor of Elections. Many of us who were involved in the process were aware that there was no transparency, and that communications from Susan Bucher’s office were few, misleading and probably not true.

What you may not have known about though, was the gobs of ballots that were being “found” after the counting was supposed to be done – over 4000 in the case of FH89. Mike’s opponent Jim Bonfiglio was heard to say at one point during the recount “don’t worry, we will have the votes”. Bucher was never able to actually say how many votes had actually been cast in any of the races, yet she seemed to always know the margins.

Lots of dirty tricks were occurring. SOE employees were observed in a backroom hurriedly filling out new ballots – supposedly transcribing “unreadable” ones but who could tell – no one was allowed in there and the canvassing board was not present in violation of law. When this activity was challenged, the supervisor’s response was to move filing cabinets around to block the view of the activity from the “public”. When the canvassing board was present and involved in “determining the intent of the voter”, Mike was keeping count of how many votes were being assigned to him and his opponent. At the end of the day though, when the tallies were supposedly “rolled up”, his count never changed. This occurred multiple times.

The most arrogant action by Bucher though was about toilets. With hundreds of volunteers from both parties descending on the Riviera Beach counting facility, there was only one bathroom and she refused to remedy the situation as she really didn’t want to make it pleasant for those looking over her shoulder. Mike requested from the Republicans in Tallahassee assistance in obtaining porta-johns and toilet paper, and when they came through, Bucher refused to place them on “her” property and said she would have them towed if placed on the street.

Fortunately, when the race was finally certified, Mike was ahead by the same 37 votes he had been from the start and his opponent conceded. Although the entire experience was an unpleasant one, he has taken his place in the Legislature, and through the actions of Governor DeSantis, we have a new Supervisor of Elections.

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