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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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.

Place of Hope CEO Highlights our December Lunch

Befitting the time of year when people think about those less fortunate, our December guest represented the needs of those children in the foster care system in Palm Beach County, and an example of meeting a need that government has not managed well.

Place of Hope CEO Charles Bender talked about breaking the cycle of dependency among neglected or abused children by providing a nurturing, family-based environment. While the government has the overall responsibility for those that find themselves in the foster-care system, it is non-governmnental organizations like Place of Hope that provide the personal touch that can make a difference in a child’s life.

It was Jeb Bush as Governor who advanced the concept of “commuity based care” and groups like Place of Hope move the ball by providing alternatives to the “family first” policies of DCF. “Family first”, which gives priority to keeping family units together can cause problems for the children when the family unit is dysfunctional in some way. Moving foster kids into family structured group or individual homes where positive values can be taught is a viable alternative that Place of Hope provides.

For more information about Place of Hope, please visit their website.

In other business, we heard from candidates Beverly Hires (CD18), Henry Colon (CD21), and Pat Rooney (FH85).

Some pictures from the event:

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House Speaker Will Weatherford at October Lunch

The October lunch featured Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford. A Wesley Chapel resident, representing District 61 in Pasco County since 2006, Will is currently the youngest Speaker in America at 33.

Warmly introduced by District 85 Representative Pat Rooney who said he ran again last year “to serve under Will Weatherford as Speaker”, Speaker Weatherford returned the compliment, describing Rooney as “soft spoken, but one who has a lot to say when he speaks”.

He began his remarks referring to the government shutdown, which he said, “however you felt about it, at least it pointed out that there are 800,000 federal employees that are non-essential.”

In Florida, the GOP gets things done. In the country, we are less free than we were four years ago, but people are voting with their feet – leaving the high tax states with their high unemployment and moving to Texas and Florida and others. FL unemployment is 7% and falling, the HS graduation rate is the highest its ever been, the economy is expanding, and the population has grown by 316,000 people.

Of the three major issues facing Florida today and in the future he listed:

1. Education – the major generator of economic growth – today’s unemployment picture is the inverse of what is should be as younger workers aged 20-30 are less likely to find and keep a job than those over 30 – in large part because of problems in our education system. He is not a supporter of Common Core and predicted that the Florida Legislature will not adopt a national curriculum, but will work to set higher standards.

2. Healthcare – next year’s session will not expand medicaid in the state – it is a program that doesn’t work – instead they will seek free market alternatives.

3. Water infrastructure – there will be focus on the problems of pollution from runoff in the Indian River lagoon and elsewhere, and the security of our water supplies.

Addressing more global issues that he sees as new opportunities for the Republican Party, he cited youth unemployment, particularly what the Obama economics has done to minorities (23% of black youth are unemployed). The younger generations will be asked to bail out their predecessors and the $17 Trillion national debt, while at the same time sacrificing to make lives for themselves.

He spoke of “generational poverty” – that it is caused by government, not capitalism. The fix for it, he said, is not redistribution of wealth, but redistribution of knowledge and opportunity. We need better schools by offering parents a choice of where to send their children. Using the view of the Korean peninsula from space (the south glows brightly, the north is dark), he ended with the thought that the party should endeavor to make Florida shine as bright as anywhere.

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In other business, VP Anita Mitchell said her goodbyes as she is expected to emerge as the next PBC Party Chair.

Carol Hurst reported that her nominating committee has defined a slate of candidates for the November 6 club election. These include Rick Kozell to return as President, Meg Shannon as VP and Secretary, and Bette Anne Starkey as Treasurer.

Candidates present included Ellen Andel, Alan Schlesinger and Ilya Katz who are competing for Patrick Murphy’s CD18 seat, and Henry Colon to challenge Ted Deutch in CD21. Ellen Andel’s campaign got a boost this week when former Congressman Allen West came out to support her along with 7 sitting Republican Congresswomen from around the country.

Some pictures from Fred and Delia

County Mayor Steven Abrams Anchors June Lunch

Palm Beach County is for the most part, run by Democrats. Only 2 members of the county’s state delegation (senators and representatives) are Republican, one of the county Constitutional Officers (Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits – a club member who was present today), and 2 of the 7 county commissioners. The latter includes newly elected district 1 commissioner Hal Valeche, and today’s speaker, Chairman and Mayor Steven Abrams.

Appointed to the district 4 seat in 2009 by then Governor Crist to replace Mary McCarty, he was unopposed in the 2010 elections, and now serves as the agenda-setting Mayor of the county.

In his remarks, Mayor Abrams touched on his record opposing tax increases in the yearly budget cycles (not always successfully as it takes 4 votes to prevail), and how he has pushed for spending where it is necessary, such as road maintenance. This year, as the Administrator wants to raise the tax rate to bring in $25M more than last year, blaming it mostly on the Sheriff and his $510M budget (8.3% increase), the Mayor has asked that the Sheriff “sharpen his pencil so the taxpayer doesn’t have to sharpen theirs”.

His outlook on the county economy was upbeat, as he sees rising property valuations, and evidence of economic upturns as disparate as Tri-Rail ridership (he is on the Tri-Rail board) and divorce filings in the courts.

Taking some questions, the Mayor addressed beach replenishment funding (asked by Town of Palm Beach Councilman Bill Diamond), moving to non-partisan elections at the county level (not enough votes for it), who pays for the Singer Island sand pumping plant (Town of Palm Beach), federal sequestration (not much of a county impact), putting the IG under the Clerk’s Office (just an idea – would have to go to the voters), how to rein in the Sheriff’s budget (commission has limited ability in this area).

On the somewhat controversial topic of 7/50 (the 7 county, 50 year plan), he said that some regional planning is a good thing (for Tri-Rail expansion for example), while some other areas are better decided locally. Kevin Foley, a former chairman of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, cautioned that 7/50 is not “Agenda 21”, and should not be confused with that much maligned program. (For more information on 7/50, see: SE Florida Prosperity Plan ).

Prior to Mayor Abrams, we heard from Florida’s GOP National Committeeman Peter Feaman, who painted an upbeat picture of the national party (beating the Democrats in fundraising) as well as local (don’t believe everything you read in the papers).  He cautioned us to stop “eating our own” and please give Marco Rubio the benefit of the doubt, even if you oppose his immigration reform plan.

Also present were district 18 congressional candidates Alan Schlesinger and Ellen Andel, and district 23 candidate Ilya Katz.

There will be no club lunches in July and August. The November meeting will feature American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas.

May 2013 – Negron/Rooney

Please join RCPB for a legislative wrap up by two of our most ardent Republican leaders – State Senator Joe Negron and Representative Pat Rooney and our 2013 Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship Presentation.

Pay at the door / Affirmative RSVP “no-show” will be invoiced.

RSVP by Monday, May 20 via email: info@gopclubpb.org or phone: (561) 832-0695 (leave message)

Join/Renew your membership through December 2013

Please respect Bear Lakes Club Rules: Cell Phones Silenced / Business Casual Attire (No Jeans Please)

 

Speaker Biography

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Senator Negron represents District 28 in Florida’ state senate.  Prior to serving in his current role, Mr. Negron served in Florida’s House of Representative, and was the 2006 Republican candidate in the congressional race for the 16^th district of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Mr. Negron has been a strong leader on a number of conservative issues: he has served as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, he has been a defender of needy children in our communities, and he has been a voice for the long-term preservation of Florida’s natural resources.

 

 

 

 

Representative Rooney represents District 85 in the Florida House of Representative.  Mr. Rooney has been an integral part of the South Florida business community for years and he brings to Tallahassee a wealth of private sector experience.  In the State Capital, he has been a strong supporter of pro-growth, pro-job fiscal policies, and he has been a champion of improved education for all students in our state.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Negron and Mr. Rooney will provide our Club with a wrap-up of this past legislative session and will offer their insight into the future for the State of Florida.

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.  Please join RCPB on May 24^th as we present four $500 Scholarships for 2013.

Dan Martell at April Meeting

Dan Martell will highlight our April lunch at Bear Lakes

Pay at the door / Affirmative RSVP “no-show” will be invoiced.

RSVP by April 22. via email: info@gopclubpb.org or phone: (561) 832-0695 (leave message)

Join/Renew your membership through December 2013

Please respect Bear Lakes Club Rules: Cell Phones Silenced / Business Casual Attire (No Jeans Please)

**NOTE** Apply Now for the 2013 Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship.

Speaker Biography

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Daniel Martell is President and CEO of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, a not-for-profit, non-governmental, non- partisan organization established in 1975.

Its members come from all geographic areas of the county, represent all major business categories and encompass all sizes of businesses. Its mission statement is simply, “Create an environment to help business prosper.”

Mr. Martell came to the Economic Council of Palm Beach County from local sugar company, Florida Crystals Corporation as Vice President of Real Estate. His responsibilities at Florida Crystals included overseeing local government affairs, corporate land development, and real estate investments.

Beginning his career as the Director of Government and Political Affairs for the Gold Coast Builders Association, he was responsible for the regulatory and political issues confronting the home building industry in Palm Beach and Broward counties. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Florida, Juris Doctor from the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University, and obtained a Certificate of Corporate Finance from Cornell University in 2011.

Former Senator George LeMieux – Insights on the Economy

Former US Senator George LeMieux anchored our March lunch with his insights on the economy – nationally, in the state, and locally in Palm Beach County.

With charts that show our current economy in the worst recovery in 100 years, and the expectation of another six years to return to 2000 levels of family income, the state of our national economy is not strong. In Florida, results are mixed. We have the highest foreclosure rate (1 in 300) of any state, but there is an optimistic story on job growth. Traditional sectors like tourism and agriculture are being augmented by biotech research and manufacturing. In the county for example, we have Scripps and Max Planck, but also the production of military helocopters, and a port that can take advantage of our location on the trade routes to and from Central and South America. Our low tax environment and pleasant climate should give us an advantage over other states.

Nationally, he sees a big problem in the size of the debt. With historical low interest rates, the $200B interest on the federal debt is the fourth largest category of spending – after only the military, Medicare and Medicaid. When rates rise, and if we continue borrowing another trillion each year, it could soon reach $1T in interest and overwhelm everything else.

On a more optimistic note he gave some examples of future opportunities for Florida, including the possibility of “destination health care” where we could be the go-to place for high end health care (presumably competing with Costa Rica).

He mentioned that his new endeavor with Palm Beach Atlantic – the LeMieux Center for Public Policy is starting their lecture series this month on Thursday March 21 with former Presidential Advisor and Harvard School of Government Professor David Gergen.

Also at the meeting were Congressional candidates Alan Schlesinger for CD18 (Patrick Murphy) and Ilya Katz for CD23 (Debbie Wasserman Schultz).

County Chairman’s Thoughts on Past and Future

“We got beat bad”. This sums up the message delivered by PBCGOP Chairman Ira Sabin at the RCPB February lunch.

Recapping the November election with a nod to the organization strengths of the Obama campaign and the shortcomings of our candidate, he listed what he saw as key reasons for the defeat of the GOP ticket.

Obama staffed his campaign 70% with tech people, many from Silicon valley and took their data operation to a new level. “We had Orca.”

They did an average of 56 polls a day in battleground states and had 16 million on their email list. Romney had 3 million and Orca.

(Note: Orca was the Romney campaign’s ill-fated voter tracking program that rolled out on election day without a stress test and promptly crashed and burned.)

Romney stood by and let him be defined as an out of touch rich guy who was waging a war on women. We let Obama’s “war on children” (eg. universal preschool, etc,) go without commment.

Although the GOP ticket picked up 4 points in the Jewish vote in PBC, we let the Hispanic and Black vote go where it did without contest. Romney captured a larger percentage of the white vote than McCain, but that is a declining advantage.

Assuming you buy this synopsis of defeat, which most in the audience did, his prescription for future success was sketchy.

He stressed expanding outreach in minority communities is a focus, but with 9% Hispanic and 13% Black voters in the county, a much smaller target than exists in Broward and Dade. Nothing was said about improving our local data operation, building precinct organizations that actually do something, or engaging the community on broader issues between elections. Facing the fact that PBC is a D+16 electorate and working within those constraints was not mentioned.

Candidate selection is a focus though, that is preventing willing candidates who aren’t viable from running. “There will be no primary in CD18″ he said. Of 8 people who wanted to run we told 7 of them NO”. “We can’t just let anyone run”.

Whether this will be sufficient to reverse our declining fortunes, we shall see.

January Meeting – Economic Update

Join RCPB for an Economic Update through the Lens of the Generational Cycle

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