August Lunch Features Array of Primary Candidates
Six days before the election, our candidate roundup had a pretty good lineup, including 4 who are running in state-wide races. Matt Caldwell For the position of Agriculture Commissioner, Fort Myers resident Matt Caldwell made his pitch. Currently the State Representative for district 79 (Lee County), Matt spoke of his priorities of "Jobs, water and the second amendment", and his NRA endorsement. The club has hosted competing candidates Denise... [Read More...]
Anne Roberts Scholarships Awarded
Dr. Emma Banks At our lunch meeting on June 27, the annual Anne Roberts scholarship awards were presented to three previous winners who have demonstrated academic excellence in the continuing pursuit of their studies. Presenting the awards was Dr. Emma Banks, CEO of Inlet Grove High School in Palm Beach County. Dr. Banks provided an insight as to how she encourages her students with the importance of getting an education. It could be the difference... [Read More...]
CIA Stories
Our May lunch featured former CIA agent Michelle Rigby Assad, author of "Breaking Cover, My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For." Telling several stories from her book, Michelle related the management of an Iraqi insurgent source during the "surge" (2006) when "nobody wanted to be in Iraq". She and her husband, also a clandestine agent, were sent there "against their will". The intelligence she gathered... [Read More...]
Rick Roth Updates on Recent Legislative Session
House District 85 Representative Rick Roth, featured at the April lunch, gave us his overview of the recent session in Tallahassee. Agriculture in the state is declining, he said, with subsidized farms in Mexico taking their toll. The big priority to come will be water - having enough clean and available as the population grows from 20 to 30 million. The session was dominate by the impact of Hurricane Irma and the Parkland shootings. The... [Read More...]
Peter Feaman on the Congressional Elections
"Work like it’s up to us; Pray like it’s up to God!" With this exhortation, Peter Feaman gave us his views of the upcoming midterm elections. Peter is the Florida Committeeman on the Republican National Committee and a member of the Rules Committee that presides over the conduct of the national convention and primaries. The RNC is in great fundraising shape this year compared to the Democrats he reports, and is 100% in lockstep with... [Read More...]
Starla Brown at January Lunch
Our first meeting of the new year featured Starla Brown, Grassroots Director, Americans for Prosperity Florida. If you haven't been involved with AFP lately, it was interesting to learn of the variety of their projects, over and above the core mission of getting out the vote. Of particular interest to Starla is free speech on campus. Having just completed an event on this topic at FAU, they are supporting HB909 this session which would... [Read More...]
Dimensional Harmony Highlights December Lunch
Our Christmas lunch was enhanced by the sweet tones of Dimensional Harmony from Boynton Beach High School and their leader Sterling Frederick. The a cappella chorus did a range of traditional Christmas songs, as well as some of their pop favorites, with some excellent solo performances. We also heard from PBCGOP Chairman Michael Barnett with some end of the year remarks as he swore in the club officers for the next year, and Tami Donnally, who... [Read More...]
Congressman Brian Mast Visits our November Veteran’s Event
In our annual salute to veterans, of which there are quite a few among the club members, Army Veteran and Congressman Brian Mast recapped his first year in the House representing CD18. Brian was introduced by Sid Dinerstein, who pointed out that although Brian's seat has been targeted by the national Democrats mainly because of the narrow (R+4) district demographics, with popular State Attorney Dave Aronberg likely sitting it out the seat is... [Read More...]