Video of 4/3 Boca Chapter Meeting
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Ron McNeil Energizes Boca Raton Crowd!
Balmy, comfortable weather welcomed our usual patriotic crowd – along with some new faces – in Boca Raton on Tuesday night, April 3rd at Boca Greens Country Club. Many in the crowd who had not heard US Senate Candidate Ron McNeil speak before were clearly in for a pleasant surprise. McNeil’s home stomping grounds are up in the panhandle; so many people in our area do not know him well. That changed quickly on this great evening! Ron McNeil is a great American success story—the absolute perfect example of how good ol’ American ingenuity and “hutzpah” found in finding a need, then filling it, which is what actually creates jobs and wealth… NOT government programs!
Once again, the food selection at Boca Greens was terrific, including fresh fish, sausage and peppers, and lasagna. One lucky patriot, who purchased several raffle tickets, won THREE of the six dinner coupons that were up for grabs! He will be eating well in Boca for the next several days!
Boca Chapter Coordinator Alex Berry began the proceedings at 7:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. He stated what the PBCTP is, and what it stands for, as usual, followed by introducing our Founder, Pam Wohlschlegel. Pam made general announcements, but spoke mostly about our upcoming Tax Day Tea Party Rally in Wellington on April 15th, at the Wellington Amphitheatre. In addition to promoting the event, she also asked for volunteers to help us with the expected crowds. Brand new flyers were printed up and brought to the meeting just in time, and we also have new Palm Beach County Tea Party lapel pins. Pam then introduced Barbara Samuells, who is active in the 912 Super Seniors group, and has appeared on Glenn Beck’s program on more than one occasion. Her “live participation” illustration of how we have been sold a sack of goods with ObamaCare was a definite highlight of the evening.
As in March, we had a great turnout from local candidates- Mike Lameyer (FL Senate District 25), Joe Talley (County Sheriff), James Ryan O’Hara (FL House of Representatives), and Anne Trujillo (US House of Representatives) and Melanie Peterson (FL House of Representatives) were among the evenings’ attendees, all of whom got a moment to introduce themselves, and what they stood for, before the main speaker was introduced.
Alex then introduced Rhonda Harrell, Ron McNeil’s Deputy Campaign Manager. She provided a little bit of background for McNeil, and introduced him to the podium. Standing 6’5” in his dark suit, McNeil’s stage presence is energetic and imposing. Rather than stand behind the podium, McNeil paced in front of it, addressing the crowd and making eye contact in a personal, folksy, heartfelt, way that was winsome, and it truly resonated with our crowd. How refreshing it was to hear someone who was unconcerned with “editing” their statements, or having a canned campaign speech! He had a small sign made up of what the problems are that we face, along with his proposed solutions from which he drew for his material in his speech. The fact that his motivation is NOT a career in politics, but, rather, a sincere desire to SAVE this country from the liberal poison that has been infecting our nation so badly was also very well received.
McNeil’s stance on virtually all the issues was quite consistent with the worldview of our Founding Fathers—that stance and worldview that we always ought to be suspicious of Big Government, and that the government needs to “get OUT of the business of being ‘in business’”… In other words, the government should absolutely NOT be involved in any area that the private sector can handle on its own.
Despite McNeil’s appealing and authentic “Good Ole Boy” bravado, he is also perfectly in line with the classic conservative (not to mention Constitutional) position on Foreign Policy—Of course, he still wants to ardently support Israel and other key allies, but is sick of the modern “rules of engagement” in warfare, and is weary of the fact that we are paying to have troops all over the world where we have no conflicts—putting the cost burden on the shoulders of American taxpayers. Worse still, we borrow money from other countries to be the world’s “policeman”. Our Founding Fathers were totally against this idea, a phenomenon that has been bred into our conservative mindset since 1941. For the 200 years prior to 1941 (the vast majority of our country’s history), the classic conservative position was to only go into war when we absolutely NEED to, get in and WIN the war, and bring the troops home. McNeil struck no one as being anything other than very strong on national defense, but he has more of a common sense, constitutional viewpoint on Foreign Policy than most.
His compelling speech made for a boisterous Question & Answer period, which McNeil deftly handled with his usual grace and aplomb. McNeil and his Deputy Campaign Manager were the last people to leave—staying to accommodate every question, comment, or conversation request from the crowd. The outrage from the seemingly uniform attack on our Constitution, liberties, and way of life is what motivates a self-made man like McNeil to enter the race, and we are the better for it. Like many of us in the Tea Party, we don’t “want” to volunteer and make our voices heard, we feel like we “have” to. Like they say, “It takes a Carter to bring us a Reagan!” I think that effectively sums up the political scenario for McNeil, who is an authentic “heir-apparent” to the Reagan mantle. Anyway, the straight talk and genuine demeanor of this man truly energized our crowd. It really was refreshing to see someone with the swagger and “cojones” to back up what he says.
We look forward to more great meetings in 2012 for our Boca Chapter—please INVITE YOUR FRIENDS to our next event, which will be on May 1st, 2012!!! Our speaker will be Blaise Ingoglia, the new Vice Chairman for the Republican Party of Florida, and the creator of the very popular YouTube video series, “Government Gone Wild!”
Remember—we always have our Boca Chapter Dinner/Speaker event on the FIRST TUESDAY of every month, so mark your calendars! We now have FIVE months to make a difference for the next election, so please get involved if you aren’t yet, and STAY involved if you already are!
Pictures from Alex:
CLICK HERE to see all the photos at once.
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Federal Deficit and Budget Reforms – Free but RSVP req’d
Meet Senator Marco Rubio at the Opening of his regional office
Many folks in PBCTP haven’t had a chance to meet Senator Rubio – although we’ve probably been at events where he appeared via tv or telephone. Here’s an opportunity to meet him in person as he opens his new regional office.
JOIN SENATOR MARCO RUBIO FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE PALM BEACH REGIONAL OFFICE, APRIL 4
Join Senator Marco Rubio for the Grand Opening of the Palm Beach Regional Office—April 4, 2012
10:30am – 12:00pm
OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR MARCO RUBIO
4580 PGA Blvd., Suite 201 (above Kilwin’s Ice Cream)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Greg Langowski
Regional Director, Southeast Region
Greg_Langowski@rubio.senate.gov
561-232-9380
Energy and Climate Realities the topic at the next Jupiter Chapter Meeting
Monday, April 2nd Jupiter/Palm Beach Gardens Chapter Dinner Meeting with keynote speaker Mark Wohlschlegel, discussing “Energy and Climate Realities.”
We have all heard our Commander-In-Chief’s Energy pronouncements – now come to hear the truth about America’s Energy and Climate future presented by a knowledgeable professional who works closely with the Energy and Power Production Industry.
This is a Must See presentation, “Energy and Climate Realities” ! Plenty of time will be allotted to audience Q&A and participation so you will go away from this Monday’s Jupiter/Palm Beach Gardens Chapter Meeting with knowledge sufficient to set your “Uninformed” friends or family members straight on the subject.
Time: Doors open at 5:30pm, buffet begins at 6pm, meeting starts at 7pm
Buffet Cost: $15 per person (tax and gratuity included); speaker meeting is free
Location: Abacoa Golf Club
Wellington’s April Meeting Features GOP Political Director Mark Hoch
| DATE | Monday, April 9th, 2012 |
|---|---|
| TIME | Doors open 5:30pm. Buffet at 6pm. Meeting starts at 7pm, $15 per person (tax and gratuity included) |
| PLACE | Binks Forest Country Club CLICK HERE for directions. |
| RSVP | Call 561-302-1479 or click on the “RSVP” button below.
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In preparation for achieving a success come the November elections, we’ve invited the political director of the Palm Beach Republican Party, Mark Hoch. His areas of expertise are grass roots politics, campaigns, demographic research and analysis and political party development. This is an important meeting for members to attend who are interested in joining the team of poll watchers that we are forming.
As always, doors open at 5:30 p.m. An all inclusive dinner buffet for $15 will be served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with our meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. sharp. Plan to have a nice meal, meet some great patriots, learn something you didn’t know, all while helping the cause- preserving and protecting the nation that our founding fathers created, One Nation Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All!
“Monumental”, with Kirk Cameron!
Alex Berry here. Just popping in with some information about a brand new movie featuring Kirk Cameron (who was in “Fireproof”, the number one indie film of 2008). It’s called, “Monumental”, and it will have a limited release in about 550 theaters across America.
The Executive Producer of the film is a dear friend of mine, as is the President of the production company who wrote, shot, and edited the film. It’s about how the original settlers of this nation came here, and what it was they risked their lives for. It talks about a deep commitment to the FAITH of our overwhelmingly Christian founders. From this faith, and obedience to the Word of God, our “code” of morality and freedom and liberty were set forth in our Constitution. The point of this film addresses that our country has increasingly gotten screwed up in proportion to how far we have distanced ourselves, as a nation, to these core Biblical principles. The political ramifications of this are quite obvious to any one of us in the Tea Party.
I would love to encourage all Palm Beach County Tea Party members and friends to join me at the worldwide premiere of this movie in Boca Raton, at the Muvico 20, on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at 5:30pm for a brief ceremony before the movie shows at 7:30pm.
If this theatre is not convenient for you, other theaters in Palm Beach County simultaneously showing the film are:
- Cinemark Palace 20 in Boca Rston
- Shadowood 16 in Boca Raton
- Cinemark Boynton Beach 14 in Boynton Beach
- Delray Beach 18 in Delray Beach
- Jupiter 18 Cinemas, Jupiter
- Downtown at the Gardens 16 Cinema (16) in Palm Beach Gardens
- Delray Beach 16
- Royal Palm Statium 18 in West Palm Beach
Invite your friends and you will surely see other Palm Beach County Tea Party members at the cinema nearest you. Remember, this coming Tuesday is the only night that this movie will be shown nationwide. After that, it will only be show to private parties requesting the movie. More information on that later!
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US Senate Candidate Ron McNeil In Boca Chapter, April 3rd!
| DATE | Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 |
|---|---|
| TIME | Doors open 5:30pm. Buffet at 6pm. Meeting starts at 7pm, $15 per person (tax and gratuity included) |
| PLACE | Boca Greens Country Club 19642 Trophy Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498 Click HERE for Map |
| RSVP | Call 561-302-1479 or click on the “RSVP” button below.
|
The Boca Raton Chapter looks forward to it’s next monthly Dinner/Speaker Event on April 3rd. We are proud to present US Senate Candidate Ron McNeil, who was also at our Candidate Forum in Wellington this past November.
Ron’s biography:
Ron McNeil, a Florida businessman and a native of the Panhandle, has been a solution-oriented person all his life. His business career started in his home town at the age of 16, chopping firewood for the elderly and delivering a whole truckload for $4. From there, Ron has been granted over 97 patents in the United States and around the world solving problems, mainly in the environmental field, for cities and counties.
His products are in use all over the United States saving taxpayers millions of dollars by reducing the cost and upkeep of vital infrastructure. Ron believes that releasing free enterprise from over-taxation and over-regulation will enable American ingenuity to solve the mounting problems facing our nation.
Ron received the endorsement of President Ronald Reagan in his 1982 bid for Congress in Florida’s 2nd District. A terrible year for Republicans nationwide and a district that barely had 10% of voters being registered Republicans, Ron exploded capturing over 40% of the vote against the district’s long term incumbent. After the election, Ron was called to Washington and met in the White House with President Reagan and discussed the challenges facing America in those unsure economic times.
When not working on his business, Ron likes to spend time on his ranch, riding his horses, and enjoying every moment with his family.
TAX DAY TEA PARTY! Congressman Allen West and Dick Morris top the list of speakers.
Print the Flyer:
Join us for a fun, family afternoon of amazing music, picnic food, kids activities, and excellent speakers on Sunday, April 15th from 1:30pm to 5pm. Our guest speakers will include:
- US Congressman Allen West, Florida District 22
- Dick Morris, cable news commentator and political analyst
- Anita MonCrief, ex-liberal and ACORN whistleblower
- Dan Mangru, Fox Business News Mangru Report
- Joyce Kaufman, local talk show radio host on WFTL 850
- Michael Solomon, author and facilitator of the 1st tea party in the US
- Roberto Alonzo (Cuban exile who became a freedom fighter in Venezuela before fleeing to America
- Representative Pat Rooney
- Representative Mark Pafford
- Slade O’Brian, Americans for Prosperity
- Craig Henne, conservative talk radio host
Our master of ceremonies for the afternoon’s festivities will be Brian Mudd, station manager and show host on WJNO AM1290. We are pleased to have Lou Galterio, “The Golden Voice”, sing the National Anthem. Please click here to read more about Lou.
David DiCrescenzo, publisher at The Patriots Press, will give the invocation and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Music will be provided by LeVeL, a West Palm Beach-based band (area code 561) best known for edgy, acoustic rock with elements of classic rock, punk, funk, jazz, acoustic rock, dance music and heavy metal; an amazing sound for all ages. Check it by clicking here and clicking on their sample music videos. A special guest singer will be Brie Goldsobel who will sing original patriotic songs.
The place is the beautiful new Wellington Amphitheater. The address is: 12100 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, FL.
Click here for a description of the facilities. Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the beautiful afternoon! And here’s a map:
View Tax Day Tea Party in a larger map
For children, the park includes a large, beautiful, and well equipped playground. Parents and grandparents can accompany their children in the playground and still hear the speakers or the music. We will also provide face painting patriotic tattoos, and build-a-bear activities.
This will be fun for the whole family! Ask your friends early so they can join us as well. The park holds 5000 and there will be plenty of parking. Refreshment will be available for purchase. See the menu.
Last but not least, Amy Hair will provide signing for the deaf and HOH. There will also be a special section for the hearing impaired where they can set up their chairs or blankets and comfortably enjoy all the festivities.
Our thanks to AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY for providing the travel expenses for Anita MonCrief! Americans for Prosperity is an excellent alliance partner!
Get involved in your village, town or city. And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!
We’d publicized a panel on A Six Pillars Forum: Beyond the Local Vote. How do Municipal Elections Affect our Daily Lives?
The intent of the forum was to inform people about the importance of municipal elections – as typically in Palm Beach County, turnout is around 12% every year. A very few voters are determining what happens to you on a daily level. The goal was to both stimulate turnout, encourage attendees to get more involved via boards and to run for office. We also wanted to explore the inhibitors to participation. My personal goal is to see that all incumbents have an opponent. On the filing deadline of 2/14/12 – 44 people got ‘elected’ automatically because no one opposed them. Is that good? Is that why we get the government we deserve?
Many people worked hard to pull the meeting together in a short timeframe.
Our panelists – Steven Abrams – Vice-Chair and County Commissioner District 4, represented the view of one who has served as a city council member, mayor, and now County Commissioner; Michael Bornstein, Town Manager, Lantana, represented the view of those who run the municipalities; and Dennis Grady, President, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, represented the business communities. Our moderator was Craig Agranoff, author of “Socially Elected: How To Win Elections Using Social Media” and award-winning CBS News Television Technology Correspondent.
Nat Roberts, board chair of the Economic Council kicked off the meeting with a brief history of the Six Pillars effort. Craig took it from there. Each of the panelists answered several questions by Craig in depth and then we quickly moved to audience questions – with a fairly free form format that worked well. I did not take notes, however copied the gist of the topic take-aways from notes written by Beth Kigel, Mike Jones and Steven Abrams. Subjects discussed included:
1) County and municipal commission/council meetings tend to happen in the middle of the day. Makes it difficult for citizens/residents to attend. Time limits on speakers and lack of genuine dialogue/interaction at meetings dissuades the public.
2) How to utilize HOAs to get information out to the residents?
3) How to encourage folks to get to their own municipalities websites and get informed about local issues?
4) The discussion got side-tracked a little when an audience member asked how to make voting more convenient? The panel subject was municipal elections which don’t have early voting – but most of the changes the audience explored were things that would require changes by the Florida state legislature.
5) Times have changed. In the past (eg 10-20 years ago), multiple ‘beat’ reporters covered each town meeting. Now we’re lucky if anyone is covering a meeting – usually only if a controversial topic is on the agenda. So how do we leverage social media, public access channels, other means to educate the residents and get them involved?
6) There was a brief discussion on salaries for municipal elected officials, and was that an inhibitor to people running? For the most part city officials are part-time efforts but still take a lot of time. County Commissioners are a full or almost full-time job.
7) Term limits were discussed as well. Are people discouraged by the daunting advantage an incumbent has and would term limits help that? As is often the case when the subject comes up, there are pros and cons.
And don’t foget to vote on Tuesday! Check at the Supervisor of Elections website to see what’s on the ballot!
We hope to build on the effort to stimulate citizen participation as the year proceeds. Please get involved with our county and look for future Six Pillars activities. For more information on Six Pillars go to the Florida Chamber Six Pillars Overview. The Economic Council of Palm Beach County orchestrated the county’s effort and the strategic plan for Palm Beach County can be found here.
