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| We’ve come a Long Way, Baby…. John McCain Speaks at Polk Republicans
Dinner, Saturday, April 8th |
Information
provided by Bill
Diercksen |
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| Over 500 enthusiastic Republicans attended the Polk County Republican
Executive Committee (PCREC) 2006 Lincoln Day reception and dinner at the
Lakeland Center that featured US Senator John McCain as guest speaker. Master of
Ceremonies, Florida Representative, Dennis Ross reminded the attendees that this
function had come a long way from the early 90’s when the Polk County
Republican club and PCREC could meet in a "phone booth". Elected
officials attending included Attorney General and candidate for Governor,
Charlie Crist, Congresswoman and US Senate candidate, Kathryn Harris, our
Congressman, Adam Putnam, Congresswoman Ginny Waite-Brown (Brooksville, The
Villages), our State Senator Paula Dockery and State Representative, Marty
Bowen, state senate president, and CFO candidate, Tom Lee and several state
representatives from south Florida there to show support for the growing
importance of Polk County to the success of electing Republicans in Florida. All
five county commissioners were circulating at the reception before dinner, as
well as several challengers in the upcoming election to commissioners Paul Senft
and Randy Wilkinson. Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd was there, perhaps as an
example to inspire politicians and bureaucrats that a government entity can
actually be improved, and return $3 million to the taxpayers.. |
Senator McCain was obviously frustrated that the Senate would not vote on the
"breakthrough" immigration bill that was hammered out Thursday before
they recessed. He blamed Democrat leader Harry Reid, for not allowing floor
votes on a number of amendments that conservative Republicans wanted to offer.
He strongly stressed that the US needs to tighten border security with Mexico,
but also address the need for workers to do jobs US workers will not do. He
discussed the practical impossibility of deporting upwards of 12 million illegal
immigrants already in the country. He seemed hopeful that legislation could be
completed when congress reconvenes, but warned that inaction on this important
issue will hurt Republicans in the upcoming election.
Before and after the dinner, Senator McCain was very accessible to attendees
for picture taking and signing his autobiography "Faith of my Fathers"
when presented a copy. The event raised about $15,000 for the PCREC to use for
voter registration and "get out the vote" efforts.
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Brighthouse
for Polk County (Poinciana) |
| Florida Republican Party Chair, Carole Jean Jordan, credited the Polk
Republican Party staff and volunteer precinct workers with the growth of
registrations and turnout vote for President Bush and all Republicans in the
2004 elections. She related that that Polk was one of three Florida counties
that the National Republican Committee followed closely on Election Day to
predict the outcome. She explained it is this grassroots efforts coupled with
computer-based programs to identify potential Republican leaning voters that
will make the difference this year. She warned that it is especially important
to retain the Governors office, as that is the base upon which the Democrats
will try to rebuild their weaker financial base in Florida. |
Effective
Wed. April 12, 2006, all the residents of this
sector that have Brighthouse as their basic cable provider CAN
receive the
POLK Government Television ( PGTV).
This can be seen on channel 9 locally--24 hours, 7 days a week.
With this
good news, viewers are finally now able
to track current issues that are discussed in various Polk County (Bartow)
meetings, such
as the budget hearings....
This permits us to become better educated on what is happening
in this county and thus able to make a wiser decision on many
issues and concerns.(without traveling to Bartow)
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Support
a hospital in Poinciana
04/20/2006
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One of the tireless "pioneers" that built the Polk County
Republicans to its present position was Kathryn Harris’s father, the late
George W. Harris, who was honored, by Commissioner Senft, as the 1st
recipient of a lifetime service award in his name. Congresswomen Harris accepted
the award for the family with recollections of their life in Central Florida
mixing family, political and philanthropic activities. Her roots are deep in the
Florida sand of citrus, cattle, banking and politics.
Another native Floridian from a citrus and ranching family, Congressman Adam
Putnam introduced Senator McCain. He displayed a quick wit and self-deprecating
humor, reminding us that four politicians from Arizona have run for president,
but none have won, and you must wonder about the chances of the guy who took
Barry Goldwater’s senate seat. He turned serious, speaking without notes, when
discussing his support for President Bush’s decision to eliminate the rule of
Saddam Hussein and the need to stay committed until a stable Iraq republic is
formed. He stressed that, unlike Vietnam, if the US abandons Iraq now, the
radical Islamic terrorists that will rule the resulting region will continue to
attack our way of life eventually in the US. He seems committed to building a
stable Iraq republic, not leaving until the insurgents have been defeated. |
I
have been made aware that there is a request for a public hearing
made by the Heart of
Florida
and
Saint Cloud
Hospital
(both owned by HMA)
to contest the hospital being built in the
SoliVita
Town
Center
.
This
hearing is being held at the Heart of Florida United Way,
1040 Traylor Blvd.
,
Orlando
,
Florida
, on May 2, at 9:00. We are talking about getting
buses, if you need a ride, please call 427-9663.
Please pass this along! We need to get the people together in
Poinciana to sign petitions of support.
We
need a strong presence at this hearing!
Jane Forsythe
Osceola
Regional
Hospital
Vice President
If you would like to volunteer to circulate a petition in your
neighborhood
please
call Mary Melikian at 427-9663
or
email at mmelikian@verizon.net
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