The City Council is holding town hall meetings to obtain the public’s input on what to do about their out of control spending.

Just like last year, we can expect to see these meetings packed with special interests and other parasites with their hands out. They will be clamoring for another tax increase despite the creation of Mayor Peyton’s three new taxes and last year’s property tax increase.

In the middle of an economic depression the City Council will be inclined to create new taxes and raise existing taxes to quench the thirst of the special interests for your money…

…unless…

YOU SHOW UP AND TELL THEM OTHERWISE!

Do not let this be a repeat of last year. Make it abundantly clear that a vote to raise taxes will never be forgotten and mean an end to their political career.

On Thursday, March 18 at 6:00PM the City Council is holding a Budget Town Hall at FSCJ Deerwood Campus (9911 Old Baymeadows Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32256). Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County has been leading the fight for fiscal responsibility in Jacksonville. CTDC President Victor Wilhelm provides some background information and talking points for Jacksonville’s recent budget and tax issues:

The time line for the creation of Taxonville: A chronicle of the journey into the wallets of working families by Mayor John Peyton and complicit Republican City Council persons.

~City spending has increased year after year even when adjusted for population growth and inflation. The City of Jacksonville spending has outpaced the economy year after year. This increased in spending is hardly noticed when the economy is good; however, when the economy slows down and declines, the City continues to increase spending when everyone else is forced to reduce spending.

~In 2007 when faced with spending cuts or raising taxes, mayor John Peyton breaks his campaign promise not to raise taxes “on his watch” by creating three new taxes costing residents in Jacksonville over $60 million a year in new taxes they never had to pay previously

~In 2008 John Peyton try to increase the property tax to fund a $250 million entitle program “Jacksonville Journey”. Public backlash against the property tax increase cause the City Council to make it clear that there would be no tax increase. In spite of this, John Peyton creates the Jacksonville Journey social welfare program anyway.

~In 2009 John Peyton tries to raise taxes yet again. The City Council finance committee and the entire City Council voted to hold the property tax flat after recognizing that the raising taxes in middle of a recession is not what residents of Jacksonville can afford. Despite this rebuke from the City Council and the residents of Jacksonville, Peyton vetoes the City Council and submits a budget that is $60 million more than the previous year.

~Now Republican mayor John Peyton wants to raise his three new taxes and increase the property tax again!

~Every year the City increases spending on social and corporate welfare in spite of the ability of working families to pay for it.

~In the midst of high unemployment and home foreclosures, special interests are demanding even more money for their pet projects. It is easier for them to convince John Peyton and City Council to raise your taxes than it is for them to ask you.

~Mayor John Peyton has had Republican City Councilmen who are Habitual Offenders when it comes to voting for tax increases and budgets requiring higher taxes. Residents of Duval County will not forget how these members helped John Peyton to break his promise by voting for tax increase or budgets requiring the burden of taxation to increase.

~Will this year be different? Will City Council and John Peyton continue to value special interests above working families who are struggling to find a job and pay their mortgage? Will people continue to be afraid to speak out against the power brokers in the Republican party who demand silence when taxes are increased on residents? Will the propaganda for tax increases be prominently displayed at some Republican clubs yet again to appease the power brokers?

~Andrew Jackson is crying for his City. Please take a stand by appearing at the Budget Town Hall meetings and telling your City Council that you will not stand for yet another tax increase.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

No Dissent Allowed: St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee

St. Johns County, January, 21, 2010 — The leadership of the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee (SJCREC) dealt a blow to the grassroots and derailed recent attempts to reconcile long standing differences with the Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida (RLCNEF) Thursday night when it refused to allow RLCNEF members access to a meeting where State Committeeman Jon Woodard stepped down and State Senator John Thrasher was elected to Woodard’s position. The election of Thrasher to Woodard’s State Committeeman post clears the way for Thrasher to run for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Chair position to be vacated on February 20th by Jim Greer. There is a level of excitement within the party that has not been seen in a long time surrounding the race to succeed Jim Greer. Greer’s re-election a year ago has resulted in a leadership implosion within the RPOF. Thrasher, a sitting Republican State Senator, is seeking to lead the Republican Party out of its doldrums. Unfortunately for Thrasher, the SJCREC appears to have added fuel to an internal firestorm.

The latest in an unfortunate series of events occurred when the majority of the SJCREC members were not given notice the meeting would be closed in Executive Session, and only received the news upon their arrival at the meeting that night. To further exacerbate matters, SJCREC officials – allegedly in preparation for the vote on Senator Thrasher – performed a “purge” of the membership list for the stated purpose of removing members who had missed three consecutive meetings pursuant to state bylaws.

The purpose and accuracy of the list purge is in question, however, as RLCNEF member Cliff Johnson who is also a sworn member of the SJCREC and who had not missed three consecutive meetings, was told that he was not eligible to attend the Executive Session or vote in the Special Election.

While SJCREC leadership claimed that access to the Executive Session was limited only to SJCREC members, at least four members of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee who support Thrasher were allowed inside while known opponents of Thrasher and supporters of Sharon Day – also a candidate for State Chair – were told they must stay outside.

In a protest against the double standard and blatant cronyism on display, RLCNEF Chair John Stevens entered the meeting despite being told not to do so. Stevens was then asked to leave and refused. SJCREC officials called police and Stevens was escorted from the meeting. No charges were filed.

Chairman Stevens desired to attend the meeting to ask Thrasher what position he would be taking on Orange and St. Johns County REC members removed by Greer through the never-before-used grievance process  last year. Stevens commented regarding the incident, “It was unfortunate that it had to come that. The RLC is working for accountability within the Party and we would prefer to do so quietly from within; but if members are being locked out and denied an opportunity to be heard then we are left with no option but to make our voices heard publicly.”

This incident in St. Johns is eerily similar to a situation that occurred last year in Orange County where Orange County Republican Executive Committee (OCREC) Chair Lew Oliver prevented members of the OCREC from voting in the election for Oliver’s seat; the people barred from voting were supporters of his opponent, Deon Long, who is now running for the 24th District of the U.S. Congress.

Many of the registered voters of Florida agree with the message of the Republican Liberty Caucus. The

RLC’s message has begun attracting large numbers of people statewide. Support has poured out from around the state as this struggle with the corruption within the party has continued. Many of the recent changes in the RPOF leadership started at the grassroots level with large groups of dissenters, such as the RLC, calling for honesty and transparency in our elected leaders.

About The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida:

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida is a coalition of traditional conservatives and liberty minded Republicans working within the Republican Party to promote individual liberty, smaller government, state and national sovereignty and the Constitution. The caucus advocates the return of our nation to the values and intentions of the Constitution and our founders.

(i) www.rlcfl.org
(ii) www.rlcnef.org

CONTACT:

Frank Zilaitis
Email: frank@zilaitis.com
Phone: (321) 480-7597

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida opened the new year with a timely discussion, hosting state Senator Carey Baker in a discussion titled “Guns, Health Care and State Sovereignty.”  The senator addressed a packed house of dozens of RLC members and guests.

RLCNEF Chairman John Stevens opened the meeting by introducing the Patriot’s Pledge and the mission of the RLCNEF.  Victor Wilhelm, RLCNEF’s Activism Committee chairman, introduced Senator Baker with a short biography and a description of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the seat Baker is running for in this year’s election season.

Senator Baker’s presentation focused on issues of state sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment, including defending Florida from federal laws limiting freedoms with regards to firearms and health care.  He discussed three important pieces of legislation.

The first piece of legislation was HM19/SM96, a house bill introduced to defend Florida’s sovereignty as a state.  It is described as “A memorial to the Congress of the United States, urging Congress to honor the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and United States Supreme Court case law which limit the scope and exercise of federal power. “

The second was HB21/SB98, the Florida Firearms Freedom Act, which protects the Second Amendment rights of Floridians and Florida-based firearms manufacturers. “Firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition for personal use manufactured in state are not subject to federal law or regulation including registration.”

The final piece was HJR37/SJR72, the Florida Health Care Freedom Act.  This bill restricts the government from interference in health care in the state of Florida, such as prohibiting the government from forcing people to buy health insurance.  It states that any “law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system.”

Senator Baker answered questions on these topics and his campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture.

After Baker’s presentation, the RLCNEF presented other new business, such as a new meeting location at the Four Points Sheraton on Baymeadows Road (to be used starting in March), the Republican Party of Florida’s annual meeting on January 8^th and 9^th, a new RLCNEF Secretary (Erik Setzer), two Rules Committee meetings coming up in January, and ways to help the RLCNEF.

The next Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida meeting will be Tuesday, February 2^nd, at the offices of W.G. Pitts.  The topic is “Living the Liberty Message.”  You can find out more information at:

http://www.rlcnef.org/february-2nd-meeting-living-the-liberty-message/

We hope to see you there!

Several members of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) attended the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) annual meeting January 8th and 9th.  With factors such as the recently announced resignation of RPOF Chair Jim Greer, the growth of the RLC, the emergence of Tea Party movements and the influence of the “We Surround Them” (912) groups, we had high hopes for a new direction for the RPOF.

New opportunities were opened as a result of the anger and energy of these activist groups, and the RPOF state committee recognized this with a resolution to encourage county executive committees to reach out to “Tea Party people.”  This would have given the RPOF a solid boost heading into the 2010 elections.  But they failed to understand that those “Tea Party people” want principled leadership and bottom-up representation, not the party-first top-down mentality currently in place.

At the annual meeting, the RPOF leadership demonstrated that they still don’t get it.  Chairman Greer received a standing ovation from party leadership when he exclaimed at the conclusion of his speech, “It’s about the party, party, party”. The cries heard at a Tea Party or grassroots function, however, are for “principles, principles, principles.”

Rank-and-file Republicans are clearly angry over the unprecedented growth of the federal government in 2009.  They are also disgusted at our Governor Charlie Crist’s display of support for Obama’s stimulus package. Yet, when Crist addressed the RPOF at the meeting, he stated that “Florida needs to get her fair share,” and added that he would “not apologize for supporting the stimulus.” Such a statement would be met with scorn from the majority of voters of the Republican Party and Tea Party attendees, but was met with a standing ovation by party leadership.

The first person to speak on policy was Jeff Kottkamp, candidate for Attorney General. Kottkamp did not talk about reducing the size and scope of government, cutting spending, or removing regulations and encouraging free enterprise.  Instead, he focused his remarks on expanding the Defense and Space industries in Florida.  Grassroots Republicans are pleading for leadership that understands the core issues of fiscal responsibility and limiting the size and scope of government, but RPOF leadership offers only promises to protect special interests.

Most discouraging of all, however, was the apparent coronation of Senator John Thrasher to replace Jim Greer as Chair of the RPOF. In much the same fashion Jim Greer was chosen, the word is that Thrasher had been chosen before the conference call announcing Greer’s resignation had even ended. Many in leadership have rallied around Thrasher because of his ability to raise large sums of money, something the RPOF is in need of. What the RPOF needs more than money, however, is to discover its principles and to get candidates who truly understand those principles elected to office.

A Sign of Hope

In spite of the leadership’s general disconnect with the grassroots, there was a significant sign of hope.  There appears to be some serious resistance to the leadership-led coronation of John Thrasher as the new RPOF Chair. Sharon Day, who currently serves as national committeewoman for Florida, stated that she too is running for RPOF Chair in the election that will take place at the February 20th special meeting in Orlando. “I’m running to give the RPOF members a choice, because there should always be a choice,” Day said when she addressed the state committee Saturday morning.

The RLC applauds those in the RPOF that are supporting the courage of Sharon Day and others that seek to offer a voice to the rank-and-file Republicans. We hope that more in party leadership will stand against the top-down approach taken by many in the RPOF.

-Republican Liberty Caucus Leadership

The Republican Liberty Caucus would like to invite you to attend a very special marksmanship event.  If you have never been to an Appleseed Event, please come.  You will get lessons in both history and marksmanship.

The RLC is a great supporter of the Second Amendment and we urge you to come participate in this event.

Range: Ancient City Shooting Range

Address: 3021 Agricultural Center Drive , Saint Augustine, FL 32092

Website: www.attac-fl.com

When: Oct 10-11, 2009

Range Fee: $10/person/day (under 21, and members of the Armed Services exempt)

Camping Available:
Stagecoach RV Park, 2711 County Road 208 St Augustine, FL 32092 (Special Rates available, contact Missy @ Ancient City Shooting Range for more info.)

Hotels:
Hampton Inn (904)824-4422
Country Inn & Suites (904)824-0355
Ramada Inn – (904)829-5643
Windgate – (904)824-9229

Directions:
I-95, Exit #318 (S.R. 16) you will see the outlet malls

From Jacksonville – Make a RIGHT TURN after you exit, get in immediate LEFT LANE and turn TURN LEFT onto C.R. 208 (Picolata Rd) you will see KFC and Hampton Inn
Make FIRST LEFT onto Agricultural Center Dr and we are at the END of Ag Center Dr (about 1 mile)

From Daytona – Make a LEFT TURN after you exit, go under I-95 and continue towards Dennys get in LEFT LANE and turn TURN LEFT onto C.R. 208 (Picolata Rd) you will see KFC and Hampton Inn
Make FIRST LEFT onto Agricultural Center Dr and we are at the END of Ag Center Dr (about 1 mile)

GPS: N/A

State Laws to be aware of: Check State Laws(link)

Misc:
Located in the oldest city in North America, Ancient City Shooting range offers non-shooting family members a plethora of sight-seeing options to choose from. Visit www.oldcity.com for more info.

Rifles will be available for rent from the pro-shop, at $10/day. Ammunition is also available in the pro-shop.

Walk-ons are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.There is limited space available, so please register for this event in advance, and be sure of your place on the firing line!

If you are unable to register online, please visit the range in person prior to the event, and ask to see Missy; she will gladly get you registered!

For More Information Contact:
Appleseed – Eric “ItsanSKS” McCabe- Florida State Coordinator
Email: RWVA@Live.com Phone: (813)385-3968

Range – Missy, with Ancient City Shooting Range
Email: Crumis@bellsouth.net Phone: (904)808-8559

Registration Link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/402806806

You can download, print and distribute the flyers below, wherever you travel. The more people on the line, the more shoots we can have!

St. Augustine, FL – October 2009 (.pdf)