PBC Voters’ Coalition hosts Sheriff, State Atty and other Constitutionals on May 3rd
The Voters’ Coalition of Palm Beach County interviews each candidate for office and closer to elections, will be publishing their list of endorsements. However – they have forums/panels at their monthly meetings during election years.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 3rd at 1pm at the South County Civic Center – which is located at 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach. Many of you have been at this venue before – but if you haven’t click on the above link for directions, information and a map.
May 3rd meeting will feature all four candidates for PBC Sheriff, the three candidates for State Attorney, and candidates for other PBC Constitutional offices. The meeting is open to the public and if you can make it – it should be a great opportunity to meet/hear the candidates.
For more information about the candidates – go to our voters’ guide pages for Constitutional Officers.
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
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.
Freedom Rally shows we have to do a better job of educating!
Several Palm Beach County Tea Party members, along with other like-minded folks, stood on the intersection of Parker Ave and Okeechobee Blvd during rush hour on Wednesday, rallying in support of the First Amendment and Religious Freedom. It was a difficult corner – since the road was very wide in all directions and the vehicles were moving at fairly high speed. As one person put it “we have 20 mph signs in a 50 mph zone’.
The ralliers were enthusiastic and we’ve got some pictures, below. Thanks to all who took the time to come out for our Freedoms! What was clear, however, was that when people were able to read the signs – most didn’t have a clue about the latest incursions on our First Amendment Rights, or anything about the Obamacare regulations related to ‘free’ contraception or it’s impact on Freedom of Religion. Those of us experienced at sign waving from past rallies and demonstrations, could tell by the blank stares of drivers/passengers, and the minimal responses (eg horn-honking, thumbs-up or other less pleasant finger signs) that our topic did not strike any kind of chord with our intended audience.
Our rights are being taken away little by little with barely a whimper. ACT! NOW!
A few pictures of the event:
[slide]
An Opportunity to see Senate Candidate Connie Mack in NPB
The Republican Club of the
Northern Palm Beaches
Invites you for a very special evening with
United States Congressman Connie Mack,
14th District of Florida and
Candidate for United States Senate
Location: STORE Self Storage & Wine Storage
11010 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens
Admission = $10 for members and $15 for non-members
Complimentary Wine Tasting and Appetizers!
Please reply to gopofnpb@gmail.com
Santorum Boca event seems to be cancelled
NOTE: THIS EVENT NO LONGER APPEARS ON THE SANTORUM CALENDAR FOR MONDAY MORNING.
As you may know, Senator Santorum had to send surrogates to events in Florida today due to his daughter’s illness.
Santorum is currently scheduled to participate in a candidate forum organized by the Orthodox Union in Boca Raton, FL tomorrow, Monday, January 30th at 9am.
Location:
Boca Raton Synagogue
7900 Montoya Circle North
Boca Raton, FL
Prior to going to the event, I suggest that you check both Rick Santorum’s Event Calendar and the Synagogue.
GOP Presidential Preference Primary is Tuesday, January 31st
The GOP Presidential Preference Primary is Tuesday, January 31st. You knew that – and now, if you’re like me and have put off your decision as long as you can, it’s time to Vote!
The Supervisor of Elections website has the precincts listed for this election. If you’re not certain about your precinct and can’t find your voter registration card, then look it up at the Precinct Finder. When in doubt, call the Supervisor of Elections, at (561) 656-6200. The polls are open from 7am to 7pm.
Remember (since it was in today’s paper as another ‘problem’ with Florida) – the only candidates of the many listed on the ballot still in the race are Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.
Good luck to all of us!
Rally with Mitt Romney on Sunday in Pompano Beach
A lot of folks have asked about opportunities to see the various candidates prior to the vote on Tuesday. Mitt Romney will be in the area at a rally in Pompano Beach on Sunday evening:
When: January 29, 2012 – 6:30pm – 7:00pm
Host: Team Florida
Where: Emma Lou Olson Civic Center
1801 Northeast 6th Street,
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Click on the link for map and directions. The event is free and RSVP isn’t required, however it would be useful for attendance estimates.
To RSVP or for more information, contact TeamSouthFL@MittRomney.com or (813) 658-8825.
Early Voting Ends Today at 2:00pm
You watched the debates, you took our survey (or didn’t), attended the PPP Event or looked at the Voters’ Guide. Now it’s your chance to vote for the GOP Presidential Candidate of your choice. For most of us, it’ll be a difficult choice – but don’t use that as an excuse! If you anticipate for any reason that you won’t be able to make it on Election Day, January 31st – then vote early – by either going to an Early Voting Location or voting by Absentee Ballot.* Always check with the Supervisor of Elections if you have any questions either on their website or at (561) 656-6200.
Important – if you aren’t registered as a Republican – you will not be able to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary.
EARLY VOTING STARTS THIS SATURDAY!
Presidential Preference Primary Election
DATES
Saturday, January 21, 2012 through Saturday, January 28, 2012
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
VOTING LOCATIONS
Jupiter Branch Library, 705 Military Trail, Jupiter 33458
Palm Beach Gardens Library, 11303 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens 33410
Supervisor of Elections Office, 240 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach 33415
Wellington Branch Library, 1951 Royal Fern Drive, Wellington 33414
Hagen Ranch Road Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach 33446
Lantana Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road, Lake Worth 33462
Belle Glade City Hall, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd West, Belle Glade 33430
Boca Raton City Hall, 201 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton 33432
*ABSENTEE BALLOTS can be requested in many ways – by phone, online, requests can be faxed, a designated person can pick one up for you, you can mail in a postcard. You can also select in advance for which upcoming elections you desire an absentee ballot – so if you already know that you will be out of town for the primary in August or for the General Election in November – do it now – while you’re thinking about it. For more information on how to get your Absentee Ballot and when/how to send it in click here. Or go directly to the online form.
