50-year S. Florida growth plan raises a ruckus
Adrian Wyllie Featured at Jupiter Meeting
“Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government, Free Markets – sound familiar“?
This is how Libertarian Governor candidate Adrian Wyllie began to describe his governing principles and those of his party.
The real wedge issue today is not left versus right but tyranny versus liberty. We are heading toward a cliff and the only difference between the mainstream parties is how fast they are driving.
Adrian Wyllie
An adherent of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, as Governor he would resist the encroaching power of the federal government, even to the extent of rejecting all federal regulations and taxes on businesses that confine their activity solely within the borders of the state. If the feds ever came here to confiscate our guns, he would arrest the federal agents who tried – calling out the national guard if necessary.
Regarding the signing of bills into law, he would use three criteria:
- Is it constitutional?
- Is it affordable?
- Is it the proper role of government (as opposed to some “nanny state” measure)
Pointing out that Rick Scott has significantly increased the state budget while he has been in office (current proposal is larger than what Russia spends on their military – around $74B), Mr. Wyllie has plans to cut it by 30%, returning sales tax revenue to the counties to take pressure off property taxes.
In favor of legalized marijuana, he predicts easy passage of the ballot amendment in the fall.
Candidates present at the meeting and working the room with their petitions were five of the seven remaining candidates for CD18 – Carl Domino, Brian Lara, Ilya Katz, Alan Schlesinger and Calvin Turnquest.
Jupiter Council member Wendy Harrison was also in the audience, as was St. Lucie County GOP Chair Bill Paterson, who gave us an update on the RPOF position on Common Core.
Some pictures from the event:
Conversation with a Conservative Economist – May 28
PROGRAM: An informal conversation with a conservative economist.
SPEAKER: Donald J. Boudreaux, J.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Author of the books: Globalization, Half-Wits and Hypocrites, and Hayek’s Relevance.
Teacher of courses on: microeconomics, macroeconomics, Law & Economics, International economics, Legal Environment of Business and others.
You can listen to him talk about Friedrich Hayek HERE.
DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches, Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting
COST: Dinner & Meeting: $13 (tax & tip included).
Meeting only: Free.
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
INFORMATION: Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
PBG Candidate Forum Synopsis
Jupiter on 4/7: Where is the Roberts Court Heading in 2014?
PROGRAM: Property Rights, Obamacare, And the EPA: Where Is the Roberts Court Heading in 2014?
SPEAKER: James Burling,
Director of Litigation, Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) and principal attorney in PLF’s Property Rights practice group.
DATE: Monday, April 7, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches $13, tax and tip inc. Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting (no charge)
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
INFORMATION: Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Boca Chapter Hosts Author of America in Decline on 3/5
PROGRAM: The book America in Decline will be discussed by its author. This book discusses the reasons for the decline of America under Obama.
Frank De Varona
SPEAKER: Frank de Varona is an educator, historian, journalist, and internationally known expert on politics, economics, foreign affairs, and national security issues. He has written 21 books, including four on President Barack Obama. At the age of 17, he participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. After the defeat, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison and served two years. After his liberation, he came to the United States and received three college degrees.
DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 2014
TIME: 6:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM
PLACE: Palm Beach County Library, West Boca Branch, 18685 State Rd. 7, Boca Raton, FL 33498. Phone: 561-470-1600
DIRECTIONS: MAP
I-95 to Exit 48 (Yamato Rd.). West on Yamato Rd. to State Road 7. Right onto State Road 7. Library is the first left.
Florida Turnpike to exit 81 (FL 806, W. Atlantic Ave.). At the end of the exit ramp turn right (westbound). Drive west to State Road 7. Left onto State Road 7. Library is approximately 4 miles on the west (right side) between Clint Moore and Yamato Roads.
Please
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Email:info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Jupiter Chapter Meeting – 3/3/14
PROGRAM: A Libertarian view of our problems and solutions
SPEAKER: Adrian Wyllie wyllieforgovernor.com/, Libertarian for Florida Governor. A small business owner, military veteran, radio personality, community leader and a third-generation Floridian.
DATE: Monday, March 3, 2014
TIME: 5:30 PM Dinner (Soup & Sandwiches $13, tax and tip inc. Cash Bar)
6:30 PM Meeting (no charge)
PLACE: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter, FL 33458.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
Donald Ross Rd. to Parkside Dr. North on Parkside Dr. 0.4 miles to Barbados Dr. Left on Barbados Dr. to first driveway on Left.
Please RSVP
so we are prepared to accommodate you.
If this announcement went to someone else and you want to be on the list to receive your own copy, go to register
INFORMATION:
Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
PRECEDENTS
The 44th president’s unprecedented authority to unilaterally postpone legislation for three years means the succeeding 45th president will have the authority to postpone the law for twenty years or more.
Wellington on 3/10: Billy and Karen Vaughn
PROGRAM: The Wellington Chapter of the Palm Beach County Tea Party proudly announces an encore presentation of Billy and Karen Vaughn, parents of slain Navy Seal who was killed, along with 29 other service men in a Chinook Helicopter in Afghanistan in 2011. Billy and Karen, along with the other families of the fallen have been investigating the situation for what is called “Extortion 17”. They have learned first-hand about the nefarious things our government is doing to sabotage our own military, the ever changing rules of engagement and the stonewalling by the top brass.
If you are a veteran, active military, or if you know anyone that is, you must attend this meeting to hear Karen and Billy Vaughn’s compelling story.
DATE: Monday, March 10, 2014
TIME: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
PLACE: Greenview Room, first floor, Wellington Community Center,
12165 West Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414
The Wellington Chapter meeting is moving to larger quarters to accommodate the large crowd we anticipate for this event.
DIRECTIONS: MAP
West on Southern Blvd.( SR-80) past SR-7 to Forrest Hill Blvd. Left (South) on Forrest Hill Blvd. to first right turn (Country Club Dr.) after Wellington Trace. Right on Country Club Dr. to Town Center Dr. Right on Town Center Dr. to parking lot.
Please RSVP so we are prepared to accommodate you.
There will be no food and there is no charge to attend.
If this announcement went to someone else and you want to be on the list to receive your own copy, go to register
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: info@palmbeachcountyteaparty.org
Potential Progress for Seven50 Opposition
The American Coalition for Property Rights (ac4pr.org), with some help from members of the Palm Beach County Tea Party, has been able to convince three County Commissions (St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River) to ‘opt out’ of Seven50 – the HUD funded regional plan that sets out a progressive vision for “seven counties, 50 years”. Now their sights are set on Palm Beach County.
Predicting significant population growth in South Florida over that time frame along with rising sea levels and constraints on natural resources, the Seven50 plan sees public transportation, high density housing situated close to transit corridors, and restrictions on private land use as the solution. Implementation would involve changes in zoning regulations, and adoption of a regional blueprint which would supersede today’s system of county and municipal land use rules.
Free Speech in PBC
A bit of drama ensued during the meeting as Palm Beach County Tea Party’s President, Mel Grossman was ejected from the meeting by a heavy handed PBSO deputy. The deputy patrolled the room, trying to intimidate the attendees and chastized (loudly) anyone who deemed to whisper to their seatmate. Mel spoke too loudly and thus the ensuing drama. Mayor Taylor also admonished anyone who clapped or called out in support of those speaking. Ultimately, 3 other deputies joined the first one to ensure that the ‘unruly and dangerous’ elderly people in the audience were held in check.
To his credit, County Administrator Bob Weisman met Mel outside the chambers and arranged for him to come back in and speak, although he was asked to remain in the outside seating area after that. The deputy was clearly out of line (at one point dangling handcuffs over Mel’s head), and the Administrator wisely acted to prevent what could have been an ugly scene.
One can only wonder if this deputy has the full support of Mayor Taylor and the Commission. We have observed her in the past harrassing speakers at the podium by standing next to them and glaring, and disrupting the meeting by loudly admonishing against applause. At one point the Mayor joked as if the deputy was actually in charge of the meeting.
Fearing loss of local control and influence by property owners and other citizens, opponents of the plan have been asking county governments to “opt out” of the Seven50 MOU (“memo of understanding”) which they signed in 2010. Our three northern neighbors acquiesced, but so far Palm Beach County has not been willing to accept the premise that any of their authority would be preempted by the plan, nor do they feel bound to implement any of its provisions. Commissioner Hal Valeche, certainly not a proponent of the “New Urbanism”, does not see Seven50 as anything more than a federally funded study that lays out some proposals – that the county can accept or reject (or ignore) at their leisure.
Phyllis Frey, a leader in this fight, along with Mel Grossman, president of PBCTP, arranged for interested citizens to come to the February 4th Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, to speak “off agenda” during the “Matters by the Public” session.
The 80 or so activists wore red shirts in support of the 15 or so who spoke, and the speakers covered a range of issues, from the impacts to Home Rule, development density concerns, the relationship to UN Agenda 21 and other topics.
For the most part, the session was cordial, and the Commissioners made comments and suggestions, although it was clear none of them saw any reason to “opt out”. There was a little bit of drama, as leader Mel Grossman was thrown out of the meeting room by an overzealous deputy. (see sidebar). In the Sun-Sentinel (“SFL Tea Party Leader Ejected from PBC Commission Meeting) and the PB Post (“About 80 seven/50 opponents pack palm beach county commission“) that part was the lead.
Drama notwithstanding, potential progress was made in the meeting. Seeking a way to address the concerns – namely that home rule would be compromised or that the county would be compelled to implement the seven50 plan, Commissioner Steven Abrams suggested that the County Attorney draft an addendum to the agreement(s) with the Seven50 committee, clarifying that nothing in those agreements in any way compromises our Home Rule or otherwise overrides the County’s planning and zoning. The addendum would be signed by both the BCC and Seven50 officials. The rest of the BCC agreed and County Attorney Denise Nieman said she would return at the next BCC meeting on March 11th. After the meeting, Ms. Nieman spoke with members of the public – including Mel and Phyllis. The latter plan to work with Ms. Nieman’s team to see if the proposed wording would satisfy their concerns.
All should recognize however, that whenever government grants are accepted, there are strings attached. And having an addendum or an opt-out, no matter how it is worded, does not relieve interested citizens from having to continue to monitor various development projects from appearing on Consent Agendas for passage without discussion. Also – most if not all on our County Commission, are in support of the goals of Seven50 and other regional planning initiatives – and one shouldn’t just assume that all regional planning is good or bad. As citizens, it is up to us to watch what is going on, hold our elected officials accountable, speak out, educate others and vote!
