Let’s hold Obama to his campaign promise to listen to all sides in a transparent debate of all the issues—contact your
representatives. Find your representatives: go to Congress.org: Top center of page (Get Involved) enter your ZIP+4 to get your
federal and state representatives. You can then go to their Web sites.
representatives. Find your representatives: go to Congress.org: Top center of page (Get Involved) enter your ZIP+4 to get your
federal and state representatives. You can then go to their Web sites.
AFRWC News
9/24/2010
Save the Date
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Program Committee
August Program: Senator John Thrasher
Telephone Committee
Luncheon reservations can be made through Iris Medlin at 386-253-7252. Reservations should be made by the Monday before
the meeting. Cancellations must be received by the Tuesday before the meeting or you will be billed. Members should expect a
reminder call for a member of the telephone committee. If you do not receive a reminder call, please contact Iris to make sure
the information we have is correct.
the meeting. Cancellations must be received by the Tuesday before the meeting or you will be billed. Members should expect a
reminder call for a member of the telephone committee. If you do not receive a reminder call, please contact Iris to make sure
the information we have is correct.
Click on the
Yellow ribbon
for ways to
support our
troops.
Yellow ribbon
for ways to
support our
troops.
Board Meeting - Ormond
Patty Teeter's-10:30a
Patty Teeter's-10:30a
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Legislative Update
9/10/2010
Business Owner?
If you are a member or associate member of our club you can now advertise on our club website.
www.atlanticrepublicanwomen.com
The cost to be a Business Partner will be $50 calendar year. Your business logo, description, contact information and a link to
your business website are items you can list on our club page. Get 3FREE months!! All who join now will have a link through
2010!
Certainly it will benefit Republican Businesses, but as members we can use the page to as a business service and product
guide . . . and now more than ever we need to support our area Republican businesses.
Please mail check payable to:
AFRWC
c/o Tara O’Gorman
4684 Chardonnay Dr.
Port Orange, FL 32129
Include with check Business Name, business card (with logo), description of products or services offered.
www.atlanticrepublicanwomen.com
The cost to be a Business Partner will be $50 calendar year. Your business logo, description, contact information and a link to
your business website are items you can list on our club page. Get 3FREE months!! All who join now will have a link through
2010!
Certainly it will benefit Republican Businesses, but as members we can use the page to as a business service and product
guide . . . and now more than ever we need to support our area Republican businesses.
Please mail check payable to:
AFRWC
c/o Tara O’Gorman
4684 Chardonnay Dr.
Port Orange, FL 32129
Include with check Business Name, business card (with logo), description of products or services offered.
Ways and Means
Have a book or two (or five) that you are finished with? Donate your books to the club! We will be selling the books at our
upcoming luncheon. Members and guests can get a deal on great books! Only $2 for hardcovers, $1 for paperbacks! Thanks
in advance for your donations!
upcoming luncheon. Members and guests can get a deal on great books! Only $2 for hardcovers, $1 for paperbacks! Thanks
in advance for your donations!
Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States. Ronald Reagan
Atlantic Federated Republican Women
Facebook Group
Have a Facebook account? Join our group on Facebook! If you are a member in the search box type
“Atlantic Republican Women” and our group will be visible! Members include: Dan Quiggle, Sarah
Felmet, Melody Gebicki and Tara O’Gorman.
“Atlantic Republican Women” and our group will be visible! Members include: Dan Quiggle, Sarah
Felmet, Melody Gebicki and Tara O’Gorman.
Luncheon - 11:30a
LPGA International
Program: Sen. John Thrasher
LPGA International
Program: Sen. John Thrasher
8/6/2010
8/27/2010
Luncheon - 11:30a
LPGA International
Program: John Mica
LPGA International
Program: John Mica
Board Meeting - Ormond
Patty Teeter's-10:30a
Patty Teeter's-10:30a
John Thrasher was elected to the State Senate in 2009. In February 2010 he also became the current Chair of the Florida
Republican Party. John was a former member of the Florida Legislature, having served parts of Duval, St. Johns and Clay
Counties. While leading the Florida House of Representatives during Jeb Bush’s first two years as Governor, John helped pass
some of the landmark reforms advanced by the Governor, including an overhaul of the state’s education system. Among his many
accolades, John served as a Florida co-chair for the George W. Bush for President campaign in 2004 and is a former chairman of
the Board of Trustees of Florida State University. John was honored by having the FSU medical school building named after him.
John Thrasher began his political career in 1986 with his election to the Clay County School Board. He served as vice chairman,
then chairman, of the board before running for the Florida House of Representatives. In 1992 he was elected to his first term as a
state representative and was re-elected without opposition in 1994, 1996, and 1998. On November 17, 1998, the House of
Representatives unanimously elected John Thrasher as Speaker of the House for the 1999 through 2000 term.
John grew up in Jacksonville and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University before joining the United
States Army. He served first in Germany, where he received the Army Commendation Medal, and later in Vietnam, where he was
awarded two Bronze Stars. John attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge. John returned to Tallahassee and
earned his law degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law. He was in private law practice in Daytona
Beach and Tallahassee for several years before returning to Jacksonville to serve as general counsel of the Florida Medical
Association, a position he held for 20 years. John served as Of Counsel to the Jacksonville law firm of Smith Hulsey & Busey from
1996 to 2008. John was a partner of Southern Strategy Group, a Tallahassee-based governmental relations firm, from January 1,
2001 to May 1, 2009.
John and his wife, Jean, have three children and eight grandchildren.
Republican Party. John was a former member of the Florida Legislature, having served parts of Duval, St. Johns and Clay
Counties. While leading the Florida House of Representatives during Jeb Bush’s first two years as Governor, John helped pass
some of the landmark reforms advanced by the Governor, including an overhaul of the state’s education system. Among his many
accolades, John served as a Florida co-chair for the George W. Bush for President campaign in 2004 and is a former chairman of
the Board of Trustees of Florida State University. John was honored by having the FSU medical school building named after him.
John Thrasher began his political career in 1986 with his election to the Clay County School Board. He served as vice chairman,
then chairman, of the board before running for the Florida House of Representatives. In 1992 he was elected to his first term as a
state representative and was re-elected without opposition in 1994, 1996, and 1998. On November 17, 1998, the House of
Representatives unanimously elected John Thrasher as Speaker of the House for the 1999 through 2000 term.
John grew up in Jacksonville and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University before joining the United
States Army. He served first in Germany, where he received the Army Commendation Medal, and later in Vietnam, where he was
awarded two Bronze Stars. John attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge. John returned to Tallahassee and
earned his law degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law. He was in private law practice in Daytona
Beach and Tallahassee for several years before returning to Jacksonville to serve as general counsel of the Florida Medical
Association, a position he held for 20 years. John served as Of Counsel to the Jacksonville law firm of Smith Hulsey & Busey from
1996 to 2008. John was a partner of Southern Strategy Group, a Tallahassee-based governmental relations firm, from January 1,
2001 to May 1, 2009.
John and his wife, Jean, have three children and eight grandchildren.
On July 19, 2010 the News-Journal printed a very nice article about one of our very own! Here are highlights from the article:
Lifelong Republican Recalls Political Turning Points written by Derek Catron. Enjoy!
When Kit Martin moved to Volusia County, John F. Kennedy was president, and Democrats outnumbered Republicans by nearly
a 4-to-1 margin. One of the first things she did was go to the courthouse to narrow the odds. "I'd like to register Republican," she
said. The clerk behind the desk suggested she might reconsider. Because of the disparity in numbers and Florida's closed
primary system, Volusia Republicans didn't get to vote in many meaningful primaries. But Martin was not one to be put off.
"Excuse me. What's your name?" she asked the baffled clerk. "I think it's illegal for you to try to influence how people register."
The clerk's actions were quickly reported, but it would take far longer for Martin to help change the circumstances in which her
party's votes counted for so little.
These days, Martin, 82, prefers a quieter approach. With just a week left for voters to register for the Aug. 24 primary, she agreed
to share her story only after she was convinced it would serve as a good model for political involvement (and she refused to allow
new photos, though she looks just as she did when campaigning door-to-door 20 years ago). Democrats and Republicans alike
describe Martin as the type of person you'd want in your party. That she happens to be a lifelong Republican -- just as her
parents were, in West Virginia -- means her story also serves as a tidy timeline of the rise of the area's two-party system.
The complete article can be found online at Kit Martin Article
Lifelong Republican Recalls Political Turning Points written by Derek Catron. Enjoy!
When Kit Martin moved to Volusia County, John F. Kennedy was president, and Democrats outnumbered Republicans by nearly
a 4-to-1 margin. One of the first things she did was go to the courthouse to narrow the odds. "I'd like to register Republican," she
said. The clerk behind the desk suggested she might reconsider. Because of the disparity in numbers and Florida's closed
primary system, Volusia Republicans didn't get to vote in many meaningful primaries. But Martin was not one to be put off.
"Excuse me. What's your name?" she asked the baffled clerk. "I think it's illegal for you to try to influence how people register."
The clerk's actions were quickly reported, but it would take far longer for Martin to help change the circumstances in which her
party's votes counted for so little.
These days, Martin, 82, prefers a quieter approach. With just a week left for voters to register for the Aug. 24 primary, she agreed
to share her story only after she was convinced it would serve as a good model for political involvement (and she refused to allow
new photos, though she looks just as she did when campaigning door-to-door 20 years ago). Democrats and Republicans alike
describe Martin as the type of person you'd want in your party. That she happens to be a lifelong Republican -- just as her
parents were, in West Virginia -- means her story also serves as a tidy timeline of the rise of the area's two-party system.
The complete article can be found online at Kit Martin Article
Member Spotlight
AFRWC in the News
Even our Club is making headlines these days! On July 24, 2010 the News-Journal printed an article about our July Luncheon
featuring many candidates. Here are highlights from the article: Luncheon rallies support for GOP written by Derek Catron.
Nancy Pelosi wasn't at Friday's luncheon for Republican women, but the California Democrat's name drew the loudest cheers.
Of course, the applause lines were all about taking the speaker of the House of Representative's title away. Regaining
Republican control of Congress was a focus of the Atlantic Federated Republican Women luncheon, which drew about 150
people and GOP congressional candidates from the area to the LPGA International clubhouse. Democrats hold a 77-member
advantage, but club president Patty Teeters noted that local voters would have a chance to flip two of those. "Anybody here who
would like to see Nancy Pelosi moved out as speaker?" she asked to thunderous applause.
Three congressional seats are represented locally. John Mica, a Republican from Winter Park, has held District 7 for nine terms
and faces Democrat Heather Beaven in the Nov. 7 general election. Of more interest Friday was the fate of District 24 -- now
held by Suzanne Kosmas, a Democrat from New Smyrna Beach -- and District 3, held by Democrat Corrine Brown of
Jacksonville. The luncheon was more political pep rally than debate, with all five District 24 Republicans seated together and
refraining from sniping (that's what political mailers are for) during their brief remarks to the crowd. The emphasis, instead, was
on whipping up enthusiasm for the Aug. 24 primary.
Dean Black, a farmer from Jacksonville hoping to win a primary and challenge Brown, said too many Republicans think he's
running a hopeless race "Oh, but she can't be beaten," he said he hears. "Many people believe Congresswoman Brown is
protected in her gerrymandered fortress and cannot be defeated." Black claimed conservatives "of all types" now outnumber
"her side" in the district, though registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than a 3-to-1 margin in the last
election. "Provided that we do our job, that we do good politics and good campaigning," he said, "Congresswoman Brown will be
defeated." There was greater interest in toppling Kosmas, who holds what was considered a Republican district until she topped
a scandal-plagued Tom Feeney two years ago. The five GOP challengers made their best case.
Karen Diebel cited her unique combination of skills -- mother, business executive and budget slasher (as a Winter Park city
commissioner). "We need to take the fight to Suzanne Kosmas. We need to take the fight to Nancy Pelosi, and I'm
ready to do that," she said.
Craig Miller, former CEO of Ruth's Chris Steak House, touted leadership, exemplified by his move "from the dish room to the
boardroom" in the restaurant business."When I'm in Washington, I will be a champion for the things I know work for America,
that worked for me. I'll take both my experience and leadership there," he said.
Sandy Adams, who's represented part of Volusia County in the state House for the past eight years, emphasized her experience
in the Legislature. "We have chosen not to raise your taxes and not to even entertain (the idea) of an income tax in this state,"
she said. "I'm not just somebody who says I'm one thing. I have a proven conservative record I will stand on."
Deon Long, an attorney from Orange County and onetime chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management District, pushed
an agenda heavy on economics. "I'm a champion of the Fair Tax," he said. "I'm for a balanced budget amendment. I want to
handcuff government. I want to make it mandatory that the federal government has to balance its budget every year."
With references to Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and a recitation of the preamble of the Constitution, Tom Garcia, a
commercial pilot living in Titusville, provided a civics lesson in why, he said, most Americans believe the country is going in the
wrong direction. "The Constitution is our road map to success," he said. "We are upside down in our government. States have no
more sovereignty, and the federal government is taking it all."
featuring many candidates. Here are highlights from the article: Luncheon rallies support for GOP written by Derek Catron.
Nancy Pelosi wasn't at Friday's luncheon for Republican women, but the California Democrat's name drew the loudest cheers.
Of course, the applause lines were all about taking the speaker of the House of Representative's title away. Regaining
Republican control of Congress was a focus of the Atlantic Federated Republican Women luncheon, which drew about 150
people and GOP congressional candidates from the area to the LPGA International clubhouse. Democrats hold a 77-member
advantage, but club president Patty Teeters noted that local voters would have a chance to flip two of those. "Anybody here who
would like to see Nancy Pelosi moved out as speaker?" she asked to thunderous applause.
Three congressional seats are represented locally. John Mica, a Republican from Winter Park, has held District 7 for nine terms
and faces Democrat Heather Beaven in the Nov. 7 general election. Of more interest Friday was the fate of District 24 -- now
held by Suzanne Kosmas, a Democrat from New Smyrna Beach -- and District 3, held by Democrat Corrine Brown of
Jacksonville. The luncheon was more political pep rally than debate, with all five District 24 Republicans seated together and
refraining from sniping (that's what political mailers are for) during their brief remarks to the crowd. The emphasis, instead, was
on whipping up enthusiasm for the Aug. 24 primary.
Dean Black, a farmer from Jacksonville hoping to win a primary and challenge Brown, said too many Republicans think he's
running a hopeless race "Oh, but she can't be beaten," he said he hears. "Many people believe Congresswoman Brown is
protected in her gerrymandered fortress and cannot be defeated." Black claimed conservatives "of all types" now outnumber
"her side" in the district, though registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than a 3-to-1 margin in the last
election. "Provided that we do our job, that we do good politics and good campaigning," he said, "Congresswoman Brown will be
defeated." There was greater interest in toppling Kosmas, who holds what was considered a Republican district until she topped
a scandal-plagued Tom Feeney two years ago. The five GOP challengers made their best case.
Karen Diebel cited her unique combination of skills -- mother, business executive and budget slasher (as a Winter Park city
commissioner). "We need to take the fight to Suzanne Kosmas. We need to take the fight to Nancy Pelosi, and I'm
ready to do that," she said.
Craig Miller, former CEO of Ruth's Chris Steak House, touted leadership, exemplified by his move "from the dish room to the
boardroom" in the restaurant business."When I'm in Washington, I will be a champion for the things I know work for America,
that worked for me. I'll take both my experience and leadership there," he said.
Sandy Adams, who's represented part of Volusia County in the state House for the past eight years, emphasized her experience
in the Legislature. "We have chosen not to raise your taxes and not to even entertain (the idea) of an income tax in this state,"
she said. "I'm not just somebody who says I'm one thing. I have a proven conservative record I will stand on."
Deon Long, an attorney from Orange County and onetime chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management District, pushed
an agenda heavy on economics. "I'm a champion of the Fair Tax," he said. "I'm for a balanced budget amendment. I want to
handcuff government. I want to make it mandatory that the federal government has to balance its budget every year."
With references to Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and a recitation of the preamble of the Constitution, Tom Garcia, a
commercial pilot living in Titusville, provided a civics lesson in why, he said, most Americans believe the country is going in the
wrong direction. "The Constitution is our road map to success," he said. "We are upside down in our government. States have no
more sovereignty, and the federal government is taking it all."