Crystal Coast Tea Party

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MEETING MINUTES
OF
29 MAY 2012

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by LUKE KUKULINSKI
Invocation by STEVEN BEST
Attendance – 26

BOB recognized EULA PARKEN to talk about the pamphlet “Government Sin & Tyranny – 99 Ways Your Government Uses Your Taxes to Attack Your Values”, that she had purchased copies of, for the membership to donate to the treasury in order to get a copy.  She touched on the high lights of the five Chapters in the pamphlet.  (examples of the government using taxes forced from the hands of hard-working Americans to promote policies and agendas that undercut the morals and traditional values that make America great.  Ie. (1) Pushing the Radical Homosexual Agenda; (2) The War Against Christianity and Religion, (3) The Assault of Radical Islam and Shariah Law on America, (4) War on Morals and Traditional Values, and (5) Pushing Abortion and the Culture of Death at Every Opportunity.“  Several members received copies through their donations.

PAT NALITZ also donated several copies of the pamphlet “The Area of Political War for Tea Parties” written by David Horowitz, to be gotten through donations to the treasury also.

Attendees discussed the “Law of the Seas Treaty” (LOST) and the dangers we see it creating. This Treaty dates all the way back to Ronald Reagan, who wanted no part of it, as well as George Bush, who said no also.  But Obama (with Hillary’s blessing) is all for it.  Obama still says, ‘take from the rich and give to the poor, and people here in the USA,  think he is talking about still giving to them; however, he is talking about taking from everyone here in the USA (both rich and poor) and giving to countries overseas (many who hate us).  The Treaty also reduces our navy guarding the sea lanes and allows the UN to take over that part of our defense also.  The Treaty is supposed to come to a vote next month (June).  KEN LANG said he wanted to find out how Senator Burr stood on this Treaty.  It has been reported that there are some Republicans who are backing this Treaty and he was trying to find out if Burr was one of them.  KEN recommended for those who are interested in more information, and have a computer, to go on line and check out LOST.  It is on our web page and Face Book also. It will only go before the Senate (not the House) and will require a 2/3rds vote to pass.  Discussion on we are only one vote in the UN.  The way our rules read, even if the UN passes it and we don’t, then we don’t have to comply with it.  At this point we still have the strongest Navy  in the world, so if the UN wants to fight – then bring it on.

Discussion on Gun Control….Soros and his buying gun and ammunition plants…..Dept of Homeland Security trying to redefine ‘shotgun’….

Discussion on Obama’s Czars.  The President has authority to nominate and appoint, with the consent of the Senate, ambassadors, public ministers and consulates, which it is thought that Czars would fall under that.  Problem is Congress has been so non-confrontational with Obama, that is why he has been able to get away with all he has.  None of these guys referred to as Czars in the Obama White House, have been confirmed by Congress.  Supposedly it is OK to appoint without Congress approval if Congress is not in session; but Obama takes advantage of Congress having a weekend off or a holiday (not the 14 day required time), appoints a Czar and Congress doesn’t do anything about it.  The blame is actually more on Congress than the President because they are letting him get away with it and many other things with no confrontation.  They are not doing their job.  So you end up with a President pushing the limits.  BOB said this was one of the things he wanted to talk with Walter Jones about when he comes and speaks to us in June.  Also wants to discuss how the President can rule by decree/executive orders.  Can the Congress limit that?

PAT NALITZ asked if anyone had read “The Amateur”.  You have to read it.  It is a quick but interesting read.

RUTH PARKER brought up about all these drones that are being purchased by local authorities and federal government to essentially spy on people.  LUKE KUKULINSKI said there was an article in the Drudge Report “Who is going to be the hero to shoot down the first American drone?”  RUTH said what concerned her was who they were going to shoot on the ground.  They can spy right into your home and tell exactly what you are doing, and you are not even aware of it’s presence.  KEN said that is why Ron Paul was so upset about us killing that (American) Muslim terrorist without a trial.  Everyone was probably pleased that he had been taken down, but the fact that he was an American, and we are supposed to be able to have a trial under our constitution and this guy was shot without a trial and one man (the President of the US) made the decision to do so.  So now with 30,000 drones flying overhead in the US, will they invoke the same thing with any of the US citizens.  With 30,000 drones in 50 states; that means we could have 600 in North Carolina alone….NC has 100 counties, so that means we could be having 6 flying over Carteret County at all times.  Scary isn’t it?  Especially with Obama having his “Assassination List” already being made up.

BOB said another thing he wanted to talk with Walter Jones about was the Treaty after Viet Nam, the ‘War Powers Act’ which is supposed to prevent us from getting into these long undeclared wars.  Under the War Powers Act the President had the authority to use the military for like 90 days and then he had to go before Congress and justify what he was doing.  (Discussion about Bush; whether or not he had gotten approval – decision was he had.)  LUKE said that is what Jones’Impeachment Act was for …. Obama and Libya.  BOB said it hasn’t been just Libya, but he has also sent forces into Uganda, (still there as advisors).  KEN said it is up to Congress to fund these things….so if he were President, he would say ‘you gave me the money, so therefore you must approve of our being over there.’  Discussion over pulling money away from our troops, but KEN said Congress could designate where the money is to be spent and how.  All they have to say is the money is to be used for withdrawal of our troops.  This has to be; or else our troops will be forever in these countries without any way of ever getting out.  In Viet Nam, Congress cut off the funding and they had to bring the troops home.

BOB brought the subject back to the elections (runoff in July and election in November).  We are going to need to get the vote out as much as we can.  The runoff election is for several state offices….one of the biggest being the Insurance Commissioner runoff race between Richard Morgan and Mike Causey.  We supported Mike Causey in the primary.  He pulled 59% of our vote to Richard Morgan’s 24% of the Carteret County vote.  We need to duplicate that again.  We need to do to Morgan what we did with Randy Ramsey.  Morgan is the one who stated the folks in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, etc. should not have to pay for the high insurance rates of people on the coast….all those big waterfront homes.  The people who live on the coast should have to pay.  News for Morgan, the coast has not had that many major hurricanes in several years.  A lot of hurricanes recently have gone through the middle of the state.  Also, most of those big homes on the water are owned by the more wealthy who live in the middle of the state, ie. Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, etc., and we here on the coast, who can not afford these luxury homes, have been paying for them for years.  This is one of the things we need to stress in our letters to the editor when discussing the Causey/Morgan runoff race.  Since this is going to be a state-wide runoff, we need to write letters outside the county also, like the Raleigh News & Observer, Winston Salem Journal, etc.; however, we need to argue differently state-wide from coastal counties, because down here people need to be aware that Richard Morgan wants to raise our insurance rates even higher than they already are here on the coast, because in his mind the people out west have to pay so much because we have all the hurricanes. This information had been posted on his web page, but he found out it was unpopular down here so he has taken it off.  For letters to the western part of the state, we should stress his poor performance and poor relationship with the Republican party because he was actually censured by the Republican party for not fulfilling his obligations as a member of the Legislature and his affiliation with Jim Black.  He had been booted off the executive committee for the state.  Voter turnout for the runoff is going to be very, very low, so we need to talk to all our friends, neighbors, relatives, anyone you know, your email lists, etc., and encourage them to go and vote on the 17th of July.  The TEA Party will try to man as many of the polls as we possibly can again and pass out our voter recommendation lists again.  We do not have the funds to run the list in the newspaper because we will really need what cash we can accumulate by November for the main election.  (Question raised as to the cost to run the shorter list in the paper just one time.  BOB said about $200.00.  Recommendation that we might run it at least once…if each of us here were to donate $10.00, then we could afford that.)  BOB said he did not have the authority to spend the $200.00, but if everyone wanted to chip in and pay for it being published at least once, he had no problem with that.  We are going to try to come up with the $200.00 in time to run the list prior to the July 17th runoff.

Discussion on the Secretary of State runoff.  Our man we backed in the primary, Dr. Beitner did not win in the state (he did in Carteret).  Discussion on Goodwin, a Republican, who HOWARD thinks is from Edenton, Chairman of the County Commissioners in a Democrat county.  That county was in trouble financially and he has turned it around and they now have a surplus.  BOB said that is certainly one of the races where we have to come up with a candidate since our guy did not win.  BOB asked HOWARD to try to come up with more information so we can make a good decision and maybe try to get him to come and talk with us prior to the runoff.  HOWARD said he would try.  Maybe someone in Craven County might know how to get up with him, since they had him come and speak to them in James City just prior to the primary.  HOWARD said he had gone to the meeting and had been very impressed with Goodwin.  BOB said he and KEN were going up to Little Washington on Thursday to the Beaufort TEA Party and HOWARD asked them to see what they could come up with.  BOB said one of the reasons they were going up there is because there is another Senate/House race up there in House District 6, between Art Williams and Maddy Lawson.  Art Williams switched over from being a Democrat last October and is now running as a Republican.  Maddy was one of the founders of the Outer Banks TEA Party.  If BOB remembers correctly, Maddy won the race in the primary (numbers wise), but did not have more than 40% of the votes so there is going to be a runoff.  J. Adams, who ran for County Commission as a Democrat recently and who came in third, has thrown his support behind Williams. Not that all his supporters will necessarily vote for Williams, but still it can be disconcerting to Lawson.  Essentially Lawson was running against two Democrats (now RINOs)
and if she does win the runoff, she will be running against another Democrat in the general election.  Art Williams is very well funded (kinda like a Randy Ramsey situation).  Maddy had emailed BOB and wanted to know what we had done that was so successful in defeating a well funded candidate.  BOB told her a barrage of letters to the editor getting the information out there to the people.  The Beaufort Observer has been running articles on Art Williams being tapped by the folks in Raleigh to run on the Republican ticket.  FRED DECKER said Art Williams is a car dealer and if we remember right, Randy was backed by the car dealers in this area.  He is going to check the public records to see if any of our car dealers, who were in Randy’s court, were on the list up there.  BOB said he and KEN were going to be talking to the Beaufort County TEA Party group about rallying behind Maddy.  BOB asked those who would to please go on line (Outer Banks TEA Party web site, Truth or Dare Blog, etc) and get the available information on Art Williams and write letters to the editor and send to papers in the 6th District.

Discussion on the Craven County Tax Payers Association (TEA Party) (CCTA.org).  Would like to take one of our meeting nights (that is not a Western Carteret meeting night) and all go to New Bern to their meeting.  The group meets at the Bridgepoint Hotel.  Their next meeting is the 19th of June but that too is a Western Carteret meeting night.  Discussed where the hotel is.  Decided it is there at the end of the bridge on this side of New Bern, on the triangle between the two bridges.  HOWARD said he thinks there are two motels there and is pretty sure one of them is the Bridgepoint.  Someone else said he thought there was a Texas Steak House there also.  HOWARD said he had heard about a program they had conducted the week after the election but he felt he needed to be here to our meeting to discuss the election so had decided not to go.  KEN said they have more structured meetings with guest speakers than we have.  They have also done Agenda 21, a Marriage Amendment thing, etc.  BOB asked how big a group they had and was told when guest speakers had been to the meeting, there were about 60 people in attendance.

BOB announced that Dan Forest would be here next week.  Please get everyone you can to come out and hear him speak.  Be here by 6:00.  BOB said Forest would be speaking in Dare County in the morning and then speak to us here that evening.  After he speaks with us here in Morehead, he will be going on down to Cape Carteret and speak with that TEA Party group.  BOB said he didn’t think Forest would have any problem in winning his race.  TOM HARMON wanted to know if we were going to publicize Forest’s speaking engagement with us.  BOB said we need a letter to the editor this week (preferably Sunday’s paper) and also maybe get on Lockwood’s radio program to publicize his being here.

BOB announced that we had lost our ‘Uncle Sam’ Tim Buck, who marched with us in our parades.  He had told BOB that he did not want to do it anymore, so we are looking for a replacement.  It is not mandatory that we have to have an Uncle Sam, but he was a pretty big hit last year.  FRED said he thought the uniform might fit Bill Hobbs and he would talk to him about filling that position.  He would get up with him and let us know since we will need to know ASAP.  The 4th of July parade is coming up soon.

BOB said we need to get confirmation from NANCY BOCK about the use of the trailer, decorations, flags, etc.  EULA has volunteered her driveway again so we can meet there and decorate the float that morning.  He asked PEGGY GARNER, since she was the one who contacted the officials in charge of the Beaufort parade last year, to see if she could get the information we will need to enter the parade this year.  DENNIS TOMASO, who got our constitutions for us last year, is RVing out west seeing American, and since we have very few constitutions left, we need to get some prior to the parade, since it is a big hit when we hand them
out during the parade.  ROMA WADE said then we definitely need to order some.  BOB asked TOM HARMON  if he would try to contact either Americans for Prosperity or American Heritage Foundation and get 1,000 at least if possible.  DENNIS had gotten them for about $200.00 for 1000.  RUTH asked about the little flags and did we still have any.  BOB said he would check with NANCY.  PEGGY reemphasized that she understood the folks who were riding on the float would volunteer to buy the candy to toss out to the kids.  BOB said he understood that was what we had decided on.  PEGGY just wanted to make sure everyone understood so that when we got there that day that we would have enough candy to throw for the entire length of the parade.  BOB said just don’t buy any chocolate.  It is going to be HOT and melted chocolate makes a big mess.  RUTH reminded us that we needed to have the election runoff recommendations made up and copied so we could put them in the constitutions prior to handing them out during the parade.

HOWARD told BOB that we had been running our mouths so much tonight we had overlooked the fact that we had a couple of new faces with us.  BOB apologized and asked them to please introduce themselves and tell us something about themselves.  BELVA MANNING introduced James ‘Winky’ Chadwick from Mill Creek and Robert Metz, from Mill Creek also.  Winky said he had gone to the rally we had over by Kmart.  He was a pastor in Mill Creek so his time was limited for attending meetings, but he had decided to just take tonight off and stop by and see what was going on.

KEN announced that ROY MUSSER had been involved in a motorcycle accident a day or two ago.  He was over to KEN’s this afternoon and he is really scrubbed up, but OK.  His face, ear, ankle, back, are scraped up pretty bad, but he did not break anything….except his motorcycle.  He talked like it was fixable.  The guy that caused the accident didn’t stop, but apparently there were a couple of witnesses.

KEN said the other thing he had was last week (Thursday) he and DIANE went to Raleigh and went to the Legislature, visited with Norm and Linda Sanderson at their office.  They had tried to catch Pat McElraft but missed her.  Then they had gone to the session in the General Assembly where there was a lot of discussion on annexation bills.  There had been votes on them, but they were preliminary votes.  Both passed.  One was to de-annex the seven cities that had already  taken over the areas they had incorporated.  Some cities had already started putting in sewer and water and some had not.   The residents of those areas were upset about being annexed without their approval.  The other bill was to stop this from happening again anywhere else.  These two bills would put NC in line with 30 or so other states that already prohibited forced annexation.  He has heard that both these bills will pass, but that Gov. Perdue will probably veto them.  If McCrory wins Governor, then these two bills, plus many others (like Voter ID) that were vetoed by Perdue will be reintroduced.

CLAYTON GILLIKIN wanted to know if anyone had or had read Obama’s autobiography ‘Roots from my father’.  He recommended that one of our group get that book and send a portion from it each week , until the election, as a letter to the editor.  KEN said there is a good book that already does sort of the analysis called “The Roots of Obama’s Rage”.  He thinks CLAYTON has a good idea.  KEN said he would probably try to read ’Roots From My Father’ (even though he hates to go out and buy a copy).  Discussion on as to whether or not Obama wrote the two books he takes credit for.  KEN said the small amount of excerpts from ‘Roots from my father’ in ‘The Roots of Obama’s Rage’, that he has read, sounds pretty well written, whether he wrote it or not. KEN said he heard that the two books have shown significant difference in the writing between them.  It would appear two different people authored them.

LUKE said the Drudge Report said this week that the Obama administration was looking for some payments from the military on their health care.  LUKE also asked if everyone had seen that video “If I wanted American to Fail”.  It is excellent.  If you haven’t seen it go to “freemarketamerica.org.  KEN said you could also go to the Crystal Coast TEA Party web site and Face Book.   You can find it there also.

Also it has been reported that Homeland Security has put out a list of 100 words that if you use on the internet communication, then they will investigate you.  TOM said he had looked at the list and had put a reply in stating ‘Did anybody hear about al Qaida terrorism attack against Mexico with pork bombs.’  He’s expecting a knock on the door any day now.  KEN said it was really interesting that news item broke about a day after he got an email about a guy up in the Asheville TEA Party area, who did get a knock on his door because he had written a letter (he has not seen the letter, it was not published with the email) that he sent to the administrator of EPA for the region that North Carolina is in.  Didn’t go to Washington…it went to the regional director.  They came down and investigated him because they said he had used words in his letter that were inflammatory.  They actually came to his house, asked to come inside, (he willingly invited them in, because he had no idea why they were there) and one of the guys stood in his front door with his hand on his gun the whole time he was there.  The local police had their car outside his door blocking the driveway.  They interviewed this guy until he finally politely asked them to leave.  He told them they were asking him questions that have absolutely nothing to do with what he did/wrote.  KEN said he was wondering if they had used that list of special words to screen his emails.

GLADYS SUESSLE reminded everyone that on Saturday, June 2, they are having Military Appreciation Day.  They are taking the military personnel out fishing, and those slots are all filled but there are family events going on for the kids and then there is a barbecue that evening.  She and ED are volunteering to help, so if anyone else would like to volunteer to help, please give her your name and email and she will send it to the guy that is in charge.  It will be held at the waterfront in Morehead.  She and ED will be there at 5:30 in the morning (when the boat carrying the fishermen goes out); with various other events during the day….trip to Carrot Island…the Rachel Carson Preserve (she thinks)… They will have those blow up fun things that kids can play on….face painting…etc.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MEETING MINUTES
OF
MAY 22, 2012

Meeting was held at Golden Corral Restaurant, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:05 pm by Chairman BOB CAVANAUGH.
Pledge of Allegiance led by CLAYTON GILLIKIN.
Invocation by JERE GEURIN
Attendance – 28

BOB said every time someone gives a prayer, he always remembers “Catie” praying and slipping a couple of “etceteras” in.  (Laughter)

No new attendees tonight.

BOB announced that we have a couple of visitations upcoming:  On June 5th, Dan Forrest who is running for Lt. Governor is scheduled to attend our TEA Party meeting and when he is through here, BOB will escort him down to the Cape Carteret TEA Party group’s meeting, hoping to get him at both meetings on the same night.  Also, some time in June Walter Jones is coming.  He was scheduled for later this month (next week matter of fact); but other events have created a problem with his meeting with us then.  Jones was kind of surprised that we wanted him to come speak with us, since we did not support him in the primary.  It was pointed out to him that this was our first attempt with a primary and we didn’t support him because basically we thought it was time for a change – term limits.  Now that he has won the nomination, we will support him 100%.

BOB said he had asked Jones to speak about a couple of issues.  We are not going to ping on him for his voting record or try to box him into a corner but BOB wants to talk about Obama’s Executive Orders and ruling by decree essentially.  He would like to find out from Walter Jones what he thinks Congress can do to put a halt to that.  BOB doesn’t see any provision in the Constitution for the President ruling by decree.  Executive orders are not a new thing – he is sure they go back before Abraham Lincoln.  The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order.

EULA PARKIN said she would like to say something in behalf of Walter Jones.  She has a cousin who was in the Vietnam War and he had fought 20 years to get his medals he had earned.  Finally when he moved from Mississippi to North Carolina Walter Jones took up his side and he got his earned medals.  BOB said it would be nice if she would thank him in person while he is here.  BOB said he was sure Mr. Jones would like to hear some GOOD things coming from us.

BOB said, then in July, Norm Sanderson wants to come visit us after the short session of the State Legislature.  He wants to come and personally thank us for our support in the primary.  He thinks we were really instrumental in his winning this election with our barrage of letters to the editor and our voter ballots.  He is scheduled to be with us on July 10.  Discussed whether that was Cape Carteret groups’ meeting night.  If so, then Norm will probably show up down there also.

BOB said he had raffle tickets for $10.00 per ticket for GOP Third Congressional District.  They are trying to raise funds to support candidates going into the general election.  You get a choice of a Remington 870 Express Shotgun or a CalTech Semi-automatic mili-meter pistol.  For the women, he would recommend the shotgun.  (Laughter)  The raffle is going to be held on July 28.

BOB brought up the letter to the editor from M. Olsen chastising the TEA Party for being rude, boorish, mean and unpatriotic on election day.  Discussion among the group followed.  It was decided we would not respond to mess like that.  No sense in getting into a ’he said, she said’.  We are above that.  HOWARD said a ’lady’, who worked the Newport Precinct 2 on election day with PEGGY and I, told PEGGY she had worked a lot of polls, both in North Carolina and other states and she had never seen anyone that would go right up to the car doors and start a conversation prior to the driver even getting out his/her car.  It was unheard of.  PEGGY told her that the judge here at the polls had come out and told us that we were not to cross over the yellow tape, not even to go to the bathroom inside; and we should not start any fights in the parking lot.  Other than that we were OK.  Besides we lived here in this precinct and we knew just about everyone that came to vote.  It would be unfriendly not to treat them like we did everyday.  HOWARD said he was guilty of hollering across the parking lot at someone he knew, since he did that everywhere he went.  It was just his nature to acknowledge a friend when he saw them.  BOB said he thought this may be the same woman, back during the early voting, that he had come in contact with in Beaufort.  Norm Sanderson was there and she was ranting and raving about how mean the TEA Party people were down in Newport.  JERE GEURIN said at the poll location the TEA Party he was with had set up , two teenagers came up and started posting signs in opposition of the Marriage Amendment Movement.  JERE said he just walked over and asked them why they would vote against the amendment.  The girl spoke up and started talking about women’s rights, and he  just said, it doesn’t have anything to do with women’s rights.  The young man with her started ranting about something else so he just walked away.  He was just hoping to get a friendly conversation going with someone with the opposition.  They were not interested in a friendly discussion.  LYN BAKER said she noticed that the Pro Amendment volunteers also handed out the TEA Party recommendations.  HOWARD said a few days after the election he was listening to the Phil Knight Show on the radio, (LUKE KUKULENSKI said he wasn’t just listening, he had called him) and he was talking about how angry the progressives were in general.  HOWARD did call him and said that was also what he had experienced at the polls.  They not only were angry, but unfriendly, and looking for someone else to blame.  BELVA MANNING said that even those who did not take our list, when they came out from voting, we thanked them for ‘Voting’.  DAVID COX said he had one lady over at the beach, that refused the TEA Party list and had said “No, she had been to one TEA Party meeting and she would never go again”.  Come to find out she was one of the two ladies that came over (with FRED DECKER) trying to get the votes and support for their campaign.   He also said most of those coming through were very receptive of our list.  You could tell the Progressives/Democrats because they would either walk around or walk by with their heads down.  There was a well dressed lady working the polls for Randy Ramsey and at the end of the day, she told DAVID he and the TEA Party had really cleaned her clock.  She was expecting to get votes from the big boat owners, high dollar people and the social group, but it didn’t pan out.  BOB said there was no doubt that the TEA Party had a big impact on the election.

FRED said we didn’t have anyone from the TEA Party working Bogue, but Judy Wilgus was there and handing out our listings.  BOB said he had planned to work there but we had a cancellation at Morehead City 4 so he had moved up there.  DAVID said he thought it was very important that we cover as many precincts as we possibly could.  BOB said talking about manning the polls, in the Harry Taylor/Elaine Crittenton race, District 5, we only had 2 of those precincts manned.  Harry lost by something like 157 votes.  If we could have influenced 80 of those votes to Harry, he could have won.  So it is definitely important we be there at all precincts on voting days.  It was a good lesson to learn there where we had limited elections like the Taylor/Crittenton vote.  We might want to concentrate on those precincts where we are needed.  This election was different in some ways, because we spent a good part of our effort on hammering the hell out of Ramsey so it was more important that we concentrated on the higher populated areas/precincts.

BOB said Palombo’s Treasurer got to looking at the vote totals and the Marriage Amendment brought out a huge wave of people in the 3rd Congressional District, more than usually votes in a General Election…almost double.  She looked through it and if you pull out the voters who only vote in a General Election and  never vote in a primary, but showed up to vote this time, Palombo would have won the race.  It was the Marriage Amendment that sunk Palombo.  BOB said he also thought the Marriage Amendment had helped Norm Sanderson.

Clinton Rowe arrived to the meeting a little late but was welcomed hardily.

BOB said the other big events coming up are the 4th of July Parade which we will discuss shortly, and manning the precincts for the run offs July 17th.  According to Judy Wilgus, all the precincts are going to be open.  EULA pleaded for some one from the TEA Party to please come and help her at the polls.  She has had to man her station all alone for the primary and early voting.  JERE GEURIN said he would try to help her out.  SCOTT CARPENTER wanted to know who was involved in the runoff.  KEN LANG said all of the seats that did not have enough votes to win the majority, so the top vote getter was being challenged by the second place candidate.  Lt Gov is one of them, Insurance Commissioner (Mike Causey and Richard Morgan), Secretary of State (Goodwin and Beitner), and Public Instruction (Tedesco and Alexander).  KEN thinks the biggest thing with this run-off is getting people to vote.  Primary elections are usually low turnout (even though this primary was higher than usual because of the Marriage Amendment) and so therefore the runoffs will probably be extremely low.   He thinks there is a need to do some letters to the editor encouraging people to get out and vote.  Talk to your friends and neighbors and tell them how important this runoff is, especially the Insurance Commission race.  Richard Morgan was kicked out of the Executive Committee for violation of some of the guide lines of the Republican Party.  He is also being funded by the trial lawyers association.  He is not somebody that we want to have determining Insurance rates.  The most aggrieved thing KEN knew of was a blurb that Morgan had put on his face book page during the primary election that he felt that it was unconscionable that big cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, etc was penalized on their insurance rates because of the hurricanes down here on the coast and that we (eastern NC) ought to be paying the brunt of the insurance.  Obviously he doesn’t know we already are.  Does he want to make it even more?  This is what it sounds like.  KEN said he thinks this is one of the things we can use to get people interested and get out the vote down here.  Do you want an Insurance Commissioner that is going to raise your insurance rates?  SCOTT wanted to know how soon would we have the suggested voter lists ready and scheduling of manning the polls.  HOWARD said Richard Morgan also made a deal with Jim Black and became co-speaker of the house.  He literally sold the North Carolina Republican Party out.  Information on Morgan is on our Face Book page.  It is extremely long, but anyone wishing to write a letter to the editor can get a lot of good information from it.  Frank Rouse convinced HOWARD back then that Richard Morgan was a scoundrel and Frank normally didn’t talk bad about any Republican.  STEVEN BEST wanted to know the hours the polls would be open and was told they thought it would be the same as any election.

RUTH PARKER said there was someone who ran for the school board who wanted to come and talk to us that was told he couldn’t.  BOB said Mark Mansfield came and talked to us, but his opponent Mike Mann did not.  KEN said he was not told he couldn’t come;  in fact he had talked to Mike at the polls on election day.   (RUTH said he told her that BOB did it and SCOTT said he also had talked to Mike and he was really upset at the way he had been treated by the TEA Party.  STEVEN said Mike had also told him that BOB had refused to allow him to talk to the group….that Mike had gone to the church where BOB was working.  BOB said they had stood there and talked at the church on Hwy 24 but he never said anything like that to him.  FRED DECKER had talked to him about a week or so earlier and not heard any such thing.  BOB said we wouldn’t have voted to support him even if he had come and talked to us, because he was a former school principal and we were trying to keep school employees off the school board.  BOB said he had not met Mr. Mann prior to him showing up at the school on election day.  FRED said he had sent him several emails, inviting him to come to our meetings, and he had told FRED that there were three Mike Manns here and maybe he had missed the emails.  He had told FRED that he was not upset about it.  KEN said he talked to him; he thought it was at the men’s Republican Club meeting; about 10 or 15 minutes, and he told KEN that he was unable to get to the TEA Party to talk to them because his daughter had passed away and he had been spending time in Fayetteville taking care of his grandkids because his son was in the military.  He had been unable to get back to Carteret and do much politicking.  He further told KEN that he had great respect for Mark Mansfield and he wished the two of them were not running against each other but that was just the way it worked out.  Apparently neither one of them knew the other was going to file.  KEN told Mike that Mark had told us that if he (Mark) wasn’t running, he would vote for Mike because Mark was in school when Mann was teaching and so they knew each other.  KEN did not get the feeling there was any animosity between Mark and Mike, plus he told KEN that he, (Mike) held no animosity toward the TEA Party.  RUTH said that was a different story than he gave them at the polls.  HOWARD said he thought Mike may have gotten surprised because he (Mike) did not think the TEA Party was as effective as we turned out to be.  He probably got blind sided.

BOB said for the upcoming runoff and election, we will probably stay pretty much with the candidates we had supported during the primary.  But like with Randy Ramsey, he thinks we need to do the same with Richard Morgan.  Members in attendance all agreed.  We need to pump up the letters to the editors.  This is a statewide race so we will have to hit a lot of newspapers, not just the News Times and Jacksonville to try to maximize our impact.  KEN said there has already been some coordination between Lisa Marley, Nancy Murdock, and others in surrounding counties, as well as Moore County up in the western part of the state.  He thinks that network will probably expand a little bit between now and July 17th.  KEN said he had been receiving information about District 6 (Beaufort, Dare and Hyde Counties) and their runoff.  Art Williams is running against Matty Lawson.   Williams is a former Democrat and had been recruited by folks from Raleigh, just like Randy Ramsey.  They are trying to do the same thing in District 6.  BOB said the reason Williams changed parties, according to what he had determined, having been a long time Democrat, he was lobbying Perdue to get Basnight’s seat when Basnight retired.  He didn’t get it, so he turned around and changed his registration to Republican.  Now he is trying to run as a Republican to get a seat in the legislature.  KEN thinks probably in Art Williams case, probably some letters to the editor (he has a whole list of newspapers, blogs, etc in those counties that he had gotten from Matty Lawson).  Matty is also looking for people to make telephone calls for her to get people out to vote; so if anyone would like to help and support her, (she will provide a call list via Judy Wilgus who is a long time friend of Matty‘s) please contact KEN for information.  Even if you only call 10 people, that will be a big help.
This is a race that Ken would like to have some impact on, since it is becoming obvious that it is creating a rift in the Republican party in that county.

HARRY THOMPSON referred to an email he had sent out the other night about the upcoming Military Appreciation Day.  They are needing a few people to help serve lunch and dinner on that Saturday, June 2nd.  If you are interested in helping please contact HARRY (by email will be the best way – (hthompson1@ec.rr.com) and he will get the word to those in charge.  BOB asked where it was going to be at, but HARRY was unsure right now, but would find out and let everyone know.

BOB introduced Clinton Rowe, District Court Judge Candidate.  He said he was just stopping by to say Hi.  He would appreciate the TEA Party’s vote in November.  BOB said “Row, Row, Row your vote”.  A good way for everyone to remember Mr. Rowe.  HOWARD asked him if he was as surprised as many were at how bad McFadyen beat Kirby Smith in the primary.  Mr. Rowe said he had thought McFadyen might win but not by the majority that he did.

KEN said this Thursday the Americans for Prosperity is having a gathering in Raleigh at the State House to encourage the Legislature to pass a couple of bills, both of them deal with annexation by cities of property around them, (Forced annexation without any input from the surrounding community.  They are being drawn in so they have to pay city taxes, many times with no bennies/services for approximately 5 years.)  One is basically to turn back the Clock on seven annexations that have already taken place and (2) is to prevent future annexations without having a vote that is passed by 60% of the people involved.  Even if you are unable to attend, it would be worth at least a telephone call to our representatives, just to let them know you support the bills.  He feels it is pretty important to protect people’s property rights.  HOWARD said over by Rocky Mount they are taking in a lot of farm land that belongs to the elderly and then they slap them with $3,500.00 a piece tap on fees for the sewer they have put out there.

BOB asked if we remembered the big event we were involved with last year on the 4th.  Wasn’t that when we were passing out our Constitutions and a couple of people referred to it as TEA Party propaganda.  PEGGY said that was the parade in Beaufort.  RO THOMPSON said couldn’t we make up a list of suggested candidates and place them in the booklets since it occurs just a couple of weeks before the runoffs.  Several thought that would be a good idea.  BOB said we need to get some Constitutions, since we are about out.  We need to get with Nancy and see about ordering some.  BOB said our Treasurer (NANCY BOCK) is not with us tonight but he thought we had about $600.00 left in the treasury after paying for the lists posted in the newspaper (cost of about $1,100.00).  We need to start putting money aside for the November election.  BOB wanted to know if we wanted to take part of the remaining funds we had left and buy some more Constitutions to pass out or did we want to throw candy.  All thought we should have both.  PEGGY recommended that since money for the group was so tight, maybe each of us could volunteer a couple of bags of candy to toss at the parade.  All agreed this was the best way to go.  KEN said one of the things we did last time was we had a table set up and sold tee shirts and hats, and ROMA WADE said he would be glad to do so again.  ROMA said he would talk to NANCY tomorrow when he gave her a check.  BOB asked FRED to get a hold of TIM BUCK to see if he would be Uncle Sam again.  FRED said he had run into the guy that had sang and played the guitar at the Morehead parade about 2 weeks ago in Havelock at McDonald’s.  He didn’t think about asking his name or where he live but would try to find out how to get up with him and ask him to join us in the Beaufort parade this year.  EULA PARKIN volunteered her driveway to set up our float again this year.  Some suggested we invite the candidates to ride on our float – Rowe, Sanderson, McFadyen.  Most were in favor of inviting them.

KEN asked if anyone here had seen Atlas Shrugged when it came out.  He said if you didn’t you missed a good movie.  That was part 1 and they are in process of shooting part 2 now.  PEGGY said she had bought the DVD and had it if anyone wanted to see it.  Maybe we could get STEVEN to show it at the Cave.  KEN said they were also doing a movie on Obama called 2016 when it is released.  It is going to be about what makes Obama tick and what is going to happen in 2016 if he is reelected in 2012.  This is not some shoddy pic but the guy that directed Shinler’s List is directing this one.  It is a Hollywood production, not something done by a bunch of college students.

Discussion on information coming out now about an article from Harvard about people to watch in the future and there was a little short bio on Obama which said he was born in Kenya and lived in Indonesia.  Several comments were made about some states removing Obama’s name from the ballot in November.  LYN BAKER said maybe he had used that to get a foreign student scholarship.  Some said if that were true then he had perpetrated a fraud.  Sherriff Joe has just sent two people to Hawaii to check out the validity of that birth certificate that had been given to the media.  The Attorney of Arizona is thinking about dropping Obama from the ballot in November also.

BOB said he was watching Hannity last night and he had Dick Morris on.  He was talking about sometime this week Congress is going to be voting on called the ‘Law of the Sea Treaty’ (LOST).  One of the provisions is if oil is drilled outside the 200 mile limit we have to give half of it to the UN for redistribution.  LUKE was in favor of just deleting the UN and get rid of it or at least drop out.  (Applause).  BOB said we need to get in touch with our representatives and let them know we are opposed to this.  HOWARD said if he understood correctly that if we entered  into this treaty, it was irrevocable.  RUTH said it was the Senate that would be voting on this.  BOB recommended we all Google ‘Law of the Sea Treaty’ and educate ourselves on it and then notify your Senators of your opinion.

GRACE GILLIKIN said she talked to a guy in Kinston that was with the Wilson TEA Party and they are having a great big rally October 13th and invited us (all of our group) to attend. BOB said we would take a look at that after the 4th of July.  One of the other things we want to take a look at is having a fall “Get out the Vote Rally” ourselves.  Several said they had been asked when the TEA Party was going to have another rally.  We also need to be thinking about raising money, especially for ads in the paper prior to the election.

KEN asked if we remembered the bill board project.  Moore TEA Party (and us too, since we donated to the project) got a grant, actually two grants, from the TEA Party Patriots and it was enough to fund all of our billboards.  Plus they are now considering doing a mobile billboard in Raleigh.  They had already contracted one for Charlotte.  Now they are thinking about a mobile billboard for a bout a week or so in Raleigh as well.  We should see, down here in eastern NC, several billboards …. One just outside of Kinston on 70.  The other one is just outside of Swansboro where Swansboro, Bellgrade and 24 meet.  Those are the two that he knows of and there may be another couple in this general area.  We lost a couple of signs we had hoped to get due to funding coming in so slow that the sign company has already rented them out, like they had selected one on Hwy 17, but lost it, but we are still hoping to find another location in that area.

LUKE said Biden today attacked the TEA Party saying it was responsible for the recession.  Without them everything would be cool.  And he saw an email today where the Democrat Party already has ‘Obama/Hillary’ bumper stickers made up.  A whole warehouse full of them.

FRED said on the pocket Constitutions that we passed out on the 4th of July last year, there was this guy who asked if he could have three of them.  FRED said sure.  The guy said he was from Wilson and was a high school history teacher and they did not have access to those pamphlets.  CLAYTON  said he too, during the election, had had a teacher ask for copies.  He had told Clayton that that was a forbidden book in the school system.  CLAYTON said he had about 20 or 25 left and he gave them to him.  This teacher was using them to teach in an after school program.  BOB told about one of the first rallies we had in Newport a guy about 30 came up and wanted a cup of TEA.  BOB told him we didn’t have any tea.  He wanted to know why we called ourselves the TEA Party and BOB tried to explain what the TEA Party was.  He offered him a copy of the Constitution but the fellow had never heard of the Constitution.  BOB was shocked that at his age, he knew nothing about the Constitution.

ONE MORE THING -
HOWARD said the latest report by Civitas, the high school graduation rate in NC has increased; but at the same time, high school students being taught in Community College now, about 60% is having to take remedial courses.  KEN said he read where it had gone from 65% to 69%.  The number of students requiring remedial training has gone up.  BOB said the man teaching Photography at Carteret Community College said 70% of the students of CCC have to have remedial courses.  BOB asked him where were most of these students from….Carteret County High Schools?  He said yes, just about all of them.  BOB said and they keep wanting more money for the schools!!!  Maybe we should do away with the high schools and just send them to the Community College.  KEN brought up about the teacher in Rowan County telling the student he could go to jail for bad mouthing the president.  Here again she was not teaching the truth to her students, only her opinion.  She has been suspended ‘with pay’ which is not any punishment, since she can go home, watch TV and not have to worry about her pay.  PEGGY said but she probably has tenure so she knows she is safe.  Discussed end of grade tests and the fallacy of them.  HARRY said Florida is lowering the threshold because so many of the kids are not passing so they are lowering the passing grade.  As if this will solve the problem.  BOB said the question is how do we turn all this around.  RO said she taught at a Catholic school and the way she sees it we have to go back to the Bible and GOD in order to win this fight.  BOB said we can’t teach the Bible anymore.  LUKE said first thing we need to do is get rid of the Department of Education.  Amen.  EULA said when she started teaching here in Carteret in 1974, 42% of Carteret County people read at a 5th grade level.  NC was 49th in education and she understands that after all these years we are now 48.  KEN said we could save a lot of money if we just issued all the students a diploma since they are all having to take remedial classes if they want to go further with their education.  Someone said ‘Go to college and learn to read’.  BOB said the biggest problem with education is the Federal Government got involved.  What with all the paperwork they have to fill out and rules and regulations handed down.  RUTH said that is what is going to happen with the Health Care system also.  LUKE said if we did away with public schools and turned education over to charter schools, our education would be squared away in 10 years.  (All agreed)  Discussion continued on schools and education.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary.

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MEETING MINUTES OF
15 MAY 2012

Meeting was held at Golden Corral Restaurant, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance was led by DAVID MCFADYEN
Invocation by STEVEN GUY BEST
Attendance – 23

BOB congratulated the TEA Party for the great work we did at the primary election.  We only lost two of our favored candidates: Frank Palombo and Harry Taylor.  It is hard to beat an incumbent, so even though we knew our fight for Palombo was an uphill battle, we still gave it our all.  And Harry only lost by about 157 votes.  If we had been able to switch about 80 voters to vote for Harry in lieu of Elaine, he could have won also.  A lot of the problem, as he sees it, is because we didn’t have anyone at most of the precincts of District 5 manning the polls.  Someone from the TEA Party to work those precincts might could have made a difference.  He feels that Elaine Crittenton is a very knowledgeable woman and may do a good job.  If not then we can try to find a TEA Party Patriot to run against her next time and our people working the polls four years from now to vote her out if need be.

BOB said one of our ‘winning candidates’ and soon to be judge….DAVID MCFADYEN is with us tonight.  He turned the floor over to Mr. McFadyen who addressed those in attendance.
He said he just wanted to come down tonight and thank you all.  He said ‘I traveled around all three counties that day, meeting folks and going to precincts and polls and talking to folks, and especially when I got down here to Carteret County, it was apparent the impact you guys were making.  I think I won by 67% of the vote in Carteret County.  I was hoping we’d win but I had no expectation that it would come out like that.  I have to believe that a lot of that had to do with you all. I was at the polling places and you would see somebody say ’do you need a voting guide – the TEA Party voting guide?’ and the person would say, No, no thanks and the person would then say ’I already got it out of the newspaper’.  Either they came and got a copy or they already had it.  And I saw this in almost 100% of the people I saw.  I wasn’t at the polling places too long, 5, 10 minutes, 20 minutes at a place.  You guys made a huge difference for me and I thank you very much.  Obviously we gotta do it again in November.  We have to run again against the same guy.  What we basically did – we dropped one off…Bernie Bush…a great guy.  I think he came down and talked to you all.  Bernie and I talked….he called me Tuesday night about 11:00 after the results were in and we had a great talk.  I think he is going to endorse me and help me out with some of his voters and I’m  real impressed with that.  Bernie is a top shelf guy.  So, it was a great night and I just wanted to come down tonight and thank you guys.  I can’t say I am going to be here every meeting between now and August or so when we crank back up but I am going to try to come down at least once a month to see you guys and make sure everything is going well.  So, thank you again.  It means a lot to me.  (Applause)

BOB said just to let you know the Cape Carteret group is meeting tonight at Rib Eyes, starts at 7:00 and I will be rushing down there after our meeting here.  Mr. McFadyen said he might just follow him down there.  BOB said great, if you don’t mind risking a speeding ticket.  Mr. McFadyen said that was all right.  BOB said he had Kirby Smith follow him one night and he was sweating bullets.

BOB then called on CLAYTON GILLIKIN.  CLAYTON said most of the elections he had had any dealings with on judges…you could vote for more than one judge.  He would recommend if that is the case in November that we only vote for one…Mr. McFadyen.  Please don’t vote for more than one.  We want this man in single shot.  BOB said this election would be different…it will strictly McFadyen vs. Smith….and we would only be voting for one.

BOB said before we have the November election, we have the July 17th run off elections that we kind of have to gear up for.  He is hoping to get Dan Forrest down here to talk to us.  Also Mike Causey.  We are working on other folks.  Anyway, stand by to man the polls again on the 17th of July.  We will have more information forthcoming.  If any of these folks are speaking near us, we might want to go and listen to them.  It might be at the Republican club or church or something like that.  We would like to hear them all.

FRED DECKER asked during the run off, are they going to use just the polls used during early voting?  They are not going to use all the precincts are they?  BOB said we are waiting to hear from the Board of Elections to find out.  It is a lot easier with just four polling places.

HOWARD GARNER said one of the candidates we really need to work hard for is the Insurance Commissioner.  ‘As I stated earlier, I didn’t know much about any of them except I think Morgan is a scoundrel.  He (Morgan) had a web site, that he has since taken down, where he said the people in Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro and all larger cities should not be subsidizing those of us on the coast that owned an ocean front house.   For his information those insurance rates are hitting us out here in the poor section too.  It is not just the beach front.  BOB said a guy named Rex Foster posted on our face book page or maybe the Carteret County Republican face book page, the whole indictment of which the North Carolina Republican Party basically indicted a whole list of charges and basically tossed him (Morgan) out of the Republican Party.  BOB said we might want to have a letter to the editor about this indictment by Mr. Foster.  HOWARD said he used to talk to Frank Rouse and Frank knew the Republican Party of NC and he pretty much convinced him several years ago that Morgan was a scoundrel and he had to be bad for Frank Rouse to bad mouth a Republican.  Let’s face it.  BOB said he had forgotten the details of it, but he back stabbed the Republicans but it was pretty much laid out in that article on face book.  HOWARD said there were several reasons for us down here to be against him.  BOB said our job is to educate the voters and our biggest weapon there is letters to the editor along with out voting guide.

BOB said Judge McFadyen experienced the same thing he had working Morehead Precinct 4 over here at the Baptist Church off 24 and 70.  The number of people that came prepared with the newspaper ballot, it was crazy.  A lot of folks that didn’t have it, would come over and ask where is the TEA Party guy?  They would send them down to the end of the parking lot where BOB was set up.  He was right at the entrance and some people would come in the exit.  Various members who had worked the polls discussed how many of the voting lists they had passed out.  A lot of people ran out of them.  HOWARD said we had started with the 200 we had originally gotten, but went back home and ran off 150 more and had used most of them.  BOB said he had gotten an email from Norm Sanderson’s campaign manager and she is looking for opportunities for Norm to speak to groups, so he told her to send him on down, that Norm had spoken to us before.  She said, ’Oh, yes, you people were very instrumental in helping Norm win his election.  As a matter of fact (BOB forgot which poll she was working) she had quit handing out Norm’s material and started handing out our TEA Party list because she felt she had more effect with it.

FRED asked STEVE BEST if he knew what percentage that Amendment passed in Carteret County.  STEVE said 81%.  FRED said we could thank STEVE for that.  He had put his whole heart and soul in promoting that Amendment.  All agreed and applauded STEVE’s hard work.  HOWARD said he also passed out a lot of our TEA Party recommendations.

BOB said there were some complaints about the TEA Party being overly aggressive.  Several told of incidences they had had occur.  HOWARD said one of Randy’s supporters was working the poll along side of us on election day.  He had commented to us that we had our act down pat and he didn’t see how two people our age (HOWARD and PEGGY) could keep going the way we did.  HOWARD told him we truly believed in what we were doing.  This opposition guy felt sorry for us standing in the hot sun and called his wife and asked her to bring a couple of beach umbrellas, which when she arrived, he came over and sat one of them up for us.  We had a very friendly relationship all day and before we left PEGGY got his name and address so she could send him a Thank You card for the umbrella and his kindness.

ERIC BROYLES said he had gotten and sent out to several of the members the invitation to Randy’s victory party that was cancelled due to Randy being so distraught he was unable to party.  HOWARD said he would have been also if he had blown $200,000.00 of his own money and lost.  BOB said he had a chance to talk with him over at the poll he was working.  He was being somewhat evasive but BOB intercepted him on the way out and introduced himself.  He said he told him he just wanted to shake his hand, he ran a hell of a campaign, good luck to him, wished him all the best but he also wished he had come down and talked to us early on.  He thought he (Ramsey) had mishandled the whole campaign but that was neither here nor there now but good luck to him.  BOB said he seemed to be all right with it.  They parted on friendly terms.  FRED said he came down to where he was but didn’t even talk to him.  BOB said you really had to intercept him.  That was the really, really one race we really, really wanted to win because that guy was definitely not the type of personality we wanted up there.

RO THOMPSON said she was in Salter Path and about 9:00 in the morning Ken Jones came down to put his signs up and he asked her what she was doing today at the polls.  RO told him she was with the TEA Party and he acted very unhappy with us.  RO told him that we had discussed the candidates and then voted and the majority won.  And that was the way we had handled it.

BOB said we have an invitation for Walter Jones to come and speak with us.  It was scheduled for May 29 but he called ERIC up and had to cancel because of a conflict in scheduling, so we are trying to reschedule for the 2nd or 4th week in June if it fits with his schedule.  He had said he was surprised that we even wanted to talk with us since we didn’t back him during the election.  ERIC explained that it was all over term limits, plus also this was the first primary we had been involved in.  We will be supporting him in the general election.  Several that had worked the polls on election day were asked why we had supported Palombo in lieu of Jones.

FRED said he never got even one mailing from Ramsey.  There was a complete uproar from those in attendance about how many they had been bombarded with.

SUSAN RYNAS said there was a lady at her polling precinct that had come down from Raleigh to work for Sanderson because she thought he was just a wonderful person and deserved to win.  LUKE KUKULINSKI said Norm Sanderson’s wife, Linda, and Norm Sanderson’s secretary was at his polling place and they were all handing out TEA party stuff.  Even Mary Ann Franks (Terry Frank’s wife) was also handing out TEA Party stuff.  TOM HARMON said he had Randy Ramsey’s wife next to him and he had to listen to her asking people to vote for her Randy.

BOB asked if we had heard that Ron Paul was no longer campaigning.  He was still running but due to finances was not actively campaigning in the remaining primaries.  ERIC WILSON said he no longer had the funding to run ads in the primary states, so they are putting all their efforts in the caucus states on the delegate strategy.  Paul is not out of the race.  BOB asked what Paul was hoping to accomplish.  ERIC said they were hoping for a broker convention.  BOB said to what end, to win the nomination?  Several said no, no, can’t let that happen.  It will totally split the Republican party if they disenfranchised all those votes and would enable Obama to win reelection by a landslide.  BOB said he didn’t think Ron Paul would even consider that or at least he hoped he wouldn’t.  A lot of discussion followed.

BOB called on EULA PARKIN for her reports.  She said over the years she has received a lot of literature from various organizations.  She said she had gotten a booklet free and after a period she finally got around to reading it.  She ordered 25 copies and if anyone is interested in getting a copy please put your donation in the jar….oops, BOB forgot the donation jar….will have to wait until next week.   You will be surprised at what is covered in that little booklet.  The title is “99 ways the government uses your taxes to attack your values”.  She read the titles of the chapters and it really sounded interesting.  Chapter 1 – Pushing the radical homosexual Agenda…Chapter 2 – The War against Christianity and Religion…Chapter 3 – The assault of radical Islam and Sharia Law on America…Chapter 4 – War on Morals and Traditional Values…Chapter 5 – Pushing Abortion and the cultural of debt at every opportunity.  As you read each chapter, it will actually make your blood curdle.  She then announced the Relay for Life event to be held this Friday night at the West Carteret High School.  She announced she was a 14 year cancer survivor and wanted to know if there were any other cancer survivors among us tonight.  PEGGY said she was a 17 year survivor.  EULA also discussed Hodgkin’s Disease and what was currently being discovered about this disease (which her husband had died from) and the connection to Loran Stations.  BOB said several of his military friends had died early from various illnesses who had been associated with high voltage jobs also.

ERIC BROYLES wanted to know if anyone had seen the movie on TV this past weekend on Honor Killing.  Many had watched it.  BOB asked Mr. McFadyen if his court was going to recognize Sharia Law.  He said ‘No Sir’ not unless they make him do it.  Discussion about states that had passed laws opposing Sharia Law but the 9th Circuit Court had declared it unconstitutional.  BOB said that was one thing he liked about Gingrich’s platform, he was going to dissolve the 9th Circuit Court.

BOB said one of the things he wanted to ask Walter Jones when he did come to talk with us is ‘What can Congress do to limit the President ruling by decree with all these executive orders.
LUKE said he thought they already had that in the mill….going to war without constitutional approval.  BOB said that was a violation of the constitution if he doesn’t ask for a declaration of war – the war powers act was passed because of the Vietnam thing.  Supposed to prevent us from getting into another long winded protracted undeclared war….but we are in one now.  So that is another thing he wants to ask him about.  How come the war powers act is not functioning as intended.

STEVE BEST has another movie coming up at his theater ’the Cave’, on Saturday, May 26 at 4:00 pm and the name of the movie is ’The other side of Heaven’.   Refreshments will be provided and if you would like you may bring a covered dish also.

HOWARD said one of the things that surprised him about the election was how bad Terry Franks beat Larry Land.  That really shocked him.  BOB said he really thinks that showed the power of our ballot.  SCOTT CARPENTER had called him (HOWARD) and said Terry had asked SCOTT to call as many as he could get up with and thank them for their support.  BOB said if you look at all the other races, Secretary of Agriculture, Auditor, Labor Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, Supt. Public Instruction, Treasurer, etc.  and the results, the ones that were on our ballot got a huge proportionate of the votes in Carteret County.  A lot of people came out after voting and said they were glad we had those suggested lists.  They didn’t know a lot of people on those ballots.  PEGGY said she was told by several that they knew with certain races how they were going to vote; but there were a lot that they knew nothing about.  That was why they were glad the TEA Party was there with their lists.  They knew we had checked all the candidates out and had chosen the ones we thought were the best and they valued our knowledge and efforts.  Made her feel good about being a TEA Party member.

SUSAN said she had heard it said the TEA Party was dead.  No one even heard about it anymore.  BOB said that was because we no longer held rallies.  He was in agreement with the TEA Party Patriot group that said protest rallies were a thing of the past, now was the time to do the grunt work, get on the ground, get involved in campaigns and candidates, vet these guys, educate the voters and that type of stuff.  We are more seeping into the system and slowly changing it.  ERIC said he thinks we are now looked upon as a watch dog group.

ERIC BROYLES wanted to know if anyone was keeping up with the budget for the county.  Do they intend to raise taxes?  HOWARD said from what he had been told…no, taxes would not be raised by the County Commissioners.  An article in the paper put out by the County Manager said they were going to hold the line.  Discussion/consideration of the budget started today.  Bill Smith told him that they had invited Elaine Crittenton and Terry Franks to sit in on the discussions, even though they don’t have any authority or a vote since they had not been installed yet, but they thought it would be good experience for them.  The budget is required to be submitted prior to their installation.

Discussion on Voter ID….Gas Taxes Reduction….NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) The bill that gives the military permission to arrest and detain citizens on US soil indefinitely without charges or anything….BOB asked ERIC WILSON to post the information he has on our Face Book page, so we can find out more about the subjects he touched on tonight.

CLAYTON asked if anyone had heard about the drones flying over head, keeping an eye on us.
Discussion followed.

ERIC WILSON asked if anyone knew why Bill Ayres was still walking around free instead of in prison.  Several discussed that he had been tried but due to some technicality he had gone free.  He also discussed the fact that Obama should not be president due to the fact his father was a British subject (Kenya) and our constitution states to be eligible to run for president your father must be a citizen of the US.  This also brought up much discussion.

Meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm.
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary.

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MEETING MINUTES OF
1 MAY 2012

Meeting was held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm by Chairman BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance was led by TOM AUSTIN
Invocation was given by LYN BAKER
Attendance – 37

BOB recognized a long time member who now lives in Jacksonville, TOM AUSTIN.  It was great to see him.

HOWARD said he wanted to steal some of SCOTT (Carpenter)’s thunder.  He realized that it was SCOTT who talked our guests into coming here tonight but he was sure many of you here have heard him (HOWARD) speak of the old man in Wildwood that lectured him on what was right and what was going to happen – that was our guest (Gerald Murdoch’s) daddy.  His daddy had a whole lot to do with forming HOWARD’s beliefs.  HOWARD said, ‘When he first started talking to me I was probably about 20 and pretty liberal at the time and he’d say such and such is happening and it is going to cause such and such and I would just chuckle because I thought the old man was crazy.  But you know what, in two or three years I found out he knew what he was talking about.  He was a pretty smart old man.’  PEGGY asked Mr. Gerald to introduce the lovely lady he had with him.  Mr. Gerald said she was Grace Madden, a good friend.  He said he didn’t know very many there tonight, but he was interested in what we were doing and that is why he was with us tonight.

BOB called on NANCY BOCK for a treasurer’s report.  She said we have $1,700.00 in the bank but she had not received a bill for the ads yet.  HOWARD asked what that was going to be approximately.  BOB said $l,100 or so, just under $1,200.  NANCY said we would have about $500.00 after the bill is paid.  BOB said we had about $100 or so in the donation jar also.  BOB asked if NANCY had given Sam a check for the We Care Project (for sales of shirts).  She said yes she had sent it to him and we already had a thank you note back.

BOB said we have another distinguished guest with us tonight – Ken Jones, who is running for State Senate (Jean Preston’s old position).  His rivals are Randy Ramsey (whom we all love) -
Boos from the audience – and Norm Sanderson, who has spoken to us a couple of times.  Ken is the mayor of Pine Knoll Shores and has spoken to us previously.  BOB asked him if he would like to give us one last pitch.

KEN said “Get out the vote is very important” and from what he understands it has been extremely light.  He doesn’t know what they are waiting for…but grab your neighbors by the hand.  (Several in the audience said it hadn’t been light they thought.  LYN BAKER said early voting has been far ahead of previous years.)  Ken said district wide he understands it has been low.  He knew that in Pamlico and Craven (he was there this morning) the numbers were low.  LYN said this is Carteret.  Ken said he was aware that this was Carteret.  (Laughter)  He lives here.  Anyway, it is lighter than he would like.  So, anyway, grab your neighbor by the hand if you have to, whatever, offer people a chance to get out and vote.  I always appreciate your vote, of course.  The reason I am running is I think we need strong leadership and we need somebody who is really experienced at this.  I have been the mayor of Pine Knoll Shores and I am on my second term right now.  I promise I will spend as much time in Raleigh as anybody but the fact is I am for smaller government, I’m for more efficient government and I have a proven track record that I am that way.  There are some people in here from Pine Knoll Shores and they know that is the way I see it.   Small government and more efficient.  I have promised people that, if elected, I want to have a town hall meeting somewhere in the district every month.  There is no reason not to, to communicate with folks and tell them what is going on in Raleigh and for you to tell me what is going on…the local problems, because I think communications is paramount.  It is not like anybody has to get on a horse and ride back from Raleigh.  We have all kinds of communications techniques and we have these 4 wheel vehicles (Jokingly asked Lyn if we have those things in Carteret County with laughter) so there is no excuse for not communicating.  It is not a long drive from here to Raleigh, everybody’s done it…so… HOWARD said “It is at my age.”  Ken said, ‘If he needed a driver to me know…but if he needed gas, don’t let me know.  (More laughter)  Ken said, “There is no doubt in my mind a lot of things need to get better.  When it comes to the economy, we need to change the tax rate, we need to change the corporate tax rate,  we need to cause an environment in this state whereby companies want to come here.  We shouldn’t be taking tax payers dollars and paying them out as incentives for companies to come here or for companies to stay here.  We need to get smarter about how to do things.  There is way too much overhead in our school system.  It is just incredible.  The money needs to be where the rubber meets the road, and that is where the teacher meets the student.  We need to provide a couple of avenues for the students as well.  Those that are definitely college-bound, and those that want to get into the job market that much sooner and learn a trade.  We definitely need to do that.  Do you realize we are the only industrialized nation where we think everybody has to go to college.  What I am saying is that causes our economy to be slow and cumbersome and people to be unemployed…which is more of a burden on us.  The other thing we need to pay attention to is infrastructure.  We have a port here that it is difficult to get to at best for anything that is going to be hauled out.  This is the deepest port in the state.  The port in Wilmington can’t be made any deeper.  It has a rock bottom.  So this is the best  port available, so we need to get roads, we need to get railroads that can come this way.  I am on the Eastern Region Economic Development Commission which means I represent 13 counties, so I am trying to bring businesses and jobs here.  I get so frustrated and I look toward Raleigh and I am like…what is going on up there?  We need to lower the taxes so we have some action.  That is why I say we need a leader.  We don’t need somebody to go to Raleigh to push a button.  We can get a monkey for that…right?  We need somebody to go to Raleigh that is going to stand up for eastern North Carolina…stand up for Carteret County (looks at Lyn and says ‘right … I’m relentless‘), Craven and Pamlico Counties.  We really need that.  We need that bad.  We need to fix our school systems.   We need to fix our economy.   We need to fix our state.  I know and you know the federal government is in trouble.  They need to get out of here and go fix their own problems.  If you are not tired of the federal government being in our business…then you are not paying attention.  That is a huge problem.  If the federal government has a problem, I’d like to think we have the answer here in North Carolina and we are going to take care of ourselves…take care of our state and take care of each other.  Thank you very much.  (Applause)

ERIC BROYLES said he had talked beautifully the other night about immigration.   Ken said he had been asked about how he felt about illegal immigrants…which I don’t even know what that means.  It’s illegal aliens.  Emphasis on the word ’illegal’.  Close the borders…declare a national language so that you don’t have to push 1 or 2 on your phone every time you make a phone call.  People who are born here shouldn’t just automatically get citizenship.  They are here illegally.  People say well my parents immigrated over here…so what?? These people came here illegally.  Let’s emphasize that word.  They shouldn’t  be here.  They shouldn’t get free school.  They shouldn’t get free benefits.  They shouldn’t get anything out of it.  They should get – back across the border, right?  I think we need to get harder on this.  When I hear about some of the things that happen in Raleigh, I’m always like, why didn’t you attack  that to the Attorney General to do something about it.  Why didn’t you say…hey let’s stand up against…what’s that guy’s name up there…oh yeah, Obama.  (Laughter)  He’s the guy that is living in public housing up in Washington, taking public transportation, big jet, all that stuff, yeah, also causing us to not have some jobs available, overfilling our schools, spending your tax money.  Again it is not efficient.  It is not right.  If they are illegal, let’s get rid of them.  That is the bottom line.

TOM AUSTIN said the something that sticks in his craw, that he has spoken about at other meetings, is this governor and the legislators up there haven’t done anything about.  The Mexican Consulate in Raleigh sets up this mobile Mexican truck that hands out illegal and false documentation and when he has written letters of protest about this thing and argued with them about it, they just say shut up, it is none of your business.  They are a foreign country; they can do as they wish.  This is North Carolina.  Is there anything that you know of that can put a stop to this garbage?  Ken said, “Absolutely.  Some of the very things I just said, but the other thing is, I don’t care what country you are from, if they are in the United States, they don’t follow constitutional rights.”  Tom said, the thing is the Consulate does.  Well they have diplomatic rights.  But they go down and do this in public school systems and at public venues at other places they set up and all the illegal aliens show up and if you protest against them, the cops show up and won’t let you take photographs, won’t let you do anything, won’t let you get involved…Ken said, “That is an indication of our liberal government”.  TOM said, ‘The question is:  Is there anything you can do to stop this?’  Ken said, ‘Absolutely.  It has happened in Arizona.  The first thing we need to do is identify the illegals and get them out of here.  Racial profiling…what?  Tom said, ‘He always thought a consulate was a building here with given property, not a truck running around’.  Ken said, ‘Right, exactly. And diplomatic immunity does have an ending to it.  It is not everything goes.’  SUSAN RYNAS said, “With Holder in Department of Justice, I don’t know of what chance we have of ever doing anything about immigration.  We have to get him out of there.’  Ken said, ‘Well, maybe at this point, but the clock is ticking.  I hope he is packing his bags along with the rest of them.  They need to go. We need people who will stand up for America and stand up for the real citizens of this country.  No two ways about it.  LYN said, ‘A little ray of hope, I understand that just as many are crossing back because there are no jobs and Mexico’s gross national product is higher than ours.’  Ken said, ‘I heard about a month ago that illegal crossings are at an all time low.  They should be at zero anyway.  An all time low because the job opportunities in Mexico are better now than here.  So we may have found a solution.  Although it is not the right one.

LUKE KUKUCINSKI said, ‘Speaking about immigration, last hurricane…we have a condo at Indian Beach.  They run us off there.  Nothing happens, so we come back the next day.  We drive down the road and here is the ‘Piney Knoll’ police department saying you guys can’t cross here.  LUKE said, what do you mean I can’t cross it…I live right over there.  He was told you have to go all the way around.  LUKE said he told them that was not Piney Knoll’s road, it is a state road.  Why can’t I go across the road to my house?’  Ken said, ‘I will gladly explain that situation.  I have the great opportunity, I am the one that declares a state of emergency for my town.  The four of us mayors sit down with our public safety folks and our town managers are usually with us, but we decide on a state of emergency.   We decide when to declare mandatory evacuation.  There is no such thing as non-mandatory evacuation.  And we decide when to authorize and when to enforce a curfew.  And in the end, we decide when to pull those things back.  We do it as a group, OK?  That is very important….we do it as a group because what happened this time, during what is normal, when the power comes back on its in Atlantic Beach first, this time it came around Emerald Isle first, because there were so many problems over here at the Exxon Station at Atlantic Beach.  So the power is coming around the other way from Progress Energy faster than they could get it this way.  So, we had a talk that morning, I think it was a Sunday, about 6:00 and us in Atlantic Beach said we are not opening the bridge…and Indian Beach gave me carte blanc and said Ken, whatever you decide to do, I’ll go along with you.  However, Emerald Isle said we are opening the bridge because we have tourists in here and we want them to spend their money.  So I said, they are not coming down here.  Atlantic Beach told me they could not do it, because they do not have water.   They did not have power so they could not pump water for their constituents, people who live there, and I said ‘Trace, I will stand by you until this is over…and I made that promise, I will not let them down.  So we kept that bridge closed for that reason.  When we opened the bridge on this end, (that’s where your question is) there was a problem in Emerald Isle and Indian Beach and so we had to stop it again.  The power was a major problem during this storm and getting it in to the right areas.  That is why we did what we did.’  LUKE said they made it all the way to the Sheraton and that is as far as they got.  Ken said, ‘I take that decision very seriously.  I don’t like to declare a state of emergency but I’ll tell you what, if your life is in danger, I’ll do it in a heart beat.  In an evacuation order, people get upset about that…if you have seen a category 3 hurricane hit land you know you need to be running anyway.  I get the biggest complaint about the curfew.  Actually the biggest complaint is about the sidewalks in Atlantic Beach.  About the curfew, people say you are treating us like a 3 year old or whatever….no that is not true.  If we order an evacuation, I order a curfew to protect the people’s property that left like I told them to.  Curfew, in case you don’t know, isn’t just at night, it is 24/7 so if we order a curfew, it is in place all the time….period.  BOB thanked Ken for taking our questions.

BOB told us that we have one week…that next Tuesday is the day.  He hopes our efforts have made some impact in the trajectory of this election.  He had gotten disheartened early on.  STEVEN BEST had told him that while working the polls at Fort Benjamin Park, a lady, after voting, came out with one of Ramsey’s campaign folders and asked STEVEN if all that was true.  STEVEN told her no, it was all lies.  She said she wished he had told her before she voted, because she had just voted for the guy.  You know you kind of throw your hands up in the air..what more could we have done?  What with our onslaught of letters to the editors, radio stuff going on, and with all the talk in Carteret County about it, there are still people who have no idea.  HOWARD said ‘According to the Elon poll yesterday, 50% of the people in North Carolina does not even know who Pat McCrory is.  So there is probably no hope for half of us’. NANCY wanted to know who had put out the ‘Rino Ramsey’ signs…she had just seen them on the way to the meeting.  Someone held up one of the signs and asked if that was the sign she was talking about.  She said yes.

HOWARD said he had not seen it, but he talked to Norman Sanderson last night and Norm said he had made a new tape yesterday where he will be doing the talking, not sure if it will be TV or radio.  He told Howard he had a little bit of money to put it on the air with.  Norman estimates his average donation is $75.00 and Ramsey’s average donation is $500.00.  HOWARD said the little folks are standing up and sending what little bit of money they can and it is helping the cause.  Discussion on Ramsey’s negative commercials and ads.  ERIC BROYLES asked if anyone had seen the latest TV commercial about the loan sharks.  Everyone agreed that that was one of the most disgusting yet.  TOM AUSTIN said,  ‘The one that got to him first was when Ramsey said Sanderson had voted for Obamacare.  Excuse me, but Sanderson is not the federal government, how could he vote for when he is just a NC Legislator.  BOB said he didn’t see how they can just blatantly lie and get away with it.  SUSAN asked if anyone remembered that court ruling in California where both candidates lied about their background and the judge ruled that was their constitutional right.  So, if that’s the case, how can you trust what any of them say.
LYN said it was disheartening to see it come so local.

ERIC said we have what about $500.00 in the treasury?   Why don’t we buy a TEA Party fact check  section in the newspaper (¼ or ½  page) and put up the lies that have been stated with the true facts.  BOB said if the word is not out now, with all the letters to the editor that have been submitted, then another article in the paper won’t do it either.  Apparently some people just don’t read the paper.  And besides chances are that would cost more that the $500.

WAYNE WILLIS showed the cartoon he had submitted to the paper.  He is hoping it will be in Sunday’s paper.  He wanted to know if anyone there felt that he had gone too far with his idea.  All said no, they thought it was a good cartoon.  BOB described the drawing as a Norm Sanderson sign with a Jarrett Bay airplane shooting the sign to pieces.  He imagined that the dirigible flying behind the plane is carrying Ramsey to oversee the damage.

BOB said WAYNE was down in Florida when they were voting and asked when they count the votes and he was told they count the early votes in the event of a tie on election day.  BOB asked Ken if he knew what the law in North Carolina is.  Ken said they are counted separately, the absentee votes are counted separately and the day of the election votes are counted separately.   They are added all up the day of the election.  Actually they add the votes up daily during early voting, so if you think there is no one out there that knows what the numbers are that is not true.  HOWARD said he knew they know how many have voted because when you place your completed vote into the machine it tells you how many have voted to date at that polling place.  CLAYTON GILLIKIN said the way he understands it to work is they take the election day votes and count them.  They do not add any of the early vote or absentee vote in unless it is a close race on election day.  Like him, he has already voted early, and his vote may not count at all because if the majority of the people vote for more than what there might be an argument over…example if one gets 500 votes less than the other person and there are 600 early votes, then they will count those early votes.  BOB said you are saying that early voters could be disenfranchised.  Much discussion followed.  LYN said when the Secretary of State certifies all the votes are counted.  It is just when they give it out to the press the day of the election they do not need to count those then.  More discussion on the loss of ballots a few years ago when Secretary of Agriculture Troxler was running and the consequences.

WAYNE gave a report on Davis Shore voting as of Monday…26 people had voted…a week of early voting.

SCOTT CARPENTER asked STEVEN (since he had been working the polls at Fort Benjamin Park in Newport) what his thought or feel on the voting there.  STEVEN said it was picking up.  At first it was slow, but the last couple of days there has been a lot of voters.  Almost everyone coming up is taking a handout.  BOB wanted to know if anyone working the polls had noticed voters showing up with our ballot that was in the paper.  Several said they had.  HOWARD said he had noticed a difference in attitude this Monday and Tuesday.  He had been helping out some, but had not been as faithful as STEVE.  We have been more favorably received this Monday and Tuesday than we were last week.  He can’t tell us why.  When you walk up to people, the way they smile, the way they act, their body language is totally different, more friendly.  BOB said maybe the weather had something to do with their attitude.  Last week on Monday it was hot, Tuesday, cold, and Wednesday, blowing a gale.  FRED DECKER said he could understand, that between he and HOWARD they knew ¾ of the people that came to vote.

SCOTT asked how Ms EULA PARKIN had done in Beaufort.  EULA said well the first day she almost burned up and sought shade and was told she couldn’t sit there, she had to move so she left and went home.  The second day she almost froze to death and the third day she almost got blown away.  Yesterday she went and was confronted by this young man and woman wanting her to vote against the Marriage Amendment, so they got into a little dispute.  They moved over into another section.  BOB said the first day EULA was there, so was Norm Sanderson.  They were standing around talking and EULA looked up at Norm and asked ’are you running for office’?  (lot of laughter)

BOB  said ’next Tuesday he would like as many precincts manned with a TEA Party table as possible.  We have 27 precincts in the County…was 34 but has been narrowed down to 27.  If you are willing to work a table/precinct on Election Day, either at your precinct or a neighboring precinct or any precinct, please raise your hand.  Does everybody know what precinct they are in.  Most did, so BOB passed around a sheet of paper for us to sign as to what precinct we would like to man.  STEVE went to his car and got the list of precincts and BOB read them off.  BOB said it would appear we had people here for about 9 precincts and when we finished here he was going to Cape Carteret to see how many he could get lined up there.  Since next Tuesday is Election Day THERE WILL BE NO TEA PARTY MEETING NEXT WEEK!!!!    HOWARD wanted to know what time the polls opened next Tuesday.  BOB said he was going to be at the Broad Creek polling spot at 7:00 to set up his table and he thought the polls opened at 8:00.  If your polling place has multiple teams, you can do shifts.  You will not be expected to work everyone all day long.  He passed out the TEA Party signs he wants us to place on our working tables.  PEGGY had some copies of the TEA Party candidate list and asked those who were manning the polls to please come and get some to get started with.  She would run more and BOB will get them out to the workers at the various polls.

BOB said  ‘Last week we talked about the death in the Cox Restaurant owners family and I asked RUTH to pick up a sympathy card.  We, the TEA Party got our start meeting at the Cox Restaurant for the first year or so until we outgrew their establishment and parking area and moved across the street to the Golden Corral.  Everyone please sign the card and if you would like to make a  donation to help defray Jennifer’s medical and funeral expenses (she left 3 small children) please place it in the card when you sign. She died of cancer and was only 37 years old.

BOB said for those who are going to be working the polls, bring your own table, chairs, and umbrella in case it rains.

There will be a meeting at the Sanitary this Thursday hosted by the Republican Men’s Club for a question and answer session with the candidates for County Commissioner.  Everyone is invited.

He reminded us again that there would be NO TEA PARTY MEETING NEXT TUESDAY, election day.  Our next meeting will be May 15, where we will either be celebrating or crying in our beer.

Meeting adjourned
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary.

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MAY 31, 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:13pm by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by ERNIE GUTHRIE
Invocation by DEBBIE RUCKER
Number of Attendees – 27

BOB recognized new attendees Charlie and Libbie Wilton, friends of RON and BELVA MANNING.

DIANE LANG gave an update on ROMA WADE’s surgery.  He had an aneurism in his leg but came through the surgery fine.  KEN LANG said Roma had asked him to email everyone that he had had the surgery, and the bad news was he was going to make it; but Ken decided not to send out that news.  KEN and DIANE, both said he was driving Edith crazy.  Someone in the audience asked “What’s new?”

BOB reported that the reason RUTH PARKER was not in attendance tonight was she had bent over to pick up a fork someone in the restaurant had dropped and threw her back out.  He asked Debbie to say a prayer for RUTH.

BOB said “Next Monday, we are trying to get as many TEA Party troops to descend upon the County Commissioners meeting at 6:00 pm at the Court House.  The reason being the budget is going to be discussed and comments solicited from the attendees to talk about what they think is important and we know that C4 group, (pretty much a teacher’s lobby) asking to increase funding) while we will be there in support of tax payers, supporting the County Commissioners recommendation that we leave the budget like last year’s budget.

BOB wanted to know if anyone had had the opportunity to look over the copy of the portion of
the county budget that PEGGY GARNER had passed out last week.  Read small section on the school budget.  Hi-lites were:
Education operating, and capital outlay expenditures account for $21,608,000.00 or 24.04% of the County’s total budget.  The school’s operating expenditures remain at the FY 2011 funding level of $19,340,000.00.  Capital outlay is $1,254,245.00, a 30.26% decrease from FY 2011 adopted capital.  Adopted FY 2011 capital is used as the benchmark for comparison because any previous year unspent capital funds are re-appropriated annually.  Therefore, amended capital funding comparisons are distorted and misleading.
The Community College’s operating expenses remain at the FY 2011 funding level of $2,043,000.00.  Its capital budget is $225,000.00.  In accordance with the FY 2008 joint agreement established by the Community College and the Board of Commissioners; the Board of Commissioners borrowed $1.7 million to fund large Community College projects, as a result, the two Boards agreed to a seven year commitment of $225,000.00 per year capital funding.
The estimated daily membership for county schools in fiscal year 2012 is 8,441 students, as compared to 8,273 last year.  The recommended budget funds current expense per student is $2,291.00 compared to $2,312.00 in FY 2011.  Debt service for the schools is reflected in the debt service department, which totals $8,078,742.00.  The Community College total debt is $909,100.00.
BOB then read a letter from Dr. Daniel A. Novey, Superintendent and Catherine H. Neagle, Board Chairman justifying their request for additional funding above what the Commissioners have come up with.  Excerpts follow:
This Operating Budget request represents the very heart of what makes Carteret County Schools special – our staff.  Recognized as one of the very best school systems in the state, Carteret County Schools provides our children a superb education because of the commitment of the citizens to provide funds for quality teachers and programs.  Reducing the operating funds for our schools means essential personnel will no longer be able to support our children in their education.
Over the last few years, the Carteret County Board of Education and the Superintendent have worked diligently to reduce the expenses of running the school system.  However, there is a point at which reduced budgets no longer reflect improved efficiency but begin to erode the capacity of the organization to fulfill its obligations to the citizens of the county.  The proposed cuts of state funding to education for 2011-12 will result in the need to shift more responsibility to the local level, if the quality of education in our county is to remain a reason for people to move and establish their homes and businesses here.
The state’s proposed budget will require local funds to cover all workmen’s compensation claims previously covered by the state.  The cost of that change includes a $350,000.00 cash reserve and an increase in insurance costs of over $564,000.00 per year.  Additionally, the reductions of state funding will also require local funds to be expended to pay the unemployment claims and the annual health insurance premium for any staff members laid off as a result of any reduction in force (RIF).  Those costs for Carteret County Schools are anticipated to exceed $1,258,000.00 in 2011-12.
Our 2011-12 Operating Budget request of $22,165,624.00 plus the $590,000.00 charter school pass-through funding is focused on maintaining a very lean but effective staff while meeting the routine obligations incumbent on a system of our size.  The increase in local funding over previous years will be essential to meet the changing needs of a restructured method of funding education in North Carolina.
Of the $3,298,374.00 increase requested over the previous year’s budget, $2,574,921.00 (or 78%) represents expenses pushed upon the Carteret County School system by the state government.  The remainder of the increase reflects the increased prices for essential services.  No new programs are included and cuts to existing programs have been made where possible.
The current economical challenges and those of the coming year should not be cause for undoing all the gains that have been made in the last 5 years.  Your support of this request will mean the difference in the future of our school system.

Upon completion of reading this letter, BOB said essentially he is requesting about 3.3 million dollar increase above what the County Commissioners are proposing.

HOWARD GARNER stated “Based upon a conversation he had with Rep. Pat McElraft a few weeks ago, a lot of what Novey has mentioned in his letter of being pushed down to the counties is not going to happen.  BOB said he remembered Pat saying that, but if we are going to go before the board, we need to be sure we have our facts; so we need to follow up on this and find out where it currently stands. HOWARD said maybe someone in the group should check with her this weekend and find out the status.  HOWARD said they will try to tell you there is no fluff in the school system, but when he went to school (sometime after 1492) agriculture was one of the biggest income producers in the county and the school system had only one Vocational/Ag teacher.  Today, according to an email he had received from Tabby Nance,  there are seven and farming today is basically non-existent, except for the Open Grounds, but their personnel is trained in Italy, not here in the county schools.  He is currently waiting for additional information about Vo/Ag teachers in the Middle Schools.  He understands there have been and possibly there still are some teaching there.  BOB requested this be brought up Tuesday at the Board of Education meeting.  He hoped to have several of our members in attendance at that meeting also.  TOM wanted to know if anyone has incorporated the cost of fuel into this budget.  That is going to become a major factor.  Is any part of that 3+ million increase including the increased fuel costs.  ERIC said he understood that 3+ million increase was created by the Obama stimulus plan.  BOB said according to what he just read 2+ million of that 3+ million was for funding being pushed down by the state to the county.  The remainder is for essential services.
FRED DECKER commented that these are the same people who are trying to push back start of school to around the 10th of August.  Evidently they are not aware that the school gets the majority of room tax money.  Starting school earlier will shorten the amount of time people vacation here and pay that room tax.  Shortening the vacation time will decrease the amount of money going into the school system.  KEN said it appeared that there were a lot of good questions needing answers and he thought we needed to prepare for both the County Commissioners and Board of Education meetings.  The County Commissioners meeting is on Monday with the Board of Education on Tuesday.  Right now there are two budgets at the state level, one Gov. Perdue’s and the legislature’s the other.  Quite a bit different.  Even though over the past few weeks they have been trying to negotiate and come up with a compromised budget.  Also has heard that the Governor has been threatening to veto the Legislature budget but others say that is less likely.   The Governor’s budget did push a lot of the costs down to the counties, and that is where you have been hearing about the liability insurance costs, costs of buses, fuel costs and a lot of other things coming to the county that the state has typically paid for.  The Legislature budget however; their goal was not to push any costs onto the counties; would try to maintain state funding and not cause the counties to spend any more funds than necessary.  So what Novey is saying about all these funds being pushed down to the county is referring to Perdue’s budget, not the Legislature budget.  He is playing off a dooms day scenario.  BOB thinks this is a good thing to mention at the meeting by whoever speaks for the TEA Party.  KEN talked about an email he had received from a couple of TEA party members ( a newsletter from Governor Perdue).  Gov. Perdue was here in the county this past week and during her presentation here she continued her dooms day scenario about teachers being fired, teachers aids being let go, etc.  If you read the paper you may as well close the schools and everybody go home.  It sounded terrible.  He sent this newsletter off to Jean Preston and Pat McElraft  and said, OK the Governor’s out there getting all this press on TV, News & Observer, radio, etc,; so he was wondering what the Republicans were going to do.  Either set the record straight or tell us if what she is saying is true or not.  Didn’t hear back from Jean but did hear from Pat.  Pat emailed him that the Governor is telling falsehoods.  She said the State Legislature’s budget did not lay off one single teacher.  Now saying that, there are some nuances in there.  Some teachers are paid by the state and some of the money comes from the county, so it is all not cut and dried.  KEN says he believes it is purposefully that way to confuse us.  As long as we are confused, it is kind of hard to fight, and he thinks that is why they are doing what they are doing.  As far as teachers are concerned, for state funded positions, Pat says there are no cuts.  There will be cuts in other areas, like teachers aids.  Lots of gamesmanship going on, depending on who you are listening to.  ERIC said a lot of the problems goes back to the stimulus money.  KEN said yes, but the stimulus money is gone.  We can argue until the cows come home about whetherthe stimulus money spending was good or bad or helped or hindered.  Like some of that money went to pay for new teachers (knowing the money was only for a short amount of time) and once it was gone there was no way we could continue paying for those new teachers.  The only reason he could see was when the money was gone the school board could come back and say we need more money or we are going to have to lay off teachers.  BOB wanted to know if the stimulus money we got went to hiring new teachers.  ERIC said he had been unable to get a straight answer on that.  He is still trying to get an answer from Tabby Nance.  We do need clear answers.  That is why it is so hard not only for us but also the C4 group to fight for or against an issue, because the school keeps things so fuzzy.  It is really hard to get a firm answer.  We want real answers while the C4 group wants the budget as proposed by the County Board of Education.  Apparently they do not question what is in the budget.  They just take for granted whatever the Board of Education wants is it.

The last meeting before the budget is voted on is  the Commissioners meeting on June 6.  Meeting starts at 6:00pm, so KEN suggested we get there early, so we not only can get a seat but also a parking space.  He imagines that C4 will have a big turnout for the meeting so that small room will probably fill up early.  BOB said he had heard they (C4) were trying to get upwards of 500 people to show up.  KEN said the C4 group had a petition and were hoping to get 20,000 signatures, but would be happy with 10,000.  Basically they are asking for the Commissioners to fund at the level the school board requested.  One of the Commissioners had told KEN that the Commissioners were hoping to keep this year’s budget at the last year’s budget level.  The county is required by law to pass a budget by the end of June.  However, since the state had not passed their budget yet, it will impact on the county budget when one is adopted.  The county may have to go back and make some adjustments.  However, they will vote according to schedule,  because it has to go to the state, so KEN thinks they are leaning toward the Legislative budget as their guide.  BOB said he thinks that since the state has not finalized their budget, that the logical thing for the county to do is stay with last year’s budget.  If they budget all these extra requests and the state budget turns out to be the legislative one, then the schools will end up with all this extra money to just spend, spend, spend.
HOWARD said Rep Brubaker has said he hopes to save the teachers assistants, but he has not heard where that stands at the present time.  KEN said the assistants are important because many of them are used as bus drivers, and when you lose an assistant you could also be losing a bus driver which impacts that whole program.
KEN said in listening to BOB read Dr. Novey’s letter, he noticed the same ole, same ole, ideas came up.  The need for quality schools for our children is as American as motherhood and apple pie.  We all want them.  But many of the C4 group think that the schools are what entices doctors, businessmen, lawyers, and professionals to come to this county.  KEN said he didn’t realize that that was a purpose or objective of the schools.  They always say that.  One lady at a Commissioners meeting said they needed schools to get doctors to come here.  They needed them to take care of the old folks.  They really believe one of the purposes is to attract business and professions to our county.  He thought schools were for teaching students.  For the Commissioners to be able to provide everything the school supporters want; they have to find a way to find the funding and the only way is to increase taxes.  Carteret County is a retirement area – look around the room.  Most of us are seniors from the looks of all that gray hair.  Most are on fixed incomes and many do not have the income to pay increased taxes.  That kind of explanation does not have wide county appeal, only to a small group of people; but they always use that in their talks.  They (Dr. Novey and his group) also say local governments need to increase funding to maintain the quality level of education.  Local governments, in order to do that, the only source they have is to raise taxes, sales tax, room tax, property tax, tax tax, whatever it happens to be, that is the only way they can accomplish that goal.

PAT NALITZ asked if that 100 teachers they keep talking about being laid off was a phantom number, a number that they just throw out there.  I know they use that to get the people aroused.  She said she knew people that had received those pink slips.  Is that what they do and then they get hired back next year.  But is this really for real?  KEN said he thought they do it simply to get more money.  The only evidence he could point to is the email he got from Pat McElraft saying they (the Legislature) are not going to cut any positions; that they are going to maintain the level keeping the positions that we have; then he thinks the school system talking about laying people off is to generate sympathy for the teachers; a political ploy.  KEN said Dr. Novey had told us here when he spoke that they were not actually laying off teachers; that they were doing it just through attrition, that when somebody left that they were not refilling the job, but now it sounds like they are actually thinking about laying people off.  That had been Novey’s explanation, but if she knew of some that had actually received their pink slips that that did not jibe with his comments.  PAT said the lady she talked to said seven teachers had received a pink slip at her school.  KEN said he thought that was political.  C4 had a teacher’s appreciation day held here a few weeks ago and they had a lot of teachers from around the county attending.  He didn’t know how those teachers got off to go to the rally, whether they had taken a personal day or what.  PAT asked was this during the day.  KEN said yes, it was during a week day.  They billed it as a “Teachers Appreciation Day”, so maybe it was an excused day.  From what he read in the paper, there were hundreds of teachers there at this rally.   The theme of the rally was ‘They are going to cut all our jobs out’.  ‘Course that gets the teachers all motivated to go out and start sending emails to the commissioners.  He overheard one of the commissioners ask what was C4 doing; his email box was staying full.  He was being inundated with emails.  KEN said that is why he had never encouraged us to send massive amounts of email to the commissioners.  He did not think it was encouraging good relationships with the commissioners; he felt one on one was more effective.  Tell them in person that we can’t just keep throwing money down the rat hole.  If more of us would take different areas, (like Howard mentioning the seven Ag teachers) it would be more to our benefit.  He told about a pamphlet he had gotten that listed all the classes; for example it listed 5 levels of algebra classes.  (Honors algebra, AP algebra (accelerated something), just plain algebra….no this is not algebra 2, just algebra.  Throw Algebra 2 in and you can double this number of classes.  This is all different levels depending on where you are going after graduation.   As he understands it, the students are required to take Algebra 2 (which also has all these different levels).  Now if you have a kid that just wants to graduate high school and go out and pound nails for a living, KEN wants to know, why it is mandatory that he has to take Algebra 2?  Maybe we should just be teaching him how to balance a checkbook.  His question to the C4 crew is ‘why aren’t you guys questioning the curriculum’, maybe we don’t need all this stuff.  Not everyone is bound for college.  Back when some of us went to school they had the trade classes.  They no longer have them.  For example, kids could learn to work on cars and even today car dealers are looking for mechanics.  Brown from Onslow is one of those car dealers, and he is a big advocate in the Legislature about teaching a trade in school, because he can no longer get the help he needs in his business.  C4 is trying to tell every kid they have to go to college in order to get a job.  KEN’s question is why these kids are taking all these required courses in high school and then when they get to college they have to take remedial classes.  C4 is demanding lower class sizes in high school, but when they go off to college they get dumped into classes of 100 or more students.  That makes no sense.  PAT said that many of them still can’t make it in college so many end up in community colleges.  This is just some stuff to chew on, but those are some of the kind of things we need to be asking the county to look into.  ERIC said they are saying if we lay off 100 or even just 1 teacher, the quality of education is impacted, which is hog wash.  ROY MUSSER said you can pay as much as you want to for education but it does not necessarily mean the quality increases also.  More discussion on teacher/student ratio, etc; (art teachers, handicapped student teachers; those who do not have full classrooms are included in the mix.) and the average number of students per teacher is 12.  Would be interesting if they broke out the actual number of teaching teachers which he felt would give a more accurate ratio, but they don’t.  Feel they are doing themselves a disservice by not providing the information.  If you have one teacher over here teaching 34 students and another teacher only teaching 3 or 4 students, and we are paying both the same, then I want that second teacher doing something else.  I’m going to find another job for her; because that is the way those averages work out.  PAT asked what about the special needs teachers.  They have the small classes.  Are they included in this average?  KEN said that is something we are going to have to ask.  ERIC said C4 and that group are going around saying if we increase class sizes, it will have a great negative impact on education.  OK, so if half of our economy went away, we still could only have what we can afford.  So if we have to increase class sizes, it will impact 40% of our people, and I’m talking about the 19% of Senior citizens over the age of 65, that are reduced or limited incomes, the almost 10% who are unemployed.  That doesn’t factor in the reality those that are working reduced work hours, working part time; those don’t work into the equation.  And there are those who have just given up totally.  Other concern he has is 42% of our students are getting federal assistance with free lunches, either full or partial meals.  That right there tells you that 42% of their parents can not afford it.  So how can they afford again tax increases?  So the question is “do we want to lay off 100 teachers” or do we want to impact 2,000 citizens.  That’s what it is all about to fund the 3.5 million increase in the school budget.  We all know what is happening at the gas pumps, and in the grocery stores.  My point is ‘we can not raise taxes’.  We can not afford it.
BOB said he agrees with all that has been said but Novey has said this increase they are requesting is to take care of all those items being passed down by the state, and from what he understands, this may or may not happen.  So bringing up the student/teacher ratio is just a straw man exercise.  He found another letter from Novey in the county budget.  As we may recall this budget is in two parts, ‘the operating budget’ and the ‘capital budget’.  The second letter is about the ‘capital budget request’.  “This budget request specifically prioritizes needs into two categories.  Those items identified as Priority 1 immediate needs category are considered ‘mission critical for 2011-12.  The other needs in the remaining category are those which must be dealt with in the short-term but the immediacy of the need has not yet reached a mission critical status – although it may on any day.  Regardless of the category, let there be no misunderstanding that all of the items requested are needed within the 2011-12 budget year.  He goes on to identify various critical needs of the schools and states the Capital Budget Request for 2011-12 is $3,104,535.00, which is about a 1.5 million dollars increase, (which is to cover air conditioning, quality air control, painting and maintenance.  KEN said he understood from Novey’s talk to us, that this was already paid for.  Novey was asked specifically by the commissioners about this and Novey told them all those costs were already taken care of.  So now he’s asking for more money for items he has previously said were already taken care of.
He is asking for 3.1 million for the capital budget and l ¼ million for operating budget above and beyond the commissioners proposed budget.  In other words he wants about 5 million dollars above what has been proposed.
BOB asked who was going to speak at the county commissioners meeting next week.  ERIC said he had already been working on what he wanted to say.  BOB asked KEN if he planned to speak and KEN said he might, hadn’t made up his mind yet.  So remember next Monday, 6:00 pm the County Commissioners Meeting, second floor of the Court House. Be there, be RED.   Get there early, rather it be the C4 people standing out in the hall way and us with seats in the room.  Good time to get there – 5:00 pm.  Thinks there will be a bigger turnout this week.
HOWARD said he had a question….When a teacher retires, stays out a while, and then is brought back under contract.  If they don’t have the money, then how are they doing that?  Couldn’t they hire a new teacher for less than they are paying this teacher with 35 or 40 years of service?  KEN said he had heard of them laying off a teacher with lots of years of experience and hiring two inexperienced teachers to take their place.  Now we are paying all the side bennies for two instead of one.  Looks like the schools need to learn about operating a business.  HOWARD said he felt we needed a business executive for superintendent instead of an ex- school teacher.
KEN asked to change the subject and talk about the 2012 election.  It is not that far away.  We need to start discussing presidential, congressional, and senate candidates.  BOB asked  “who we prefer right now”.  Various candidates were mentioned, Cain, Romney, Bachman, Ryan, Gingrich.  Gingrich received the most boos and unfavorable comments.  ROY MUSSER said ‘anybody but who is already in there’.  TOM HARMON said he was opposed to Gingrich, Karl Rove and those who think they are the elite.  They put down anyone supported by the TEA Party.  We don’t need Democrats to talk them down, Krauthammer and the Ruling Class are doing a great job on their own.  They are marginalizing us, apparently afraid of our influence and input.  DEBBIE said she is so tired of the Dems pushing the race issue; that maybe if Cain did run it might put it to rest.  Cain is a very smart business man, strong conservative, and has a lot of pluses she likes about him.  She does not like Obama because he is a black man, but the liberals want to put that in the forefront of this upcoming election that conservatives are racists.  Maybe if we support a strong conservative black man and strong white woman, we can stop some of this rhetoric.  TOM H. said he was listening to CSPAN when Cain announced his candidacy and all the black people who called in called him a clown, an uncle tom, a GOP talking head.  It appears they are going to play the opposite race card.  It’s going to get ugly.  The Republicans have got to have someone who can take it and throw it right back at them.  If we get someone like McCain in the last election, who tried to play Mr. Rogers, we are going to lose again.  KEN, that’s the problem, all these that the conservative elites are proposing are exactly that.  BOB asked if anyone caught Hannity’s interview with Santorum, last week.  He said he was impressed.  DEBBIE said we still have a lot of good people coming in and she feels it is too early to get hung up on any one candidate until we can look at them all.  BOB asked what we thought of Sarah Palin.  Most liked her, but were not sure she could win.  KEN said the other candidates need to be watching her.  She is getting more press, than all the other candidates put together.  All the reporters are talking about how she will not give them her agenda, and it is driving them nuts.  If all the other candidates stopped playing to the media, then the media would be mentioning their name in every report.  They need to stop playing the old school politics and watch Sarah.  She is getting a lot of attention (cause the media doesn’t like her ) and it is not costing her a dime in campaign funds.  BOB asked who would disappoint us the most… and the consensus was ‘Mitt Romney’.  He failed most of our tests when he would not say he had made a mistake with his Romneycare in Mass.  When he said it worked for Mass but probably not work for the country.  That’s when he threw most of us under the bus.  He also supports ethanol subsidy also, which is bad for this country.  Huntsman also supports the ethanol subsidy, cap and trade guy, and is for everything the liberal Democrats are for.  We need to watch carefully, these are the guys that the ruling class are trying to convince us are what we need.  These guys are losers and if we go with them, then WE are going to lose.  We need someone with backbone, don’t be saying one thing one day, and then coming back the next to say we misunderstood what he said.  We get enough of that with Obama.  BOB said another thing we need to remember…we can get a great president, but if we give him/her a lousy congress and senate, we are no better off.  We got a lot of true conservatives this past election and now we need to be looking to put more in office.  TOM H. said he really liked Alan West from Florida and hoped that he might consider running, if not now, maybe later.  He doesn’t back down from anybody.  BOB…any Ron Paul fans here? Only one spoke up.  Good ideas, but too old and not a great communicator.  A good example of how the TEA Party is misunderstood…STEVE BEST said he was at WalMart with his TEA Party shirt on and a guy came up and told him he wouldn’t join the TEA Party because they were all supporting Ron Paul and he couldn’t stand Ron Paul.  This has been encouraged by the Media, and the masses are listening.   ERNIE said he liked Ron Paul, because he was a good Constitutionalist.  The things he said at the last election have proven true.  KEN said yes, he is a smart guy, but not a winner.  He might make a good Secretary of the Treasury.  DEBBIE said yes, he may be brilliant, but we hear every day about how brilliant Obama is…the most brilliant president ever!!!  If the TEA Party holds on to its roots and convictions, we are going to look for the most conservative people  running.  That is the only thing that can turn Washington around.  BOB wanted to know what we are going to do in Carteret County to fire up the voters and get them out.  TOM H. said we did a pretty good job last November, but we just have to get out there early and push.  Our voter recommendation thing we did was a big success from all the good comments we received.  We didn’t have enough participation at the polls last November, so we need to begin planning on who will work this year and get our ducks in a row.  We have about 33 precincts and need one or two members at each.  Last November we only had about 12 or 15 covered.  Those that did work the polls were richly rewarded by all the nice compliments we received…they were glad the TEA Party was there…and appreciated our input on the judges.  It was suggested that we might want to let the voters know who the TEA Party is backing in the presidential and other races also.  We could put their names on the front and let the voters know where we stand.  BOB said we have to be careful.  We can use the word ‘recommend’ but not ‘we are for’.  Recommend all the TEA Parties be sure to back the same candidates and not fracture our powerful input.  Last year because we had so many candidates in the primary, and such a short period of time that we decided to place our emphasis on the November election.  Are we going to get involved in the primary season this time.  If so we need a whole lot more people involved in interviewing want-a-be’s.  The TEA Party has to show the Republican party how strong we are and how much influence we have with the voters.  Right now the GOP is leaning toward moderates and we are going to lose, if we don’t let them know we are here and are not to be ignored.  It seems that all the TEA Parties need to be going out and picking the most conservative candidates.   They don’t have to, right now, all pick the same one, but we need to be getting things lined up to make our final decision, by having several candidates to put our emphasis on vetting so we can come up with and back the most strong and effective candidate.  BOB said we have to be careful with the national TEA Parties, because he thinks it is illegal to announce the backing of a particular candidate.  KEN said we need to do something, because the Crystal Coast TEA Party is not going to make it on the National News.  We have to have more involved than just us.  BOB said he got a lot of flack from the North Carolina TEA Parties because we were supporting certain candidates with our recommendation cards.  He thinks part of the TEA Party problem is that some of the groups have been co-opted.  Some have their own agendas, whereas we have continued with our grass roots organization.  Would hate to see us stuck with a “John McCain” candidate again this time around.  BOB, the unfortunate reality of politics is money is the milk of success.  Palumbo has been spending his time working over Jones’ contributors, trying to bring them over to his campaign/switch sides as well as his own contributors.  You have to have the money to win.  We, the Crystal Coast TEA Party is going to have to make a decision in the very near future “are we going to support Jones or Palumbo in the primary”.
WAYNE WILLIS asked since we are supposed to go to the County Commissioners Meeting next Monday night and the Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, when are we going to have our next meeting.  BOB said guess we’ll have to get together at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.  Asked where that meeting was going to be held.  When you go into Beaufort go past the Court House stop light and turn left at the next light.  When you get to the stop light at the old Beaufort school, make a right.  The Board of Education will be held in the building on the left across from Safrit’s.  The old administration building.
WAYNE said he would have to rescheduled the meeting he had set up to discuss the board game for our next meeting then.  He needs the guy working on the computer portion to talk with us since WAYNE does not understand all the ins and outs of the computer portion of the game.  He has something he wants to show us.  He said the game had one bug in it, but this guy had a whole can of Flit between his ears to take care of the problem.

FRED said Adele Collins was not going to run for Board of Education at the next election so we need to be looking for someone to run in her place.  Might also want to be looking for someone to run against Al Hill.

A gentleman arrived to our meeting late, and BOB asked him to introduce himself.  He said his name is Lee Haywood from Gilford County (Greensboro).  He represents the conservatives from Gilford.  He said he had spoken with KEN LANG about our meetings.  He said we had brought back memories of their meetings in Gilford.  School Board expecially.  They are in the same fight we are down here, as far as getting information.  It’s a big slush fund, moving money around, and they have 76, 000 students, claim 10,000 teachers but they can only account for 3600, with a budge of 680 million dollars.  It was interesting to him to hear us talking about the same things they discussed.  Hosted a meeting of their group and 9 of the commissioners, picked out 70 million in cuts, but the chairman did not show up for the meeting.  They are still stirring up things so encouraged us to not give up hope.  He heard us talking about contract employees.  They bring them in on a grant for two years and then end up being permanent, so they start all over.  You have to watch out for that as well.  HOWARD said he thought they were all using the same song book.  Mr. Haywood said Oh, yeah, they all get together and meet underground before they talk to us.  ERIC asked how many teachers were they talking about firing.  Mr. Haywood said they were talking somewhere around 200.  Their Superintendent makes a quarter of a million dollars a year.  He is a lawyer.  He is not able to teach.  It would be against the law for him to go into a class room and teach.  When he came on in 2008 during happier times, he created 39 districts, with 39 administrators for between 4 ½ to 5 million dollars.  Nine of the top 25 officials work for the Greenville School Board.  Empire building and they are protecting it with their life, believe me.  He supports charter schools.  Wanted to know if anyone there was going to the convention in Wilmington this coming weekend.  Said to go on line.  There is a group called caution out of Charlotte.  They already have 22 TEA Party groups meeting in a suite at 9:00.  They are trying to get a bigger room, because it mushroomed on us.  Right now it is in Suite 612 at the Hilton.  KEN said this is kind of a spin off of the GOP state convention.  Go to NCGOP.com web site for additional information.
Thanked KEN for inviting him and enjoyed meeting with us.
BOB introduced two other late comers ‘Susie Haupt and Paul Hee.  Susie is from Marshallburg and Paul is from Beaufort.  Susie said they were the only conservative
Republicans that they knew.  Everyone around them is liberal dems.  HOWARD said, but at lease now you can admit you’re Republican.  There was a time when you didn’t hardly dare to whisper it.  Paul wanted to know if we had a secretary who was keeping up with this meeting.  BOB told him we do and pointed to PEGGY.   BOB asked them to please sign our sign-in sheet.  BOB explained that every Monday night he is on a web site where the various TEA Parties get together and discuss things.  They also have various speakers, etc.  Mr. Hee said he had been listening to us discuss the candidates, but he felt that the platform was also very important.
BOB said part of this would be taking place this weekend at the GOP State Convention where they would be voting on their platform.  Then all that will be forwarded up to national where it will be incorporated and added to the national platform.  BOB said several of our members are going…we are infiltrating the GOP.  DEBBIE explained that we were not vetting candidates tonight, but what we do real often, discuss among ourselves various ideas.  We are not trying to convince other people here how they should lean, but just voicing our opinions.  This is the first time we have brought up at a meeting on how we are leaning, sort of like taking our temperature.  No way we would be choosing a candidate right now, since not everyone has announced yet.
ERNIE GUTHRIE said why can we just list the candidates and rate them according to our beliefs.  That way we are not actually saying we support a certain candidate.  KEN said this is the way he was thinking also.  It looks like it might be a little overpowering with so many candidates but if different members took a candidate and followed him/her and reported to the group, we could keep it from becoming a burden.  We have a place on the web site where you can check up on various candidates, but this is just on the national level, not local, or state.
BOB adjourned the meeting at 8:05pm.
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary.

NOTE:   I hope you can find the time to read all of these minutes.   Not only did we have a very long and vocal meeting, but I had purchased a voice recorder and recorded the whole meeting.  Therefore, I ended up with more information than with just my notes.  I found what went on was very informative and wanted to share it with you.  I’ll be shorter next time.  Peggy

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MAY 24, 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by WAYNE WILLIS
Invocation by JERE GEURIN
Number of Attendees – 21

New Attendee BLAKE BEADLE was invited by BOB to introduce himself and give a little background information.

BOB asked HARRY THOMPSON to introduce our guest speaker, CHUCK BEASLEY, for the evening.  He is retired from the US Army; born in Arkansas; father was an officer in WWII.   He has a son and a daughter and retired in 1995.

Mr. Beasley told us he had gone on the internet to find out more about the TEA Party.  Found out we were racists, dumb, sociopathic, and other unfriendly descriptions.  He dismissed these descriptions as biased and liberal; having developed a different view after meeting some of our members.  We are definitely in the cross hairs of those who want to increase government influence and destroy our way of life…. those who enjoy using broken promises; are against common sense and the constitution; believe in taking control from the family and that education being left up to the government…. the dis-unifying of America.
Mr. Beasley’s talk was on GOD, our Constitution and America.  I am unable to share all of Mr. Beasley’s inspirational talk; first of all, I would get so interested in what he was saying I would forget to take notes and second, you had to be there to feel the passion.  Some of the items he touched upon were:
If we read the constitution we can see it is based on religion…GOD is the basis.  The
battle-cry of the Revolution was “No King but King Jesus”.
Now Christopher Columbus is being attacked because he was a religious man and they are taking Christ out of his part in history.
The Pilgrims, the Mayflower Compact, the Old Deluder Act.   All to further the Christian Religion.  Wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible.
‘Taxation without representation’ was only one of the twenty-seven complaints of the Constitution. (abuse of representative powers, abuse of the military, abuse of judicial, etc.)
Our Constitution is unique and original and is based on the Bible (gave references).
Thomas Jefferson did not say anything about believing in separation of Church and State.  He felt his religion was personal; therefore, he is being misrepresented in today’s history.  By the middle of the 19th century, religion was losing ground.   From 1800 – 1900 there was a direct assault on Christianity.  In 1905 there was a determined group (Socialists) who became very active on college campuses.  By 1921 they had changed their name to democracy due to the events going on in Europe.  They believed in redistribution of wealth.  In 1930, it was materialism with a “chicken in every pot”.  Today our biggest problem has become apathy and Christ’s name is being forbidden in many areas, military, schools, etc.  It really has become a “Time for Change” the right kind.
BOB thanked Mr. Beasley and invited him back to speak any time he would like.

BOB said he had heard from Willie Montague and he is coming back to our area in August for a revival.  He needs tents and chairs.  STEVEN BEST said he could get him a “large” tent that seats about 500 and it also comes with the chairs.  KEN LANG said he would get with Steven and help him get with Willie and make the arrangements.

O’NEAL FIELD – BOB informed us that Randy Martin, Morehead City Manager, had finally responded to ERIC BROYLES request for information.  He had read the letter and was pleased with what he saw – did not feel there was any hanky-panky going on.  KEN LANG is posting the four and a half pages on the web site.  BOB requested everyone check it out and be prepared to discuss next week.

ERIC requested that anyone who had not completed the school/class size questionnaire he passed out last week, to please complete one tonight.

HOWARD GARNER said he had been informed that 30 cents is it; but he was still wary, since the school board is still putting the pressure on.  KEN said he had heard there would be no change from last year, unless the State Budget changes things.  Don’t forget the NCAE is Governor Perdue’s power base.  Pat McElraft has said as far as she knew right now, no state increases will be passed down to the counties.

FRED DECKER said for 23 students there are one teacher and two assistants.  He feels we do not need two assistants.  If so, then maybe we just need a new teacher.  We need to reduce admin.
FRED said he had wanted to set up an afternoon class to help students who were having problems.  He had gotten several teachers to offer to help him.  He had gotten no response from Administration.  They don’t want any help.  They just want to prove how much money is needed.

PEGGY GARNER said she was sorry she had been unable to provide a whole lot of facts and figures from the County Commissioners meeting on the budget last week, but had gone on line and gotten the whole 240 page budget.  She had reviewed it, made copies of the charts, figures, and reports that she had been unable to assemble from the meeting, and made copies of those pages.  She had made 6 copies for anyone that wanted a copy, and passed them out.

ERIC reminded us of the School Board meeting on June 6.  He would like to see the ‘red shirts’ in full force.  We need speakers and we need them to get on the list first.  By the time the later speakers get up, everyone is tired and bored.  Please plan to attend and hopefully be prepared to take the floor with your views.

KEN said a Camp Lejeune employee saw his hat and bought 5 of them for people he worked with.  When Ken invited him to come to our meetings, he was told “I agree and support your ideas, but don’t have time to go to meetings.”  Here we go with the apathy again.  Ken is still working on a TEA Party group in the western end of the county.  He had stopped at the VFW to see if we could use their facilities to hold our meetings, and was told “Absolutely not.  The TEA Party is a political party and the VFW is independent.”  KEN said he tried to explain but backed off when he saw it was no good.  This just shows the huge misconception of the TEA Party.  Someone recommended he try the Star Hill Golf Course.  FRED said the Republican Party meets at the Golden Corral this side of Jacksonville.  KEN said that was Onslow County and we are working for a group in the western part of Carteret where we can involve Emerald Isle as well as Cape Carteret and surrounding areas.
BOB said he understands that Hilda Davis, also,  is working on trying to get a group organized down east; but apparently has put it on hold while she is working against a business group in Morehead.

KEN said while he would like to see our group attend the meetings in large groups and send lots of emails, and letters to the editor; he remembers  that the County Commissioners complained about being overrun with C4 emails.  Also, he thinks we suffer from the STP problem – ‘same ten people’.

WAYNE wanted to know if any of us had heard about how Columbus got the money to come to America.  He kept nagging Isabella until she run him off to talk with her representatives and leave her alone.  He told the representatives that if he could give them a problem and he could solve it in 24 hours and they couldn’t, then they would give him the money for his voyage.   The problem was to take a fresh egg and stand it on end so it did not topple over.   The next day, he appeared before the group and asked if they had solved the problem.  They said there was no way to get it to stay upright.  Columbus took the egg, tapped it on the table, flattening the end, thereby standing the egg upright.  The representatives said ‘no fair, he hadn’t said they could break the egg.  Columbus replied “You didn’t ask!”  He got the money.

KEN said there is a Republican Convention in Wilmington and time is running out to register.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MAY 17, 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance let by Wayne Willis
Invocation by DEBBIE RUCKER
Number of Attendees – 25

GUEST SPEAKER – DAVID HORTON
Mr. Horton said our biggest problem is…..People who spend the money don’t care how it is spent!!!!  Morehead City continues ‘business as usual’; ‘no cutbacks;’ and ‘no changes to reduce spending’.  If we can’t control at the local level…how can we possibly control at the state and federal level.
As to the “Park”, it started with a grant of $900,000.  He had thought that was a lot of money, however, they had gotten a grant from the state of $200,000, and donations of $300,000, so the town only had to match $400,000.  The estimate for the park was $922,000.  A year later the scope had changed and the cost was now $1,003,000.  The next year it was $2.1 million, going from $922 thousand to $2.1 million in just two years.  It is now $2.4 million.  All the overruns have been paid by the town.  Big Rock paid for the bleachers.  There are no adequate bathrooms.  The Marlins want better bath rooms, concession stands, batting cages, etc.  Mr. Horton had tried to talk to them about wanting all these additions and goodies and to think about all the money that could have been saved to no avail.  Because the town finally set their foot down about selling beer, they now, even after a year, do not have a  long term contract, only a one year ‘short term’ franchise type deal, which agrees to only $500.00 per game to the town.
KEN LANG said he had been listening to Lockwood Phillips interview Buddy Daniels.  He said the kids playing the game do not get paid.  The town provides them a place to stay while they are here.  Riverfront Sports is raking in all the proceeds with no payouts.  All expenses are paid by Morehead City.
The neighborhood came out against …noise, location, etc.  The Town Manager is one of the ones pushing it.  The way it stands, three votes will pass anything.
The idea at the beginning was a place for the American Legion Team to play, but as things progressed those players could no longer make the team.
Just as the ‘boat ramp’ on Radio Island, is great, but the cost is tremendous $150,000.00 and while the state paid most, Morehead keeps coming up with grandiose ideas that keep costing the taxpayers.
Sewer rates have increased 60% in the last couple of years and they are saying they need to raise them again.
Question was raised “Why the contractor was not held responsible for the overruns. Mr. Horton explained that it was not the fault of the contractor but the changes in scope.
TOM HARMON thinks we should be getting at least a percentage of the income.
BOB CAVANAUGH asked Mr. Horton, “What can the TEA Party do?”  Mr. Horton said we could encourage candidates, who will try to put a stop to the run away spending, to run for office.  BOB asked for volunteers to please step up and help.
DAVID COX wanted to know if anyone had looked into other cities with this type of sport.  Mr. Horton said all that he had heard of were utilization of old stadiums, and not the building of new facilities from scratch.
ERIC BROYLES wanted to know if you could just go to the field, get in, and use the facilities.  Mr. Horton said ‘no, the facility was under lock and key’ and you had to get permission.  The fencing was put around the field so no one could see into the Marlins’ games.
LOU KUKULINSKI wanted to know when, or if, this would go from a Morehead City project to a county project.  Mr. Horton said this is not in the future than anyone knows of since the County has not shown any interest.
BOB thanked Mr. Horton for coming to speak with us and invited him back whenever he would like.  We appreciated his input to the situation.

WAYNE WILLIS thanked us for our support, but he did not win.  He said this was a good civics lesson.  When he ran three years ago, he pushed for a merger of Harkers Island with the Carteret/Craven EMC.  Harkers Island had 1200 meters, 50 year old poles, and no cash flow, and did not generate enough money to continue.  There were lies told of possible loss of jobs, etc., and the merger, then, did not go through.  However this changed when it was found to be beneficial and the combining was negotiated.  During this election there were three people running for this position, Wayne who had served on the board last year,  a guy that had been appointed (who ran as the incumbent and managed to get his name first on the slate of candidates) and a third opponent.  This is where Wayne shot himself in the foot.  Last year there were only 740 votes cast and Wayne thought if there were more incentive to vote, more people would get involved in voting; so he recommended the Co-op give away $200.00 free electricity.   More people did vote (like 2800) however; most did not know or even care who got elected, so they just voted for the first name on the ballot.  Duh!  Guess who won!  Lesson learned — “Educate the Voters”.  He told of the time his father had run for sheriff and won the count.  However, it was decided a few days later they needed to recount the ballots and his father now lost by 3 votes.  Guess some things never change.

PEGGY GARNER reported that she had represented the TEA party last night at the County Commissioners meeting.  (Only one there in the red shirt.)
It appeared to once again be Support School Increased Budget Night.  Several people, (ex school teachers, business men, doctors, doctor’s wife, college student, social worker, etc.) all had been questioned as to the quality of schools, prior to a potentially new professional/businessman coming to Carteret County.  (Apparently we have nothing else to offer – my comment.)   All said the Commissioners should find what funds the schools want, including increasing taxes to provide them.  Any decrease made in school funding now may not be seen as an overwhelming impediment today, or even next year, but if you take a child just starting in first grade, they could assure you that that reduction will be most prominent by the time he is eligible to graduate high school.  Any reduction will impact our schools tomorrow.  Having already suffered cuts, further cuts in staff will ensure the quality will go down and handicap those left.  No teacher should have to go home with a pink slip.  We are robbing students from having a better future.  One businessman thought we should stop all foreign aid to countries that just hate us and use those funds to pay for our schools.  The social worker said she had been told that the school her daughter was going to was going to lose 25% of the teachers in that school.  Commissioner Holt wanted to know which school her daughter went to and she replied Morehead Middle school.
Dr. Novey was asked to give his input into the matter and Commissioner Holt asked about the 25% cut in Morehead Middle.  Dr. Novey said notifications were sent out alerting the possibility of a cut.  The state’s cuts would influence the number.  Most of those receiving cuts would be Probationary Teachers.  The RIF policy will not interfere with education.  The positions are not eliminated.  Someone, the one cut or another, can come in later and fill that position.  This does not mean we are going to lose 25%.  Commissioner Holt wanted to know if the 25% was Dr. Novey’s ‘worse case’ scenario, and could he give a ‘best case’ scenario.  Dr. Novey said with the figures and percentages being discussed and bantered around, couldn’t tell exactly how many teachers would be involved.  There were too many outside factors.
Commission Pat Joyce said he understood many of the Teacher Assistants were also  part time bus drivers.  Dr. Novey said employees have to work so many hours in order to receive the benefit packages.  Doing both gave them not only the hours but the incentive to work harder and do better jobs.

Linda Haynes, President of the Down East Library and Hannah Beasley, Former teacher and member of the Down East Library Board, both requested help with the Library.  The people down east have held used book sales, bake sales, barbeques, etc. to raise the money to fund the library.  It is now worth over $200,000.  The library has been manned by volunteers and now they would like to be able to hire and pay someone to do this.  They would like to give this valuable property to the county and in return, the county to allocate $10,000.00 per year for this position.

BUDGET – Wayne Deal, Interim County Manager, said the 2011-12 budget was very similar to past budgets, taking in consideration the reval.  He has asked Carl (Tilman, I think he said) to come to a County Commissioners meeting to explain the consequences of the reval to the commissioners.  He then turned the presentation of the proposed budget over to Dee Meshaw, Assistant County Manager of Finance and Administration.
The total recommended budget for all funds is $89.87 million (a decrease of $6.92 million).  Of that $74.73 million is general fund, which is $2.94 million (or 3.79%) less than the 2010-2011 budget.  This budget has few new initiatives and no increase in services or personnel.  Educational funding will be maintained at the same level as this year.  School operating expenses of $18.75 million and capital expenses of $1.2 million is less than the school board’s request of $22.16 for operations and $3.1 million in capital.
$604,000 has been allocated for a document imaging system for the Department of Social Services.  This system will enable converting files to a digital format, allowing staff to share client information and regain some of the space that hard copy files have utilized in the past.
While most department budgets have been decreased or reduced, Solid Waste and Public Works have increased $50,000, and the combination of the school system and Community College, no change from fiscal year 2010.
Many facts and figures were presented but this reporter was unable to keep up with the fast and furious charts and graphs presented.  If you are interested in further detail please go to
www.carteretcountygov.org, click on county budget FY 2011-2012 blue tab for the complete budget (all 240 pages).  (Thank goodness Ms Meshaw was very selective of the information she presented.)

Much discussion followed PEGGY’s presentation.  Discussed the “teaching to test”.  If you fail the first time, you can be re-taught and try again.  This is insane.  What are we doing to our kids?  They remediate the kids until they can pass these mandatory tests.  They are now teaching all year long how to pass the test.  Is there another option to testing?  They do not have any opportunity for creative thinking.  ERIC BROYLES said he feels this is more “protecting our jobs” and not teaching our kids.  One of the problems is the unions.  RUTH CHEWRING (please excuse me if I have the name wrong) said we need the unions to back the teachers in case a parent wants to sue for some silly little thing the teacher may or may not have been guilty of.  CATIE MCCABE said while she attends Gramercy Christian School, she has four other siblings who attended public school.  From what she had heard, to be a coach you had to teach a subject, even if you were not qualified to teach that subject.  This can not be conducive to a good education.
ERIC passed out a handout he had printed on the county schools.  He said it was now his understanding that the state was NOT going to shove cost of school buses and several other previously mentioned items down the throats of the counties.  Thank goodness.
One of our members (sorry, I did not get your name) said he had had many problems with teachers while he was in school.  His conservatism was in constant attack from the liberal teachers.  They would gang up on anyone they felt didn’t agree with their philosophy.  He had been accused of being a racist and inciting a riot when he had worn a flag on the back of his shirt and walked through the hallways.  He said we should be protecting the students and not the teachers.
BOB said one of the things that had created problems with the schools was the stimulus package, which encouraged the schools to hire more teachers and when the stimulus money was gone, the schools were not equipped financially to maintain paying those teachers.   The money is gone but the school doesn’t want to cut those positions.
Average teacher annual salary in North Carolina is $47,000.00, not including benefits package.  They do not pay for their health care benefits, and pay very little towards their retirement.  North Carolina is 27th on the pay scale.  The median North Carolina income is $42,000.00 and those people have to pay for their health care and retirement.

TREASURER’S REPORT.  NANCY BOCK, Treasurer, reported we have $706.00 in the bank.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary.

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MAY 10, 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:02pm by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by WAYNE WILLIS and PAM HANSEN
Invocation by STEVEN BEST
Number of attendees – 24

PAM HANSEN asked us to please mark our calendar for Sunday afternoon on May 22, 2011.  She invited us to a ‘Picnic of Thanks’ to be held at her home at 3508 Mandy Lane, Morehead City at 3:30pm.  She requested that we park in the empty lot across from the Sports Center.
Please let BOB CAVANAUGH or Pam know if you plan to attend so she can figure out how big a cake to make!

TOM AUSTIN asked Pam about the money accounts that he had been reading about where they were looking for the people the money belongs to.  Pam said yes there is a move on to find those for whom money is owed (ie. accounts that people have completely forgotten about; moved, or their heirs do not know about.)  They are checking any kind of file or data they can find to help determine ownership.  There is over $100 thousand for ownership to be determined.  If owners are not found, then the money will go to the state.

Pam said much as she hated to admit it, DSS was in a mess.  They had files (even speeding tickets dating back to 1928) scattered all over the Court House Square and beyond, in every available storage spot.  She is trying to identify, assemble, categorize, and classify all the various records and gradually send them to the Archives in Raleigh where their records are climate controlled.  The areas where they are currently located are not conducive for maintaining their integrity.  It is not environmentally appropriate for their maintenance.  Anything she can legally give to the Archives, she is currently sending.  Once received by the Archives, they will index and send us a record where they have filed it.  Tom suggested that we have them send us CD’s so we will have a copy here, but will not take up so much space.  Pam thought that was a good idea and would look into it.

Pam again thanked us for all our help during the election and support we have shown since and hoped to see us Sunday, May 22.  She excused herself since she had a dinner date with her husband (a special occasion, since soon he will be totally involved with running their bookstore on the beach while she will be continuing to do the voters biddings and keeping them happy.)

Guests KEN and BETTY LEE WESTBURY were visiting the area from North Columbia, South Carolina.  He said the Republican Party has been taken over by the TEA Party and equivalent parties and he hoped we could get things CHANGED for the good.  The problem he sees is that in their area, there are about 35 or 40 various TEA parties fighting against each other wanting to be in charge.  That needs to change.  We need to all get together for a common good.  Asked what he thought of Tim Scott.  He thinks the jury is still out.  What about Joe Wilson?  He is a little more conservative, but folds and gives in more that some of the others.  Right now he (Ken) is fed up the SC GOP.   Their female Governor is really trying but having to fight all sides from all directions.  He said Donald Trump will be in Columbia next week.   He was curious how we were maintaining our strength and participation.  Bob said we meet every week, so it has become a habit to attend the meetings.  Bob feels if we met less, we might lose some of our participation and enthusiasm.  Ken said his group in North Columbia meets the lst and 3rd week of the month, but he is also involved with other groups.  He wanted to know if North Carolina has a Patriot State Group that coordinates events.  Bob said Mark Hagar, from Charlotte, is the closest thing to a leader of the Patriots, and an Eastern Coordinator has been appointed, but he could not remember the name.  Ken said in South Carolina they have three different groups…..
High (more the financial elite), Middle and Low (the Red Necks).  The Red Necks are basically taking over and making some good changes.  They have a lot of stick-to-it-ness and will not back down.
WAYNE WILLIS said we have a pretty loyal group that works together.  For example:  At our April 16 Rally, while the weathermen were predicting extremely bad weather, and our rally was out doors with no tents, we still had about 150 in attendance.  The weather was fairly nice (lots of wind) but stayed nice until after the rally and clean up, when the extreme storms began to hit.  While we had 150, under not the best circumstances, the Democrats had a meeting indoors and only had about 40 in attendance.
FRED DECKER said we have a strong, conservative Republican Party here in the county, with a lot of Viet Nam Vets and other vets who are active.

EULA PARKINS wanted to know if we knew that thanks to the efforts of US Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla) U.S. Veterans and members of the Armed Forces may now salute the flag (Old Glory) even though not in uniform.  The bill actually passed in 2008 and was signed by President Bush, but she had just recently become aware of the change.  Previous law stated that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they could or should salute the flag.  The new legislation removes the confusion and makes it clear that veterans and service members not in uniform MAY render the military salute.  Inhofe had said he looked forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades and formal events.  Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others.

PEGGY GARNER said she had received a phone call from Judy Wilgus (252-354-3081) with the Republican Party requesting help with making phone calls.  When Judy receives calls or emails from Alan Page of Freedom Works requesting a barrage of calls be made supporting or opposing various bills and programs, she would like to have a large group to help with the calls.  The more people involved the better the show.  If any of our group would like to help make our state (and nation) a better place to live, and also let the world know the TEA Party is very much alive and kicking (HIGH), please contact Judy at the above phone number or email jcwilgus@er.rr.com.  It only takes a few minutes of your time, but is well worth it.

BOB asked us to please try to attend our May 17th meeting (and bring a friend).  David Horton will be our guest speaker on the O’Neal Field situation that ERIC BROYLES has been looking into the last few weeks.  Mr. Horton is the only “No” vote on the O’Neal Field Committee.  I’m sure the discussion will be interesting.

TOM AUSTIN asked if we had any further information on the 4th of July Parade.  PEGGY said she had been extremely busy this past week and had let the group down, by not following up on the information as promised.  Will try to do better for the next meeting.

HOWARD GARNER reported on the Fire Department/EMT Budget committee of which he is a member.  He said those who live outside the city limits are footing two thirds of the cost.  He has complained and dug into the situation so deeply that he has finally gotten the Newport Fire Chief and Town Manager’s attention.  They have written a letter of complaint against him for being disrespectful.  He said he did not care just as long as he had made others aware of the discrimination against the county folks.

BOB reported that the TEA Party had been discussing our support of the Wounded Warriors and other causes (Hope for Warriors in the Jacksonville, NC area; Sam’s Project of mailing packages to overseas warriors, and Carolina Canines).  TOM HARMON said he had recently heard of another great cause “Lap Tops for Wounded Warriors”.  A project whereby funds are raised to buy laptop computers, taken to various veteran hospitals, and bases, and given to wounded warriors, who have no access to computers.  This will enable them to keep up with their families.  TOM will find out more information for our next meeting.  PEGGY wanted to know if we could sponsor more than one cause.  TOM HARMON said he thought it would be nice to hold a contest for designing our new shirts once we determine who we will be sponsoring.  Several thought it would be a good idea.

There was not Treasurer’s Report since NANCY BOCK, our treasurer was not in attendance.

BOB had to leave to attend another meeting, so he appointed TOM HARMON to take over the meeting.

TOM told us about a neat project he would like to see us participate in…..POST IT NOTES!!!
Example:  When you drive up to get gas, leave a post-it note saying something like “Thank you Obama?????” or “Just Maxed Out my Credit Card for one lousy tank of This”.  You get the idea.  Something catchy to get other peoples attention.  Same thing at the grocery store – when you realize that an item has gone up in price or maybe less in the package but higher priced.  Maybe we can get someone’s attention that we have been pushed far enough.  It is time for a REAL CHANGE.  Not an Obama’s Change.  Anyone noticed how much smaller a roll of toilet paper has gotten?  (Well maybe not looking smaller, but fluffier, with fewer sheets.)  Even clothing – the same jeans I bought last year for $19.95 is now $25.95 this year.  Anyone had enough yet???

Meeting adjourned at 6:05pm
Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary

CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MAY 3, 2011

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:04pm by President BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance led by WAYNE WILLIS
Invocation by PEGGY GARNER
Number of Attendees – 23

Comments were made on Osama Bin Laden’s death.  Rumors of ACLU and/or United Nations possibly wanting to conduct an investigation against the Seals involved, for killing an unarmed man.  Will Obama give credit to Bush for making this event possible?

BOB reminded us of the Republican Men’s Club meeting with Congressman W.B. Jones as guest speaker, Monday, May 16, at 6:00 pm.  He said he has a few tickets left.

EULA PARKINS spoke on HB640 – (Only American laws to be enforced – No Sharia laws can be used.)  Mrs. Parkins said she had lived in Greece for three years (years ago).  Told us an account of her housemaid’s arranged marriage.  She had left the house one day and when she returned she told them she was to marry a man she really did not know.  She did find out that he had divorced his first wife (thus forcing her, the first wife, to either become a prostitute or a slave as her reputation was destroyed).  The next meeting with the man she found out he had already stabbed two men to death (which was justified by Sharia law) and the third meeting she was told she had to go behind the veil.  She had to completely hide behind a burka and veil.  Here is where she rebelled.  She enjoyed her high heels, panty hose, dresses, etc. and did not want to give them up.  Mr. Parkins decided to step in and help.  He asked if the maid had any family that lived a long way away where the arranged husband could not find her.  She had an uncle that would hide and help her, so Mr. & Mrs. Parkins arranged to have her travel out of the area to a safe place.  Mrs. Parkins said we do not want anything to do with Sharia law.  It is bad.  They believe in justifiable homicide/honor killings.  We should check out Jehad Watch on the computer.  1% of the North Carolina population is Muslim.  George Cleveland, ranked as top conservative in North Carolina, has introduced this bill, since he is very concerned about Sharia/Jehad laws getting into our laws.

O’NEAL FIELD (Marlin’s park) -  ERIC BROYLES had BOB read an email ERIC had sent to Randy Martin, Morehead City Manager in which he had requested information on the Park, again; saying he had not received a reply to his questions as promised.  He had informed him of the TEA Party’s interest and his appointment as chairman of this fact-finding committee and this email was a follow-up on the questions our members had that Mr. Martin had been unable to completely answer at their meeting.  Listed below are high-lights of his outstanding requests:
1)    The original projected cost for the development and building of O’Neal Field was
$900,000.00; which the Morehead City taxpayers would be financially responsible for $400,000.00 of the cost.  The latest cost figures/expenditures show that the amount spent by the city has ballooned to over $2,700,000.00 in the development and building of O’Neal Field, which does not include the cost of the 6 to 12 employees working full time at the location for the better part of 6 months to complete the project.  Why has the expense tripled in the development of this project; which has now cost MHC taxpayers over $1.9 million dollars?  Considering the level of expense to the taxpayer; why was this project not done under a bond referendum where the citizens of MHC would have had to vote directly for its approval and funding?
2)    Was there an income/economic feasibility study conducted prior to the
development and building of O’Neal Field?  If a study was conducted, was it ever published in the local newspaper?  If a study was conducted, has the income projections been met?  (We would appreciate copy of said study, including name of the company, as well as an income statement showing all income and expenses for the O’Neal Field for the past 3 years.)  Please include the cost of all city employees’ time worked on the field, since they are paid employees of the MHC taxpayers.
3)    It is our understanding that the city has signed a contract with Riverfront Sports and
Entertainment that we have questions concerning:
a.    What type of usage fees does MHC earn each time the field is used by RSE?
b.    Under the existing contract, can RSE hold other types of events (i.e. music festivals, etc) other than baseball?
c.    What type of income do we earn from ticket sales at RSE events?
d.    What type of income do we earn from concession stand sales at RSE events?
e.    What type of income do we earn from the many forms of advertising and signage at RSE events? (i.e. field signage, calendars, t-shirts and caps, PA announcing advertising, game sponsorship, beer sales, tents, etc.)
f.    Who provides and pays for the care and clean up of the field, concession stands, bleachers, etc at an RSE event?
g.    Does the city hire and provide employees at taxpayer’s expense for anything related to an RSE event?
h.    Who provides and pays for the insurance to cover spectator injuries at RSE events?
i.    How long is the contract that has been signed with RSE?
j.    Can the Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots get a copy of the profitability analysis and income statement only outlining income expenses associated with RSE events?
4)    What other profit/income making events have been held at O’Neal Field?   (i.e.
concerts, music festivals, sports, etc)  Can we get a profitability analysis and income statement on those events?
5)     What future profit/income making events (excluding RSE events) are scheduled to
be held at O’Neal Field for the next 12 to 24 months?
6)    At the time the city acquired or closed on the property for the O’Neal Field, what
was the appraised value of the property versus what MHC paid for it?  What is the currently assessed value of the property?
7)    There has been a lot of concern expressed by the residents living within the vicinity
of O’Neal Field about noise after 10:00pm from events.  What is MHC doing to respect the wishes of these residents?
8)    There have been some concerns expressed by the residents living on streets leading
to O’Neal Field about the increase in traffic flow and trash being discarded from vehicles.  Will MHC be putting in bumps along residential streets (like N. Yaupon Terrace) and providing street sweeping clean ups the mornings after each game or event?  Furthermore, will MHC be responsible for any increase in street maintenance or road repair/replacement cost due to the increase in traffic along roads leading to O’Neal Field?
9)    There have been some concerns expressed about the increase in number of drunk
drivers being on the road after an event because of beer sales.  Will there be an increase in police patrols and surprise drunk driver check points in areas surrounding O’Neal Field during and after each event?  Will the event holder (RSE, etc) be responsible for the additional cost for police presence in the area?  We all know that if one person gets killed as a result of beer being sold at an event, then the O’Neal Field project was not worth doing!
10)     Can businesses and groups (like the Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots) hold events
(i.e. company baseball games, or rallies) at O’Neal Field for a nominal fee?
11)  Can MHC charge Non Morehead City residents higher ticket fees or maybe an event tax to help cover the cost of the field that the MHC residents paid for?
At the meeting ERIC had held with Mr. Martin, Martin had told him that it will take some time to get all the information that ERIC had requested, but would attempt to answer what he could at their brief meeting.  He admitted some city employees had been used, but not on a full time basis, only as needed.  The alcohol issue has not passed nor has the contract either.  Still under negotiation.  Project was started about 5 or 6 years ago and some of the ones involved then are no longer a part of the project.  The power bill is nominal due to new lighting efficiency.  The fencing was updated to accommodate the security of anyone (especially kids) getting hurt.  The O’Neal Field committee has gotten so much heat that the public will now probably be involved.  When ERIC asked about property taxes, Mr. Martin said due to property values being dropped, they hope to get back to revenue neutral.  Some will get a tax increase and some will get a reduction.  Articles will be placed in the local newspaper informing procedures to be used for establishing taxes.
ERIC hopes to have answers to the above 11 questions at our next meeting.
ROMA WADE wanted to know if this issue will affect him in Beaufort.  He was told not at the present time.  Since we are the Crystal Coast TEA Party, then anything that affects any of the citizens/tax payers in Carteret County is of importance to us and we should get involved.
BOB thanked ERIC for the good job he has done so far; to keep up the good work.  He understands that David Horton also has voiced his concern over the Field and has questions also.  BOB would like to invite him to come and discuss the issue with us.

BOB said he had been talking to Frank Clements with Americans for Prosperity in Jacksonville, and had invited him to attend one of our meetings.  Mr. Clements would appreciate any help we can give in getting his organization renewed, re-established, and rolling again.  BOB asked us to put on our thinking cap and see if we can come up with any ideas.

Discussed getting a TEA Party established in the western end of the county.  KEN LANG said he had checked with just about every restaurant in the area but they are concerned about our impact on the tourist trade.  It was suggested that we look into the VFW and/or Rotary in Swansboro.  The Community Center charges $20.00 for non-profit organizations.  For us they charge by the hour.  KEN is considering looking into use of churches areas.  We all feel that if we can get a group started in the western end of the county (have excellent member possibilities) then we probably can also draw from eastern Onslow County.  LYN BAKER recommended we look into the use of fire departments, since Havelock/New Bern meets at a fire station.

NANCY BOCK brought in copies of TEA Party Review, a monthly magazine she subscribes to.  Costs $35.00 yearly.

BOB said the main discussion for the Web-a-nar that he participated in last night, was on re-districting…’packing’, ‘cracking’, ‘stacking’ and ‘hi-jacking’.
“Cracking”… for example:  If the Democrats are in power and find a county that is strong Republican, then split it up and place in various other districts.
“Packing”… This is just the opposite. You combine the strong Republican area districts into one and then make more Democrat districts.
“Stacking”… Here if you have for example three strong Republican areas with strong incumbent leaders, then you stack them all into one so they have to run against each other, reducing their power and influence.
“Hi-Jacking”… Force someone to run in an area in which he is not known.

WAYNE WILLIS wanted to know if we had heard the mix-up of Obama and Osama’s names this week after the death of Osama, when some of the reporters were reporting on Obama’s death.  He said we should all watch the news for bloopers and funny events and report on them at the meetings.

JERI GEURIN asked that we all take time out Thursday, National Day of Prayer, to pray for our country.  Several churches in the area will be open.

NANCY BOCK reminded us of the Honor Flight coming in tomorrow in New Bern.  Would be nice to have a good group there to meet them.

TOM AUSTIN said he will run off copies of topics of interest and bring them to the next meeting for us to review and determine if we are interested in following up on.

BOB said that the essay contest “What the American Flag means to Me” has selected the winners.  Two winners were from Morehead Middle School (I believe I understood right) and J. Tuckey, an 8th grader from Gramery Christian School won third place.

TREASURER’S REPORT.  NANCY reported we have $725.00.

JULY 4TH PARADE.  PEGGY GARNER reported that neither Morehead City nor Havelock have  parades.  Only Beaufort has one.  It is conducted by the Beaufort Business Association and Martha Barnes is in charge.  Mrs. Barnes was out of town, so I spoke to Micah Sheppard, who helps Mrs. Barnes.  I explained to Mr. Sheppard who we are “The Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots”; while some consider us an arm of the Republican Party, I explained that we are a very conservative group and our main objective is what we feel is best for our country, whether Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Independent. Would there be any problem with us having a float in their parade?  He said no, he didn’t think so, but would mention it to Mrs. Barnes when she returns and I could talk to her then.  I asked if they allowed tables to be set up along the route, so we could hand out our pocket Constitutions.  He said no, but if we knew someone with a home along the way, and they okayed us setting up, then it was fine with the BBA committee.  He said we could walk the parade route and pass out the pamphlets.  The parade starts at the east end of town, goes down Front Street and then turns down Turner Street to the Courthouse.
I will try to contact Mrs. Barnes this week.
I suggested another idea for a float, of a tea pot cut out of plywood, pouring out pieces of a puzzle of the Constitution, which members, in TEA party t-shirts and caps, would be placing on a large sheet of plywood.   ‘Restoring the Constitution’ as the theme.  Tom said the 4th was about the Declaration of Independence not the Constitution. BOB suggested we get a coffin and a hearse, but even though a funny idea, not an idea for impressing potential members; so hope someone else can come up with an acceptable idea.

BOB introduced a new attendee ERNIE GUTHRIE, from Salter Path.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.

Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER