MINUTES OF CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS

MARCH 22, 2011

 

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC

Meeting called to order at 6:05 p.m. by President BOB CAVANAUGH

Pledge of Allegiance led by BOB CAVANAUGH

Invocation by STEVEN BEST

No. in attendance: 29

 

BOB CAVANAUGH introduced new attendees.

 

BOB asked how many planned to attend the Americans for Prosperity bus trip to Washington, DC on April 6.  Tom Harmon said he planned to go.  Barbara Rawls explained that the event was to show TEA Party strength for budget cuts when the meat of the budget process is expected to occur.  KEN LANG has posted a sign-up sheet on our web site.  AFP is trying to determine how many from Carteret, Craven and Onslow counties are interested in going so they can determine how many buses they need and where to pick up attendees.

 

WAYNE WILLIS asked that anyone eligible (members of Carteret Craven Electric Power Cooperative) to be on the lookout for the member ballot in the April issue of Carolina Country magazine.  Wayne is running for Director in District 7 and would appreciate those eligible to vote to please cast your ballot for him.  You must use the ballot in the magazine, not a facsimile.  He also handed out a few posters and requested those taking them to please post them in stores in their area.

 

TOM AUSTIN reported that he had remained at the County Commissioners meeting after the other TEA party members had left.  He said there had been more discussion on the big screen TV at East to be used by a teacher to instruct students not only at East but also West and Croatan at the same time.  Therefore, he felt there must be more/additional TV’s, for the students at West and Croatan to be able to see and hear, that are not being discussed.

 

They had also discussed ‘at risk students’.  Right now the class would be composed of down east students, but at a future time would encompass students from through-out the county.

 

He said radios for emergency personnel had been included in the budgets for years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and he understood they had been approved two years (2009 and 2010); therefore it appeared funds had been approved twice.  They are talking about 200,000 (I think he said) radios, not only for emergency personnel, but will be issued to just about anyone who requests them.  This is Homeland Security money; therefore, as ERIC said, “it’s just China’s money, and we will be buying the radios from China anyway”.

 

He also said he understood it was said that if Wings E and F at East Carteret are completed, there will be no additional maintenance or upkeep funds required!  Dr. Novey went on to say that the estimated cost of upkeep for things like custodial work and power usage was $4.50 a square foot per year (or $175,000 for the wings); but it was unlikely the actual cost would be that high as the improved HVAC system would be more efficient.

 

Also, they talked about ‘Interest Free Bond Notes’.  Has anyone ever heard of an “interest free bond note”?  Who would be interested in buying into an interest-free note?

 

In order for the state (Gov. Perdue) to balance their budget, they are kicking the can down to the counties.  They are placing the expense of purchasing and maintenance of ‘state’ school buses, worker’s compensation, and various other expenses formerly in the state’s budget, to the counties to pay for.  He said the Legislature is coming up with a budget, but it is very probable Perdue will veto it.  Everything is in turmoil and there probably will be no budget until at least June or later.  County has to make up a budget in the dark while waiting for the state.  The county budget is due the end of April or first of May.  BOB wants to know if we can get a copy of the budget on line.  He requested a volunteer to study the local budgets.  No one volunteered right then.

 

Maintenance on East Carteret School has been included in the budget almost since the school was built and has never been spent.  Now that they need the money, no one knows where the allocated money is.

 

ERIC BROYLES spoke on Dr. Novey’s position of which is more important – saving teachers or capital improvements on East Carteret’s

E and F wings.  Discussion followed.

 

ERIC also said Bill No. S109 on spending cuts for the current fiscal year is now on the Governors’s desk.  We need to keep an eye on it.

 

BOB CAVANAUGH and KEN LANG attended the Republican meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Center last Saturday.  They said a lot of good ideas are coming out of the Republican side, but the Governor keeps vetoing them.  As to the Democratic National Convention which is to be held in Charlotte – Obama’s supporters are pumping massive amounts of money into the state.  They are well financed and well manned, and we will have a fight on our hands.  FRED DECKER, Newport Precinct 1 Chairman, said we have some really hard working respesentatives that believe in our cause.  (Thanks to Ken Humphrey, the best friend the Republicans could ever have.)  Duke Power Company is putting a lot of money into Obama’s Democratic Party Convention.  BOB reported that, at the meeting Saturday night, FRED had been presented a flag that had flown over the state capital on election day, with a certificate signed by Jean Preston, Pat McElraft, and – Governor Beverly Perdue.  (Joke was made for FRED not to worry, as soon as we get a Republican Governor, we’ll have another certificate made up and get it re-signed.)

 

TOM AUSTIN said he had been trying to get up with someone connected to the Wounded Warriors, but as of today, he had been unable to do so.

 

BOB announced that if anyone has not heard yet, Frank Palombo, former sheriff of Craven County, has announced his run against Walter B. Jones in the next election.  BOB likes that someone is coming out early, so we have time to get on board, if we want to.  We will have a great opportunity to vet early.  He understands Mr. Palombo might attend our April 16th rally at the Newport Flea Mall.

 

RALLY PREPARATIONS:

Our plans are to start setting up and putting everything together around 9:00a.m.  The rally is from 11:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

 

NANCY BOCK thought it would be nice if CATIE MIDGET (MCCABE) could get some friends together and meet and greet the attendees as they arrive, while passing out small flags to the children attending.

 

TOM SMITH reported that he had the stage locked in.

 

NANCY reported the port-a-pottys have been ordered.

 

BOB CAVANAUGH said he has someone lined up for the sound system.  He may have to get up with ALEX DAVIS about using some of his equipment.

 

NANCY recommended we begin advertising in the local paper about two weeks prior to the event.  Wanted to know if we want to list all of our scheduled speakers.  (No.  Just a few.)

 

BOB recommended we hold a Poster Contest.  Said that PEGGY GARNER had won the contest in Washington and it had seemed to go over quite well.

 

WAYNE WILLIS will check on patriotic music for the rally.  We will need equipment to plug into and play the music on the sound system we are planning to use.

 

FRED DECKER said he would check on a singer to lead the Star Spangled Banner.

 

BOB said he could not get there with the sound equipment until around 10:30a.m. since he had to pick it up on the day of the rally; otherwise, it would cost us another day.  RUTH PARKER recommended that BOB offer the owners to plug their business at the rally for the extra day’s cost.  Our use of the equipment will be less than 24 hours.

 

TOM HARMON will furnish a flag and ROY MUSSER will set it up.

 

RUTH PARKER has the podium.

 

TOM AUSTIN, RUTH PARKER, and NANCY BOCK have tents we can use.  LUKE KUKULINSKI said he had a tent (I think he called it a cook tent), but someone else would have to suffer putting it up.  It was mean to erect.

 

BOB wanted to know if someone would go to Special Services and get the tables and chairs.  HOWARD GARNER said that would not be necessary; that he could get what we need from the Moose Lodge.  (Will reserve 12 tables and 36 chairs.)  Can probably get more if we need them.  FRED DECKER said he thought he could also get about 8 or 10 tables.  HOWARD is going to check to find out if our granddaughter would need the horse trailer that weekend.  If not, since it is covered, we can load the tables and chairs on Friday night, so they will be ready to go Saturday morning.

 

HOWARD and PEGGY have the tickets and will get the wire ticket cage for the 50-50 drawing.  PEGGY will be responsible for making change, collecting the monies, and dividing the receipts for the winning ticket.  RUTH PARKER and CATIE would appreciate any help they can get with selling the tickets.

 

KEN passed out a list of the scheduled speakers that he currently has commitments from as follows:

Lockwood Phillips will serve as Master of Ceremony.

BOB CAVANAUGH, President of the Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots; Representative Pat McElraft; Representative Norman Sanderson; Clerk of Court Pam Hanson; Francis Deluca, President NC Civatas; Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation; Dallas Woodhouse or Chris Farr, Americans for Prosperity; Troy Kickler, John Locke Foundation; CATIE MCCABE, Crystal Coast TEA Party Patriots, and Pastor Willie Montague.  Senator Jean Preston will be attending.

 

NANCY will have a table set up for selling shirts, hats, and other items.

 

Need volunteers for directing traffic.  Please let BOB know if you are available and can help in any way.

 

BOB said we need a tent to cover the sound equipment in case it rains.  HOWARD said he has some large tarps that we will bring to cover things in case we need them.

 

ROY MUSSER said he would bring the large electrical cord that we used last year.  HOWARD said he had several large cords (not quite as large) that he would bring just in case we might need them.

 

BOB said he would ask DEBBIE RUCKER if she would volunteer/donate bottles of water like she did at the Washington Rally.

 

BOB said he would ask Pastor Montague if he would give the invocation.  If for some reason he was unavailable; he would ask DEBBIE if she would please stand by to take over.

 

JERE GEURIN reported on the ‘care packages’ being sent overseas to our troops.  The items being sent include trail mix, candy, tooth brushes and paste, etc.  Sam Sanford, retired, told JERE they had about 100 packages ready to go.  The packages are addressed to a lst Sgt. (accompanied by a customs’ form).  They try to get sponsors to pay the postage on the boxes being mailed, which costs $12.95 per box.  They will be in Morehead City Saturday.  If you are interested in helpin this worthy cause, please stop by and mail a package to our overseas fighting men.  They really appreciate your help.

 

NANCY BOCK, Treasurer, reported that we have $1,026.00.  Still need items for the rally and cost of advertising to be expended.  Hope we can sell enough items at the rally to rebuild our treasury.  All donations will be greatly appreciated.

 

RADIO ADVERTISING –  KEN LANG said he would check with Swap Shop on the radio to find out how much it would cost to sponsor that program.  He realizes that there is no cost if we just call in and mention the rally.  He has heard that it costs $16.00 per minute on Ben Ball’s program.  BOB requested that we wait until next meeting night to vote on ‘sponsor’ or ‘call in’.  NANCY will check on cost of newspaper ads (and radio).  We all can write letters to the editor pushing our rally.

 

TOM AUSTIN wanted to know if we wanted a Wounded Warrior to speak at our rally or at one of our meetings.  Decided to have him speak at one of our meetings.  Have a lot of speakers now and would not want to have the Wounded Warrior message lost in the crowd.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm