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