www.PinellasRepublicans.com
May 2015
ON THE MOVE!
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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PINELLAS COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MONDAY
May 11, 2015
Pinellas County
Republican Executive
Committee Meeting
6 PM Member Orientation
7 PM Meeting Begins
Banquet Masters
13355 49th Street N.
Clearwater, FL 33762
PCREC OFFICE HOURS
9 AM to 2 PM
Monday—Friday
CONTENTS
Page 1—Chairman’s Message
Page 2—PCREC Speaker
Club Corner—HRCOCP
Page 3—Calendar
Page 4—How To Do Facebook
and Twitter
Upcoming Elections
Page 5—Ivory Club Pictures
PCREC Treasurer
Page 6—Tom Brew
We have 566 days until the general election
of 2016. Pinellas County Republicans have an
enormous responsibility to elect Republicans to
many offices in 2016. In 2012, Pinellas County
was ranked the second most important county
in the nation behind Hillsborough County in
determining if a Republican is going to take
back the White House. The I-4 corridor will once
again play a vital role in the 2016 Presidential
election. I am confident the Republican nominee
for President will have the ability to articulate
our platform and principles of smaller government, lower regulations and more personal freedom. Our country was founded on
these principles and we need to elect a leader who will fight for
the future of our country every step of the way. It’s time to end the
corrupt Clinton dynasty once and for all!
Locally, we have four county Commission races up for re-election,
three of which are currently held by Democrats. We also have all
five of our Republican constitutional officers: Sheriff, Supervisor of
Elections, Tax Collector, Clerk of the Court and Property Appraiser
on the ballot in 2016. Let’s make sure to show them our support
in their reelection efforts. We must stand united, and we cannot
afford to lose one of these seats. Of course, we cannot forget
about two Congressmen: Gus Bilirakis and David Jolly, as well
our State Representatives. We know these battles will be tough,
but I am confident in our leaders, and I am confident in your
dedication to their reelections. The stakes could not be higher
this election. We must be prepared to protect our Republican
elected officials and push back against the failed policies of
Democrats in our county and across the country.
As we continue preparing for 2016, be on the lookout for various
ways to get involved. We are currently organizing a volunteerbased voter registration drive that will have our Executive Board,
District Leaders and precinct leaders fully engaged to make sure
we paint Pinellas Red. We are also pushing forward with a complete
over haul of our website that will lead to improved messaging and
social media engagement that is vital for a successful Republican
party. We will be the most united, organized and passionate
Republican Executive Committee in the state.
Nick DiCeglie
Chairman, Pinellas Republican Party
Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee Office | 4707 140th Avenue North | Suite 208 | Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: (727) 539-6009 | Fax: (727) 536-5902 | [email protected]
Sheriff Gualtieri to Speak
at the May PCREC Meeting
Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will provide an update on the latest
programs and successes in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at
the May 11 PCREC meeting. Sheriff Gualtieri has demonstrated
strong leadership in steering and stewarding his large department
in a challenging era of declining tax revenues and competing
crime-fighting priorities.
Bob Gualtieri has been the Pinellas County Sheriff since November
2011. He began his career with the Pinellas office over 30 years ago
and has served in many different capacities, including the agency’s
general counsel and the chief deputy. Did you know that Gualtieri
attended Stetson College of Law and then entered private practice
for about four years?
Sheriff Gualtieri is married to Lauralee Westine, has three daughters and is active in the community, serving on numerous boards including the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast, the Sheriff’s Police
Athletic League and the Pinellas Education Foundation.
Club Corner:
Hispanic Republican
Club and Outreach
of Pinellas County
Chely Hernandez-Miller, President
(727-434-4008)
Hispanic Republican Club meets at
6 pm on the first Monday of the
month at Crabby Bill’s, 401 Gulf Blvd.,
Indian Rocks Beach
[email protected] www.hispanicrepublicanclub.com
The Hispanic Republican Club of Pinellas County was founded in June 2008 and received the RPOF
Charter in December of the same year. With tremendous support from PCREC Chairman Tony
DeMatteo and his board, the club set bylaws: “To attract members and involve them in the Republican
Party and subsequently provide them with a practical means of Republican Party participation,
leadership training and political involvement at all levels of government; to support the principles,
objectives and platform of the Republican Party; and to help secure the election of all duly nominated
Republican candidates in the general election and registered Republican non-partisan elections.”
In December 2014, under the guidance and support of Chairman Nick DeCiglie and his PCREC
Board, the HRCOPC accepted free office space offered by its treasurer, Fernando Gutierrez, with
the purpose of establishing an Outreach Office in addition to the Club. The office is centrally located at
1161 Woodlawn Street in Clearwater and offers services to those needing translations, notary public
and legal consultation, all free of charge. “Outreach” was added to the club’s name for the new
RPOF Charter.
HRCOPC will endeavor to help and engage registered Hispanic Republicans, as well as to reach out to
those who eventually will be able to be part of the process. The only requirement is to be a registered
Republican, and dues are $10 a year. Most of the membership is not Hispanic, and they are very
supportive of the club’s efforts to involve Hispanics in the political process.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS—MAY 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
BWRC
3
4
5
6
7
HRCOPC
10
11
12
PCREC
17
18
25
13
PCYR
19
RCGL
24
8
9
PSBRC
14
21
RRRC
26
15
16
22
23
29
30
CPRC
SPRC
20
PCTR
NPRC
27
28
31
BELLEAIR WOMEN’S REPUBLICAN CLUB
(1st Friday of the Month)
FRIDAY
Guest Speaker: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
Location: Belleair Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Belleair
Contact: President Claudia Thomas (813) 361-4345
[email protected]
www.BelleairWomensRepublicanClub.com
CENTRAL PINELLAS REPUBLICAN CLUB
(2nd Thursday of the Month)
THURSDAY
Guest Speaker: Col. E. Otero, Ret., speaking on Cuba
Location: 9100 113th Street North, Room 210, Seminole, FL
Contact: President Barbara Stephens (727) 397-3449
[email protected]
May 1_ 11:30 AM
May 14
HISPANIC REPUBLICAN CLUB AND OUTREACH OF PINELLAS COUNTY (1st Monday of the Month) MONDAY
Guest Speaker: Dr. Robert Lawrence
Location: Crabby Bill’s, 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach
Contact: President Chely Hernandez-Miller (727) 434-4008
www.HispanicRepublicanClub.com
[email protected]
11:30 AM
May 4
6 PM
May 21
6 PM
PINELLAS COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2nd Monday of the Month)
MONDAY May 11
Guest Speaker: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
Location: Banquet Masters, 13355 49th Street, North Clearwater, FL 33762
Contact: Office (727) 539-6009
[email protected]
www.PinellasRepublicans.com
7 PM
PINELLAS COUNTY TEENAGE REPUBLICANS
(2nd Saturday of the Month)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Location: 1040 21st Avenue N., St. Petersburg 33704
Contact: President ReLynn Capra (727) 459-5104 [email protected]
SATURDAY
May 9
3 PM
PINELLAS COUNTY YOUNG REPUBLICANS
(2nd Tuesday of the Month)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Location: St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 337-1
Contact: President Gordon Oldham (727) 482-6902
[email protected]
TUESDAY
May 12
7 PM
PINELLAS SUNCOAST BLACK REPUBLICAN CLUB
(1st Thursday of the Month)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Location: Sunshine Center, 330 5th Street N., St. Petersburg 33701
Contact: President Sheila Griffin (727) 207-2721
[email protected]
THURSDAY
May 7
7 PM
May 18
6 PM
NORTH PINELLAS REPUBLICAN CLUB
(3rd Thursday of the Month)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Location: Leo’s Italian Grill, 33286 US 19 North, Palm Harbor 34684
President: Jim Downes
Contact: Sue Berfield (727) 443-7316
[email protected]
REPUBLICAN CLUB OF GREATER LARGO
(3rd Monday of the Month)
Guest Speaker: Col. E. Otero, Ret., speaking on Cuba
Location: Alfano’s Restaurant, 1702 Clearwater Largo Road, Clearwater, FL 33756
Contact: President Casey Cox (727) 480-9155
[email protected]
THURSDAY
MONDAY
http://largorepublicans.com
RONALD REAGAN REPUBLICAN CLUB
(3rd Tuesday of the Month)
TUESDAY
Guest Speaker: State Rep. Chris Latvala
Location: Top of the World Veranda Room, East Activity Center
Contact: President Marvin Lazernik (951-377-0913)
[email protected]
ST. PETERSBURG REPUBLICAN CLUB
(2nd Wednesday of the Month)
WEDNESDAY
Guest Speaker: Rep. Kathleen Peters
Location: St. Petersburg Community Church 4501 30th Avenue North, St. Petersburg 33710
Contact: President Gail Hebert (727) 526-2492
[email protected]
May 19
7 PM
May 13
7 PM
Take the plunge and create a Facebook/Twitter account
You may remember that one of the reasons President Obama won his elections was his social media
presence. For the upcoming Republican elections we all need to advance our online presence and
spread the word for Republican candidates. The Internet gives us the ability to communicate almost
instantaneously to online neighborhoods. The one-two-three steps listed below should help you get
your online presence started.
Steps to creating a Facebook account:
District Leaders Getting
Organized
Pam Hinds, District 66, held a meeting on
Saturday, April 11. The meeting included
discussions on voter registration training
by Rosemary Mills, instruction in precinct
walking by Barbara Stephens and the
importance of meeting the voters in each
precinct now.
These district leadership meetings are a
must in getting all of districts organized
for a very big election cycle headed our
way. We need Pinellas County to be ready
to register, walk and rally! Do you realize
we have all of the following elections coming
up?
2016 Elections:
President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House District 19 (Gus Bilirakis)
Florida Senate District 19
Florida House Districts 64
65 (Chris Sprowls)
66 (Larry Ahern)
67 (Chris Latvala)
Districts 68 and 70
69 (Kathleen Peters)
Pinellas County Constitutional Officers:
Clerk of the Circuit Court (Ken Burke)
Property Appraiser
Tax Collector (Diane Nelson)
Sheriff (Bob Gualtieri)
PLEASE NOTE:
The Ronald Reagan Republican
Club of Pinellas County is moving
to a new location starting in May.
The club will be meeting at Top of the World on
the third Tuesday of every month at 7 pm in the
Veranda Room in the East Activity Center.
Go to Google or another search engine. In the Search field type
“Facebook.com”. You will be asked to enter your first and last
names, an email address, birthday and gender. Next, create a
password, something you will remember, but tough enough it
won’t be easily guessed. It is best to use at least 11 digits, with
numbers, capitals, and symbols. Be sure to write it down! Example:
1&2Remembr9
Facebook will ask you to complete your profile by asking questions like high school, college, employer, etc. You may skip this step
if you don’t want personal information out there. You will be asked
to provide a photo. You can upload a photo or you will get the
Facebook’s default.
Once the account is active you will see a search area, “find friends”.
Please type in:
Republican Party of Florida
Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee
Republican National Committee
The names of the clubs listed in this newsletter
When each Facebook page comes up you will see the word “LIKE” in
the title area. If you click on the LIKE you will then be joined to
the page, and you will get postings from the organizations which
you can then share with your friends.
Steps to creating a Twitter account:
Twitter is a networking tool for advocacy, and it is important that
followers trust you and feel comfortable connecting with you.
Go to Google or another search engine. In the search field, type
“Twitter.com” and click on the Sign up now button. Think creatively
and try picking a name that instantly tells about you.
Once logged in, simply click on Profile from the navigation bar up
top. Next click Edit Your Profile, halfway down the page, you will
find the field for a one-line bio. This is the critical piece in your
Twitter identity. If your username is not specific, if your picture
is a little vague, this is the space where you can define yourself.
Add a profile picture. Space is provided to upload a new image
from your computer. You do not want to use the default Twitter
photo. This is the quickest way to go nowhere on Twitter.
Your page can be found at www. twitter.com/yourhandle. For
example: www. twitter.com/inezliota.
Each “tweet” can only be up to 140 characters in length. To reply
to someone else’s post, simply place “@” in front of their
username or click the arrow to reply and type your response.
April 28—Bascom’s
I
V
O
R
Y
C
L
U
B
Thank You Bascom’s
and Paul Jallo for a
memorable Ivory Club
Spring Fling
Notes from the PCREC Treasurer:
“Follow the Money”, the now famous quote from Ben Bradley to Woodward
and Bernstein in All The Presidents Men, has become a mantra for many of
us who seek transparency in public finance. Our goal is to make the finances
and the financial records of the PCREC open and transparent. One of the
ways we do this is printing and distributing the financial statement to members
at the monthly PCREC meeting.
All money collected and all money spent is reported in detail to the Supervisor
of Elections in a quarterly report. Once reported to the SOE, it becomes a
public record for all to see. In addition, any PCREC member who has questions
can make an appointment with me, and I will be happy to answer them.
I am happy to report that the Audit Report for Calendar Year 2014 has been completed and the
records were found in general compliance by the Finance Committee. We are very appreciative of the
volunteer hours devoted to a complete review of the financial records of the PCREC and the Ivory
Club by Tim Lima CPA, Finance Committee Chairman, Alan Swartz CPA, Finance Committee and
Mel Sams CPA, Finance Committee. Thank you gentlemen.
We are in the process of switching the financial record keeping to Quick Books which should make
tracking and reporting even more streamlined. My first five months as treasurer have been
very busy, but the PCREC office staff and volunteers have made it most enjoyable. We
have the best volunteers!
—Casey Cox, Your PCREC Treasurer
ON THE MOVE!
Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee
4707 140th Avenue North, Suite 208
Clearwater, FL 33762
PCREC Celebrates
Tom Brew
Most of the PCREC membership
know and appreciate Tom Brew.
Tom joined the PCREC in January
1988. He served as Membership
Chairman for more than 10 years
and helped create and implement the
most successful membership drive
in the history of the organization.
Once challenged by then Chairman Paul Bedinghaus to fill
50% of all precinct seats, his committee filled 450 precinct
committee seats, the largest number ever for Pinellas
County. Tom also created a comprehensive training
program for new members and oversaw the training
committee, and he is a charter member of the Chairman’s
Circle and an active member of the Ivory Club. Over the
years, he has faithfully supported local Republican candidates,
working behind the scenes in support roles.
Tom is originally from New Jersey (South Jersey). He is
a retired industrial mechanical engineer after 30 years with
the American Can Company in Tampa. He lived with his wife
(now deceased) in St. Petersburg where they raised their
three children. On April 11, 2015, Tom celebrated his 90th
birthday among 250 well-wishers at the St. Petersburg
Yacht Club.
To this day Tom is always there with a smile and ready
to assist when we need him. Thank you, Tom, for your
lifetime of dedication to the PCREC and Republican causes.
PCREC BOARD
Nick DiCeglie, Chairman
[email protected]
Todd Jennings, Vice Chairman
[email protected]
Pam McAloon, Secretary
[email protected]
Casey Cox, Treasurer
[email protected]
Charlotte Smith, Executive Director
[email protected]
Brian Aungst—Legal Counsel
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
[email protected]
STATE PARTY OFFICIALS
Blaise Ingoglia
Dan Tucker
Nancy Riley
Jay J. Beyrouti
Chairman-Republican Party of FL
State Committeeman
State Committeewoman
State Committeeman at Large
Attention PCREC Members:
RPOF County Model Constitution: Section 4—Removal for
Non-Attendance at County Executive Committee Meetings
(a) A county executive committee member who is absent for
three (3) consecutive regular meetings without a valid excuse
shall be removed from the County Executive committee as of
the date of the third consecutive missed meeting.