Clearwater, April 12, 2004
Pinellas Country Republican Club Executive Committee Chairman, Paul Bedinghaus, called the meeting to order and welcomed all attendees in the packed auditorium.
The Chairman invited Nancy Bostock, School Board Member to the podium to present the Invocation followed by every attendees participation in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Bedinghaus read the minutes, finance report and presided over other Committee business.
Introduction of Candidates and Candidate’s Representatives for election and reelection were invited to share a brief remark about their candidacy,
These
included Ken Burke candidate for Circuit Court Clerk
Ronnie Duncan, President of Duncan Companies Inc
Neil Brickfield, Commissioner, Safety Harbor and President
of Black Tie Janitorial Services
and
Marshall Reynolds Commissioner of Redington Shores, Representing Mayor JJ
Beyrouti. Reynold is also Vice President of the RCGS. All three candidates are
seeking the Pinellas County Commissioner District 1 seat.
Additionally, candidate for re election as County Commissioner shared her thoughts as well.
But the highpoint of the meeting was guest speaker Dr.
Susan MacManus, Professor of Government and International Affairs, College of
Arts and Science, USF. A very astute and informed Dr. MacManus described
the expected scenario and probable costs for both parties in the upcoming
elections. Many millions will be poured into the fray then quickly added,
it’s not always about money. Dr. MacM
anus
continued, back to fundamental campaigning, often the basics do prevail.
On that score especially in the university environment the Democrats have a
leg up. In any case the anticipated cost for the coming election,
in particular the Senate race will be huge. She noted that a loss of that
seat to the Republican Party wound be a disaster for the Democratic Party Machine
and a super
coup for Florida Republicans.
Listening intently are Committee Officers (L to R) John Milford - Secretary, Gail Hebert - Vice Chairman and Paul Bedinghaus - Chairman.
During Dr. MacManus 's discourse on the multi dimensional
issues to be faced in this 2004 campaign, she provided many snippets of levity.
She described a discussion to a group of all Democrats in which the dialog
embraced the legal awards cap sought by many. Of course that subject pits
Doctors against Lawyers. So, Dr.
MacManus
at the Democrats meeting requested by a show of hands whom the audience
preferred as compatriots. All those who favor Lawyers over Doctors were asked to
raise their hands and only one appeared. She noted that one raised hand
belonged to a Lawyer. This antidote brought much laughter and smiles.
Well-done Dr. MacManus. Your insights and comments throughout the evening were
superb and much appreciated. On behalf of the PCREC, thank you.
In
attendance sharing ideas and concepts were Presidents Barbara Stephens, Central
Pinellas Republican Club and Erwin Beck, Top of the World.
PCREC next meeting will be Monday, May 10, 2004
PCREC, Vice Chairman requested posting of the below notice to all web sites. The honoring of Karleen DeBlaker for her many decades of county service by your attendance is welcomed and appreciated.
