North Lake TEA Party

Mascotte Charter Elementary School:

With the contract for Mascotte coming up for renewal, the discussion centered on how to transition the         teachers and supporting staff from district employees to non-­-district employees. If not done properly, there is a possibility of loosing teachers/staff to district schools and thus jeopardizing Mascotte Charter A rating status.

The discussion highlighted all of the board members’ sincere concern for student learning and the need to support lake county charter schools. All of the members appeared to be leading the legal aspects of contract renewal vs. have being lead by board’s attorney. It has been my experience that an attorney’s responsibility is to protect their client (in this case the lake county district school administration) irrespective of whether the “deal” (contract) can be a win for all of the stakeholders. This is the significance of leading legal council vs. being lead.

It has also been my experience that when a CEO (or other responsible person) says finances are not the issue, there needs to be an immediate review of what is being charged for all services rendered.

In this case the principle of Mascotte Charter is that CEO, and this is an opportunity to review what services are actually being provided vs. what the district is charging for those services.

The superintendent and board members seem to be sensitive to the unique issues and requirements associated with Mascotte Charter.

The solution to bring as many lake county charter school contract closer to the same end date, then have as many participate in the contract negotiation to resolve the employee issues is a good direction to proceed. If this approach is not taken, Mascotte would set the precedence for all lake county charter schools without them having input.

Impact Fees:

The impact fees for the county have increased from ~$1,200 in 2001 to ~$9,300 today, and are believed to be a adding to the current construction slump

By suspending these fees, it is hoped that this will help lake county construction industry and the related jobs connected to the construction of homes and commercial buildings.

New building permits in Lake County are in the single digits. Neighboring counties have experienced new building permits at a double­digit rate.

Several homebuilders / developers commented that six months is not enough time. Because of the time it takes for site development, architectural design, obtaining quotes, obtaining financing, etc, 6 months is not enough time to take advantage of the suspension. The suspension should be from 12 to 22 months.

The board proposes suspending the fees for six months starting April 1.

Within this suspension period, the board will have reviewed the impact fee study currently being compiled by an outside consultant.

Current positions of board members:
   
Debbie Stiivender: She is not a supporter of impact fees. Agrees to suspend fees for 6 months now. After the 6 months it may be possible to extend another 6 months. It may also be possible to reduce the fees below the current $9,300.

Rosanne Brandeburg: Agrees to suspension for 6 months, to review if extension is possible beyond the initial 6 months and a possible reduction in fees after the suspension period.

Kyleen Fischer: Agrees to 6 months suspension.

Tod Howard: Agrees to 6 months suspension, which should force current study to be completed and develop direction to address longer­term solutions. Jim Miller: Believes 6 months suspension is not long enough. Agrees with the public comments given. The suspension should initially be 12 months. The 6 months is not long enough for builders / developers to take advantage of this suspension. Also believes fees should be reduced after the suspension period ends.

North Lake Tea Party Meeting Wednesday April 6th.2011
7:00PM Meeting called to order by Andy
Opened with prayer and pledge and acknowledged first timers
Treasurers report by Dave V.
D.J. was presented with the NLTP Certificate of Appreciation for his work in conducting our first Constitution class.
A straw ballot was taken on the best night to hold our meetings. The results are below:
Monday 0
Wednesday 18
Mon. or Wed OK 13
From this straw poll we will continue to have our meetings the first and third Wednesday's of each month.
A school board report was given by Marie D.
The local issues report by Vance J.
Tallahassee trip report by Andy D.
Looking for input session by Patricia S. Some of the suggestions were:
The workings of local, state, and federal gov., Taking stands on specific issues, Support of Constitution, List of common goals, Uniting behind a candidate, More attention to primaries, Networking, Coffee clutches for discussions, & building our membership.
Upcoming events:
Constitution Rally, St. Augustine, Sat. April 16th. 11AM-4PM; St Johns County Fairgrounds.
Constitution Classes by John Renick 4-12 ,4-27, 5-13 Tavares Civic Center 7PM
Speakers at next meeting Bob McKee Lake County Tax Collector & Rhonda Hunt Lake County Schools Mentoring Program
Future speakers: Lake County Commissioners  Jimmy Connors and Leslie Campione.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM

Tuesday - 7:30 AM

Met in the capital lobby

Handed a list of over 30 bills being considered in the Senate or House

Directory of reps names and office numbers

Broke up into small groups to make visits or attend committee meetings

We ran into US Congressman Daniel Webster in the hall.

House Rep. Marlene O’Toole – District 42

       Member of Government Operations Committee

Sen. Alan Hays – packed his office fellow Tea Party members

Rep. Corcoran - Tampa

       HB 995 – Local Effort Property Tax/Sales Tax

       Increase state sales tax by 2.5%

Lower real estate property taxes accordingly (?????)

Revenue Neutral

Attended the Tea Party Rally on the steps of the old capitol – Noon-2 PM

Speakers included:

James Madison Institute  - Free Market Think Tank - www.jamesmadison.org

       Rep. Scott Plakon - Orlando

              In support of constitution amendment to balance our budget

              Oppose the Numeric Nutrient law - EPA water quality regulations

              SB 1090, HB 239, HM 1401

       KeepemHonestFlorida.com  

       Freedom Connector – website connection Tea Party/912 Groups

              Added North Lake Tea Party
   
Senate President Mike Haridopolis – needs our support for next 60 days

              Balance the budget

              No new taxes

              Medicare reform

              Pension reform

              Immigration reform

       Gov. Scott spoke at 1:10 PM

Freedom Works – National organization chaired by Dick Armey

       www.freedomworks.org

FreedomWorks:

recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.

Tea Party Caucus – Senate Chambers of the Old Capital Building

       Formed 1st Florida Legislature Tea Party Caucus

Attended the joint session of the State-of-the-State by Governor Rick Scott

Wednesday

Attended in Senate gallery to observe debate of SB736 – Federal Stimulus funds for education

Joined TheTeaPartyNetwork

Attended Senate Criminal Justice committee meeting focused on SB234 – Open Carry Firearms

Thursday

Met in the Knott Building Room 117 at 8:30 AM – Presenters included:

Senator Greg Evers – Wanted our input on SB736 Teacher Tenure

       $750M Federal Stimulus – 50% DOE, 50% Classrooms

       TP consensus – NO

Americans For Prosperity – providing busses to Tallahassee – 3/29

CFO Atwater

       Make government think differently about how they run their business

       Take back America to Fiscal Responsibility

       Role of CFO

              No vote member of budget process

              Offers direction to make budget work

              Insures correct execution of budget goals

              Writes the checks

              Investigates Medicare/Medicaid fraud ($2B/yr)

Henry Kelly – Budget exercise using power point tool

       Discretionary            $30B

       Non-Discretionary    $40B

              Federal statute

              State statue

Governor’s Budget Director – w/2 assistants

Jeb Bush Foundation - Education Representative – SB736

       Before passage – 3yrs teacher tenure or job for life

       In support of teachers evaluation proposal in SB736

              50% Peer – 50% Student

       Now more closely matches private sector     

Rep. Doug Broxon – Panhandle - Freshman

       Watch the process closely

              Don’t decide on an issue until you’ve heard all the evidence

       Pray for our state

Rep. Keith Perry – Gainesville

Rep. Matt Gaetz -  Panhandle

       HB7005 - Reduces Unemployment Comp from 26-20 weeks

Rep. Michael Bileca – Miami-Dade – Freshman

       Filed bill to include founding fathers in US history in public schools

              Now US history begins in 1865

       TAT Rally at DOE (Turlington Bldg.)

              DOE has ignored 200 historical text book errors submitted by TP citizens

Unite In Action – The Great American Budget Bash

       www.uniteinaction.org

Sen. Alan Hays – Central Florida

       SB518 E-Verify – immigration reform

       Property insurance premiums will go up – because of sins of the past

              $138B shortfall if 100 year storm hits our state

       SB1714 corrects the grievous errors by previous governor

       To contact him:

              No form letters

              Keep you message short and sweet

Agenda 21 – information

       www.agenda21today.com

Sen. Joe Negron – Treasure Coast

Sen. Paula Dockery – Voted NO SB736 – against GOP leadership

       Opposes accepting federal stimulus funds

Sen. Matt Gaetz – Panhandle

       Announced that SB 736 Passed to end teacher tenure

       Public employee pensions – we need sensible-solvent pension systems

Keep emails coming

Write letters to the newspaper editors

SB1972 – Control Medicare Cost

       Add eligibility requirements

       US Citizens only

       Morbidly obese/smokers get rehab to be eligible

       Currently no cost controls on Fed. Medicaid

Henry Kelly – Senate/House Website

       How to be a lobbyist without a lobbyist budget

              Track bills

              Search bill text for the word ‘Shall’ to find the meat of the bill

Sen. Greg Evers – Panhandle - Needs our help with these bills

SB168 – Total Repeal of Septic Tank Language

              Ask Sen. Dean to move the bill

       SB402 – Local government cannot stop ammo sale

       SB1494 – Numeric Nutrient

       SB1478 Interstate Commerce (Exercise our 10th Amendment Rights)

       SB616 – Ad Valorem Taxation

       SB358 – 10th Amendment Bill

       SB432 – Prohibits physicians from asking if you have a gun in your home

       SB234 – Open carry firearms

Former Sen. Cary Baker

       Policy consultant to Senate President

Franz Krebreau

       3rd Friday in June – Celebrate Freedom (National Day of Observance)

              Black vs White, Principle vs Power, Good vs Evil

Andy Dubois, andy.dubois@yahoo.com

Great meeting, we had 43 signed in attendance.

We opened with prayer by Tom Dallinga.

Pledge of Allegiance & MC Andy DuBois

The speakers were Dave VonGunten, Patricia Sullivan, Vance Jochim and we showed a video about Agenda 21. See the links below.

This following letter and question was sent to our County Commissioners also.

I know you are all aware of Agenda 21, but I wanted to show you what we viewed at the TEA Party last night and the letter to Rick Scott from Bear Witness that I got this morning.  Sorry to send you links, but it is the best way to give you all the details.

First, the video from PJ TV:
http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=174&load=4972 

Then the letter from Bear Witness:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=perishdab&v=001GW57Qq-hwGRPiMhVmJ8MEk9I6O2IJXnQLXri98rA2oLGMK_Cl7Q46bbWL9ODU2_2QlzeaH-h9Z0zu4PYgICgW5vXkdhUSis5nbQtD_yFsrk%3D 

It was pointed out l that there are more severe examples of Agenda 21 activities in YouTube, but the link above is short and enough to really get their attention.  It seemed so remote until I got the mail from Bear Witness this morning.  Where does Lake County stand in relation to ICLEI?

Dear Patriots,  

When we stood together on April 15th, 2009, we began a Revolution.  Nearly two years later, many battles still await.  The results of these battles will rest with our resolve.  I understand, more than some, the cost of investing your life, answering the call to reclaim America.  You, too, have invested, knowing future generations will look back on these years and regard them as the days our future was won, or lost.  I remind you of the gravity of the Revolution because we stand at the cusp of another battle.  

Like a cornered and wounded wild animal, we are witnessing the violent flailing of the unions clinging to their stranglehold on American prosperity.  We've witnessed the unethical methods of shipping in thousands of protesters from other states, many not knowing why they are at the capitol of Wisconsin.  We've witnessed unethical doctors writing sick-notes for those who have left their jobs to protest in favor of the unions.  As families struggle to put food on their tables, they now miss work to stay home with school children with no place to go because their teachers aren't in the classrooms.  However, that is not the picture being portrayed in the main stream media.    

We most likely all agree that those who serve the public have a special place of appreciation, but right is right. At a time when many in the private sector have lost their jobs, lost their retirement, and struggle to make ends meet, is it wrong to ask public servants to join with us in sacrificing?  The union leadership is paid to protect those who pay dues, apparently, at all costs. Now the unions are planning protests in other states that are facing unfunded pension liabilities.  In Florida, Gov. Scott is asking public employees to contribute  5% to their retirement. Today, Florida is the ONLY state " where no one in the state retirement system is asked to contribute toward their pension. "     

The unions are coming to Florida soon.  Very soon.  They are already stirring the pot behind the scenes and gathering troops.  That is why I'm writing to you today. As I make my requests, please prayerfully consider what you are able to do.  Please sacrifice with me and my family.   Remember, America did not get where she is today on our children's watch, but on our watch.  It is our responsibility to reclaim America for our children and grandchildren.  

It has come to my attention that unions are shipping 8-10 thousand people into Tallahassee on March 8th.  I've also learned that Orange County Public School teachers have received an email letting them know they can take the week off to protest and a substitute will be provided for them.  Tea Party and 912 leaders from across the state are asking their membership to take a stand in Tallahassee.  Can you take off March 8th?  Our Capitol is about to be bombarded, but we can be there to let our legislators know we want to Save Our State! 

It is very probable this email will be read by many within our army that work in the public sector.  Please know this is not a personal attack on individuals.  You have been called to a special task, serving the public, and your work is appreciated.  Every person has value.  Private sector, public sector, we are all created equal, we are all Americans, and we are all responsible for caring for the future of our country.  Let's fight to reclaim America with each other and exemplify American exceptionalism.  

The Call to Action:
Go to Tallahassee and be at the doors of the Capitol between 7am-7:30am on Tuesday, March 8th.  You will be given a list of Senators, Representatives and their offices.  We will also have pertinent issues available for discussion.  While we don't plan on joining the unions in shouting, we do plan on letting our legislators know where we stand.  They have difficult decisions ahead, and we need to have their backs when they make them.  We also need to empower them with the courage they will need to make hard choices.  I expect more details to come forward as the date gets closer.  

I have a block of rooms at Quality Inn where I have taken many groups over the years.  It is not five stars, but they do have a free breakfast.  The cost is $49 a night for our group, Patriot Army.  Their number is 850.562.0932 and the address is 3090 North Monroe St., Tallahassee.  I will be arriving on Monday and leaving Thursday.  However, our priority is that you be at the Capitol Tuesday, March 8.  If you stay longer, you won't be bored!  There are many key hearings taking place and votes coming during this first week of session.  Your point of contact for questions will be Andy Dubois and his email address is Andy.Dubois@yahoo.com .  Now, let's get to work!  

In service,
Patricia Sullivan
North Lake TEA Party
Patriot Army

So far, 2011 has also brought the North Lake Tea Party three wonderful speakers: KrisAnne Hall who gave us an informed and inspirational talk on the history leading up to the writing of the US Constitution.

Mike McCalister, candidate for US Senator 2012, shared with us his in-depth experience and qualifications for his run to unseat US Senator Bill Nelson.

We were delighted to have newly-elected Representative, Daniel Webster, update us on the actions being taken by the Republican Majority in the US House of Representatives.

On top of this, we were honored that Governor Scott chose the City of Eustis and the North Lake Tea Party as host for unveiling our state budget. As you can see, 2011 has started out with a great big bang, our membership is growing and our patriots are fully engaged. However, there is much to be done and big opportunities for continued service on our journey to restore our founding principles.

Andy Dubois

January has been very busy. These are some of the things we did this month.

Tues. 4th. DJ’s AM Constitution classes

Wed. 5th. Tea Party meeting Dan Smithwick, free market expert guest speaker

Thur. 6th Face book classes at Garden Gate Patricia and kids

Tues. 18th. DJ’s AM Constitution classes. Prepare something to share in discussion.

Wed. 19th. NLTP meeting w/KrisAnne Hall as guest speaker. See pictures

Thur. 20th. Hospital tax Constitutionality hearing, rebuttal & decision later. See blog.

Thur. 27th. School Board Retreat, decision on construction at Grassy Lake

Thur. 27th. DJ’s Evening Constitution class. See pictures.

The Constitution classes have been a big success, well attended. Our speakers were very good. If you missed KrisAnne you may get another chance. (To be announced later.) The Hospital tax hearing was well attended. See blog entry below. The School Board is going to look at other alternatives and they have several.

John W

You have probably read the "Right Side of The Lake" attack article on Marilyn Bainter.
This is not the first such attack, but it is the first that the TEA Party has been mentioned.
I feel compelled write a response.

Here are the facts as I see them.

Always follow the money

First, who is the "Right Side of The Lake"?

It is written and published by Don Magruder, manager of RoMac Lumber.

Follow the money.

If the hospitals build something, who stands to make a profit off of the cost of building materials?
After this and other malicious articles, do you think RoMac might be first in line?

A typical liberal approach.

Attack the person, not the facts.

According to the current article, Marilyn Bainter is portrayed as a tree hugging animal lover who loves animals more than humans.

Talk to Marilyn for a moment and you know this is hogwash.

Follow the money

Our tax dollars are paid to the hospitals without oversight.

Consider:

Waterman Hospital

Let's say they purchase hospital supplies (bed pans/needles/etc.) at top dollar.

Why negotiate for the best price when it is possible that end of year rebates may happen.
Rebates; to whom would they be paid?

Lake County residents whose taxes purchased the supplies?

Not on your life, those rebates might be paid to the hospital's parent organization in Orlando.

This may not happen, but you'll never know because there is
no accountability for your tax dollars.

Leesburg Regional and Life Stream Behavioral

How much of their services are provided to residents of Sumter and Marion counties?

You'll never know because there is no accountability for your tax dollars.

Not so much as a thank you to Lake County residents who subsidize these operations.

Did you know Sumter and Marion counties do not have a hospital tax?

Indigent Care

As written, you'd think if it were not for the North Lake Hospital Tax indigents would be turned away from the door.

What about Medicaid?  Are we not paying indirectly for indigent care through Medicaid
then directly through our tax dollars?

Follow the money

Is the tax Constitutional?
The Hospitals are all profitable with profits exceeding the amount received in taxes.

Why are your hard earned tax dollars being spent to increase the profits of private businesses?

Let's see "The Right Side of The Lake" or anyone else defend the Constitutionality
of the North Lake Hospital Tax.

Follow The Money

There is NO ONE but Marilyn Bainter and a handful of patriots defending the taxpayers of Lake County.

Every single entity involved in this tax is making a profit off of your tax dollars
except Marilyn Bainter and the North Lake TEA Party.

Taxpayers

Do you NOT care that your tax dollars are being paid to profitable Corporate medical facilities?

I am outraged.

Contact your State Legislators

Senator Alan Hays: 352-742-6441; email;  hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
Representative Larry Metz: 352-742-6275; email; larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov

Is it because this is such a small part of your tax bill that you are silent about this unconstitutional tax?

Dave VonGunten

The hospital tax hearing was held Thursday, January 20th. at 1:30 in Judge Singletary’s courtroom in the judicial building.    In attendance were approximately 60 spectators of which at least 25 were supporters of our NLTP Hospital Board members.    

The setting reminded me of the movie with Atty. Clarence Darrow up against the establishment and three time Presidential candidate,William Jennings Bryan, statesmen, orator, etc. The Bainter's attorney Mr. Joe Little (fits well into the scenario) being the sophisticated Country Lawyer dressed in a gray suit against seven or eight attorneys in black pin striped suits costing i'm sure millions of dollars. Atty. Little's wit and counter points were all highlighted or written down by the Judge.

After about three hours of testimony it was decided to schedule some more half days to finish up the rebuttal before the Judge will make his determination. The determination of the Constitutionality of North Lake Hospital Board to tax us with out ever putting it to a vote of the people.

Our Hospital Board members, Marilyn and Fran, need our support. I will notify you of the next meeting. 

 John W

Here is a link to the WFTV story of the Hospital Tax Hearing: 

http://www.wftv.com/lakecounty/26563308/detail.html