My last post as Vice-Chairman

The time has come for me to move on. I have decided to officially resign as the Vice-Chairman as well as my other position, Technology Committee Chairman, of the Bay County, Florida Republican Executive Committee. This is purely for personal reasons. There was no pressure for me to resign.
It's time to begin the next chapter in my life, and that includes blogging more on my personal blog, Eric Wall. I will continue to comment on US and Florida politics as well as some of my other passions which include music, NASCAR, NFL, NBA, baseball as well as whatever else interests me. So I hope I interest you enough to follow me on Twitter as well, @E_Wall

I've met a lot of great people along the way, people that genuinely care about the future of this great nation, and I wish you all the best of luck.

Eric Wall
former BCREC blog editor, REC Secretary 2009-2011, Bay Co. Co-Chair, Marco Rubio 2010, REC Vice-Chairman, 2011

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

An Important Update

"This blog has never been recognized, let alone approved by the Bay Co. REC board or the membership. I have therefore removed the official logo and changed the name of the blog to reflect its "unofficial" status. From now on this blog will remain unofficial due to regulations stemming from the new RPOF Code of Conduct."


Eric Wall
Editor

EXCLUSIVE interview with RPOF Chairman candidate Dave Bitner

1. Why did you decide to seek the office of RPOF Chairman?

I care deeply about this party and this state.  We need strong Republican leaders now more than ever.  After thinking about the challenges our party is going to face in the next few years – the RNC Convention, a must-win Presidential Election, and battling against all the special-interest money President Obama can find –I realized the stakes are too high for me to sit this one out on the sidelines.  We can set ourselves up for a Renaissance—a rebirth—by choosing experienced leaders with fresh ideas, or we can set ourselves up for failure with infighting. I strongly believe that I am the person who can launch an aggressive fundraising program and more effectively use technology to cut down on costs and better communicate with voters.  I believe that I am the person who can represent our Party with a public image that is statesmanlike but not elitist; experienced but not afraid of fresh ideas.   

2. What political experience do you bring to the table?

I think my experience as a small business owner—making payroll, managing employees, etc.—is just as important as my political background. In fact, building a business from the ground up showed me firsthand the need to cut government red tape and fight for lower taxes on small businesses and families. In 1992, I was elected to HD 71 (Charlotte, Lee, Sarasota Counties).  I served eight years in the Florida Legislature and never asked for one earmark, returning taxpayer dollars to the state from my office every quarter. I am proud of the reputation I earned as a hard-working, common-sense conservative. I am also proud to have helped the party gain the majority in the Florida House under Speakers Webster and Thrasher, then under Governor Jeb Bush.

I started as a precinct committeeman and currently serve as a state committeeman for Jefferson County.  My wife Wendy and I have walked door-to-door for hundreds of state and local Republican candidates over the last 18 years, from Pensacola to Key West.  We have redistricting coming up.  I’ve been around the block and know the complex redistricting process in and out. We’ll need an advocate to ensure that the local Republican leaders are heard.

 

3. Raising money is one of the primary duties of the RPOF Chairman. How do you plan to do that in such a tough economy? 

 

That’s a great question, because we can’t implement any of the technology improvements or new GOTV ideas if we don’t have any money in the bank.  I will do this by launching an aggressive fundraising effort and handling the Party’s finances with transparency and openness.  I won’t stand for backroom deals or frivolous spending.  Every dollar we spend should be to get Republicans elected.  I am a businessman and have successfully run businesses all my life, so I am confident that I will exceed fundraising goals and ensure that the RPOF is one of the most competitive and successful parties in the nation.  I will work to bring in new donors via traditional outreach, and implement innovative, cost-effective online fundraising efforts.  One example of how we can enhance fundraising is to increase federal fundraising for GOTV efforts. Refilling our coffers with federal dollars will be critical.  If other state and local parties have launched new fundraising efforts with success, I will ensure that the RPOF is ready to take advantage of what they are doing to benefit Florida Republicans.

 

4. How do you feel about RPOF's online presence? What would you improve? 

 

There has been a lot of talk about technology and how it can be used to give our party the edge. I think it is important to look at what successful candidates like Marco Rubio and Dan Webster have done and integrate their successes to improve our party’s communications, fundraising, voter contact and Election Day operations. We will establish an up-to-date contact database for RECs and grassroots Republicans to utilize, and we’ll assist with things like voter verification and targeting. 

We’ll use technology such as social networking and online fundraising to not only reach out to more voters in but to also cut costs and save money. It is critical that we hire professional staff who understand how to leverage online/web-based technology and use it to achieve solid results.  I won’t stand for bells and whistles that don’t advance the RPOF’s election day goals.  We won’t hold resources hostage in Tallahassee.  If we have new online tools, they should be available for campaigns at every level.  We can better utilize technology include providing access to an up-to-date contact database, and assisting with voter verification

5. What are your feelings regarding the Jim Greer situation? Are there any reforms you would institute to make sure this does not ever happen again?

 

Two words:  Transparency and principle.  If I am elected Chairman, we will enact professional standards and internal safeguards against frivolous spending and out-of-control vendor contracts.  While leadership experience within the GOP structure can be a positive quality, in the campaign for the next Chair, I think it is important to bring in someone with no significant ties to the Jim Greer administration. It is time to start anew, with a fresh slate. 

6. Do you have any interest in an official RPOF platform or a State Convention in the future? 

 

I think Presidency V, along with a Straw Poll and a Republican Presidential campaign, is a tradition that we should maintain and be proud of.  This event not only draws grassroots Republicans from across the state, but media from across the country.  If this event is managed appropriately, it brings in revenue and solidifies Florida’s one-of-a-kind, battleground state status.

7. What is your relationship with Governor-elect Rick Scott? Did you support him during the primary?

 

I have known Gov-elect Scott for about 16 years. I am proud to have supported him from Day 1 of his campaign. I first met Gov-elect Scott in 1994 when we had an occasion to discuss local legislation. We both believe that many answers to our problems are found in the private sector, not growing a bigger government. I look forward to working closely with the Governor if I am elected Chairman of the party.

 

8. What is your relationship with the Tea Party leadership in your area? Have you been able to encourage them to join your county REC?

As a small county, Jefferson County does not have a Tea Party…but across Florida, I know that Tea Party members have been speaking out against big government, higher taxes, and skyrocketing national debt.  These are also Republican ideals. I think the RPOF should actively create opportunities to encourage these politically-engaged citizens to join our counties’ RECs and get them involved in Republican campaigns and causes. 

9. Do you intend to travel and meet with county RECs across the state during your term as Chairman? Will you be accessible to the rank-and-file?

 

If I am elected Chairman, I intend to spend a majority of time outside of Tallahassee, meeting with RECs and the volunteers that make our party as successful as it is today.  Wendy and I have spent so much time driving across the state visiting with Party members, and we have learned that talking face-to-face with folks is invaluable.  A willingness to sit back and listen is one of the most important qualities a chairman can have.  Traveling the state in an efficient, cost-effective manner will enable me to discuss RECs’ concerns, share ideas, and ensure that our local parties have the resources they need to remain competitive.  As I have throughout the chairman’s race, I will continue to make my cell phone number and email address available to everyone.

10. If it was up to you, what day would Florida hold its 2012 Presidential preference primary?

 

This is an important issue to grassroots Republicans and our elected Republicans.  I will listen to members of the Party’s leadership to weigh the benefits of adopting an early primary against the prospect of losing half of our delegates. Florida will play a key role in deciding our Republican nominee, and I do not want to see our state unnecessarily penalized for holding an early primary.  I am in favor of holding a straw poll in November if this party supports the idea.  Above all else, we will work with RECs and Party leaders to position the RPOF so that we possess national influence in the Republican nomination contest.

11. Finally, are there any other changes you would make to RPOF as it stands as an organization today? 

 

If I am elected Chairman, I would do a top-to-bottom review of the staffing and infrastructure at the RPOF as it stands currently to weed out duplication and ensure that we are running a professional, cost-effective, and state-of-the-art political party. I bring a degree of separation from the outgoing administration that I think will be both helpful and refreshing.  I will surround myself with experts in different subject areas—fundraising, GOTV/grassroots, and communications and appoint a Chief Information Officer.  I will also immediately undertake a comprehensive review of vendors and consultants and an inventory of resources at the RPOF to ensure we have our affairs in order before beginning to clean house where appropriate.

Bay County Republican Roundtable Report, November 2010

Congressman-elect Southerland to address Nov. 9 meeting
     Steve Southerland, elected on November 2 to the U.S. House of Representatives, will be the featured speaker at the November 9 meeting of the Roundtable.  Southerland scored a historic victory over entrenched Democrat "Blue Dog" Allen Boyd, whose support of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid liberal agenda paved the way for a true conservative to reclaim a congressional seat for the people of Florida's District 2.
     Southerland announced his candidacy for Congress at a Roundtable meeting last fall.  We welcome him back not just to complete the circle but to share his hopes for America and his plans for helping the Republican congressional leadership stop the stampede to socialism.  
Meeting and dinner reservations info
     The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City.  A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage.  Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. 
     To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com.  A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Bring a guest and your opinion!
Roundtable membership
     If you'd like to renew your Roundtable membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the club's treasurer:  Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406.  Or you may simply turn in your dues at the November 9 meeting.  All new and renewed memberships after September 1 are applied to 2011.  Thank you for your support!
Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter   
     Simply click this link:  http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

 

.
Panhandle Federated Republican Women
     The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, November 10, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City.  A lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person.  The meeting begins at 12 noon. 
     The program for this meeting is the club's annual auction to raise funds for its many community service projects, including thousands of dictionaries it has donated every year since 2002 to Bay County's third graders.
     Members and guests are invited to bring home-baked goods, as well as new and used items (in good condition) from home, for the auction.  Auctioneer Betty Malin will be wearing her Minnie Pearl hat (with price tag) and pressing for those high bids.  
     For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 850-630-5678 or lorraineodom@marykay.com or.
Bay County Republican Executive Committee
     The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will not meet in November.  Its officer election meeting will be held on Monday, December 6, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave.   
     The BCREC's Christmas party is scheduled for Friday, December 10, at the Edgewater Beach Resort.  More details coming soon.  Mark your calendar and plan to celebrate the General Election victories with friends and fellow Republicans!
     For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.
Many thanks to Republican volunteers!!!
     You did it!  You helped the Republican Party reclaim the U.S. House of Representatives, narrow the gap in the U.S. Senate, and make huge gains in governors' seats and state legislatures across the country.  You ROCK!
     A special thank-you goes to Bay County Republican Party Headquarters Manager Glen Leirer, who kept HQ staffed and hope alive during the Primary and General Election campaigns this year.  Once again, Glen is talking about retiring.  (See you at the planning meeting to unseat Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Glen.)

Bay County Republican Roundtable news, October 2010

October 2010

October 12 meeting to feature open discussion
     Representatives from the Scott, Southerland and Rubio campaigns will be on hand at the October 12 meeting to lead discussions about the upcoming General Election.  Sharing information about their respective campaigns' strategies for victory will be Bo Rivard, representing Rick Scott for Governor; Matt McCollough, from the Steve Southerland for U.S. House of Representatives campaign; and Melissa Hagan, for Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate.
     John Salak, Chairman of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee, will follow up with information about how the local party is helping the entire Republican slate achieve victory on November 2.  If you want to play an active role in making 2010 a transformational election year, the October 12 meeting of the Roundtable will be a great place to start!
Meeting and dinner reservations info
     The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City.  A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage.  Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. 
     To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at 527-7384 or Melissa@efileamerica.com.  A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Bring a guest and your opinion!
LWV Forum on WJHG-TV
     The League of Women Voters' General Election Forum will be telecast on WJHG-TV on the evening of Tuesday, October 12, from the Holley building on the FSU-PC campus.  The telecast will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will cover races for the State Legislature, School Board, County Commission and U.S. House (in that order).  The public is invited to attend, and campaign t-shirts are permissible.  No campaign signs.
     This forum overlaps with the Roundtable's regular meeting in October.  Adjustments will be made to our usual meeting format so that our members and guests who are also working for campaigns may attend and enjoy both events.
Candidate soapbox at every meeting
     All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting.  This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters.  Candidates, remember to bring your campaign stuff!
Roundtable membership
       If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer:  Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406.  Or you may simply turn in your dues at the October 12 meeting.  All new and renewed memberships after September 1 are applied to 2011.  Thank you for your support!
Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter   
     Simply click this link:  http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

 

.
Panhandle Federated Republican Women
     The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, October 13, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City.  The lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person.  The meeting begins at 12 noon.  For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 850-630-5678.
Bay County Republican Executive Committee
     The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, October 25, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave.  For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.
Republican HQ needs volunteers
     If you'd like to help staff the Republican Party's headquarters (1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City) during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at 276-2168 or geleirer32@comcast.net.  The number at HQ is 763-8656.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

Teresa Eaton, Newsletter Editor

Republican Roundtable news--September 2010

Vicki Doolittle, President

September 2010

WKGC producer to speak at September 14 meeting

     Tom Hoots, producer of WKGC’s Somewhere in the Middle, will speak at the September 14 meeting of the Roundtable about his interest in and subsequent research into environmental issues.  He will try to help us understand how America’s long debate about the environment got us to where we now are in that often heated conversation.

     Tom is co-owner and chief engineer at Studio 812 in Lynn Haven, as well as part owner and design engineer at Sunelectro LLC.  In addition to producing Somewhere in the Middle, he produces and sometimes hosts WKGC’s Emerald Coast Studio.  In his spare time, he’s an instructor of an electric vehicle design and build class at Gulf Coast Community College.  He also serves as a volunteer instructor at the college for various classes in music production technology.

     Editor’s note:  This program will be a nice change of pace from politics.  That’s our story, and we’re sticking with it.  J 

Meeting and dinner reservations info

     The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City.  A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage.  Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating.  To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384.  A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Bring a guest and your opinion!

Congratulations to Primary Election winners!

     Marco Rubio – Republican Primary, U.S. Senate

     Steve Southerland – Republican Primary, U.S. House, FL Congressional District 2

     Rick Scott – Republican Primary, Florida Governor

     Pam Bondi – Republican Primary, Florida Attorney General

     Adam Putnam – Republican Primary, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

     Greg Evers – Republican Primary, Florida Senate, District 2

     Jimmy Patronis – Republican Primary, Florida House, District 6

     Marti Coley – Republican Primary, Florida House, District 7

     Pete Mallory – 14^th Circuit Judge, Group 2

     Guy Tunnell – Republican Primary, County Commission, District 4

     Joe Wayne Walker – School Board, District 1

     Steve Moss and Jim Barr – runoff, School Board, District 5

     Great job, candidates and campaign volunteers!  You ROCK!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

     All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting.  This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters.  Candidates, remember to bring your campaign stuff!

Roundtable membership

       If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable’s treasurer:  Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406.  Or you may simply turn in your dues at the September 14 meeting.  All new and renewed memberships after September 1 will be applied to 2011.  Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter   

     Simply click this link:  http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html.

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

     The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will meet on Wednesday, October 13, at the Golden Corral on 23^rd Street in Panama City.  The lunch buffet begins at 11:00 a.m. and costs $10.00 per person.  The meeting begins at 12 noon.  For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at lorraineodom@marykay.com or 850-630-5678.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

     The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, September 27, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave.  For more information, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at 850-276-2872 or john.salak@L-3Com.com.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

     If you’d like to help staff the Republican Party’s headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168.  The number at HQ is 763-8656.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .

Teresa Eaton, Newsletter Editor

. . . . .

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” 

John Philpot Curran, Dublin, 1808

Republican Roundtable news for August 2010

by Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

Gainer to speak at August 10 meeting

County Commissioner George Gainer, recently reelected without opposition to his third term on the Commission, will be the speaker at the August 10 meeting of the Roundtable. He will present an update on the Commission's activities and will take questions from the floor.

Meeting and dinner reservations info

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd., in Panama City. A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting. This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters. Candidates, remember to bring your campaign stuff!

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable's annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable's treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044, Panama City, FL 32406. Or you may simply turn in your dues at the August 10 meeting. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

.

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will host a Meet and Greet for Republican candidates--local, state and federal--on Tuesday, August 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Language Arts Building at Gulf Coast Community College. For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 624-2544 or lorraineodom@marykay.com.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, August 23, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. The REC is hosting a pancake breakfast for Republican candidates on Saturday, July 24. For more information about the REC and the breakfast, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at john.salak@L-3Com.com or

276-2872.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

Roundtable member Ken Ford opens the Republican Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City, every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You'll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

If you'd like to help staff the Republican Party's headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168.

. . . . .

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

Waffle Breakfast on Saturday, July 24

The BCREC is sponsoring this event:

Who: Republican Candidates for U.S. Representative (Congressional District 2), State Representative (Districts 6 & 7), 14^th Circuit Judge (Group 2), County Commission (District 4) and School Board (Districts 1 & 5)

What: Waffle Breakfast

Cost: $1.00 per person

When: Saturday, July 24

7 – 10 a.m.

Where: Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q

2400 St. Andrew’s Blvd. , Panama City

This event is open to the public. The candidates will be serving waffles, but they’ve been asked not to waffle on the issues. Don’t miss these two opportunities to meet the Republican Party’s great field of candidates in this year’s Primary Election cycle!

Bay Co.Republican Roundtable update--July 2010

by Vicki Doolittle, President

July 13 meeting: everything you wanted to know about Bay County politics but were afraid to ask . . .

By Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President and Programs Chair

You and your questions will be the stars of this month’s meeting. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of your favorite Republican candidates. First of all, we have invited the two candidates for 14^th Circuit Judge, Pete Mallory and Mike Reiter, to give a brief statement, followed by a few of your questions. Next, we will have a question and answer period with any of the candidates who attend the meeting. This will be in addition to our usual candidate soapbox. Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know our great Republican candidates! Keep reading to find out how you can make dinner reservations.

Meeting and dinner reservations info

The Roundtable meets at the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club, 218 Bunkers Cove Rd. , in Panama City . A dinner buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. and costs $15.00 per person, including tax, tip and non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are necessary so that the Yacht Club staff can plan for adequate food and seating. To make your dinner reservations, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa@efileamerica.com or 527-7384. A short business meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Bring a guest and your opinion!

Candidate soapbox at every meeting

All Republican candidates are invited to take to the candidate soapbox for three minutes at every Roundtable meeting. This is a great opportunity for candidates to get out their message and interface with voters. Candidates, remember to bring your campaign stuff!

Roundtable membership

The Roundtable’s annual dues are $30.00 per person. If you would like to renew your membership or become a new member, please make your check payable to BCRR and mail it to the Roundtable’s treasurer: Melissa Thompson, P.O. Box 15044 , Panama City , FL 32406 . Or you may simply turn in your dues at the July 13 meeting. Thank you for your support!

Subscribe to Roundtable newsletter

Simply click this link: http://republicanroundtable.com/subscribe.html

Panhandle Federated Republican Women

The Panhandle Federated Republican Women will host a Meet and Greet for Republican candidates—local, state and federal--on Tuesday, August 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Language Arts Building at Gulf Coast Community College . For more information, contact President Lorraine Odom at 624-2544 or lorraineodom@marykay.com.

Bay County Republican Executive Committee

The Bay County Republican Executive Committee (BCREC) will meet on Monday, July 26, at 6 p.m. in the School Board meeting room at 1311 Balboa Ave. The REC is hosting a pancake breakfast for Republican candidates on Saturday, July 24. For more information about the REC and the breakfast, contact BCREC Chairman John Salak at john.salak@L-3Com.com or 276-2872.

Coffee, donuts and great conversation

Roundtable member Ken Ford opens the Republican Headquarters, located at 1607 Lisenby Avenue in Panama City , every Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your coffee cup and your point of view for any part of the three hours you can spend there. You’ll be glad you did! The number at HQ is 763-8656.

Republican HQ needs volunteers

If you’d like to help staff the Republican Party’s headquarters during the election season, please contact HQ Manager Glen Leirer at geleirer32@comcast.net or 276-2168.

For more information about the Bay County Republican Roundtable,

contact Vicki Doolittle, President, at 319-0105 or doolittlg@comcast.net.

Other Roundtable officers are:

Richard Plantec, 1^st Vice President, Programs Chair

Sue Bynum, 2^nd Vice President, Events Chair

James Waterstradt, Secretary

Melissa Thompson, Treasurer

. . . . .