I have witnessed many things at these monthly meetings, yet what I witnessed last night has to be the most fun I have ever had watching this group. I wish I could communicate exactly what went on, I am just not sure, I can do it justice. So I will try.
The main thrust of the night was to be about the new rules, crafted by the rules committee. But first La Mar Gunn, candidate for Lt. Governor, spoke. He spent a lot of time talking about his loss for Recorder of Deeds in Kent County, and complaining how unfairly he was treated. Not sure how that qualifies him for Lt. Governor. I would suggest that he stop talking about it, and move forward, it makes him sound whiny.
He then spoke of how he was counting on Sussex County to support him, well because he is a Republican, even though the two people with him, acting as his campaign support, are Democrats. He spoke of the need to diversify the GOP, to show that the GOP, is not just a bunch of old, white, rich people. I looked around the room and wondered what Mr. Gunn was seeing that I wasn’t. He also called on the people in the room to go into the black communities, and to tell them about La Mar Gunn, to tell them, “he looks like you”. Really? I have to wonder just how that would go over with the black community, coming from a bunch of old, white, rich people.
This is when the evening’s entertainment began. Once again, no Treasurer’s report, this time Secretary Linda Creasy took the blame, saying the report was given to her, and she failed to print it out. However this is like the fourth month with no official report of monies being taken in, and how they are spent. It was decided to send out the report by email, this means only Committee members will see it, if it is sent at all. Where is the public transparency?
The Chairman, Billy Carroll, then brought up the question of proxies, which inspired Nelly Jordan to stand and question whether or not the Chairman could simply rule on something or not. A debate among the Committee ensued. This went on for ten or fifteen minutes. At the end, Billy Carroll stated, he had asked Nelly to put on the debate, in some idea of showing how people could challenge his decisions. What?
And it only went down hill from there. The Committee spent the next two hours or so discussing, debating, picking at the edges of the rules, which the rules committee spent months putting together.
I wish I could convey all that was said, I wish I could list all of the changes, and how the votes went, I wish I knew what the hell they were talking about. But that would first require, them to know what they were talking about.
I can tell you the meeting began around six-thirty, it ended around nine-fifteen, allowing for forty minutes of Gunn talk, and the rest about the rules. Now you should also know, they finally passed the rules, after 14th RDC Tony Matero finally called for the vote by saying, “can we just vote, I want to get the hell out of here”. This attitude of hurry up and get it done may explain why the candidate in the 14th James DeMartino, has been denied ballot access for not meeting the residency requirements. Slow down Tony, take your time, get it right.
The truth is, I haven’t seen the new rules in complete form, and in context as a whole. I hope to have access to them soon. We can then all have a good laugh at the hoops people will be forced to jump through to be a “VOLUNTEER” in the Sussex GOP.
I can tell you, it seems as though they are attempting to further neuter any leadership position. One rule that passed will force RDCs to put forth names of people for EDC positions, even if the RDC opposes the person. It has always been the responsibility of the RDC to build the RD Committees, this rule will complicate that. Oh, they can come before the Executive Committee and explain why they don’t want the person, doesn’t that sound like a good way to build party unity?
I have to tell you, there were other people in the back of the room, and like myself they were laughing hysterically at the petty nit-picking. These Committee members spent nearly two hours making rules to shrink the membership of the Committee, and not one blessed minute on business which would get a single Republican elected. So many people had left the room, one member called the question of whether they still had a quorum, just barely.
And this isn’t over yet, they still have to pass a new code of conduct and ethics guide, and also an elections guide for electing new members.
This has to end, some one put the Sussex GOP out of my misery. It is the type of behavior I witnessed, that causes socialism to fail. This group doesn’t realize it, but what they are attempting to create out of this committee, is a socialist organization, not a representative republic from of organization.
Just a couple of items that need clarification here, Frank.
First: ” this is like the fourth month with no official report of monies being taken in, and how they are spent.”
Not true…there was a financial report distributed at last month’s meeting. I know you were in attendance (I could tell from your signature in invisible ink on the sign in sheet), so not sure how you could have missed that one.
Second: ” It was decided to send out the report by email, this means only Committee members will see it, if it is sent at all. Where is the public transparency?”
This was sent out via email this morning, as I promised to do during my report. When I say I’ll do something, I do it. You of all people should know that. THERE is your public transparency.
Third: “they still have to pass a new code of conduct and ethics guide, and also an elections guide for electing new members.”
Wrong, yet again. The Code of Conduct and Ethics was part of the rules that were approved last night. Further, there is no “elections guide”. We have an Election Procedure, which is referenced in Article V of the rules. It is an entirely separate document and not part of the rules, and was not voted upon last night for that very reason. It will be brought before the Executive Committee for approval at a future meeting, well prior to the next round of elections for which it is intended.
Seriously, Frank. I expect to read your regular hit piece after every one of our meetings…sometimes it’s downright amusing to see the lengths to which you will go. But you really should get your facts straight vs. embellishing at will for the entertainment of your posse.
Frank,
How would you know what “causes socialism to fail” if you’ve never lived under anything other than capitalism ?
Well thank you Linda for the clarification. So who gets the email other than committee members? As I said, for those in the back of the room to know what the hell the committee was saying, would require the committee to know what they were talking about and I don’t think they do. Since the committee chose not to read the rules in total, the public only got snip its, look forward to seeing this wonderful document in totality.
Don’t worry Delacrat, I’m not talking about your watered down socialism like Bernie. Look to history, socialist movements start as being for the “people”. But as time passes, the people in charge seek to solidify their power, usually through passing laws which restrict the ability of others to rise to power. This is what I see happening within the Sussex GOP. I wasn’t talking about the everything for free type of socialism, that fails for another reason.
Thank you Linda for refuting virtually everything Frank posted.
Is that you, Frank, with the red hat? Or were you driving the clown car?
Oh well, in light of the sorry state of the Sussex GOP, guess the Socialist-Democrats will dominate the November elections- right, Frank?
OK, Frank. I’ll spell it out further for you.
“So who gets the email other than committee members?”
The email of the Financial Report went to committee members only, as would be proper. As a guest at our meeting, you would usually get a copy of it because we provide it to all attendees. However, dissemination via email would only go to committee members. It is, after all, a committee document. I do apologize again for not having a hard copy available to you this month. I simply forgot that the Treasurer would be out of town and so did not make those copies. I am human and make mistakes. Unlike some others, I admit and take responsibility when I do, which is exactly what I did on Monday night. I don’t believe in letting others take the fall for my errors.
” for those in the back of the room to know what the hell the committee was saying, would require the committee to know what they were talking about and I don’t think they do.”
Just because you could not understand what the committee was saying does not mean they do not know what they are talking about. Perhaps if you spent more of your time in the back of the room actually listening with an open mind vs. pandering to other guests with your snide remarks, junior-high jokes, theatrics and desperate plays for attention, your level of understanding would rise enough for you to grasp what is going on.
“Since the committee chose not to read the rules in total, the public only got snip its, look forward to seeing this wonderful document in totality.”
Of course the rules were not read in total at the meeting. The members had all received copies of each draft of the rules, including detailed explanations of all proposed changes. They were given numerous opportunities to voice any concerns, and those concerns were addressed by the Rules Committee. (By the way, I explained all of this at the meeting – perhaps you missed it due to your aforementioned theatrics). So…the committee members were already well aware of the proposed new rules. To read them in entirety yet again would have been a tedious waste of time. Thus, only sections called into question were read and addressed. The final signed and approved copy of the new rules will be available to all on the website in the next few days (again – this was stated at the meeting). Please feel free to get your copy there at that time.
“… the people in charge seek to solidify their power, usually through passing laws which restrict the ability of others to rise to power.” – Frank
Like the voter ID and felony disenfranchisement laws of which the GOP is so enamored. Is that “socialism” ?.
Like the voter ID and felony disenfranchisement laws…
Okay, a felon who served his time should be able to vote.
But what is “voter ID?” Who walks the streets with no identification? You need ID to drive a car, open a bank account, rent an apartment, ride a train, rent a motel, cash a check, borrow money, pawn a watch, get a job, enter a hospital and so on. What is so burdensome about providing an ID?
The real reason Socialist-Democrats are so hysterical about voter ID laws is because they are dependent upon people voting several times and the illegal alien vote. That’s why. There is simply no other rational reason to be opposed to something so innocuous.
Linda said, “The email of the Financial Report went to committee members only, as would be proper.”
So I am right, that their will again be no public availability of the Treasurer’s report. As for there being one last month, so one in four months is a good thing? People who donate should have access to how it is spent.
As for the reason this month I wrote above, “This is when the evening’s entertainment began. Once again, no Treasurer’s report, this time Secretary Linda Creasy took the blame, saying the report was given to her, and she failed to print it out. ”
So no clarification needed.
As for who understands what? Well I said in the post that I couldn’t follow because I didn’t have a copy of the complete document. As for whether the members know what they are talking about? Well that is open for debate.
And I look forward to seeing how long it takes to get the rules posted to the website, since when I checked Monday night, Vicki Carmean was still listed as Treasurer, there’s $100 well spent every month.
And finally, listen with an open mind? Really? Sorry, I can’t unknow what I know, I can’t forget all that this committee has said and done.
Wow, I wonder if they can’t self reflect enough to have a threshold of embarassment
(sigh) This is getting tedious.
“So I am right, that their will again be no public availability of the Treasurer’s report.”.
Not true. The committee has it. Who would otherwise have seen it on Monday? The attendees at the meeting? Are you suggesting that it should have been sent directly to them? And how would we know who to send it to without possibly missing someone? Not all guests provide an email address. And if we DID do that, YOU would still not receive the email. Since you refuse to sign in, we have no record of you attending. The other alternative would be to send it to every R in Sussex County. Yeah, that would work. If you want to see it, go to your EDC and request a copy like anyone else. It’s public info, but we do not automatically send it out to everyone in the county.
“As for there being one last month, so one in four months is a good thing?”
Once again, you are putting words in my mouth. No, one in four months is NOT a good thing. I am not pleased with the reports that were not provided. My contention with your post on this topic was that you stated and intended for your readers to believe that there has not been one in 4 months, and that was completely false.
“I couldn’t follow because I didn’t have a copy of the complete document.”
And why would you? You are not a member of the committee and you did not have the privilege of voice or vote on the rules…you were there simply as a guest. You absolutely have a right to a copy of the APPROVED rules, but there was no need for anyone that was not eligible to vote to see the draft copy. You get to see it when the approved copy is posted on the website…again, just like anyone else.
“And I look forward to seeing how long it takes to get the rules posted to the website”
As I stated on Monday night, the approved rules will be available on the website within a few days. Please remember that I need to make the changes that were approved on Monday night and get the document signed by the appropriate parties. While I would love to be able to do that within 24 hours, I DO work for a living and cannot always coordinate everything and everyone within your preferred time frame. You, of course, already know this as Grossman (which as everyone knows, automatically means you, as well) has already requested a copy and been told the same thing. I even offered to notify him by email as soon as they were posted so he didn’t have to keep checking the website. And here I was thinking I was being very helpful to the two of you by making that offer. But of course, you forgot to mention that in your diatribe, right? Barring unforseen circumstances, the rules will be up on the website before the COB tomorrow, in the time frame promised. Again, if I say I’ll do it, I will.
Ok Linda, so if people choose to come to the meeting they get a Treasurer’s report, if they happen to hit the one in four that one is provided. Otherwise? Too bad. Maybe we could post it on the website? I mean the Committee pays $100 a month for the upkeep, unless it has gone up, wouldn’t know without a report. Can’t wait for the 30 day filings considering the book keeping lately.
“And why would you? You are not a member of the committee and you did not have the privilege of voice or vote on the rules…you were there simply as a guest. ”
Really? No Linda, I am there as a registered member of the party. To call me a guest sounds a bit elitist. As if to say I am not a member of your private club.
Again, why does the committee make better use of the website it pays for? Why not post proposed rule changes so people could comment during the process? Oh that’s right, we don’t want to hear from the people in this bottom up organization.
And please don’t waste your time telling me to reach out to my ED. It is their job to disseminate the info.
Don’t take my criticism personally, it is the Committee as a whole that is flawed.
This may be my favorite,”You get to see it when the approved copy is posted on the website…again, just like anyone else.”
Well thank you Ms. Pelosi.
The sheriff’s getting nearer
LOL Frank! Your last line really is pretty funny! However, not true.
The fact remains that it is not a public document until it is approved. The committee, who was responsible for determining passage, was not asked to “pass it so you can see what’s in it”. THAT would be a Pelosi move. Rather, they followed it every step of the way, in its entirety. They had input, all of which was considered and most of which was applied to the final draft. And even that draft was still open to discussion until the final vote on Monday night. So…just because YOU did not see it beforehand does not mean the process bore any resemblance to the bill that “inspired” the infamous comments of Ms.Pelosi.
By the way, had you chosen to attend your RD meetings as a registered Republican, you too would have had the opportunity to observe discussion on the proposed rules in great detail. In point of fact, you could have shared any of your concerns with your elected EDCs and RDC based on those observations at that time.
Regarding your comment, “And please don’t waste your time telling me to reach out to my ED. It is their job to disseminate the info.”: How would you propose that the EDC do this, in general? Are you suggesting that an EDC disseminate all info relating to the committee to every R in their assigned district for whom they have an email? Or just those who have expressed an interest? I’m not being sarcastic…I really would like to know how you think this could be accomplished in a manner that is both helpful to registered Republicans that are interested yet does not annoy those who are not, and makes the best use of available resources in the process.
Finally, regarding your suggestion to put the Treasurer’s Report on the website, this has actually been discussed by the AB, and may very well happen in the future.
See. we CAN agree now and again!
i was advised to be prepared to combat being approached and “hit on” if I began attending these county meetings. From things I read here I’m already not impressed but I did not understand what was happening in the culture of this particular group in regards to women? ID like to know how many women are involved in this group who are under the age of 50? The answer to that will explain a lot.
Maya,
Seriously? You were told you might get “hit on” at one of our meetings? That’s absurd, and should completely discredit your source. You might want to give some thought to the motives of anyone who would tell you that.
I honestly don’t know how many of the women involved in the group are under 50. We don’t ask anyone’s age – that’s none of our business. However, I can reasonably assure you that there are several that would fall into that category.
OK,
So now that we are talking demographics., What is the average age of the committee regardless of gender?
Thanks Linda. I’m happy to hear that there are no such issues and that there is some diversity in age.
Waterpirate,
Again, since we don’t ask anyone’s age, I cannot give you an accurate answer. However, I do think it would be fair to say that while there our members cover the whole range, the average age tends toward the older vs. the younger. Of course, the term “older” can be fairly subjective, but you get the idea! Hardly a big news there, right? 🙂
i was advised to be prepared to combat being approached and “hit on” if I began attending these county meetings.
Try the Bottle and Cork.
Linda, I will be again attending my RD meetings now that they are once again in a public place. And why shouldn’t an ED use the email they have obtained to seek public input? Isn’t that why they gather the list. Even county council opens up for public input on important issues.
This committee sits at the front of the room with their backs to the public like a soviet, like the new RINO elitist they have become.
I got to go to one of these meetings. I’ll sign in as Donald Duck
LOL Thanks, Mouse – I’ll watch for that! Unless, of course, Frank gets you some of his invisible ink! 😀
Thank you Linda for posting the rules. I have my evening all planned out now. By the way I do not use invisible ink, I use disappearing ink.
I do have one question, I saw the term “all members of the SCRP in good standing”.
So let me ask, does this mean that visiting Republicans are not welcome from Kent and NCC? And what qualifies as “good standing” I looked to addendum 1, are we saying that all guest will be held to the code of ethics? And who will be judge and jury?
What if an unaffiliated voter wanted to check us out, would they have to request papers from the AB prior to?
Such an open and welcoming message. This surely will grow the party.
I’m unaffiliated and I formally request the AB application to observe the meeting
If a swimming pool has a sign that reads “no running,” Frank would complain; what is running? Who decides what constitutes running- the lifeguard? It what way is a teenage lifeguard endowed with the ability to discern what is or is not running? Is he God?
And how were the pool rules formulated. By committee? By an individual? Were pool patrons provided a rough draft of the rules before they were implemented? Were the pool rules e-mailed so as not to cause confusion?
Therefore, I refuse to sign-in at the pool enterance, as the rules are unessessarily ambiguous and were probably not formulated in a manner meeting my strict standards of propriety. As an aside, a pool operated in this underhanded manner will soon go out of business.
That reminds me, the retirees on the pool committee in my neighborhhod have created new rules and installed a big sign enumerating them. One of the retirees who is also on the board of directors even sits at the pool to obsessively harass the violaters who don’t sign in or relock the gate. I came in last night with a Starbucks and she had a fit about me violating the no food or beverage rule. I’d bet money she’s a controling religious conservative republican lol.