Montgomery County, MD Republican Central Commitee

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 Montgomery County Republican Party
The Montgomery County Republican
 Party Line 
June 5, 2010
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Message from the Chairman:
Expanding Our Central Committee from
19 to 48 Members

uncapher

Montgomery County's Republican Central Committee will be changing its size after this fall's primary election. Currently your Central Committee has 19 members. Come November it will be increasing to 48 members. We are making the change in order to increase the opportunities for Montgomery County's grass roots Republicans to more actively participate in the party's affairs.

This change was made possible because in early May Governor O' Malley signed legislation allowing both the Montgomery County Republican and Democratic parties to adjust their Central Committees sizes. As a result of the new law, the size of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee is no longer set by the State's Election Law. We are instead allowed set the size of our committee consistent with the requirements of our state party by-laws. The state Republican Party's rules allow a maximum of two central committee members for every resident member to the Maryland House of Delegates from a county. Because Montgomery County has 24 delegates, our Central Committee number can become 48.

The changes in the size of our Central Committee should have no impact on other counties because the relative weight of each county's vote within the state party has historically been determined by each county's party registration numbers in relation to the total state registration. The number of Central Committee members does not change that. 

In order to adjust to these changes the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee adopted new by-laws on May 25. Under the new rules, the committee membership will be distributed with five (5) members elected from each of the eight state legislative districts in the county and eight (8) members elected from the county at-large. This change will be effective with the September 2010 primary, with new members taking office in November.

The change in size will result in a new committee structure. All Central Committee members will participate at our annual organization meeting and state and county conventions. They will, for example, vote on the party's officers. A smaller group of Executive Committee members will meet monthly to conduct the party's business. Initially the Executive Committee will include the party's officers and top vote-getters in the primary election. However the by-laws contain a number of processes under which Executive Committee members may be changed to allow other Central Committee members to serve in their place.

Many other states, including our next door neighbor Virginia, have long had party organizations structures which allow far more grass root participation. In fact Virginia's state's party convention which nominated Bob McDonnell in 2009 attracted 10,000 delegates. For several years our county party has been conducting our own annual convention attracting participation from our many club members, precinct chairmen and other supporters.

In developing a revised organization structure we wanted to recognize the variety of ways in which individuals support the party. We wanted to better acknowledge our many stakeholders and give them a greater say in their own party's business.

If you are interested in serving, but want to learn more, feel free to contact me at the party headquarters at 301-417-9256 or email me at Mark@uncapher.net. You can also contact the Central Committee members for your legislative district. Our next monthly meeting is on Tuesday, June 22 at 7:30pm at the county headquarters. It is an opportunity to see the committee at work.

In order to run for Central Committee for a four year term, you need to file in person as a candidate for election in the September primary at the Montgomery County Board of Election at 15753 North Frederick Gaithersburg before July 6. If you do decide to run, let us know so that we can post information about you candidacy on the party's website.

If you are interested in supporting the party or have already been involved in another capacity, I hope you will give serious consideration to becoming a candidate for the Republican Central Committee.

Mark Uncapher
Montgomery County Republican Chairman

 


spotlight Volunteer Spotlight 
Ruth Melson

 

Melson and Gov. McDonnell

The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament recounts the story of Ruth and Naomi who together overcame great obstacles in their lives always displaying courage, commitment and charity. As a conservative Reagan-model Republican activist in a liberal-leaning political environment, Ruth Melson has shown the true grit of her namesake in all that she does in her political activities in the County and State and on the national level. An article in the KENSINGTON GAZETTE in 2009 quotes Ruth discussing those particular challenges: "It does have its challenges and obstacles but we can't give up and it's a way to get our message across and our principles and our values that a lot of people don't know." You'd never know all of Ruth's accomplishments in the political sphere because she doesn't broadcast them. With a modest and unassuming manner, she discharges every task asked of her exceeding 100% of all expectations. Small wonder that she was rightfully chosen Republican Woman of the Year in 2007 and could very well be a challenger every year after that. Experienced at multi-tasking, Ruth can comfortably watch FOX news while assembling parts of a project and talking on the phone, seamlessly moving from one endeavor to another whether for Party activities, her church or her community.

Whether it's donating books to the Kensington Library under the NFRW Mamie Eisenhower project as President of her Rock Creek Women's Republican Club or organizing hundreds of volunteers in the Ehrlich-Steele campaign to make an astounding 15,000 calls per day during the campaign or teaching Sunday School at her church, St. Paul's United Methodist in Kensington, Ruth goes at a whirling dervish pace, all the while staying amazingly calm, cool and collected. At the present time, Ruth is serving a second term as President of RCWRC and at the same time is the Chairman of the Montgomery County Federation of Republican Women. Throw into the mix working on the McCain/Palin presidential campaign over in Crystal City VA , the thrilling Bob McDonnell victorious campaign last year in VA, or serving as Chair of the Republican Tent at the Montgomery County Fair in 2009, and you wonder if Ruth Melson ever takes out any time for sleep. Ruth's email moniker is: rockinruth which is certainly an apt description of this lively and lovely lady.

A retiree of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Ruth is now free to devote her full time and attention to doing the things she loves best, "Politics is so interesting and fun," says Ruth, adding: "in addition to all the hard work which I enjoy, I particularly enjoy attending Republican events and recruiting new volunteers because I love people and most of all, love assisting with candidates' campaigns."

If ever there were a person you would like to clone, it would certainly be Ruth Melson.Ruth is a resident of Garrett Park and District 16.

Picture above: Ruth Melson with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell

- M. Ciliberti


Cut The Council
Reduce the Number of At-Large Council Members from 4 to 2


Even after several years of unprecedented budget cuts the nine members of the County Council STILL cannot restructure County Government and STILL do not know how to attract business to the County. The Montgomery County Council consists of nine members. Five members represent specific districts within the County. Four Council members are "at large," which means they are supposed to represent the entire County. 

Each Council member earns approximately $100,00 per year, plus benefits. In addition to what the Council members themselves earn, each Council member has his or her own paid staff. 

By eliminating two of the four at-large Council seats, we will reduce the County's annual operating budget by between $1.5 and $2 million - the same amount of money that County Executive Ike Leggett and the Council hope to earn by permitting Sunday liquor sales at County-owned stores. 

Seven Council decision makers can get the job done at least as well as nine. The County Executive and Council members have themselves acknowledged that our current $1 billion budget deficit is "structural," which means that we cannot continue to fund our government as currently structured. They say they intend to begin restructuring our government after they are re-elected. 

There has been a lot of tough talk. It is time for tough decisions. It's time to send a message to our elected officials that citizens are committed to cutting the cost of government and that they expect the sacrifice to be shared by their leaders. With two at-large Council seats, County residents will get the same level of service at half the cost. Sign the petition to amend the County Charter to eliminate two at-large Council seats!

Order the Petition
Citizens to Cut the County Council
cutthecouncil@aol.com
 


Dems in Annapolis Express Concern over Potential November Losses

The anti-incumbent mood sweeping the nation's voters has not been lost on Maryland as several incumbent Democrats face some tough reelection battles in Maryland.   Read the story from the Gazette here:
Dem Leaders in Danger?

County Council Candidate Rob Vricella Critiques
Council Member Berliner's push for higher taxes

In a June 3 Gazette letter Rob Vricella, GOP candidate for the District 1 Montgomery County Council seat, responded with great insight to incumbent Roger Berliner's ill-advised support for the energy tax and Berliner's ill-founded accusations against the county's energy supplier, Mirant.   You can read the complete letter by clicking here:
Carbon Tax Bill All Wrong

Rob Vricella is a superb pro-business candidate who, if elected, will make a positive change for Montgomery County.  Please get involved in his campaign for County Council.   You can contact him by clicking here:
rvricella@hotmail.com

- S. Green


The Time is Now!  
Please Help Recruit Solid Republican Candidates in Montgomery County

 Montogomery SealCitizen Anger at
All-Dem County Council Presents Opportunity for GOP

Many D.C. area newspapers report widespread anger at the Montgomery County Council because of their handling of the nearly billion-dollar budget shortfall. The Washington Examiner and the Gazette both report rumblings of anger from various county groups because of steep tax increases, and layoffs and furloughs of county employees. Even the left-leaning Washington Post wrote an editorial on May 30, 2010 (A Tale of Two Counties) placing blame for Montgomery County's terrible budget problems on the "inexperienced" and all-Democrat County Council. The editorial states that "Montgomery County is lurching under the weight of irresponsible governance, unsustainable commitments and political spinelessness - particularly in the face of politically powerful public employee unions."

Not to worry. In a democracy we have the power to fix this problem by showing up at the voting booth this November. We can vote them all out of office and turn the situation around. Right? Well, without solid GOP candidates on the ballot, many of the existing County Council personnel could be re-elected despite a climate favorable to Republicans. At present, three great Republicans have thrown their hats in the ring by filing with the Board of Elections as candidates for County Council: Rob Vricella (District 1), Robert Dyer (At-large) and Brandon Rippeon (At-large). But there are still several slots to fill for Republican candidates.

This is the year conservatives have a chance to bring some balance and transparency to the County Council and Montgomery County delegation to the State Legislature. If you have ideas about candidate recruitment, please e-mail Mark Uncapher or Jim Shalleck or call GOP Headquarters at 301-417-9256 
 


The American Enterprise Institute -
Sharing Their brilliance (in our back yard)

BeanMan_idealightbulb Living in the D.C. metro area can be frustrating at times. Houses are expensive. There is too much traffic. The rat race seems to rule our lives. But one of the GREAT things about living near D.C is our proximity to people with world-class minds and the generosity to share their ideas and passion with others. Of course I am not talking about members of Congress. I'm talking about the folks at the American Enterprise Institute. Since 1943 the AEI has been serving the same mission statement: to promote "greater public knowledge and understanding of the social and economic advantages accruing to the American people through the maintenance of the system of free competitive enterprise." Did you know the AEI has an exciting events series? They often host book forums with popular authors, and panel discussions about the important issues shaping our country today. Just click here on AEI Events to see what is going on this week. So don't sit at home and watch reality television - The American Enterprise institute is just a metro ride away. 


Eagleburger
Please Come to Capitol Hill June 10
(10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon)
to Remember the 100 Million Victims of Communism
The next time you hear the phrase "big government," please take a moment to consider - and to communicate to others - the root reason big government is so insidious: that it diminishes the value of the human person. The centralization of power in the form of giant state run monopolies has always sustained itself by undermining the creative potential of individual human beings. And nowhere is this more obvious than in the horrific legacy of communist systems throughout the 20th century: 100,000,000 million human lives snuffed out so that big government could win the day. 

Please join the commemoration of the third anniversary of the memorial's unveiling on Capitol Hill by taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the site itself: a replica of the "Goddess of Democracy" from Tianneman Square is located at New Jersey and Massachusetts Aves., NW. During 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 Noon on Thursday June 10. For further information and directions, click here: http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/events/details.php?eventid=894

Please also visit the excellent interactive Global Museum on Communism by clicking here: Global Museum on Communism

- S. Green

'Genuine Progress'
Marta Hummel Mossburg
From the Maryland Public Policy Institute
(Originally published in the Frederick News-Post)

With the European welfare state crumbling and the Dow down 7.9 percent in May as a result, Maryland:

A) Cuts spending and its government workforce to avoid shutdown.

B) Renegotiates pension contracts with state workers to prevent massive tax hikes and cuts to state services.

C) Tries to be more like Greece, Spain and the rest of the P.I.I.G.S (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) decimating your 401(k).

If you picked C, you win. State legislators purposely avoided tackling the $30 billion unfunded pension and health care problem for state workers in the 2010 session. They also passed a budget that allowed the state to steal money from bridge and road repair and spend it on other things, hiking taxpayers' debt burden. But Gov. Martin O'Malley launched the Genuine Progress Indicator earlier this year to measure the happiness and satisfaction level of state residents and to guide policy. (http://www.green.maryland.gov/mdgpi/index.asp)

The GPI uses 26 indicators to compute Marylanders true well-being, including quantity of leisure time, volunteerism, education, income inequality, commute time and pollution.

Previously, the state relied on purely economic measures such as employment and wages in the Gross State Product to measure the state-of-the-state.

"The traditional measure failed to capture many aspects of life we value - from environmental quality to livable communities. It also lumped many negatives, such as cost to undo the damages from economic growth, together with the positives," said Matthias Ruth, director of the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research, which calculated the GPI. Not surprisingly, the old measurement found that in 2000 Maryland was more than 50 percent wealthier than it actually was when the new factors were added to the data mix.

GPI is similar to an international Gross National Happiness standard that ranks the tiny, isolated and poor country of Bhutan as a model achiever. And it mirrors the efforts of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who in February 2008 asked a commission to find an alternative to Gross Domestic Product to measure economic and social progress, as apparently GDP did not take into account the joys of adultery and Bordeaux. The idea that government should measure happiness is ludicrous, as it is a subjective ideal with religious overtones. More importantly, what proponents of these new measurements fail to grasp is that the items they weigh as equally if not more important than generating money have a high price. And as the recent events show, society cannot pay the bill for a state that mandates months of vacation, "free" health care and early retirement with lavish benefits. Eventually, those models will collapse as demographics dictate that one worker cannot pay for one retiree, the ratio soon to be across Europe. Second, the government has no authority to maximize happiness. It exists to enforce the laws of the land and to guarantee, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for each of its citizens. Before Maryland starts using a tool to grow government's size and scope, it should first address real problems like massive unfunded pension and health care benefits that will severely limit the state's economic growth if left unchanged - an outcome guaranteed to leave many people very unhappy. That would be real progress. Marta Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute. mmossburg@mdpolicy.org You can find this online at: http://www.mdpolicy.org/research/detail/genuine-progress

 

 

In this Issue

Message from the Chairman

Volunteer Spotlight - Ruth Melson

Reduce the Number of At-Large Council Members from 4 to 2

Maryland Dems Brace for November

Help Recruit Republican Candidates

The American Enterprise Institute

Victims of Communism Wreath Laying

From the Maryland Public Policy Institute

Upcoming Events

Next Precinct Training June 12

Help Wanted!

Quote to Remember 


Come to First Monday at MCGOP Headquarters
7:30 June 7
Meet GOP candidates, including Rob Vricella, District 1 County Council
MCGOP Headquarters is located at 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Derwood (Rockville), MD 20855


Look for a Montgomery County Republican Party Tent
 at various festivals and events coming up in Montgomery County - or better yet, volunteer to help out!  

To fill out a volunteer form for the Montgomery County Republican Party, click here:

http://mcgop.net/volunteer.aspx

elephant


Someone will get in touch with you to follow up!
 


Upcoming Events 

calendar


MCGOP First Monday
June 7, 7:30 - 9:00

Montgomery County Republican headquarters 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, Md 20855 The first Monday evening of each month The Montgomery County GOP hosts an event in which Republicans can meet candidates and discuss concerns and ideas. Mark Uncapher mark@uncapher.net

Maryland Republican Party
20th Annual
Red, White and Blue Dinner

Guest: Mitt Romney
Thursday, June 10-7:00 pm
BWI Airport Marriott
1743 West Nursery Road, Baltimore
Sponsorship Opportunities & Tickets
MDContact Kim Jorns at (410)263-2125 or kjorns@mdgop.org

Governor Romney currently serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Free and Strong America PAC. In 2008, Governor Romney was a leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and distinguished himself as an important voice in favor of strengthening our economy, military, and families.

To sit at a table with other Montgomery Republicans, contact Mark Uncapher at 301-417-9256 or Mark@uncapher.net

Precinct Training Session,
Saturday June 12
10:00 a.m.-  Noon
MCGOP Headquarters
15833 Crabbs Branch Way
Rockville, MD 
For more info see item in this newsletter. 
Contact Dan Cuda at 301-926-1095

MCYR Membership Meeting
Tuesday, June 15th 7:30

Growlers Pub,  Gaithersburg 
Special Guest:
Author Karna Bodman
(former Deputy Press Secretary and Spokesman For the NSC during the Reagan Administration) www.karnabodman.com
RSVP: mike.gibble@gmail.com or Alliecat511@hotmail.com

Maryland Young Republicans
2010 Leadership Conference
June 18 (4:00 pm) - June 19 (11:30 pm)

Salisbury State University
1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, MD
Contact: Moshe Starkman
301.254.9660
mstarkman@moshetechnologies.com

Chevy Chase Women's
Republican Club
Political Lunch Bunch

Thursday, June 24th 1:30 pm
Le Madeleine Café on Rockville Pike

Charles County Lincoln Day Dinner
Thursday, July 1st
Keynote Speaker: Gov. Bob Ehrlich
Tickets $75
www.CharlesCountyGOP.org
Contact: Bruce Wesbury 301-705-8702
Bwesbury@comcast.net

Montgomery County Young Republicans Happy Hour
Sunday, July 4th 5:30 - 7:30
Location varies
Contact: Michael Gibble
president@mcyr.org

Chevy Chase Women's
Republican Club
Let's Talk Politics

Tuesday, July 13th
The home of Nancy Griffin

MDGOP Summer Celebration
July 15th, 7:00 PM

Hosted by Charlie Most
8251 Riverside Drive
Pasadena, MD
Cost: $75 to attend, $150 to join
The Celebration Host Committee
Featuring: Kendel Ehrlich, Susan Allen & Audrey Scott
RSVP: Kim Jorns - 410-263-2125
kjorns@mdgop.org

Montgomery County Young Republicans Membership Meeting
Tuesday, July 20th 7:30 pm

Location: Growlers of Gaithersburg
Contact: Michael Gibble
president@mcyr.org

Montgomery County Young Republicans Happy Hour
Sunday, August 1st 5:30 - 7:30 Location varies Contact: Michael Gibble president@mcyr.org

Rural Women's Republican Club Saturday Night in the Country October 9th 5:00 pm (dinner served at 7:00) Location: Isaac Walton on West Willard Road in Poolesville. Featuring singing auctioneer Anne Lynn to run the fun auction of neat stuff.

 


Precinct
Training Session 

Saturday, June 12

Precinct Training Session

MCGOP HQS
10:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon
15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville

Learn how to Organize Republicans in your Precinct (there are more than you realize!) and to elect Republicans in Montgomery County 

This training session is fun, free and informative For more information call Dan Cuda at
301-926-1095 or e-mail at dcuda54@juno.com 

Help Wanted
Consider being treasurer for a GOP Candidate!

By offering to be a candidate's treasurer, you are doing a great service to both the GOP and our hardworking candidates. A candidate cannot even file to run until he or she has designated a treasurer. If this sounds like a volunteer position that suits you or if you would like to learn more, please contact our candidate recruitment chair, Jim Shalleck at jimshalleck@hotmail.com

 

Also: Our Organization Committee - which recruits for our precinct organization is looking to fill these volunteer positions:

Volunteer Welcome Chair- Responsible for contacting new volunteer prospects, identify activities for them to get involved with, communicate with volunteer contacts, follow-up up to make sure the volunteer "hand-off" to committee chairs and other leaders has been completed. 

Organization Database Administrator - Custodian of the county party's computer database of precinct chairs and volunteers. Requires strong computer skills, especially with databases.

Voter Vault Administrator - provide walking lists, call lists and other information from the party's Voter Vault database to candidates and the precinct organization. Requires strong computer skills.

Contact Mark Uncapher Mark@uncapher.net

 


Quote to Remember

Winston Churchill

"A lie gets halfway around theworld before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."

Winston Churchill


Past Party Line
N
ewsletters
May 22, 2010
May 8, 2010
February 20, 2010
February 6, 2010
January 23, 2010
January 9, 2010
December 19, 2009
December 5, 2009
November 21, 2009
November 7, 2009
October 24, 2009
October 3, 2009
September 19, 2009
September 5, 2009
August 22, 2009
August 8, 2009
July 25, 2009
July 4, 2009
June 20, 2009
June 6, 2009
May 23, 2009
May 9, 2009
April 25, 2009
April 11, 2009
March 28, 2009
March 14, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 3, 2009
January 2009


CONTACT YOUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Hon. Mark Uncapher -At-Large
Chairman
mark@uncapher.net 
 
Hon. Katja Bullock - 18
First Vice Chairman
katja.bullock@gmail.com 
Hon. Stella Green - 15
Second Vice Chair & Communications Director
stella.green@comcast.net

Hon. Deanna Stewart - 20
Secretary
dstewart@iqsolutions.com
 
Hon. Moshe Starkman - 19
mstarkman@moshetechnologies.com
Hon. Vincent DeCain - 18
General Counsel &
Parliamentarian
decainvf@aol.com

Hon. Gus Alzona - 16
augustus@alzona.com
 
Hon. Robert Dyer, III. - 16
 
Hon. Pat Fenati - 14
Organization Chair
fenati@verizon.net
 
Hon. Joe Gillin - 20
joegillin@verizon.net
 
Hon. Rachael Gingrich - At-Large
rachaelgingrich@hotmail.com
 
Hon. Anne Koutsoutis - 14
koutsa1@comcast.net

Hon. Derrick LaRosa - At Large
dlvent@hotmail.com

 Hon. Adol Owen-Williams, Jr. - 17
the1andonlyadol@hotmail.com

Hon. James Shalleck- 39
jimshalleck@hotmail.com

Hon. Denise Siegel - 39
desiegel@cvty.com
Hon. George Sauer - 15
musicwilma@earthlink.net
 
Hon. Josephine Wang - 17
dustercjshan@cs.com
 
Hon. Dan Willard- 19
dswlaw@willardlaw.com

****
J. David Cotter
Jdavidcotter@gmail.com
Treasurer



The Montgomery County Republican Party
Montgomery County Republican Party
Tel.: (301) 417-9256
newsletter co-editors:  Stella Green and Jennifer Pasenelli
by authority J. David Cotter, Treasurer


   
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