12-28-17 Briefs

REPUBLICAN BRIEFS

LD24 Christmas and Hanukah party attendees posing with cutouts of President Donald and Melina Trump are, left to right, David & Virginia Ludwig, POTUS with George Cuprek, Teresa Tenbrink, Melina Trump, and LD Chairman Barry Wong Photo Roger Pongratz

Over 60 guests attended LD24’s Christmas and Holiday social last week at AZGOP Headquarters, according to Chairman Barry Wong. Donald Trump and First Lady Melina Trump greeted arriving guests, including guests Scottsdale Mayor Jim and Joanne Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, Phoenix Councilman Jim Waring and Maricopa Supervisor Bill Gates, Sen Kate Brophy McGee, Rep Maria Syms, US Marshal David Gonzales, Judges Leonore and Adam Driggs, Judge Mike Reagan, Diane Ortiz-Parsons, LD20 Chairman Colleen and Tom Lombard and Kevin Dang, Chairman, AZGOP Asian American Coalition.

PCs attending included Yvonne and Ron Raymond, Gina and Chuck McCracken, Roger Pongratz, Ryan Williams, Bob Blue, Kim Kunasek, Alice Boyd, Teresa Tenbrink and Martha Ludwig. After walking pass the foyer (reception desk area) decorated with red Poinsettia planters surrounding a glowing candlelit hurricane vase, guests entered the main ballroom (meeting room) festively decorated and softly illuminated with candlelight radiating from votives at living room-style seated conversation alcoves (room corners) and arranged on blue and red high-top cocktail tables adorned with Poinsettia center pieces. Gently bathing the American and Arizona flags and the AZGOP banner was an orange-yellow hue from a frosted floor up-light, while at the opposite end a torchiere lamp threw just enough lumens brushing the ceiling like an Arizona sunset. A jazz trio further enhanced the senses with their bass, piano/keyboard and drums creating uniquely American-invented jazz music (setup at the double French door area by staff offices).

Wong welcomed everyone, saying, “We are pleased to host this gathering to celebrate the Christmas and Hanukah holidays, and gather Republican friends to enjoy each other’s company.” Wong thanked key people responsible for making the event a success through financial, in-kind or volunteer resource sponsorship: David and Ginny Ludwig, Paul Smith and Susan Bitter Smith, George Cuprak, Mike Rubinoff, Carole Joyce, Jeni White and Matt Kenney/AZGOP.

Guests enjoyed a beautifully presented spread of Hispanic cuisine of tacos and chimichangas along with the traditional shrimp cocktail and cheeses, and a variety of desserts including mini-white frosted chocolate cupcakes and delicious holiday-inspired cookies. All this was possible through the hard-work and contribution of David and Ginny Ludwig! Delicious chocolate fudge was provided by John and Sherrie Eaton.

Rounding out the evening was a raffle drawing of unique Arizona and GOP items. Mike Rubinoff coordinated the raffle with lucky guests going home with elephant tree ornaments, collector’s edition Arizona “Winged Victory” State Capitol ornaments, an Arizona Highways scenic 2018 calendar and an ink pen with Governor Doug Ducey’s name and signature inscribed on the barrel. In the spirit of Christmas and the Holidays helping the needy, guests donated cans and packages of food for the local food bank. All will be donated to ICM Food & Clothing Bank (in central Phoenix).

NOTES FROM READERS

Editor’s Note: Please keep opinion pieces to 400 words

Matthew Kenney, Executive Director – AZ Republican Party: Frosty, can you please include this clarification in Briefs? I know you were printing what you are hearing out there. Just wanted to clear up a few things. First, the special meeting to elect the three recommended State Senate candidates has a deadline set by state law and while we know that it was between holidays; it really was the best date for many reasons. Second, it was probably just a typo, but Steve Montenegro is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Congressional District 8, not for the U.S. Senate. (Editor’s Note: Correct was made yesterday). Finally, all readers should know that the AZ Republican Party is proud to be represented in every religious community, and that certainly includes our many supporters and PCs from the Church of Latter Day Saints. We strongly condemn attacking candidates based on their spiritual and religious preferences and hope that leadership ability and policy positions determine how people vote.

PC Linda Brickman: Thank you again for all your tireless efforts in keeping all us patriots well informed throughout the year. You are truly amazing. I hope you and yours have a fantastic New Year that carries you throughout 2018. Keep up the great, work Frosty! God bless.

Supt of Public Education candidate Frank Riggs: Appreciate all you do to keep Republican Party leaders and grassroots activists informed and to provide Republican candidates with a forum to reach them! Happy New Year.

LD-13 State Senate Candidate Trey Terry To LD-13 PCs: I entered the LD13 Senate race almost two months ago because it is time that my generation start taking responsibility for its future. As President Reagan most famously said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” I will not allow my generation to abdicate that responsibility.

My wife and I live in Litchfield Park and we are expecting our first child this upcoming summer. I am 31 years old. I grew up in this district and graduated from Millennium High School in Goodyear. In 2005, I joined the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout. My job was to provide front-line reconnaissance for the Army. I spent a year stationed along the DMZ in Korea before I was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. I then served over one year in Iraq. My recon platoon performed over 100 time-sensitive raids and combat missions to capture high-value targets with a 91% success rate. We captured, or eliminated, senior leaders of Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and local Iranian-supported militia insurgents, dismantling their operational capacity in the Baghdad region.

As a conservative, I believe in free enterprise and limited government. I am 100% pro-life and will never apologize for it. I am a member of the National Rifle Association and the second amendment clearly states that “the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” To me, the founders could not have been any more clear. I believe we need to support our law enforcement officers. We need to ensure that they have every tool necessary to fight crime, protect our families, and secure our border from the dangerous drug cartels that profit from poisoning our youth with their illegal drugs. Please visit my website (treyterry.com) to learn more. I would be honored to have your vote for the State Senate appointment at the December 28th PC meeting.

Chairman Slaton of Navajo County Republican Committee. What is wrong with all of the LD’S AND County Chairs, Chairman Lines has no authority to put out a call letter or even be involved with any LD or County Elections. Chairman Lines once again IGNORES the Rule of Law, as well as many of our elected State Senators!!! You good folks of LD13 should tell Lines to Vamoose!!! WE don't do it in our counties? It’s the Secretary job to mail out calls... Special Meeting Special meetings may be held at any time.

1. A written call issued by the state chairman, or signed by 20% or more of the members of the state committee representing at least nine counties, or signed by 40% of the voting members of the executive committee; and

2. Written notice of the call containing the information herein required being mailed to every member of the state committee by the secretary at least ten days before the meeting. The call and notice must contain the time and place of the special meeting and the object or objects thereof. Any call must be delivered to the secretary at least thirty days before the date of the proposed meeting. In the event of a call issued by members of the state committee or of the executive committee, the secretary shall immediately notify each person or group who may be threatened by the object of the meeting and give them ten days to inspect the call and challenge any questionable signatures. If at the expiration of such time, the required number of qualified signer’s remains, the secretary shall mail the notice of the notice of the call. No business other than that stated in the notice of call shall be transacted at a special meeting.

Gilbert Watch Publisher Anita Christy’s Rebuttal To Diane Douglas’s“Common Core has been replaced” narrative: When does “repeal and replace” not mean “repeal and replace”? When Supt. of Public Instruction Diane Douglas says it. Incumbent Douglas claimed in 12/20/2017 Briefs that “Common Core has been repealed and replaced.”

No it hasn’t. Incumbent Douglas ignored virtually every teacher, member of the public, nationally recognized technical expert, and prominent anti-Common Core authority that offered recommendations that would have truly repealed and replaced the Common Core Standards. Instead, hundreds of recommendations from Achieve, Inc. appeared throughout the “redline” versions of the ELA (English and Language Arts) and Math standards, and were incorporated in the “final, approved 2nd draft.” (Achieve staff and consultants served on the original 2009 Common Core writing and review teams.) Incumbent Douglas has issued her false narrative for over a year. See Diane Douglas assures AZ Legislators that Common Core Standards have been Repealed and Replaced and Diane Douglas reassures the public that the Common Core Standards have been Repealed and Replaced.

The Truth: The Mommy Lobby produced a side-by-side comparison of both K-3 Math and K-3 ELA which indicate only 7% additions/deletions to ELA and 5% additions/deletions to Math. K-3 were the most controversial standards, and also had the most changes. Even fewer changes occurred in grades 4-12. Beyond Textbooks stated in the March 2017 newsletter: “Many of you are aware that Arizona has new Math and ELA standards that are expected to be fully implemented and assessed during the 2018-2019 school year. The good news is that there are minimal changes as a whole to the existing standards.” Members of the Arizona Standards Development Committee wrote: “Ironically, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, who promised in 2014 to “stop Common Core,” voted in favor of these ‘revised’ standards, which are in large part the same Common Core standards SBE adopted in 2010.“ Arizona SBE member Jared Taylor stated: “The bottom line is that I am very disappointed that we kicked the parents to the curb and ignored the will of the voters when they elected Diane Douglas. Yet she led the way today; we just renewed Common Core.” Most devastating to Incumbent Douglas’s false narrative comes from Dr. Sandra Stotsky, a nationally-recognized expert on ELA standards. Dr. Stotsky singled out Arizona for criticism in her article: How Do You Sell Common Core Standards and Tests To Unwilling Parents? Hide Them . See complete commentary at More Common Core Double-talk by Diane Douglas

Dave Kopp - President, Arizona Citizens Defense League: With the holiday season in full swing, it’s time for us to give pause. The end of the year brings with it a time of reflection—a moment to look back on things accomplished. We know that we ask a lot of you throughout the year and every time you rise to the occasion. And for that, we say: Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our movement. 2017 was another banner year in our fight to keep guns in your hands, ensuring that your right to keep and bear arms are and will remain protected in the state of Arizona. Once again, we received first place in Guns and Ammo Magazine’s Best State for Gun Owners, for our efforts at restoring and protecting your rights in Arizona. We know that we’ll be facing road blocks when the session begins on January 8th. With your help, we assure you that we will be ready for it. For now, however, we want to wish you and your families a very Happy Holidays. We look forward to continuing our work into the next year with you by our side.

CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Candidates Are Welcome to e-mail their announcements and a photo to Briefs at repcomm@cox.net or frostytaylor@cox.net for posting so readers can learn who the candidates are. Editor’s Note: Please keep announcement at 400 words. Longer announcements subject to editing to conform. - ft.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DEC 29

A Fundraiser Dinner Dance To Benefit CD1Congresional candidate Tiffany Shedd is scheduled between 5:30 -11 pm., Fri, Dec 29 at The Property, 1251 W Gold Bend Hwy, Cass Grande, AZ 85193. Contact Lynndy@sheddforcongress.com or 928-985-1920.

Jan 4, 2018

The Colorado River Tea Party – Yuma will meet at 6 pm., Thurs., Jan 4, 2018 at the Community Christian Church, 6480 E Hwy 95.facebook.com/Colorado-River-Tea-Party-Yuma-AZ Chairman Sally Kizer 928-210-1219.

Jan 6, 2018

The Sun City West Republican Club is planning an 8:30 am., Jan 6 Candidate Forum for the Supt of Public Instruction candidates at the Foundation Building, 14465 W RH Johnson Blvd in Sun City West. Doors open at 8a m. Supt. Candidates:Bob "Dr. Bob" Branch, Supt. Diane Douglas, Jonathan Gelbert, Tracy Livingston, and Frank Riggsare confirmed. All candidates will have an opening statement. A one-hour Q&A has been scheduled. The SCW will be conducting forums January – June, including AZ's SPI, State Treasurer, Sec. of State, Corporation Commission and LD 22 House. Candidates in those contested races are urged to contact scheduler Clair Van Steenwyk @ 623-322-9979 or email:vanscrossroads1@gmail.com as soon as possible.

ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS

LD21l Sen Debbie Lesko: I am very blessed and thankful that I will be spending time with my family and friends this weekend and on Christmas Day. I am happily married, have three children and two grandchildren and I will be with them along my mother, mother-in-law and sister this Christmas for dinner. What a blessing! This has been a busy year for me in the State Senate working as the Senate President Pro-Tempore and the Senate Appropriations Chairman working hard to balance the state budget. As you know, I have a reputation for taking on big issues that others aren’t willing to take on, like pension reform, tax reform, and providing parents and children with quality educational choices. What you also know if you have read my previous newsletters, is that I also sponsor and pass legislation that directly benefits my constituents. I passed legislation that eliminated the photo radar camera on Grand Ave near El Mirage. I passed legislation at the request of the Sun Cities to help golf cart drivers. I passed legislation that helps patients with surprise medical bills received from out-of-network providers, and I passed legislation at the request of my local PTAs and school booster clubs. If you have an idea for legislation or want to talk to me, feel free to contact me at work or at Debbie@DebbieLesko.com or at my home 623-878-9761. Thank you and may God continue to bless you and your family! Together, we can make a difference.

SEEING RED AZ

· Salt Lake Tribune More Honest Than AZ Republic It’s Impossible To Imagine The AZ Republic Accusing John McCain Of Staying Too Long In The Senate

· Marginal-Jeff-Flakes-Delusions-Of-Grandeur Flake Claims GOP A Party Of Old, Angry White Men

· Think-You’ve-Opened-All-Your-Gifts, There’s-One-More

AMERICAN FREEDOM BY BARBARA

· Old School Parenting At Christmas Time

· History-Of-Christmas-Tree

· What-Tax-Cuts-Have-To-Do-With-Making America Great Again

ARIZONA FREEDOM ALLIANCE

· Executive Order Blocking The Property Of Persons Involved...

· Presidential Advisory Commission On Election Integrity Gets Green Light To See Data From Voter Registration Records

· George Soros Suffers ‘Massive Heart Attack’ On Christmas Eve In Hungary