Friends of the Clay County Republican Central Committee are holding a garage sale on Saturday, September 18th from 8:00-3:00 pm, and WE NEED DONATED ITEMS!!! We need items such as furniture, sports equipment, toys, collectibles or memorabilia, movies, jewelry, clothes that are still in good condition, etc. Any donated items would be greatly appreciated and will help support Clay County Republicans.

You have several options to deliver your donated items:

1. The garage sale will be held at 1506 N Withers Road, Liberty, MO. Donated items are requested to be dropped off at on Friday, September 17th, between 5:00-7:00 pm.

2. If you are unable to drop off items on the 17th, you may drop off donated items any time at Clay County Republican HQ.

PLEASE consider donating any items you no longer need to help support our local Republican candidates and committee. If you have items that you are able to donate, please email Shawna at shawnasearcy@gmail.com so that we know what items to expect, and what items we might be able to include in the advertisement. The details for the garage sale are listed below. Thank you so much for your support!

Garage Sale

September 18, 2010

8:00-3:00

1506 N Withers Road, Liberty, MO

DROP OFF DONATIONS FROM 5:00-7:00 PM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH

9762 North Ash
Kansas City, MO 64068
Phone:  (816) 407-9571

Also, if you would like to volunteer please call Mark Knoop at (816) 877-4259.

Be sure to bring your lawn chairs to make sure there will be enough seating, we hope to see you there!

What: CCRCC Meeting
When: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 7:00 pm
Where: Clay Co Republican HQ, 9762 North Ash, KCMO
Who: Open to the public - all are welcome!

Via Her Blog: Conservatism With Heart

Quote of the night– “John Ashcroft makes Eric Holder look like a Mall Cop!”~~Chris Stigall

Chris Stigall hosted his 8th and last Lincoln Days for the year, in his own county, Clay County.

It was another great night, thanks in large part to the Central Committee’s chairman, Ben Wierzbicki.

The night opened up with awards given to two of the most deserving legislators, not only in Clay County, but in all of Missouri. Rep. Doug Ervin has term limited out and Rep. Tim Flook is not seeking re-election. Rep. Jerry Nolte presented the award to Rep. Tim Flook and Rep. Bob Nance presented the award to Rep. Doug Ervin.

Chris Stigall then did two short interviews with former ambassadors. The first was Ambassador to Afghanistan Tom Schweich. Schweich talked about one of his areas of expertise, Afghanistan. He did a great job and he is now running for Missouri State Auditor.

The second was Ambassador to Luxembourg Ann Wagner, who also used to be the Chair of the Missouri Republican Party for six years, from 1999 until 2005, and Co-chair of the Republican National Committee for four years.

After her interview with Chris, she gave some remarks of her own. She told a compelling story of an incident that happened in Luxembourg, reminding us of why we don’t want America to go the way of Europe. She then announced that she was now the chair of Roy Blunt’s campaign for Kit Bond’s senate seat. She talked about how crucial the elections are going to be in November. A loose paraphrase of my favorite line of hers is when she said, if you don’t have skin in the game, you lose your passion. She was reminding us to get out there and get some skin in the game and have passion for the principles that we believe in.

Rep. Roy Blunt himself was up next. He talked about the article in the KC Star from last Thursday. It talked about early polls showing that Blunt already has an 8 point lead over Robin Carnahan. What was Carnahan’s reason for this? She said that the public isn’t engaged in the race yet. Meanwhile, Carnahan’s campaign has spent $2 million trying to demonize Blunt over being against the Cap and Trade bill. How much more will they have to spend before people will be engaged ;-)?

Blunt’s conclusion was, “I think freedom is going to win, and I need you to help me.” Again, I was impressed with Blunt personally as I was the last time I met him. He went out of his way to talk to everyone in the room and shake their hand and really talk to them.

Finally, the main speaker, John Ashcroft got up to speak. I am such a huge fan of Ashcroft, for so many reasons. This is the second time I’ve heard him speak, and he was even better this time than the last.

He thanked us for being there because of how important it is for good people to be involved in politics. He talked about American Exceptionalism and how freedom is the special catalyst. He said that America must continue to distinguish itself and not be europeanized. The United States of America and American Exceptionalism is worth defending. He hoped we didn’t take the blessings of our country for granted and that we would participate and work hard to make sure our principles are kept.

He made so many great points, I was wanting to cheer and stand every other sentence. He had so much passion for what he was saying. My favorite part was when he talked about how foolish it was to “reach across the aisle”. He talked about how anytime he tried to do that, he got bit. It was nice to hear someone tell it like it really is with out being concerned about political correctness.

The night ended with several more awards. Shawna Searcy received the Clay County Woman of the Year and Jeff Roe got the Clay County Man of the Year award. They were both surprised, but not as shocked as Ben Wierzbicki was when Jeff Roe presented him with the Man of the Decade award.

Registration is now open for this year’s Clay County Lincoln Dinner! This is an annual event where Republicans can come together and discuss the issues facing our nation as well as see and hear in-person from our elected leaders. This event will be held on May 15th at 6:00 p.m. at Finnigan’s Hall, located at 503 East 18th Avenue, North Kansas City, MO, 64116. We will socialize for an hour and dinner will begin at 7:00.

If you would like to attend, please fill out and return the Lincoln Dinner Sign-Up Form by May 7th. Seating is limited, so RSVP today!

Speakers: U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, Ambassador to Luxembourg Ann Wagner, and Ambassador to Afghanistan Tom Schweich

Master of Ceremonies: Chris Stigall

Other Officeholders in Attendance: State Sen. Bill Stouffer, State Sen. Luann Ridgeway, State Rep. Jerry Nolte, State Rep. Tim Flook, State Rep. Doug Ervin, State Rep. Bob Nance, Eastern District Commissioner Katee Porter

IMPORTANT!!!

Part of registration includes providing a list of guests attending.  This list will only be used for creating name tags for all attendees and organizing tables.  It will not be shared with other organizations.

This event is being managed by a small group of volunteers.  By providing all information requested you are helping us tremendously!

This month’s meeting will focus on our Lincoln Day dinner on May 15th, including the announcement of who our GREAT speakers will be!! We will also discuss the slate of Clay County candidates. We hope to see you there!

What: CCRCC Meeting
When: Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 7:00 pm
Where: Clay County Courthouse, 3rd floor - Commissioner’s Room
Who: Open to the public - all are welcome!

“The Health Insurance Advocate” to Address the Clay Pachyderms

The Clay County Pachyderms will meet on Thursday, April 8 from 6 to 8 PM, at Staley Farms Clubhouse. This month’s guest speaker is Cary Hall, host of The Health Insurance Advocate Radio Show, heard weekly across the Midwest.

The topic of health care is becoming more and more of an issue for all Americans, especially in the wake of the recently enacted federal health-care laws. Mr. Hall will explain the implications of these broad measures. An experienced broker and advisor on the complexities of health-insurance coverage, Mr. Hall has achieved a solid reputation of expertise in his field. His powerful drive and dedication to “myth-busting” has established him as a voice of authority on health-insurance matters.

The Pachyderms meet at the Staley Farms Golf Club Clubhouse, 10310 North Olive Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. The cost is $10 (members) and $12 (non-members), which includes hors d’oeuvres and a drink ticket. Parking is free.

For further information about the club, visit www.claycopachyderms.org. The Pachyderms can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. Questions can be directed to claycountypachyderms@gmail.com, or call (816) 536-9193.

Be the first to find out about your favorite Show-Me State Republicans, receive exclusive campaign-insider information, and learn about special events by joining the Missouri Republican Party’s MYGOP MOBILE.  To sign up, text SHOWME to MYGOP (69467).

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By: Rep. Bob Nance
36th District

Budget News

Spring break is over at the Missouri Capitol and legislators were in Jefferson City Monday working on the State’s 2011 budget. Unlike the federal government, the state must have a balanced budget. That budget must be passed by May 7th and if revenues fall short, it is the Governor’s responsibility to adjust appropriations.

Last Thursday, the Governor recommended legislators trim $500 million from the budget he proposed in January. He said the cuts were necessary due to lower than anticipated state revenues. Additionally, over $300 million in federal funding was included in the Governor’s original budget, but may not be received. The Governor must work with the legislature to pass a more realistic budget.

It is a discussion that has changed daily but who will step up and be the responsible party?  If we believe the revenues won’t be there, should the House make cuts or allow the proposed budget to be approved. If we approve the Governor’s budget proposal, he will have to make the tough choices later. That could be devastating to any department that plans on appropriations and then in the middle of the year loses part of their funding. This could especially affect education. The state budget will be discussed on the House floor the next two weeks.

As bad as the budget picture appears, we are in much better shape than many other states who are on the verge of bankruptcy due to years of increasing state government and public programs. Living within a smaller budget is hard for families and it is going to be difficult for all who receive state funding in the upcoming year. Tough choices will have to be made and some restructuring of government may have to occur.

HB 1472 passed through the House on Monday. Called the K-2 bill, K-2 is becoming prolific on the streets and in our schools.  K-2 is an herbal compound that mimics marijuana and can be 10 times stronger. It is important that this compound be designated as a controlled substance so law enforcement can prevent an epidemic of dependency and the criminal element associated with it.

At this time it is sold in many convenience stores as an air freshener. One amendment that failed would have treated K-2 possession the same as marijuana. Those who oppose the bill said that no substance should be criminalized without verifiable evidence that it causes harm to an individual.

The Capitol hosted a Missouri Art Education Association art collection this week. Lawson Middle and High Schools had many beautiful entries. Those having their artwork on display were Nicole Kudart, Lindsey Jones, Ashley Banes, Griffin Johnson, Danielle Bohon, Chris Cechvala, and Zach Ohrenberg. Lewis and Clark Elementary was represented by Trevor Fritz, Megan Chilese, Dyllan Rimington, and Safiyyah Hashmi. Zach’s work received the President’s Award.

At the Capitol

Whitney Miller from Richmond was at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Visiting Wednesday from Lawson and Liberty were Amy, Jennifer, Jake, Isabelle and William Kanning. They received a tour of the Capitol, Governor’s Mansion and Whispering Chamber.

Also visiting Thursday were next years Student Council Members from Excelsior Springs High School , they are:  Tiffany Propst, Shauni Lawrence, Hallie Ring and Wendy Chuning.  Sponsors were: Danielle Hankins and Susan Hevalow.

In your service,
Bob Nance