WCR Meeting Recaps – 2014 (Feb thru May)
2014 has been a busy year for WCR. We have had great meetings and we are already looking forward to the fall (WCR does not meet in the summer) to begin our meeting schedule once again for 2014-2015.
Here is a recap of the meetings in 2014 (Feb thru May):
- February – Steve Ellenwood gave a presentation on transit issues affecting Washington County. Dennis Ngyen talked about his candidacy for Secretary of State.
- March – Susan Richardson did a presentation about what impact the bullying bill would have on kids and schools if it were to become law (at that time, it was being debated at the legislature).
- April – Constitutional lawyer Margorie Holsten gave a presentation on the deterioration of First Amendment rights by important court cases decided over the years.
- May – Dan Severson talked about this race for Secretary of State and his involvement in minorty communities. Twila Brase of CCHF (Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom) talked about Obamacare and MNSure.
June will be the last meeting until September. The meeting in June (6/14) will feature Janet Biehoffer (RNC National Committee Woman), who will talk about what is happening at the national party. Sharna Walgren (CD4 candidate) will talk about her congressional race.
It has been an exciting time at WCR and I have enjoyed working with the leadership team this year. Although we take the summer off with regard to our meetings, we will be remain active in the community. We may be scheduling some events during the summer months, so check back periodically.
Brian Marum
President
WCR
Washington County Republicans held its January meeting on 1/11/14. Marty Seifert (governor candidate) and Katherine Kirsten (Center for the American Experiment) joined us.
Marty Seifert talked about his desire to eliminate the Met Council and how important it is to open the mines in northern Minnesota. He emphasized his experience as a legislator as well as his ability to work with Democrats to move Minneasota forward.
Katherine Kerstin also spoke on the Met Council. She talked about the ‘new urbanism’ or ‘regionalism’ being put forth by many liberals, and especially those at the Met Council. This comes in the form of high density high-rises along transit stations. In essence, it is a form of punishment for the people who have moved to the suburbs by making it as expensive as possible to live in these areas. The drive is to get more people back into the cities. And because the Met Council is an unelected body, citizens find there is no recourse against these ‘urban planners’. Currently, the best that can happen is for a governor who will push to put an end to this bureaucracy, or at least, restict its power since the legislature is hesitant to abolish it.
Brian Marum
WCR
President
WCR is hosting a social for WCR members and guests in January. Below are the details:
Location: Platinum Bank – Oakdale, MN
Date: 1/25/14
Time: 6pm to 8pm
This event will kick off what will be an exciting 2014. This is an opportunity to visit with other WCR members and others within the Republican party.
We hope to see you there!