Rep. Nugent's press release on Middle East crisis

31 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS JOIN NUGENT IN SENDING LETTER TO DOD AND STATE DEPT DEMANDING EXPLANATION OF WHAT ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT US DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This afternoon, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) and 31 colleagues sent the following letter to Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of Defense Panetta calling on them to outline both the rules of engagement and additional security measures being taken to protect US personnel serving overseas:

Dear Secretaries Clinton and Panetta,

As the events of the last twenty-four hours in Yemen have shown, our embassies throughout the Middle East are vulnerable and they are under threat.  It is clear that our security posture depends heavily on the willingness and ability of local security forces to control the crowds surrounding our embassies.  In our view, that dependence – on what is clearly an unreliable and uncommitted protective force – leaves our American diplomatic and military personnel vulnerable.

Our concern is for the dutiful civil servants who represent our nation overseas.  We must protect these men and women as their safety is our primary concern during these extraordinary and unpredictable times.  To that end, we would like to know specifically what has been done in the last twenty-four hours to increase security at our embassies throughout the region.  We also want to know precisely what the rules of engagement are for our military personnel when angry mobs, with violent extremists among them, attempt to breach the walls of our facilities overseas.

As you both well know, our embassies legally represent the sovereign territory of the United States of America.  It is our belief that when individuals are allowed to breach the walls, enter our facilities, and remove the flag of the United States with impunity, we send a dangerous message to extremists throughout the region that our embassies are an open and easy target.

All of these things, in our opinion, are dangerous and unacceptable. In the event that this situation continues to escalate, our people in the region need to know what the plan is – or at least that we have one. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Nugent

No fanfare for tax rate roll-up

Brooksville, Fla. - The first reading of the county budget was approved without any fanfare.

Public input during the discussion phase of the Hernando County 2012-2013 budget hearing was a quiet affair.  Only a handful of residents attended the meeting, with two citizens making comments.  Anthony Palmieri, former member of the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission expressed his displeasure in the budget process.

Discussion on the budget was limited to the fire chiefs, Michael Nickerson and Michael Rampino after Hernando County Commission Chairman Wayne Dukes asked them to the podium.  Chief Rampino gave a brief outline of Spring Hill funding necessary for 2013.

After the discussion phase, county commissioners directed George Zoettlin to proceed with the formality of reading the millage rates.  Commissioner David Russell made the motion to approve the millage rate and 2012-12 budget with a second from Commissioner James Adkins.  The first reading to approve was passed 4-1 with the budget which included the increase in tax based on the roll-up rate.

Rep. Nugent press release

REP NUGENT CONGRATULATES HIS DISTRICT DIRECTOR, SHIRLEY ANDERSON FOR WINNING THE AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION’S STAFFER OF THE YEAR AWARD

(BROOKSVILLE, FL) –Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement congratulating his District Director, Shirley Anderson for earning the award:

“This year, the Air Force Association recognized Shirley Anderson for her ‘extraordinary support for our nation’s Armed Forces’.  I couldn’t have said it better myself.  For years, Shirley has dedicated her working life to serving veterans and advocating for their interests.  The award is well-deserved and I congratulate her on earning it.”

Food for thought ...

A good friend of mine just sent me this YouTube video.  Please watch it until the end to get the full meaning.

Satirical way to poke fun?

Campaign literature.

Who reads it?  Who really cares?

Thousands of dollars are spend on glossy campaign fliers to attract voters.  But most of it ends up in the trash, unread.

Here's one everyone should have read,  sagerwarning.com  It was printed on a simple postcard to attract voters attention.  The mailer  was timed to hit every one's mailboxes just before the Primary Election.

The ad was paid for by Committee to Protect Florida. PAC is located in Tallahassee.


 
Here's a few photos of Jason Sager during the 2004 Presidential Election as he campaigned for Senator John Kerry.  Sager  represented the Communist party, dressed as Che Guevara, an Argentine Marxist Revolutionary.

Che fought side-by-side with Fidel Castro for the overthrow of Cuba.  After the Cuban Revolution, Che was Castro's right-hand man in charge of firing squads.  Che was also involved in the Bay of Pigs.

Sager laughed off protest marches as a satirical way to poke fun. A local newspaper ran the entire story during Sager's run for Congress in 2010.

The local chairman of Hernando County Republican Executive Committee was quoted as saying Sager had some explaining to do.  Sager laughed off his involvement, saying it was a satirical way to poke fun while he dressed as a revolutionist protesting conservative talk show hosts.

Sagerwarning.com web page gave links to other activity by Sager, like the reprimand by the Federal Election Commission for campaign violations during his run for Congress in 2010.  The site also includes Sager breaking the law in the voting booth.  Sager used his cell phone to photograph his ballot while voting in the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary.

Please remember to do your homework before voting in the Primary Election tomorrow.  Hernando County's future depends on it.

Big choices. Big Day.  Your Choice.

Despair or renewal of spirit

It’s time again for Hernando County citizens to choose the path of our destiny. Two clear paths exist. Our lives can continue to be filled with sadness, darkness and despair or we can choose a new path for our future – a future filled a renewal of spirit and goodwill.

The choice is ours to make on August 14, 2012 – Primary Election day.

A wide field of candidates is competing for your attention. Many candidates are registered Republicans with distinct characteristics – some with characteristics that might not be favorable to a renewal of spirit for our county. 

Ssshhh! Can you hear the deafening rhetoric roar of the right-wing?

Ebenezer Scrooge would beam with pride at the slogans being slung at constituents – slogans like ‘more liberty, less government’ or ‘ax the tax’ which will only bring more despair to our county.

The Hernando County Ghosts of Christmas’ Past, Present and Future are staring us in the face. 

Hernando County Ghost of Christmas Past warns us to repent, to change our ways.

The Hernando County Ghost of Christmas Present shows us deprivation, with a small glimmer of hope.

The most-feared Hernando County Ghost of Future gives us a choice – darkness and despair or a more-caring attitude, filled with goodwill and renewal of spirit.

______________________

Hernando County Ghost of Christmas Past – 

It was a very good year.  It was 2007.  Unemployment in Hernando County was just a little over four percent.  The attitude was let the good-times roll.  No one was concerned about budget constraints except for John Druzbick when he announced his candidacy for county commissioner, dist.3.

Druzbick campaigned on “a  pay-as-you go” to accomplish long-term projects – projects like the  Hernando County dredge project and Elgin Road completion. He campaigned on support of local business to help the local economy.

The unsuccessful run for Congress by Jason Sager in 2010 was filled with slogans.  He offered himself to constituents as a "very conservative guy" and strict - even radical constitutionalist who reveres the Founding Fathers, according to a story by a  staff writer for ocala.com 

The ‘ax the tax’ slogan came into play with the election of James Adkins in 2008.   It played to fringe voters who came out in force to push a no-growth, no-tax attitude during budget hearings.

The party played on until the bottom fell out. With the economy in shambles, caused by the collapse of the housing market, our unemployment soared to over 15 percent in Hernando County.  The county ranked the third highest in the state for home foreclosures and unemployment.

______________________

Hernando County Ghost of Christmas Present –

An economic malaise exists in Hernando County.  It is 2012.  Unemployment in Hernando County is teetering on 11 percent.  The attitude is like the calm before the storm.  It is budget time.  It is time to choose a candidate for the future.

John Druzbick stands firm with his support of business, saying it is our only avenue out of the economic slump    He sees the need to fund economic development to attract business to the county.

Druzbick is taking a beating by his opponent for suggesting an increase in taxes equal to the roll-back rate.  He says the county cannot continue to use reserves to balance the budget.

Jason Sager changed gears after his defeat for Congress.  He’s now a candidate for Hernando County Commissioner, district 3.  Druzbick is his opponent.

Sager’s manifest includes the elimination of The Bus, saying it is a waste of money.  His campaign doesn’t mention how he plans to cover the loss of state and federal transportation funding if the bus system is eliminated in Hernando County. 

The 'ax the tax' logic is still in play with James Adkins.  He voted against a increase in taxes equal to the roll-back rate, saying it is bad for  business. Adkins offered no positive solution to the current budget crisis.

A newcomer running against Adkins in district 5 has ruffled a few feathers with his positive approach to solving the county problems.  James "Jimmy" Lodato calls it leadership with a vision. His business plan includes attracting more business to the county.  His credentials include past ownership of Fortune 500 companies.

District 1 is wide-open with the retirement of Jeff Stabins with three Republicans on the ballot..

Michael Burmann is making his second stab for the district 1 seat.  He wants to create more efficiency in local government. He professes to use his experience as a business owner as a basis to solve the county's problems.

One candidate with a hold-no-prisoners-attitude is Richard Matassa.  Being an owner of a local engineering firm, Matassa is familiar with the functions of local government and what it takes to make change in the county. His take-charge attitude is well-known in the business community.

Nick Nicholson, a business owner, is also a candidate for district 1.  Nicholson holds a master's degree in engineering and MBA.  He would like to apply his knowledge and expertise to solve the county's problems.  Nicholson served on the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission for seven years.  He is a long-time member of the local Rotary Club.


Hernando County Commissioners continue to wrestle with massive decreases in funding to run the government. Residents struggle to survive in an inflationary economy. Many businesses have closed their doors. Each have their own personal stories to share.

_________________________

Hernando County Ghost of Christmas Future –

According to Dickens Christmas Carol, Scrooge held the future in his hands. 

As the fearsome figure in the black robe points to the uncertainty of the future, Scrooge cries out as he is faced with a choice of a lonely death and damnation.  But he chooses humanity, saying he is a changed man.

Will our lives in Hernando County continue to be filled with sadness, darkness and despair?

Will we choose a new path for our future – a future filled a renewal of spirit and goodwill in Hernando County to rebuild our future?

It's your choice on August 14th.

Brooksville teen to compete at world event in Korea

Brooksville, Fla. - A young woman is set to step onto the world stage in an international exhibition.

A local Brooksville teenager will compete in a world exhibition of Tae Kwon Do. International exhibitions, featuring 2,000 athletes from 31 countries, will take place July 6 - 11 in South Korea.

"Youth, Dreams, Friendship and Co-Existence is the theme of the international event.

Competing in the black belt division for her age group, Heather Jacobs, 13, will experience her first competition at the world level.  She is an eighth grade student at the Methodist School Center in Brooksville.

Heather earned her black belt at age 10.  She has been training at Moon's Tae Kwon Do in Spring Hill for seven years.  Heather is the student of Master Moon and Master Chun. 

Heather's parents, Roger and Carol Jacobs will be escorting their daughter on her international debut to South Korea.  The family will participate in scheduled seminars at the event.  They will experience foods, music, crafts and arts to learn Korean culture.