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.”