Monthly Speaker

Colonial Area Republican Men's Association

MONTHLY SPEAKER INFORMATION

The CARMA July 20th Luncheon Speaker Was:

BRENDA POGGE - VIRGINIA DELEGATE - 96TH DISTRICT

Delegate Brenda Pogge spoke to the CARMA members about good news and bad news in the State of Virginia. First some really good news…the state budget in January was facing a deficit gap of nearly 1.7 billion dollars. The state ended the fiscal year with a surplus of 132 million. This was due to the hard work of the legislature in reigning in expenses, and also by setting realistic targets for various revenue streams. The state now ranks 13^th of the 50 states in budget management. While it used to be first, it had sunk as low as 17^th during the Kaine and McAuliffe terms in office. During these Governorships, the mandated (?) expenses coming from the Obama Administration’s programs caused very serious over spending, and build ups of state staff and funds. McAuliffe and Kaine did nothing to control these expenditures and slowly the state slipped from its #1 position. McAuliffe and Herring continue to follow many of those policies, that were dictated by Obama executive orders.

Brenda quoted some brief statements, such as “Freedom is but one generation away” and that Political Correctness in many areas must be met with reasonable practicality. She said the democrats do not follow a creed, but instead more of a manifesto. That they are of a progressive minded state where they believe that the government will issue mandates, and that citizens will either buy into these mandates or be punished. Example: Are the penalties associated with Obamacare.

She discussed how Conservatives and most Republicans believe in equality and fairness, but progressives hold different truths, that all men are not created equal, but will be made equal via government actions. These progressives believe that the answer to all issues is via the government mandates and programs rather than through any individual initiatives.

Delegate Pogge stressed how important it is to maintain the House of Delegates Republican majority in order to stop and deter the expansion of the McAuliffe and Herring progressive spending policies.

She then answered some questions from the members and thanked everyone for their past and future support.

-------------------------

Delegate Brenda Pogge represents Virginia’s 96th House of Delegates District, which includes parts of James City and York Counties. A member of the House since 2008, Delegate Pogge serves as vice-chair of the House Education Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, the House Finance Committee and the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee. Delegate Pogge chairs the Virginia Disability Commission and is a member of the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission and the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

James City County Supervisor Candidate Information

(CARMA totally supports the election of both Tom Phillips
and Joe Swanenburg to the JCC Board of Supervisors after
hearing their platforms and a discussion of their personal
qualifications. Joe's 38 years in JCC has given him an
extensive knowledge of the county, and Tom's professional
life has trained him and provided him with hands-on
experiences that will be immediately of value to the county.
Both candidates are stalwart Republicans with deep beliefs
in the values as expressed in the Republican Creed.)

RECAP OF JOE SWANENBURG'S COMMENTS - 06/16/17

Joe is a resident of James City County for 38 years and graduated from Lafayette High School. Was a real estate agent, and then a contractor in JCC. Became interested in County government with the numerous new regulations and the staff interpretations of state, federal, and local rules.

He has been attending Supervisor Board meetings for many years, and almost every meeting since 2012.
He believes in being a constitutional "lens" and fighting for the just application of the laws as set down in the Constitution.
He believes that the number one priority of any Board is to supervise where the taxpayers money is being spent, and that it must be spent on what are the government's needs first, and then on the wants of the people. Police, fire, EMS and education must be given priorities.
Example is that in recent survey, 92% responding wanted a Vo-Tech education programs, but none are funded or planned.
He believes in government transparency, and while often discussed, JCC has numerous excuses why they cannot reveal in real time where they are spending tax payer dollars.
He stated that the JCC budget has increased 25 million since 2014, and this equates to 3 1/2% annually, and yet the school board did not get a 3 1/2% increase.

See MORE information for Joe Swanenburg on the ELECTIONS page.

____________________________________________________

RECAP OF TOM PHILLIPS COMMENTS- 06/15/17

Tom is a resident of James City County, Ford's Colony, and the Nottingham community. Tom has spent many years traveling around the world managing large projects and their budgets. Tom, now is a full time resident of James City County and has decades of experience in both management and fiscal control.

1. Tom Phillips is an engineer who has worked in many countries around the world, leading and managing the construction of bridges, salination plants, associated roads, infrastructure, etc.

2. His last project was valued at 4.5 BILLION, or about 22 years of James City County budgets.

3. He does not believe in deficit spending, and believes budgets must be constantly scrutinized to eliminate unnecessary spending.

4. He believes reaching a long term plan for the provision and delivery of potable water for all of JCC is extremely important, and needs to be a priority of the Board.

5. He believes public safety must be a high priority and sees the decline in response times by the police, fire, and EMS to be very disturbing.

6. He is a fiscal conservative, and believes his budget management training and experience will be a major asset to the Board of Supervisors.

7. He believe that the implementation of a water desalination plant to service JCC must be considered now, rather than later, and is aware of all the issues and time required to put a plant online.

8. He believes that being able to negotiate large business deals and to bring about economies from fresh viewpoints and experience will help to control the JCC budget.

See MORE information for Tom Phillips on the ELECTIONS page.