Click on this link to read the School Board Sales Tax Referendum and Budget Items

This proposal will be discussed at our semi-monthly meetings so that the FWB Tea Party can come to a position statement regarding the proposal for a 1/2 cent sales tax increase.

As I have read through the school board’s budget, which can be located here http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/finance/District%20Summary%20Budget%202010.html I would like to point out that that the school board has an operating surplus of nearly $37 million this year alone while they are asking for a ten year sales tax increase.

Their tax increase budget shows an increase in revenues of $131,000,000 targeted at specific programs over a ten year horizon. However, it appears that the school board could substantially tighten it’s belt and not increase our sales tax.

To me personally, I firmly believe in the concept of “taxed enough already”. It is clear from this oil spill that our tourism will be affected and we may not generate the anticipated revenues from visitors that we expect. If that is the case, the burden will fall on the residents of Okaloosa County to make up any shortfalls.

The line items in the proposed tax are already bidded and quoted, and the Deputy Superintendent intends through public comments to start work immediately if this referendum is approved. Therefore, if tax revenues fall short of projections due to a downturn in tourism, the residents of the county will have to pay to cover the budget shortfalls.

I have heard many people express concern over a national VAT. I do not believe we can take the position of opposing a tax increase while at the same time turning a blind eye towards tax increases in our backyard.

We are facing increased taxes because of the judicial center, an increase in FWB of our water rates, fishing permits, increased county gas taxes, a tax for healthcare, new taxes at the state level because our Legislators raised the spending this year by nearly 6%, and a countless myriad of increased fees and taxes such as our driver’s licenses.

I encourage all to come to our meetings and learn about the details in the budget. I will certainly be opposing this proposal, but I welcome all points of view to the discussion.

On May 3^rd, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners held a public meeting to vote on declaring a state of emergency over the Deep Horizon oil well disaster.

By the time the meeting was over certain things were clear.   We have an environmental disaster of epic proportions.  The BP representative had questions shielded from him by our Commissioners.  There was no commitment of resources to Okaloosa by BP, but we were told we should trust them.  There was no estimated cost to the County.  There was no public discussion of the effects or duration of the state of emergency.

They might as well have had the meeting in private.  It quickly became apparent the idea was to get in step with the Governor’s executive order 1099 (declaration of emergency) and not worry about details.  No public participation was asked for before the vote, even though it was held before a crowd.  It passed quickly and unanimously.

The representative for British Petroleum Corporation was a Mr. Clayton Cochran.  He spoke just long enough to say he was given authority to allocate resources to Okaloosa County and would work with the Okaloosa Emergency Operation Center on the next steps.    When I asked Mr. Cochran, in the open meeting but after the Board approved the Declaration, exactly what those resources were, our County Commission, curiously, did all the talking for him.  Their answer was they didn’t know, but they did know BP already gave $25 million to the State of Florida.

I’d have preferred if Mr. Cochran answered that question.  If there is one thing I know about a situation like this, the BP representative was not there to protect the interests of Okaloosa.  He was there to mitigate damage for those who employ him.

It is not the role of government to shield a corporation.  It is governments role to hold liable those who damage others property and bring them to account.

The County Board’s actions will have other consequences, to be sure.   A quick glance at executive order 1099 shows one immediate effect to be anti-gouging price controls.   Who decides what is a fair price or gouging will, of course, be the government.

Price controls do not work, and only lead to criminalizing the free market, rationing (think gas lines and per car gallon limits), smuggling and shortages.

I asked the Board if there were going to be restrictions on individuals protecting their property from the oil in the water, and Commissioner Harris said no.  But if push came to shove and the County needed, for example, oil containment booms, he said the Counties need would take priority over individuals.

I wonder how Commissioner Harris plans to make that happen.  I wonder if he believes he can break a contract between two parties and if that is lawful or constitutional.

Another thing not discussed before the state of emergency was passed was the cost.  The County was planning to foot the bill for a lot of emergency equipment, possibly for a very long time.  When I asked about this, the answer was they didn’t know, but they did know BP was going to pay for it all.  Call me skeptical, but I would be wary of the Counties plan to pay first and then trust a promise from BP.

Government has always acted in a cavalier manner when it comes to spending other people’s money.  An emergency is no exception, but it is you and me that have to pay.  And this emergency could cost us a lot.

Finally, I asked when the state of emergency would be over.  Again, the answer was they didn’t know.

I suppose it’s over when the government says it is over.

Our County Commissioners didn’t do the people of Okaloosa any favors this day.

To add insult to injury, those assembled listened to a phone conference with Secretary Michael Sole of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection who assured us that the duration of this disaster would be short and that there was no serious health risk from the oil in the water.

Yeah, and I have an oil well platform I’d like to sell you.

Pete Blome is a retired military officer and Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County.  Their website is Libertarianpoc.org

Peter J. Blome

204 Parkwood Circle

Niceville, Fl 32578

850-217-6590

There will be a meeting today, Tuesday, May 4, at 4:30 p.m., at the Okaloosa County School District Administrative Building 120 Lowery Street S.E. in Fort Walton Beach with representatives from the DEP, BP, the US Coast Guard, Okaloosa County, and other officials.  This meeting is being held to answer as many of your questions as possible.  Please plan to attend for any information you need concerning the oil spill.

The clean-up operations from any oil that may reach the beaches or inland waterways is being administered by the US Coast Guard.  Emergency management personnel from both county and city staffs will be under the guidance of the Coast Guard.

NO ONE is authorized to handle any tar or chemical that washes ashore or that is floating in the water unless properly trained.  Only those trained by OSHA and EPA will be allowed to handle this material.  If you wish to be trained or wish to volunteer for the clean-up, please call 1-866-448-5816 and be properly trained.

Charter boat captains or other captains who would like to assist with any efforts taking place on the water must call 425-745-8017 to be put on the list and trained.

City officials are taking place in numerous conference calls with those managing the situation.  Both the mayor and city manager have had discussions with the governor.  He has assured everyone that the state will provide all possible and available resources to combat the spill as it enters Florida’s waters.

Please respect the requests of the US Coast Guard and DEP as they lead this effort.  The work being done is under their command.  Any interference with their work or procedures could drastically hurt our collective efforts in limiting the damage from the oil spill.

The FWB Tea Party makes a difference!  Recently, much was made over the Governors veto of Senate Bill 6.  Less well known is the direct role the FWB Tea Party played in that veto.  In early Feb. the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the FWB Tea Party met with Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) to discuss his legislative priorities for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session.  Among the many topics Sen. Gaetz mentioned and asked for input on, he mentioned Senate Bill 6.

Henry Kelley read the bill and expressed concerns over the Constitutionality as it related to the Florida Constitution.   He addressed these concerns to the entire NWF delegation, but the vote still passed at that time.  A letter writing campaign ensued, and due to that effort, the Governor of Florida called Henry directly to understand his concerns with the bill.

In one year, we have gone from trying to have a voice to having high level elected officials contacting the FWB Tea Party to understand our concerns with legislation.  Henry had an opportunity to present the issue directly to the Governor, and 2 days later the Governor vetoed the bill citing several of the concerns highlighted by the FWB Tea Party.

It is difficult in these times to feel like we are making a difference.  However, as our fellow citizens in other states are showing us, what happens in State Government does matter, and can have a direct impact on the national dialogue.  We have several Patriots leading efforts to combat illegal immigration, EPA overreach, the healthcare bill, and many other issues.

It is time for everyone to lead!  The FWB Tea Party has built a successful model to influence our laws – come to our meetings and get involved in action!

For the most up to date information, dial 311 and press option “8”. This is updated frequently by the Okaloosa Emergency Operations Center, and they provide information there on what to do if you see oil intrusion, and other information related to the spill.

I attended an emergency meeting of the Okaloosa Board of Community Commissioners regarding the oil spill on May 3rd at 3:30 pm. The County Commissioners and County Staff are to be commended for their hard work and coordination with federal, state, local, military, community representatives and yes, BP reps, to prepare the county for the oil spill.

At this meeting a local State of Emergency was formally declared. This gives the County Staff authority to take reasonable steps to secure our coastal waterways without going through the normal approval channels.

A follow up meeting will occur Tuesday, May 4th, at 2pm at the school admin building on Lowery Place with State Sen. Don Gaetz and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole.

A plan was presented for where the oil booms will be deployed in Okaloosa County. There will be cleanup jobs available for those needing short term employment. Please visit www.employflorida.com and see job search numbers: 9481666, 9481677, 9481718, and 9481331

It is expected that the east pass will have booms in place starting Wednesday may 5th.
This was a fully packed room with representatives of all key economic sectors present, such as the military, coast guard, the Charter Fisherman’s Association, Emerald Coast Realtors Assoc. to name a few.

Our county leadership is working hard with state and federal authorities to be prepared for this emergency.

There will be a discussion of the proposed school tax and other tax abatement programs on May 5th, 6PM at the Crestview Courthouse.

http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/doc/bcc/agenda/2010/agenda_05-04-10.pdf

There comes a time in all organizations where we need to create a roadmap to where we want to go, what we want to accomplish, and define who we are.  Now is the time.  We must now lead the way for other Tea Parties and concerned citizens throughout the country with our decisions we make in the coming month.

As Chairman, it has been my duty to get us to this point.  We have lived and breathed our Core Principles as the guiding light as we have navigated a hostile environment which has destroyed thousands of previous movements to fix our ailing country.  Together, we have banded around common cause and common Principles.  It is time we build the train-tracks and the organization to defeat the evils we face today.

I am calling for a Constitutional Convention for Thursday, May 13th at 6 pm.  The location will be at Scully’s Pub at 200 Eglin Pkwy, FWB, FL  32548, next to the Cinco Bayou Bridge.  If you cannot make this night, please submit your ideas on our Forum at www.FWBTeaParty.com/forums.  Everything from those forums will be brought to the floor on May 13th.  If you are unsure how to use these forums, please email me your thoughts at chris@fwbteaparty.com and I will try to get them into the right area and onto the floor.

This convention is of great importance to determining the direction and shape of the FWB Tea Party.   There are many ways to promote our Core Principles and I am of great confidence that the merging of ideas and experience from this group will lead us to create a stronger, more cohesive organization capable of winning the great fight for freedom of our time.

There are 6 Steps which have been identified which will need to be discussed.  If anything was missed, please let us know either by email or in the General Discussion section of the Forum. These steps are:

1. Establish Core Principles
2. Define Our Mission and Vision Statements
3. Choose Objectives to Accomplish Our Mission and Visions
4. Select the Appropriate Organizational Structure to Accomplish Our Objectives
5. Begin Discussing Initial Actions to Be Taken Towards Our Objectives
6. Establish Rules, Voting Procedures, Reporting Relationships, and Bylaws

I laid out these steps at Tuesday’s meeting and they are posted on our Forum at www.FWBTeaParty.com/Forums.  These initial ideas are by no means final and are merely to get you thinking of alternatives or piggy-back on what has been written.

This is our group and we need everyone’s inputs from your experiences over this last year.  What does this group need to do and organize to get us to the next level?  This isn’t the time to be shy.  You are the Tea Party Leader and this is your time to step up and make sure this is going in the right direction.

Remember to set your calendar for May 13th at 6 pm and we will let you know a location as soon as it has been secured.  Also, please take the time to start adding inputs and ideas on the Forum.  Your ideas, no matter what they are, will lead to someone else having ideas, and hopefully we work to something we can present to the Semimonthly meeting on 5/25 for possible ratification.  I would ideally prefer a single organizational structure idea with compromise, but it is very possible that multiple organizational concepts may emerge from this Convention.

Time to get involved and help us use lessons learned and new ideas to build an organization that is focused and can live on to eternity.

PRESS RELEASE

Sandee Launch 651-7515

Deep Horizon Oil Spill Update

To report oil contamination, tar balls, tar mats or contaminated wildlife residents are asked to contact Okaloosa County Citizens Information Line. The public should call 311 and select option 0, or 423-4894 and select option 0. For a recording of updated information dial 311 and select option 8, or call 423-4894 and select option 8. Information can also be accessed on the county homepage, http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us To access the information, click on the “311 Info Center” icon, under “Most Frequently Asked Questions,” click on “Deep Horizon Oil Spill Information.”

Click on these links to start learning about the 2011 Okaloosa County Budget Process that we are participating in.

Budget Policy Overview1011final

Policy Formulation Final