More GOP Clubs go against LCRP's levy endorsements

Immediately after the Lucas County Republican Party voted (questionably) to endorse several levies, including the third levy request for COSI, the Toledo Young Republican Club announced their opposition to the endorsements.

(Background information on the LCRP executive committee meeting and the issues that arose regarding the voting, the lack of notice to members of the committee and the lack of quorum.)

Now the Greater Toledo Republican Women's club has voted to oppose the endorsement decision. Their press release, issued late last night:

Toledo, OH - The Executive Board of the Greater Toledo Republican Women voted unanimously to speak out against the decision of the Lucas County Republican Party to endorse a variety of tax levies, including the COSI Levy. As Republicans we have no business lending our support to increase taxes for our community.

"I was shocked to hear that Mr. Stainbrook would push for the support of any type of levy." said Kay Clawson. "Had I been informed of the meeting I would certainly have been there. I hope Mr. Stainbrook will strive to adhere to our party bylaws in regards to future meetings."

And this from the Fallen Timbers Republican Club:

The Fallen Timbers Republican Club joins other area clubs denouncing the endorsement of Levies by the Party Chairman

In following the admirable lead of Jeff Simpson and The Young Republican Club, The Fallen Timbers Republican Club Executive Board Members officially oppose the endorsement of levies, including the COSI levy, by the Lucas County Republican Party. The Club was prompted to take a public stance due to extensive contacts from it's membership regarding their disenchantment with the disappointing endorsement of the levies by Jon Stainbrook, Chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party.

The endorsement of these levies mar the core beliefs of the Republican Party. The Club is strongly against tax increases and the funneling of public funds to non-profit/private entities. Our members are resolute with their opposition to levies such as COSI, which clearly violates the soul of the Republican Party and conservative principals. The Club is strongly against tax increases and the funneling of public funds to non-profit/private entities. Our members are resolute with their opposition to endorsing levies which clearly violates the soul of the Republican Party and conservative principals.

The Fallen Timbers Republican Club believes that COSI should be privately-funded and not subsidized by the already over-taxed families in Lucas County. When COSI was founded, it was intended to be self-sufficient by donations and admission fees. Furthermore, citizens have given the responsibility and their tax dollars to public schools to teach science not to non-profit/private entities such as COSI.

FTRC President and Lucas County Republican Party Executive Member Christine Seles was not notified of the Executive meeting by the LCRP and is quoted as saying: "I would have voted “no” on any motion to endorse COSI or any other levy. My position is that elected officials should not tell people how to vote, and as a republican I am unsettled at the local chairman’s position on endorsing taxes. The voter should be allowed to form their own judgments on how to spend their hard earned dollars."

Furthermore the FTRC Officers would like to express our dismay that Jon Stainbrook did not adhere to the LCRP by-laws. Chairman Stainbrook did not inform the entire executive committee of the meeting. The FTRC has been informed by an member and other attendees that the meeting was not properly conducted in compliance with Roberts Rules of Order, and that Chairman Stainbrook voted twice on the same motion to break a tie vote. We would hope that the LCRP by-laws and proper parliamentary procedure is followed at future LCRP meetings.

To be a "Maverick" is to stand up and fight for what is right when you see something is wrong. The FTRC is inspired by Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin, our true American Maverick's, as we also make our stand to protect the core principals of the republican party.

Sincerely,
The Executive Board of the Fallen Timbers Republican Club,
Christine Seles, FTRC President
Jan Lowe, Vice President
Diane Haupricht, Treasurer
Barbara Mott, Secretary
Stephen Imes, Sgt. At Arms