Republican Club of Okaloosa County, Inc.
23 May 2013 General Meeting, American Legion Building
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

Call to order; Melissa Windes sounded the chimes and President Marvin Brigman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Jeff Watson gave the invocation and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance. Meal choices were a BBQ pork dinner or a chicken salad plate.
Board Members present; President Marvin Brigman, Second Vice President Corey Aittama, Corresponding Secretary Carol Koch and Recording Secretary Melissa Windes. Don Adams and Ron Webb were not in attendance.
Elected Officials present and recognized; President Marvin Brigman recognized the elected officials in attendance as Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux, Tax Collector Ben Anderson, NORC President Ben White, SSRWF President Sally Dryden, and Representative Matt Gaetz.
President Marvin Brigman introduced the present board members: Corey Aittama, Melissa Windes, and Carol Koch.
Mr. Brigman presented Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux with the 2012 MVP Award. Mr. Lux accepted and thanked the club.
Mr. Brigman reminded the club to "like" our new Facebook page and urged members to purchase tickets to the annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner which will be held on Saturday, June 8.
Mr. Brigman also reminded members of the upcoming Billy Bowlegs parade on May 30, which Jane Dale is organizing, and needs volunteers and participation from the club. Trucks and convertibles are needed as well as people to ride and walk in the parade.
Open Mike; Steve Menchell, of OCREC, added that silent auction items are still needed for the Lincoln-Reagan dinner if anyone would be willing to donate.

Ben White, of NORC, reminded the club that they are looking for precinct captains.

Marvin Brigman acknowledged Bobby Griggs, Fort Walton Beach City Councilman as an additional elected official present.

Lamar White, candidate for Okaloosa County School Board, asked members to please sign his petition for the August 2014 election.

Bill Byerley noted that a number of elected officials have been absent from meetings since their elections and that members should remember this the next time they vote.

Program; President Marvin Brigman introduced the evening's speaker as Representative Matt Gaetz.
Mr. Gaetz began by apologizing for missing the previous month's meeting in which he was scheduled to speak alongside County Commissioner Nathan Boyles. He explained the process of the sessions in Tallahassee, always beginning with prayer. Mr. Gaetz explained his four jobs as a State Representative as 1) Killing bills 2) Repealing bad laws that are already on the books 3) Protect the vulnerable and 4) Protect Conservative Reform. He then addressed the issues taking place in Okaloosa County regarding the TDC and County Commissioners and ended on a positive note, stating that Okaloosa County has given him everything and he intends to do the same in return. Mr. Gaetz then answered several member's questions.
Adjournment; President Marvin Brigman thanked the speaker for attending and adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm. The $31/$16/$16 drawing winners were Carol Koch and Joe Coulson. Carol Koch sold the raffle tickets.
President Marvin Brigman presented Representative Matt Gaetz with a small elephant statue gift.
After the meeting, board members Marvin Brigman, Corey Aittama, Melissa Windes, and Carol Koch met to discuss the plans for the club's website. Corey Aittama moved to spend $500 to hire the website technician recommended by Mr. Brigman. Melissa Windes 2nd. The Board also decided to use the raffle money to fund this payment. Correy Aittama moved, Carol Koch 2nd.
Melissa Windes, Recording Secretary