The Okaloosa County Republican Club
PO Box 5084
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
850.609.3341
info@OkaloosaRepublicanClub.org
PO Box 5084
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
850.609.3341
info@OkaloosaRepublicanClub.org
Republican Club of Okaloosa County, Inc.
26 September 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 roast beef dinner or a chicken salad plate.
Board Members present; President Marvin Brigman, Vice President Don Adams, Second Vice President Corey Aittama, Treasurer Ron Webb, and Recording Secretary Melissa Windes. Corresponding Secretary Carol Koch was not in attendance.
Elected Officials present and recognized; President Marvin Brigman recognized the elected officials in attendance as County Commissioner Dave Parisot and School Board member and candidate Cindy Frakes. Candidates Lamar White and Carolyn Ketchel were also recognized.
President Marvin Brigman introduced Carolyn Ketchel and Dr. Patrick O'Neill as new members and introduced the speaker's wife, Mrs. Kim Handy. Mr. Brigman announced a new policy regarding filming or recording of the guest speakers. This is prohibited unless authorized by the speaker.
Open Mike; School Board candidate Lamar White introduced himself and spoke briefly on Common Core.
Carolyn Ketchel introduced herself as a candidate for County Commissioner District 2.
Cindy Frakes, School Board candidate, spoke on STEM education as her campaign platform.
Gaye Ellis of OCREC encouraged members to visit or volunteer for the Northwest Florida fair booth and explained that there will be a committee hearing on "stand your ground" per Matt Gaetz, urging members to attend the hearing.
Kathy Foster of Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated invited members to attend a Fashion Show at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club on Saturday the 28th from 2-4pm.
Marvin Brigman reminded members of the club's Christmas party being held at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club on December 10th. Tickets are $15. He also introduced the current board members and announced October's speaker as Mike Hill, and November's speaker as Don Gaetz.
Program; Vice President Don Adams introduced the evening's speaker, Ty Handy, President of NWFSC.
Mr. Handy began by introducing himself and addressed the recent updates on the college and the cost of higher education. Of 8,000 students, nearly 10% are juniors and seniors. The GPAs of NWFSC juniors and seniors are on average higher than those of juniors and seniors at other Florida universities. Aspen Institute ranked NWFSC in the top 100 community colleges in the nation, while the federal government ranked them top 35 lowest cost institutions, with less than 10% of students having student debt.
Mr. Handy spoke briefly on his three main issues consisting of dual enrollment, distance education, and developmental education.
The college will celebrate its 50th anniversary and 2 millionth Broadway customer this year. Mr. Handy is looking forward to the upcoming expansion of programs. The presentation was ended with a question and answer session.
Adjournment; President Marvin Brigman thanked the speaker for attending and adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm. The $30/$15/$15 drawing winners were Fred Rall and Dr. Patrick O'Neill. Fred Rall donated $10 of his winnings to the club. Marge Webb sold the raffle tickets. Proceeds will go toward the club's website.
President Marvin Brigman presented Ty Handy with a small elephant statue gift.
Melissa Windes, Recording Secretary
26 September 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 roast beef dinner or a chicken salad plate.
Board Members present; President Marvin Brigman, Vice President Don Adams, Second Vice President Corey Aittama, Treasurer Ron Webb, and Recording Secretary Melissa Windes. Corresponding Secretary Carol Koch was not in attendance.
Elected Officials present and recognized; President Marvin Brigman recognized the elected officials in attendance as County Commissioner Dave Parisot and School Board member and candidate Cindy Frakes. Candidates Lamar White and Carolyn Ketchel were also recognized.
President Marvin Brigman introduced Carolyn Ketchel and Dr. Patrick O'Neill as new members and introduced the speaker's wife, Mrs. Kim Handy. Mr. Brigman announced a new policy regarding filming or recording of the guest speakers. This is prohibited unless authorized by the speaker.
Open Mike; School Board candidate Lamar White introduced himself and spoke briefly on Common Core.
Carolyn Ketchel introduced herself as a candidate for County Commissioner District 2.
Cindy Frakes, School Board candidate, spoke on STEM education as her campaign platform.
Gaye Ellis of OCREC encouraged members to visit or volunteer for the Northwest Florida fair booth and explained that there will be a committee hearing on "stand your ground" per Matt Gaetz, urging members to attend the hearing.
Kathy Foster of Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated invited members to attend a Fashion Show at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club on Saturday the 28th from 2-4pm.
Marvin Brigman reminded members of the club's Christmas party being held at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club on December 10th. Tickets are $15. He also introduced the current board members and announced October's speaker as Mike Hill, and November's speaker as Don Gaetz.
Program; Vice President Don Adams introduced the evening's speaker, Ty Handy, President of NWFSC.
Mr. Handy began by introducing himself and addressed the recent updates on the college and the cost of higher education. Of 8,000 students, nearly 10% are juniors and seniors. The GPAs of NWFSC juniors and seniors are on average higher than those of juniors and seniors at other Florida universities. Aspen Institute ranked NWFSC in the top 100 community colleges in the nation, while the federal government ranked them top 35 lowest cost institutions, with less than 10% of students having student debt.
Mr. Handy spoke briefly on his three main issues consisting of dual enrollment, distance education, and developmental education.
The college will celebrate its 50th anniversary and 2 millionth Broadway customer this year. Mr. Handy is looking forward to the upcoming expansion of programs. The presentation was ended with a question and answer session.
Adjournment; President Marvin Brigman thanked the speaker for attending and adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm. The $30/$15/$15 drawing winners were Fred Rall and Dr. Patrick O'Neill. Fred Rall donated $10 of his winnings to the club. Marge Webb sold the raffle tickets. Proceeds will go toward the club's website.
President Marvin Brigman presented Ty Handy with a small elephant statue gift.
Melissa Windes, Recording Secretary