GA-10, GA-12, and SC-03 Meeting Minutes, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2008

Meeting called by:
Brian Puetz
Type:
Monthly Membership
Facilitator:
Lloyd Newsome
Secretary:
Mike Wiltse
Attendees:
Tom Vanderhoof
Steve Smith
Justin Pittman
YeSun Wiltse
Mike Wiltse
Lloyd Newsome
Ron Newberry
Jerry Rodgers
Megan Seda
Pat VanHooser
Jim Bible

Minutes

1. The meeting commenced at 9:00 AM with The Pledge of Allegiance.

2. The Presidential candidate rally in Aiken on Thursday, January 17th, went very well.  We set up a FairTax table in the USC Aiken Convocation Center. In attendance were Steve Smith, Justin Pittman, Tom and Pat Vanderhoof, Brian Puetz, Jim Bible, John Hendrix (SC), Ron Newberry, and Anthony Fulmer.  We had a visit from Congressman Ron Paul who stopped by to discuss the FairTax.

3. The group decided that First Friday Augusta should be a monthly event. The February event went well and as the weather gets warmer, we should get increasing traffic.  Although we paid a $25 fee for the last First Friday event, we should be qualified for a free space since we are a non-profit organization. 

4. The new FairTax store is now on line. Although the store is now outsourced, part of the profit still goes to Americans for Fair Taxation (AFFT). Jim Bible purchased approximately $300 worth of merchandise that we can use in exchange for donations.  Jim procured hand held signs, hats, t-shirts, and marketing material.

5. There was a motion to approve the January minutes: seconded and approved.

6. We confirmed two more “train-the-trainer” classes. Lloyd Newsome will give a class on “Benefits for the Economy” in March and Steve Smith will give a class on “Benefits for You” in April. The group determined that these two classes would be helpful to all prior to our APRIL 15TH events at North Augusta and downtown Augusta Post Offices.

7. We received notification after the January meeting that there would be a FairTax rally in Lawrenceville. Although there was not much time to react, Justin Pittman and Lloyd Newsome were still able to attend. Also in attendance were the Honorable John Linder and “Uncle Neal” Boortz.

8. Congressman (Dr.) Paul Broun (GA-10) sent out a press release announcing that he in now a co-sponsor of HR-25. Way to go, Dr. Broun!

9. Lloyd Newsome was involved in the January FairTax District Director conference call. Some highlights were:

1. The National FairTax staff is reduced to save money.
2. National wants the States to now manage volunteer lists. We will collect and forward information on volunteers to Lynn Williamson (GA FairTax) for consolidation.

10.  Pat VanHooser gave a briefing to the Tennessee Pest Control Association and mentioned the FairTax. She was successful in obtaining information on at least 25 new FairTax supporters.

11.  We are encouraged to go to www.JohnLinder.com and sign up as a citizen co-sponsor of HR-25. See the action items (Appendix A) for additional information.

12.  Lloyd Newsome briefed that there are currently 72 co-sponsors of the FairTax and stated that we need to concentrate on pulling in representatives and senators who have yet to commit to the FairTax. This means that we should concentrate our efforts in GA-12 and convince John Barrow or his possible replacement that they should co-sponsor HR-25. There are many potential events in GA-12 and we should make an effort to attend as many as possible. Lloyd Newsome is developing a new list of events in this district.

13.  We are reminded to take pictures at all events and get those pictured posted to the GA FairTax web site.

14.  Steve Smith gave the Treasurer’s Report.

January Balance: $101.00
February Balance: $64.48 ($36.52 spent for the manufacture of weights for the second tent)

15.  Lloyd Newsome suggested that we incorporate an annual $25 membership fee for our group. There was no motion.

16.  Mike Wiltse went through the past, current, and future Action Items. We are doing very well in accomplishing all that we are setting out to do.

17.  Justin Pittman gave his scheduled briefing on “Prebates” and it was well received. Justin had several handouts: a prebate information sheet, a 2008 monthly prebate estimate based family size, and FairTax general information sheet.

18.  The new FairTax book, FairTax: The Truth, Answering the Critics will be out in February. Buy it! Read it!

19.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 AM.

For Next Meeting on MARCH 8th…

Please read/review:

• The Fair Tax Act of 2007 – HR 25/S 1025 plain English Version, found at www.fairtax.org.
• FairTax: The Truth, Answering the Critics (Boortz, Linder, Woodall)