THE TRUMPETER - March 2023

RWOP Newsletter Editor: Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, [email protected]

March is the month that is known as the official start of spring. Spring runs from March 1st to May 31st. However, March is mostly known for St. Patrick's Day which is always celebrated on March 17th.

Don't forget to wear your GREEN on that day!

Since our luncheon, I have received several phone calls from members that couldn't attend the luncheon and wanted an update on the PUSD TCI curriculum vote which took place on February 7th. After five hours of public comment for and against adopting the curriculum, including teachers who are members of the "Red for Ed" Teacher's Union, along with 584 signatures on petitions from parents and the public against adopting the curriculum, the PUSD Board voted 3-2 to adopt the curriculum. "Red for Ed" is the activist arm of the National Education Association and was actively involved in the last PUSD school board election. 

Jill Martin, with the group Citizens and Educators for Excellence in Education, and Michele Hamer with the Arizona School Board Watchdogs, spend weeks going over the curriculum and composing a 150-page evaluation of why they opposed the curriculum. Harry Oberg, Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, District 1, spoke to the Board urging them that because there was so much opposition, to put off approving the curriculum and working with the groups and parents to see if they could pick a curriculum closer to both group's approval. 

To my knowledge, never before have that many people shown up to voice their opposition to a school curriculum up for review at PUSD. It is important for us to view the attitudes our elected Governing Board officials took toward meaningful public feedback. It is clear that they were not listening or taking into account the hours of research done by the public to educate the Board about the issues surrounding the social studies curriculum. It is also important to remember the public had one simple question: Is the history of the TCI curriculum promoting complete and accurate history? If you read the opposing group's reports, you will read that the TCI curriculum is not. Should you wish to watch the entire February 7th school board meeting, including the board voting, please click on this website. https://www.rwop.info/

Needless to say, we were very disappointed the PUSD Board went ahead and approved the curriculum. It was a huge letdown after all the efforts to convince the Board to listen to the parents and public (taxpayers) which fell on deaf ears. I take solace in Psalm 37:1 "Do not worry. When the wicked seem to prosper, the psalmist calls for patience, a renewed sense of dependence on the Lord, and a new sense of pleasure in knowing him." The science curriculum is the next challenge ahead. Both the Citizens and Educators for Excellence in Education and the Arizona School Board Watchdogs will once again take on the task of reviewing the curriculum and presenting their findings. We will await that report.

Last Thursday, February 23rd, RWOP, rented a comfort bus to take our members to Phoenix to participate in the annual March for Life event. Unfortunately, the threat of a large amount of snowfall accumulating during that day caused the cancellation of our trip to attend the event. Our LD1 Representatives, Selina Bliss, and Quang Nguyen attended the event and reported there was a huge turnout and the weather in Phoenix was beautiful!! AzFRW also had a large presence. The March for Life event promotes the protection of the most vulnerable among us, the unborn!

AzFRW group

Please don't forget to "Save the Date" of Wednesday evening, May 17th for RWOP's Main Event featuring Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA and The Patriot Barbie!  

Charlie Kirk has a podcast educating the public and parents nationwide about the current indoctrination that is taking place in the K-12 curriculum across our nation's schools. He has established a tremendous grassroots effort in also educating the public on the resources dedicated to exposing what's going on in our local school boards which is very timely with the events we are now dealing with here in Prescott and the surrounding communities. If you do not know who The Patriot Barbie is, she is the salon owner who stood up to oppressive government lockdowns and said "NO" to Oregon's statewide COVID-19 lockdowns. She opened the doors of her salon in defiance of government mandates. She became the voice of millions of Americans tired of ridiculous government overreach. Her hallmark courage sparked boldness in weary business owners across the country, inspiring them to follow suit. She gained national recognition for her efforts. Our Main Event of Charlie Kirk and The Patriot Barbie will occur at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Tickets will go on sale very soon to RWOP members first, for a limited amount of time, so please watch for our constant contact notifying you that your tickets are available! This will be a great event and we look forward to hosting Charlie Kirk and The Patriot Barbie!!

CALL TO ACTION:

Help Republican candidates qualify for the Prescott City Council and Mayoral race! The Republican Prescott City Council and Mayoral candidates will have their petitions available in the mall area outside the Ballroom at our Tuesday, March 7th luncheon. Please arrive early so you can meet, ask questions and sign the petitions of your selected Prescott City Council and Mayoral candidates!

If you live in the City of Prescott and are qualified to vote in the August 1, 2023, City of Prescott elections, we need your help NOW! Candidates must secure 1,500 signatures before the end of March. The weather has made this challenging, so YavGOP is hosting a petition signature drive! Mark your calendars with the date that works best for you! Come to the YavGOP office at 112 E. Union Street in downtown Prescott on the east side of the Courthouse Plaza. Our available Republican candidates will be there with their petitions needing your signatures.

Wednesday, March 1st - between 12pm - 3pm

Friday, March 3rd - between 12pm - 3pm

Monday, March 6th - between 12pm - 3pm

Thursday, March 9th - between 12pm - 3pm

I would like to remind everyone that the RWOP jewelry store will be open and we will have some new patriotic jewelry pieces for sale in the mall on the day of our luncheon. Stop by and see the new American pride and patriotic jewelry you can add to your collection!

Thank you all for being a member of RWOP!! We continue to grow our membership. It is a pleasure to see familiar faces at our luncheons along with meeting all the new members! I look forward to another informative March luncheon with a sell-out crowd!

Regards,

Sherrie Hanna

2023 RWOP President

**PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE NAME CARDS PLACED ON THE LUNCHEON TABLES**

Please note this luncheon will be held on

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023!

LUNCHEON MENU

(Choose one entree)

• Shepherd's Pie (ground beef) topped w whipped potatoes & Asparagus

• Chicken Waldorf salad - no nuts

• Vegetable Cobb salad

Dessert: Chocolate Cake w Green Frosting

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

$35 per person

Reserve your spot online: HERE

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis!

A reservation made is a reservation paid...thank you!

To help speed up our check-in process:

• Prepaying for the luncheon is encouraged - online or by check mailed prior to luncheon
• Arrive early and allow time for parking
• No large bills accepted
• Have your payment ready – CASH or CHECK (made payable to RWOP for $35 - already filled out

Tuesday, March 7th RWOP Luncheon

Featured Speakers:

Vincent "Vinny" Gallegos - Bio

Vinny will be speaking about the Sun Dog Connector Corridor.

Cloudy Days

If anyone knows of a RWOP member or family member that is ill, passed away or just needs a note of encouragement please contact me with their address so a personal card can be mailed.  

Marla Bassler, 480-330-8150 or drop her an email at [email protected]

Or you can Sign up Online here

Caring for America - Nancy Grigas

The program started 13 years ago when Ron & Betsy Barnes discovered that there were too many of our local students going hungry over the weekends, resulting in poor school performance. The Prescott Unified School District helped by identifying those students who were at risk of being under-nourished and donations were then sought from friends and colleagues. The monies donated were used to buy food, and volunteers helped pack the food and deliver to the school nurses who made sure the packages went home with the identified students.

The program has grown to include the Dewey-Humboldt and Chino Valley school districts and most recently the Mayer Unified School District. Federal and state grants have been used to expand the project, but today most of the funds needed to sustain the program are acquired through individual donations, group fundraising efforts such as RWOP and the Prescott Sunrise Lions Club.

Please help us continue this worthwhile project with your generous donations and/or volunteer efforts. Chuck Dew from the Hungry Kids Project will be at the Caring for America booth on March 7 and will be happy to take donations or answer questions.

No child should go hungry!

As of the printing of this newsletter for the 2023 membership year we have:

Total Members: 771 vs. 657 last year at this time

Active Members: 604

Associates: 165

Student: 2

A big thank you to our volunteers that took 121 photographs for the 2023 Membership Directory over the last three months, Cathy Basler, Barbara Ann Powell, some fill in time from Grant Johnson and equipment set up courtesy of Tom Blake each month. The Directory will be going to print in March and be available for pick up at the April meeting.

New members, please pick up your new member packet at the membership table.

If you have ordered a name badge, please come pick it up at the badge table. You may also order a new name badge if you need one.

New Active Members:

Susan Baker

Sandra Berge

Courtney Comstock

Nancy Crognale

Timea Devries

Elizabeth Gatley

Carol Y. Godsave

Barbara Lynn Harper

Annie Elizabeth Perkins

Amy L. Rabens

Wanda D. Tyus

Catherine A. Underwood

Katherine Mary Windsor

New Associate Members:

Chadwick DeVries

Laurie Dickinson

Russ Eby

Keith Maxwell McConnell

Roger Toews

Please keep encouraging your friends and family to join RWOP as we are the largest Federated Club in Arizona and the Nation!

**PLEASE READ!*

Important Information regarding our online payment system

We have changed our online credit card processing from PayPal to Square. We encourage you to try this new system. This will impact the Membership Renewal and the Luncheon Reservation processes.

Please click on the links to the Instructions for RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP or RESERVING YOUR LUNCHEON to familiarize yourself with the new process. (Please note that you can also reserve our luncheon online and still pay at the door.)



If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected] .

Select HERE for the 2023 RWOP Luncheon Schedule!!

JOIN THE #1 RWOP CLASS

March 9th from 10-12

Did You Know….that March is Women’s History month?  You probably did….it’s hard to miss in the media. And it’s been around since 1987.

I’d like to introduce you to a history-making woman with whom you may not be familiar. Her name is Winsome Earle-Sears, and she is the current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Sears is the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Virginia, and is the first woman of color and first Jamaican-born American citizen elected to statewide office in Virginia. She’s also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served as an electrician in the Marines from 1983 to 1986. 

Lt. Gov. Sears was born in Jamaica, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of six.

Her first entry into politics was as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004. Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Sears to the Virginia Board of Education in 2011. On May 11, 2021, Sears won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia on the fifth ballot, defeating the second-place finisher by 54% to 46%. On November 2, 2021, she won the race along with gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin and attorney general candidate Jason Miyares. She was inaugurated as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia on January 15, 2022. 

As Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears presides over the Virginia Senate when it is in session.  

I had heard about her during her candidacy for Lt. Governor, but she really caught my eye when I heard her acceptance speech.  

It is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUsxHbFHWR8

I follow her on social media, and I think she’s a Republican to watch!  

PETITION RULES CITY OF PRESCOTT ELECTION 2023

Candidates must qualify to be placed on a ballot by collecting signatures.

Only republican party members or independents living within the City of Prescott city limits may sign petitions for candidates who seek the open council seats.

By signing a petition you enable a candidate to collect the number of signatures needed to qualify to have their name placed on a ballot.

(You are not obligated to then vote for that candidate).

Openings: One Mayor, Four Council seats.

So far, the Legislative session is one for the record. 

First, the budget was front and center. The Republican leadership finally succeeded in and passing a workable budget. Then, of course, came the expected and inevitable veto by the governor. Now we are back to a typical good and evil struggle to reach a point at which both parties can claim victory without too much undue harm to the taxpayers.

Second, last week was the last when bills could be heard in committees of the original chamber. Therefore, there was a mad rush to get action on as many bills as possible. Other than the sheer number, it was pretty much routine.

If you have not signed up for RTS I can take care of it for you. Just provide me with your name, street address & email address. Email it to me at [email protected]

Here are some great websites that will provide you with valuable information and help you stay informed.

https://azcc.gov   Corporation Commission

https://crane.house.gov Eli Crane

https://amac.us             

https:/americafirstpolicy.com    

https://federationforchildren.org

https://azwomenofaction.com

https://azpolicy.org

https://citizensforfreespeech.org

https://azfree.org

https://ezaz.org

Are you interested in becoming part of the grassroots effort to keep our Arizona red?Consider becoming a Precinct Committeeman. Check out the website at https://azgop.org

Resulting from the crossover of bills from one chamber to the other, there was no committee activity, except for Appropriations and Rules.

Did you know each time a bill moves to a new committee you can use RTS again for that bill. Below are a variety of bills and their status.

SB1245 – VLT; cities and towns; counties This bill failed, as well it should. First, this bill would have created an unfair redistribution of funds. It would have done it by taking Vehicle License Taxes and instead of spending the revenue where the tax was collected, it would have placed it in the general fund to be distributed according to population. If that was not enough, it would also mandate that the funds be used for any transportation purpose, thereby allowing them to be used to subsidize public transportation. These revenues are collected for the purpose of building and maintaining roads, not trolleys and trains. An interesting fact about this is that it failed in spite of a YES vote by two Republicans, Kern, and Farnsworth.

SB1221 – health information organizations This bill cleared the committee unanimously, 7-0, but it should not have. It provided for the sharing of the medical record of minors. No matter how noble the cause, this path tends to lead to a slippery slope that no one should favor.

HB2316 – federal government; mandatory vaccinations; prohibition This bill failed as the result of a NO vote by Rep. Gress. At first glance, this bill appears to be quite good. After all, what could possibly be wrong with a prohibition on federal government mandatory vaccinations? The problem is that it would not do that, but one does not find out until one reads the bill carefully. Various attempts to fix this bill via amendments failed, so the only alternative was to kill it and start fresh elsewhere.

SCR1025 – parents’ bill of rights This is a referral to the voters for a constitutional amendment. Undoubtedly, the introduction of this bill was well-intended. If successful, it would transfer, almost verbatim, to the state constitution, the current parent’s bill of rights that currently resides in ARS 1-601 and 1-602. The good thing about doing this is that it would be nearly impossible to weaken this bill of rights. The bad thing is that it would be nearly impossible to improve it. Once something becomes voter protected in Arizona, it is nearly impossible to change. This is not a bad bill, but it is ill-advised because the current bill is working well, and we need the flexibility of a statute to adapt to future changing conditions.

Here is a complete list of what happened this week with the bills we are tracking:

HB2014 – STOs; scholarships; corporate tax credits

ADVANCED

HB2303 – employment; vaccination record; prohibition

HELD

HB2309 – sovereign authority; law enforcement

ADVANCED

HB2316 – federal government; mandatory vaccinations; prohibition

FAILED

HB2416 – technical correction; sports facilities account

ADVANCED

HB2533 – classroom instruction; posting requirements

ADVANCED

HB2539 – school choice; failing schools; notice

ADVANCED

HB2552 – voting; elections; tally; prohibition

ADVANCED

HB2591 – elections; early ballot drop boxes

ADVANCED

HB2617 – carrying of firearms; constables

ADVANCED

HB2667 – disruption; educational institution; concealed weapon.

ADVANCED

HB2691 – elections; ballot chain of custody

ADVANCED

HB2705 – schools; safety training; pilot program

ADVANCED

HCR2033 – primary elections; eligible candidates

ADVANCED

HCR2039 – governor; state of emergency

ADVANCED

HCR2040 – in-person precinct voting; absentee voters

ADVANCED

HCR2041 – initiative; referendum; signatures; legislative districts…

NO ACTION

SB1040 – public schools; restrooms; reasonable accommodations

ADVANCED

SB1054 – middle school students; civics; instruction

ADVANCED

SB1137 – Maricopa county; division; new counties

ADVANCED

SB1140 – elections; voting centers prohibited

ADVANCED

SB1145 – student activity fees; conscience exemption

ADVANCED

SB1221 – health information organizations

ADVANCED

SB1245 – VLT; cities and towns; counties

FAILED

SB1323 – schools; sexually explicit materials; classification

ADVANCED

SB1367 – national guard; active duty; requirements

ADVANCED

SB1433 – employer liability; COVID-19 vaccine requirement

ADVANCED

SB1435 – attorney licensing; suprem102e court

ADVANCED

SB1471 – ballot tabulation; hand count comparison

ADVANCED

SB1565 – ballot processing; electronic adjudication; limitation

ADVANCED

SB1566 – voter registration; reregistration; ten years

ADVANCED

SB1595 – early ballots; identification; tabulation

ADVANCED

SB1597 – early ballot on-site tabulation; requirement

ADVANCED

SB1694 – public monies; ideology training; prohibition

ADVANCED

SB1706 – Arizona empowerment scholarships; quarterly report

ADVANCED

SCR1024 – initiative; referendum; signatures; legislative districts..

ADVANCED

SCR1025 – parents’ bill of rights

ADVANCED

SCR1027 – cities; towns; elections

ADVANCED

SCR1036 – primary elections; eligible candidates.

NO ACTION

Donations to Veteran Organizations

RWOP received thank you letters from AdoptaPlatoon, U.S. Vets and DAV for our donations to their organizations, which of course, come from our generous members. Thank you!

Homeless Veterans Programs at the VA

The VA, in collaboration with community organizations such as U.S. Vets, DAV, Nation’s Finest, Catholic Charities and the Jerry Ambrose Vets Council in Kingman, exceeded their 2022 goal by 157% to house homeless vets. The goal was 283 vets; they housed 445. The VA is planning to build additional housing for 100 veterans on campus that they hope to open in 2025.

Veterans Town Hall in January

At the January Quarterly Town Hall, there were over 1,500 veterans online. One key topic was the PACT Act. Experts shared information and answered questions.

Wreaths Across America

40 volunteers joined Becky DuRocher at the Prescott National Cemetery on January 28 to remove the 2,800 wreaths. She thanked RWOP for getting the information out and for volunteers.

Wickenburg Stand Down

The Stand Down in Wickenburg was well attended. Many veterans signed up for the VA and got their questions answered about the PACT Act. They also received supplies and resources.

Sponsor Business Card Ads are $100 for 12 months of inclusion in the monthly newsletters. Your ad will also be highlighted on RWOP website. If you are interested in highlighting your business, please contact Joan Lesko [email protected]

SELECT BUSINESS CARD BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE