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★★★★★
Executive Board Member Reports
Juliana McMahan, Chair
Sad News: Keith Houk, our State Committeeman, passed away unexpectedly at the end of December. He was a wonderful patriot, co-laborer, and faithful volunteer. I really enjoyed working with him and he will be sorely missed. We extend our prayers and sympathies to Keith's family.
Republican Precinct Caucus Report
We were excited to have record attendance at our precinct caucuses on Saturday, January 13. Despite the below-freezing temperatures, we had 543 attendees who elected 301 delegates (in addition to the 72 PCOs who are automatic delegates) and 149 alternates to our County Convention on Saturday, February 10.
Kitsap County Convention on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
Our next big event is our county convention on Saturday, February 10, 2024. For more information visit www.KitsapRepublicans.com/convention. Delegates to the Kitsap County Convention will:
1. Endorse our local 2024 Republican candidates.
2. Discuss and pass our KCRP Platform and Resolutions.
3. Elect delegates and alternates to the Washington State Convention.
★★★★★
KCRP is looking to hire a full-time employee who will help execute our strategic plan of turning Kitsap County red! If you know if someone who might be interested, please email chair@kitsaprepublicans.com for a job description.
★★★★★
John Cameron, State Committeeman
He was honored to be elected to fill the position of State Committeeman previously held by Keith Houk. He is grateful and blessed to serve, and will do his best to honor Keith's memory. Our December monthly PCO meet and greet was well attended, with 27 showing up (including 8 new people) and 3 new PCO applications received. They talked about the mechanics involved in the upcoming caucuses.
He was approached by a nationally syndicated Twitter Space host to host a weekly Washington State grassroots radio show on Twitter. They had a soft launch at the beginning of the month with a guest speaker Jarrod Sessler from Benton County (candidate for 4th Congressional District Representative). He plans to bring in Semi Bird, Jim Walsh, and Matt Frolich to speak on future programs.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Doll, State Committeewoman
She kept very busy calling, texting, emailing, and posting on Facebook to remind people about the caucuses. She believes there are quite a few people who are quietly Republicans, but have never shown their face at a Republican meeting.
She worked hard on the annual Roanoke Conference. If you haven’t been to the Roanoke Conference, it is an amazing experience. It is being held in Ocean Shores the last weekend of January. Her tagline for it is, “Lectures all day. Parties all night!” There were ~600 Republicans from all across the state who met together and learned about Washington State politics. Campaign Manager training was held the Friday before the conference. For more information visit their website at www.RoanokeConference.org. She highly recommends it!
★★★★★
Shelly McKinley-Olson, Treasurer
Printed Lincoln Day Dinner (LDD) invitations are now available for anyone who’d like to give them to their friends. The dinner is scheduled for March 9 with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club. Our keynote speaker will be Jason Rantz with special guests Glen Morgan and WSRP Chair Jim Walsh. Everyone is invited to attend!
Rose is amazing and has our LDD website up and running. Please go online to check it out and purchase your tickets and/or sponsorships at www.kitsaprepublicans.com/lincoln-day-dinner.
★★★★★
Linda Popp, Secretary
This last month she was very busy with the logistics of putting on a caucus and convention. She created precinct lists for all the postcard mailings and arranged for the various schools to be used for our caucus sites.
★★★★★
John Johanson, Bremerton
He wrote the opposition letter for the Bremerton bond and levy after working with Francis Doyle and Chuck DeCosta. They helped him understand the extent of the bond and levy request.
He opposes the bond because the district is not required to accomplish the improvements on the bond proposal. They will be able to reappropriate the funds to projects that were not approved by the voters.
He opposes the levy because it will be used to give raises to teachers and faculty who are responsible for dismal proficiency levels in our students. Only 49% can read at their grade level, and 12% are proficient in math at their grade level. The schools are focusing on teaching SEL, DEI, and other topics that he believes are harming our students. Bremerton has a ratio of fifteen students per teacher versus the state average of 18:1. They are already above the levels that the state deems adequate. The committee for this measure also lied in their statement about how the levy would fund 100% of extracurricular activities.
Senate Joint Resolution SJR8207 will have a public hearing on January 10. If passed by the legislature, it will change the threshold to pass bonds from a super majority of 60% to a simple majority.
The Bremerton City Council is against Mayor Wheeler’s plans to put a large homeless shelter in the Oyster Bay area community. Lots of residents in this area have spoken at the City Council Meetings telling them that they don’t want a shelter in their neighborhoods, mostly due to projected increases in crime. Earlier this month the city council elected Jennifer Chamberlin as the new President and Anna Mockler as the new Vice President.
★★★★★
Ken Erickson, Central Kitsap
He mailed out precinct caucus invitation postcards to Republicans in his precinct. He feels it was great effort to reach those who might be interested in attending. Thanks to everyone who helped!
★★★★★
Janell Hulst, North Kitsap
There has been an amazing effort to oppose the NKSD bond. If you’re in North Kitsap, please visit www.nksdbond.com. They are looking for people to help with the opposition efforts. Some of the same things they were mentioned by John Johanson regarding the Bremerton bond also applies to the North Kitsap bond.
★★★★★
Francis Doyle, South Kitsap
The South Kitsap Superintendent has scheduled him to monitor/observe two classes—a 5th grade math class and a 7th grade English/language arts class. He’s been attending the SKSB meetings where they’ve been going over their financial data. Everything he’s checked using the Washington State Office of Public Instruction site, as well as the presentation that the school financial person delivered, is right on. SK did finish up with $13 million left over, but they manipulated the funds to cover the overruns on the pool. They claim to have plans to improve education results in the classroom.
Keith Houk will be sorely missed, and he hopes that his family will be ok.
★★★★★
Volunteers Needed!
If you have been looking for opportunities to volunteer, now is a great time! Below are some key opportunities to help:
Volunteer to help with our upcoming Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, March 9, 2024. The Lincoln Day Dinner is fast approaching. The committee is in need of some assistance. If you would like to help, please contact Shelly at shellypco255@gmail.com. Thank you!
We need auction items. There are many basket themes that will be a hit with our attendees. Ideas include:
• A ladies spa/pamper basket (lotions, bath salts, candles, etc.)
• Dog lovers collections (treats, collars, leashes, toys, etc.)
• Gardener’s bucket (gloves, clippers, seeds, bulbs, etc.)
• Movie Nights (theater gift certificates, candy, show memorabilia, etc.)
• Cooking Enthusiast basket (infused vinegar, olive oil, salts, spices, pans, etc.)
• The possibilities are endless.
Maybe you are a skilled craftsman or artist and would consider a donation of one of your pieces or your services. That would be wonderful!
Please purchase your tickets and encourage others to do the same. Our website is live at www.kitsaprepublicans.com/lincoln-day-dinner. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and will finance the bulk of our budget next year.
Volunteer to help on one of the many KCRP Committees. Some key committees: Events chaired by Sean Murphy; PCO chaired by John Cameron; Lincoln Day Dinner chaired by Shelly McKinley-Olson; and Election Integrity chaired by Francis Doyle.
★★★★★
Thoughts and stray input
Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan
The Zoom meeting on January 11 was enlightening on many levels. Overall the concern with the county seems to be "we need more affordable housing for projected growth." The citizens seem to have concerns regarding agricultural land, tree loss, water-allotment, and over-development. Bremerton was first in growth and Kingston was second.
The first step in involvement is to attend meetings and have your facts and figures ready. Stay involved in your neighborhood and remember, we are the government--not elected and appointed officials. To keep up on the comprehensive plan overhaul please visit www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/Pages/Kitsap_County_Comprehensive_Plan.aspx.
★★★★★
Presidential Race
The coverage in Iowa was mostly for Trump, Hailey, and DeSantis. At our local caucuses both good and bad points about each candidate were discussed. After Iowa, we are down to three viable candidates. Be sure to follow the New Hampshire primary.
★★★★★
Attempts to Remove Trump from the Ballot
On January 16, Kitsap Republicans peacefully rallied at the Kitsap County Superior Court to observe the attempt by eight complainants to strike Trump from the Washington State Ballot. The courtroom was full and many members of the press were in attendance. The presiding judge informed the court that an identical petition had been filed in Thurston County and mentioned irregularities. After a thorough review of his reasoning, he told the assembly he would not hear the case.
When the case was heard in Thurston County, the judge dismissed the lawsuit. You can read about it here:
www.fox13seattle.com/news/thurston-county-judge-denies-petition-to-remove-trump-from-the-ballot-in-wa
★★★★★
14th Amendment
Who can be removed from the ballot for "insurrection" or for aiding and abetting the enemy? These "high crimes and misdemeanors" MUST be proven in a court of law (or in the case of a sitting president, through the impeachment process) before the 14th Amendment can be invoked. Note: No U.S. President has been convicted in this manner.
constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14
★★★★★
January 6, 2021
Interested in what happened on January 6, 2021? This is the timeline as released by the U.S. Capitol Police: justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2022-06/USCPJan.6Timeline.pdf
★★★★★
Biden Impeachment Inquiry
You can learn more at the websites below:
www.gop.gov/bidenimpeachmentinquiry
www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/57
★★★★★
Homelessness Resources:
Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs: www.va.gov/homeless
VA Homelessness Hotline: Dial 877-424-3838 and Press 1
Narcotics Anonymous: www.kitsapgov.com/pubdef/Pages/AA-and-NA-Meeting-info.aspx
NA help line: 360-215-2616
★★★★★
City Council and School Board Notes
City Council
Video archives of city council meetings from all over Kitsap County can be found at:
bremerton.vod.castus.tv/vod/?live=ch1&nav=recent
Bainbridge Island School District
School board website: www.bisd303.org/domain/44
Bremerton Bremerton School District
School board website: www.bremertonschools.org/SchoolBoard
Documents link: go.boarddocs.com/wa/wabrsd/Board.nsf/Public
At the January 13 caucus, one Republican spoke eloquently regarding Bremerton schools. Bremerton has a disproportionate high level of migrant children who don't speak English or Spanish. For every migrant child taken into a district, there is a considerable sum from the Federal government that follows that child.
Central Kitsap School District
School board website: www.ckschools.org/administration/c_k_s_d_school_board/school_board
North Kitsap School District
School board website: www.nkschools.org/about-us/school-board
Advisory board website: www.nkschools.org/get-involved/advisory-committees
South Kitsap School District
School board website: www.skschools.org/school-board
Board meetings recap: www.smore.com/gp6t2
Many parents in the South Kitsap district have found the "Parent Square" app/link to be very helpful in "being connected" with their district. See www.skschools.org for more information.
Word reached the editor that even liberal parents, and the high school students, are getting a bit "fed up" with the SEL agenda in Central Kitsap. ALL should continue to urge involvement with curriculum, especially SEL, and review with gusto the materials your children are being taught. Stay connected with the educators and school boards.
★★★★★
KCRP Executive Board Contact Info:
www.kitsaprepublicans.com/board
Contact other conservative groups in our area: www.kitsaprepublicans.com/local-groups
Contact Newsletter Editor: josiec5150@gmail.com
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Do you have 1-2 hours a week or month to volunteer in person, at home, or virtually? KCRP needs volunteers in many areas for any skill level.
Volunteer Now!
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