Merry Christmas! (a little bit early)

Greetings during the busy Holiday Season! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Merry Christmas! With Christmas just around the corner, I am sure you are all finishing your preparations for a wonderful day spent with family and friends.  From those of us in the Sauk Valley Tea Party, we would like to extend you warm holiday wishes!  We all keep busy enough just taking care of our families, our households and our jobs, but you have made a committment of time and energy in all you do to stay on top of the issues facing our local communities and our nation.  Thank you for your involvement and your efforts to correct the direction of our nation!  May God bless each and every one of you!  Merry Christmas! Congressman Manzullo will visit the SVTP in December I know how hectic things are at this time of year, but with the importance of this particular election cycle, many of you expressed an interest in having a December meeting.  So, we will be meeting on December 27th at the Loveland Community Building (513 W. 2nd Street, Dixon) at 6:30pm. We will be joined by Daniel Sidmore, candidate in the IL's 90th Representative district as well as Congressman Manzullo who is running in the newly re-drawn 16th Congressional district.  We would love to have you come out and learn more about both of these men who wish to represent you in the coming term!  Our meeting is open to the public -- hope to see you there! Good Samaritans Hit Midwest Kmarts It appears that the Christmas spirit is alive and well!  Read the Story Here Thank you to all who donated gifts or money for the homeless students at Rock Falls Middle School!  We dropped off gifts for all 13 students and hope that they make their Christmas a little brighter!  The Tea Party advocates smaller, Constitutionally limited government...which means we need to put our money where our mouth is!  We need to step up where we can to help those who are struggling.  Government has replaced individual charity in many respects, but we need to make sure that we are there for our neighbors when they need us!  So, thank you, once again, for your generosity! Mark your calender... IL Primary Election March 20, 2012 Don't let someone else narrow the menu for you!  Be sure to vote in the Primary Election!  I speak to people all the time who tell me they don't vote in Primary elections...that makes my head spin!  WHY would you let SOMEONE ELSE decide who YOU get to vote for in November????? We are counting on YOU to help us make sure that we end up with the right candidates on the November ballot! Join us for our 2012 Primary Election Voter Information Fair Sunday, February 26th Sauk Valley Community College 1-3 pm We are extending invitations to EVERY candidate who wishes to represent the Sauk Valley Area!  Spend a few hours wandering the fair and speaking one-on-one with a wide menu of candidates.  Take them to task by asking them tough questions on the issues that concern you most, then head to the polls in March, armed with the knowledge that you know WHO and WHAT you are voting for when you cast your ballot! Too many people vote for a candidate simply because of the letter after their name--this election is TOO IMPORTANT for that!  Do your homework and DON'T let the 'Politics of Party' keep you from voting for the BEST candidates! We held two events in 2010, one before the Primary and one before the General Election.  We had Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Green Party and Independents join us to meet with local voters.  Don't miss this opportunity to educate yourself before the election!    follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Sauk Valley Tea Party, All rights reserved. Thank you for being part of the solution! Our mailing address is: Sauk Valley Tea Party 3805 Freeport Road Sterling, IL 61081 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

We are Thankful for YOU!

Thank you to all of you who have made it a priority to pay attention to what is going
on in our nation and world!  We are truly blessed to be able to call this land of
freedom and opportunity our home, but with that blessing comes the responsibility
of guarding and protecting those liberties for the generations yet to come!

As we spend this day celebrating and giving thanks for all the ways our lives are
blessed, I wanted to take a moment to send a personal Thanks to each of you! 

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!


As we spend time focused on the many blessings in our lives, I would like to encourage each of you to take a moment
to think about all of those in our local communities who are struggling in this bad economy.  At our meeting Tuesday,
I presented a list of 13 homeless boys and girls from just ONE of our local schools.  Several volunteers stepped forward
to sponsor one or more of these children and will be purchasing Christmas gifts for them. 

We still have a few kids left to reach out to:  a 12 yr old Girl, (3) 12 yr. old Boys and a 14 yr old Boy.

If you are able to help make Christmas a little Merrier for any of these kids, your donations would be much appreciated! 
If you would like to volunteer to purchase gifts for any of these kids, or even just a gas card or gift card for their parents,
please contact me at saukvalleyteaparty@live.com.

It would be great if we had so many volunteers that we could reach out to additional schools!

Last Minute Changes

Lots to follow!  Let us know what you want us to report on!  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Last Minute Changes for our November Meeting Tuesday, November 22nd,  6:30 pm Loveland Community Building, Dixon Liandro Arrellano, Jr. and Tom Demmer were both confirmed to attend and take questions from our panel, members and visitors.  Unfortunately, we are down to only one candidate, Li Arellano.  Tom Demmer's campaign cancelled late Sunday night, citing the fact that they want to wait until all candidates are available to participate and they said they don't want to participate in forums until after petitions have been turned in and the candidates are official.  Chet Olson was unable to join us due to a family committment and Mr. Metzger did not give any reason, but simply stated that he would not be part of our forum.  Please join us anyway to hear from Liandro Arellano and learn about our Christmas charity efforts.   As this year comes to a close, we have a LOT of plans for the coming year.  Come to the Loveland Building to hear how you can help us be an effective force for positive change in 2012! Candidates for local and county offices If you or someone you know is interested in running for local or county offices, please join us Tuesday night.  You are welcome to address our members and visitors.  We would love to learn more about you and give you the opportunity to share your vision. Will you help us restore representation and common sense to local government? We can't expect new results from the same folks who have been entrenched in our local governing boards for so long.  It is time to step up and get involved.  Are you someone who likes to think for yourself, researches an issue before reaching a decision, actually reads things before signing, and wants the government to live within its Constitutional boundaries?  Then we need YOU to run for office!  There is still time to get your petition signatures in if you act now!  Precinct Committeeman positions require very little effort to get on the ballot and in most cases are uncontested.  Our county boards are also in desperate need of new faces....especially Whiteside! Visit Freedom Works and Share Your Opinions Have you joined Freedom Works yet?  It is a great way to connect with like-minded folks in your local area and around the country.  Visit the Tea Party Debt Commission page to share your spending reduction priorities.  To Join, go HERE --membership is free.  Their site has useful tools for following legislation, reading about important issues and connecting with other concerned patriots. SaukValleyVoter.com Would you like to help keep voters in the Sauk Valley up-to-speed on their choices in the upcoming elections?  If you would like to help make our non-partisan voter site THE place for local election information, we could use your help researching the candidates and issues.  Please email SaukValleyTeaParty@live.com if you would like to help.  Visit SaukValleyVoter   Thank you for getting involved!                    follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Sauk Valley Tea Party, All rights reserved. Thank you for being part of the solution! Our mailing address is: Sauk Valley Tea Party 3805 Freeport Road Sterling, IL 61081 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

We need YOU....please join us in reshaping the local political landscape!

Ok....petition season is quickly drawing to a close.  I have a challenge for you...
 
I requested information from Doug Ibendahl regarding Precinct Committeeman positions.  He is an attorney out of Chicago who has been very involved with the Precinct Committeeman Project.  Their goal is to fill every vacant position so that the Republican Party is, once again, relevant in Illinois.  After receiving my email, he looked up a little info on Whiteside County.  He was appalled to see that out of 60 precincts, we have 5 committeeman positions filled!  We need to fill these spots, folks!  Let's make sure that Whiteside county is no longer irrelevant when it comes to selecting Republican leadership in Illinois!!!!!
 
Right now, the Democrats' involvement puts Republicans to shame.  Their party members are very involved and we need to make sure that we help create a balance in IL politics.  Although I am a person who will never vote based on party line and have never really identified with one party, the reality is that we have a two-party system and we have to work within it.  We need to help fill these seats so that Whiteside, Lee and Ogle counties have a voice in selecting principled party leadership. 

 

We need to step up and get involved--will you join me???

I have decided to lead by example and throw my hat in the ring for my committeeman position in the 16th precinct.  We have another member who is seriously considering running for the 11th precinct.  How many can we fill???  This could be very exciting and a lot of fun!  Please check your voter registration for your precinct # and look at the list below. 

If your precinct is vacant, PLEASE consider joining us.  This is a position that allows a great deal of flexibility.  For our Democrat members, I urge you to get involved in your party precincts as well!  Help guide the direction of our local parties by stepping into a position where you have a say in the party leadership!

 

It would be awesome if we could fill every vacancy in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties in 2012!

 

Look up your precinct HERE

Lee County begins on page 263, Ogle on page 362, and Whiteside on page 462 

 
The Whiteside County Board is also in DESPERATE need of some new blood! 

There is still time to get on the ballot!  Let's make a HUGE impact on local government in 2012!

Precinct Committeeman candidates need to collect 10 signatures (12-15 would be even better) from registered Republican voters within the precinct in which you intend to run and turn in them in to the County Clerk November 28-December 5 (the earlier the better, so time is of the essence) along with the Loyalty Oath, Statement of Candidacy and the optional Statement of Economic Interest.  These must all be notarized before submission--your bank should have a notary that will do this for free, or your City Clerk also provides notary services.

 

Learn More About the Precinct Committeeman Position:
 
http://projectcityhall.blogspot.com/2011/10/precinct-committeeman-center-of-power.html

http://republicannewswatch.com/wp/?p=755

http://www.eagleforum.org/misc/brochures/precinct-committman.shtml

 

 

 

I hope you will give this some serious consideration and join us in rebuilding our local Republican Party!  

Sincerely,   

Amanda Norris

We need YOU....please join us in reshaping the local political landscape!

Ok....petition season is quickly drawing to a close.  I have a challenge for you...
 
I requested information from Doug Ibendahl regarding Precinct Committeeman positions.  He is an attorney out of Chicago who has been very involved with the Precinct Committeeman Project.  Their goal is to fill every vacant position so that the Republican Party is, once again, relevant in Illinois.  After receiving my email, he looked up a little info on Whiteside County.  He was appalled to see that out of 60 precincts, we have 5 committeeman positions filled!  We need to fill these spots, folks!  Let's make sure that Whiteside county is no longer irrelevant when it comes to selecting Republican leadership in Illinois!!!!!
 
Right now, the Democrats' involvement puts Republicans to shame.  Their party members are very involved and we need to make sure that we help create a balance in IL politics.  Although I am a person who will never vote based on party line and have never really identified with one party, the reality is that we have a two-party system and we have to work within it.  We need to help fill these seats so that Whiteside, Lee and Ogle counties have a voice in selecting principled party leadership. 

 

We need to step up and get involved--will you join me???

I have decided to lead by example and throw my hat in the ring for my committeeman position in the 16th precinct.  We have another member who is seriously considering running for the 11th precinct.  How many can we fill???  This could be very exciting and a lot of fun!  Please check your voter registration for your precinct # and look at the list below. 

If your precinct is vacant, PLEASE consider joining us.  This is a position that allows a great deal of flexibility.  For our Democrat members, I urge you to get involved in your party precincts as well!  Help guide the direction of our local parties by stepping into a position where you have a say in the party leadership!

 

It would be awesome if we could fill every vacancy in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties in 2012!

 

Look up your precinct HERE

Lee County begins on page 263, Ogle on page 362, and Whiteside on page 462 

 
The Whiteside County Board is also in DESPERATE need of some new blood! 

There is still time to get on the ballot!  Let's make a HUGE impact on local government in 2012!

Precinct Committeeman candidates need to collect 10 signatures (12-15 would be even better) from registered Republican voters within the precinct in which you intend to run and turn in them in to the County Clerk November 28-December 5 (the earlier the better, so time is of the essence) along with the Loyalty Oath, Statement of Candidacy and the optional Statement of Economic Interest.  These must all be notarized before submission--your bank should have a notary that will do this for free, or your City Clerk also provides notary services.

 

Learn More About the Precinct Committeeman Position:
 
http://projectcityhall.blogspot.com/2011/10/precinct-committeeman-center-of-power.html

http://republicannewswatch.com/wp/?p=755

http://www.eagleforum.org/misc/brochures/precinct-committman.shtml

 

 

 

I hope you will give this some serious consideration and join us in rebuilding our local Republican Party!  

Sincerely,   

Amanda Norris

November News

Lots to follow!  Let us know what you want us to report on!  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Join us for our November Meeting Tuesday, November 22nd,  6:30 pm Loveland Community Building, Dixon We will be joined by the candidates for Jerry Mitchell's open seat in Illinois' 90th Representative District.  Due to redistricting, the 90th district has shifted east and now includes most of Lee, Ogle and DeKalb counties.  Sterling and Rock Falls now fall into the 71st district.  As of today, Li Arrellano, Jr. and Tom Demmer are confirmed to attend and take questions from our panel, members and visitors.  Please join us to learn where they stand on the issues that are important to you!  Come prepared with a question for them! Fast and Furious Scandel--Will Holder Escape Punishment? Once again, Eric Holder appears to wiggle out of trouble.  In recent hearings, he admitted that he 'mis-spoke' in his previous testimony.  Why hasn't he been replaced???  Read more HERE    Congressman Schilling Opens Office in Rock Falls Congressman Bobby Schilling believes that our area has routinely been overlooked by our elected representatives and he has taken steps to remedy that by opening a local office.  The office is located at 1600 First Avenue, Suite 1 in Rock Falls (across the street from Freedom Bank and Walgreens).  Office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-4pm.  The office can be reached by calling 815-548-9440.  Visit Freedom Works and Share Your Opinions Have you joined Freedom Works yet?  It is a great way to connect with like-minded folks in your local area and around the country.  Visit the Tea Party Debt Commission page to share your spending reduction priorities.  To Join, go HERE --membership is free.  Their site has useful tools for following legislation, reading about important issues and connecting with other concerned patriots. SaukValleyVoter.com Would you like to help keep voters in the Sauk Valley up-to-speed on their choices in the upcoming elections?  If you would like to help make our non-partisan voter site THE place for local election information, we could use your help researching the candidates and issues.  Please email SaukValleyTeaParty@live.com if you would like to help.  Visit SaukValleyVoter   Thank you for getting involved!                    follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Sauk Valley Tea Party, All rights reserved. Thank you for being part of the solution! Our mailing address is: Sauk Valley Tea Party 3805 Freeport Road Sterling, IL 61081 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

A Salute to Veterans

Lots to follow!  Let us know what you want us to report on!  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. On Veteran's Day, it is important that we take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that have guaranteed our safety in this great nation.  As we are often reminded by the ebb and flow of violence around the globe, freedom is not free.  It is protected for us every day by our brave men and women who wear the many different uniforms of our military.  These men and women pledged to protect our freedoms with their very lives and many have paid the ultimate price so that their family and friends, complete strangers and those not yet born can enjoy the freedom and safety that we enjoy and often take for granted. Please take a moment today and pray for the safety of those who are currently serving in our armed forces.  If you know a veteran or someone who is currently serving or has completed their service to this nation, please call or email them today to say 'Thank You'!  Without their courage and dedication, we would be at the mercy of those around the world who wish to destroy us and our way of life.    Thank you to all who have served and are currently serving. We Thank You   for the sacrifices you and your families make every day which allow us to live in freedom.   God Bless You and Your Families.                     follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2011 Sauk Valley Tea Party, All rights reserved. Thank you for being part of the solution! Our mailing address is: Sauk Valley Tea Party 3805 Freeport Road Sterling, IL 61081 Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Thought you should know

Good Morning, Everyone!
 
Just wanted to send out some quick info on issues that I thought you might be interested in!

 
REGIONAL SUPERINTENDANTS STILL WORKING WITHOUT PAY!
 
Governor Quinn made an irresponsible decision when he chose to use his line-item veto to zero out the pay for our Regional Superintendants of Schools in the budget.  He wanted them all paid locally, instead of by the state, but rather than pushing for legislation to achieve his desired goal, he decided to play a game of political chicken with Michael Madigan by endangering the livelihood of all the men and women who were elected to this position.  The regional superintendents are the ones who make sure that all of our teachers are properly certified and performing as expected, as well as making sure that our schools are in compliance with the onerous regulations that have been placed on our educational system by the federal government.  These men and women campaigned for this office and were elected to the job, only to find that the Governor had eliminated their pay.  Why do they keep going to work?  Because if they did not, our teachers would not be able to maintain the licensing, etc. that is required for them to be in the classrooms teaching our children!  If they abandon these positions to seek a job that will pay them as promised, our current educational system would not be able to function.
 
It was expected that the IL General Assembly would overturn Quinn's veto during the veto session in Springfield...that has not happened.  Michael Madigan does not want them paid out of the fund that Quinn would like to see, so they are still working without pay.  Madigan will not let Quinn strong-arm him like this and refuses to back down.  The ball is now in Madigan's court.
 
Please take a moment to email Michael Madigan and demand that he do the right thing NOW and make sure that these committed men and women receive the pay that they have earned! 

 

Springfield Office:   300 Capitol Building, Springfield IL 62706    Phone  (217) 782-5350      Fax  (217) 524-1794

District Office:     6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago IL 60629    Phone  (773) 581-8000      Fax  (773) 581 9414

 

  

 

IL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERRIDES QUINN'S VETO OF THE SMART GRID

 

Now ComEd and Ameren have the green light to raise our electric rates!  Not only that, but they will be installing a new 'Smart Meter' on your home and business.  These meters transmit your private information on energy use to the electric company.  They will save money because they won't have to send someone to your home to read your meter.  But this raises a host of privacy concerns.  How will this information be used?  Can it be intercepted by others?  Will they use it to charge you even more?  Do the RF waves cause health problems?  Can it be used by the unscrupulous to determine when your home is most likely unoccupied?

 

I don't know how legitimate the claims in this video are, but it is sure enough to make me want to learn more!  Smart Grid Concerns

 

Check out Naperville Smart Meter Awareness "What You Can Do" page:

Our research (not verified by attorney at this point) shows that all ratepayers are protected by the 2005 U.S. Energy Policy Act; the utlity cannot cut you off unless you do not pay your bill.  Hundreds, maybe thousands, in California are "civilly disobeying," for a year or maybe more, by either "caging" their meters and/or replacing their smart meters with analog meters and returning the SMs to the utility.  As long as the meter reader can read the meter, you are not going to get in trouble. 

No one's power has been cut off, from what I have heard, regardless of bullying, threats and nasty-grams sent by the utilities          www.NapervilleSmartMeterAwareness.org

 

 

BILL ALBRACHT COULD USE YOUR HELP TO GET ON THE BALLOT!

 

I believe that helping Mr. Albracht get on the ballot would be very good for the 36th Senatorial District.  He brings very distinguished features to this race.  He is a Vietnam Vet and served as a Secret Service agent for the past 7 Presidents.  Please visit his website to learn more about him and consider getting involved.  He is running against Mike Jacobs and I believe he would be a vast improvement over our current (lack of) representation!  Check him out

If we want to make a difference in 2012, we MUST get involved!  Find a candidate you believe in and work to get them elected!  It is time to step up!

                                                                                                                                                                                               Amanda

 

SVTP Statement on OWS Protests

 
At our last meeting, we briefly discussed the 'Occupy' protests.  I read the following statement and it was well recieved by our members.  Many people are stating that we need to support this movement because they are against the bank bailouts and crony capitalism just like us.  Here is the response from the SVTP:
 

There have been a lot of comparisons in the media about the Occupy Wallstreet protestors and the Tea Party.  I keep hearing we have so much in common…even from some conservatives.  I strongly disagree.

 

There are 2 key issues where we share frustration:  the bank bailouts and crony capitalism.  Both groups are adamantly opposed to both issues, but that is where the commonalities begin and end.  Tea Partiers believe these problems should be fixed by a return to Constitutionally limited government—return the government to its original scope and you would eliminate the ability of special interests to receive taxpayer bailouts and special rules or exemptions.   The overwhelming majority of OWS protestors want to destroy capitalism and replace it with…..what?  Not too many of them will say, but you can be sure it will involve taking from one group to give to another.  Many fail to see the hypocrisy of criticizing the bank bailouts while they demand their own bailout through mortgage or school loan forgiveness!

 

The protestors have a right to protest, but they don't have a right to occupy private property, litter, vandalize or storm into private businesses.  How many Tea Partiers have been arrested at our rallies?  Zero.  How many OWS participants?  Thousands.  There are small groups in communities like ours who do respect private property and the law, but by standing in solidarity with those who do not, they are sending the wrong message.  Wallstreet is not alone in bearing the guilt for where we are as a nation.  Harrassing them and vilifying capitalism does nothing to fix our problems.

 

Another notable difference is media coverage.  Peaceful, patriotic Tea Partiers were called racists,  terrorists, maligned by the mainstream media and put on government watch lists!   Who can forget Nancy Pelosi's tearful diatribe, "I've seen this rhetoric before"?  Through her remarks, she alluded that Tea Partiers were violent, yet the media ignores the actual hate at the occupy rallies and portrays them as spontaneous, youthful and inspiring. 

 

Tea Partiers love this nation, want to restore it, and make sure it remains the bastion of liberty and opportunity it has been since its inception.  OWS occupiers want to cause chaos and disruption and to see everything this country stands for replaced with a system that has been proven to fail time and again. 

 

For those who are tempted to throw your support behind the Occupy Wallstreet movement, remember the old adage, 'if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything'.  Be careful who you stand with.  If you value this nation, our Constitution and the rule of law, stand up for it, fight to restore it--don't join those who would rather pillage, destroy and fundamentally transform who we are!