If you aren’t on our Facebook page or our email list, you may not know about our big Chili Luncheon on Thurs., Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by Jay Stapleton.

Everyone is welcome! Please tell your family and friends that you don’t have to be a political insider or know anyone in politics. Our team is eager to meet you and listen to your ideas and concerns.

No RSVP is necessary, but we would appreciate if you click our Evite and let us know if you can attend. It’s easy. Just enter your name, your email address, and click Yes or No so that we know how many are coming.

We are shooting for an attendance record and there will be lots of food, fun and fellowship.

Special Guest

Gregg Puls, the newest member of the Mike Pence campaign team will be on hand. He has been active in the Hamilton County Republican Party and currently serves as president of the Fishers GOP Club.

Our Goals

Your contributions help us in many ways. Many folks have chipped in to make this a memorable event. The suggested donation is $5, but if you find it in your heart to give more, we would greatly appreciate.

First, your donations help us keep the lights on and the pipes from freezing. But more importantly, your generous contributions help us:

• Identify and support candidates for office
• Increase voter registration
• Increase voter turnout at the polls
• Train precinct committeemen to ensure fair & honest elections
• Preserve the integrity of absentee votes and ballots
• Collaborate with the state party
• Promote Republican leadership in local, state and federal government

Our vision for the future is a strong local party that does not sway from its core values and principles.

We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Jay Stapleton for making this event possible. Please take a moment to thank him for all that he does for our party. Thank you, Jay!

Add this Event to Your Calendar

Download our iCalendar file, and add the Chili Luncheon to your Outlook, Google, Apple iCal, or Facebook calendars. (Works with just about any calendar software. Suggested by John Richwine. Thanks, John!)

Links

• Use Evite to Let Us Know You’re Coming
• Download our iCalendar file

Anderson City Council has approved a COIT increase. Now, the Madison County Council is set to face taxpayer fury on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Anderson City Hall Auditorium as it prepares to be the straw that broke the camel’s back if it supports an overwhelming new tax for all of Madison County.

The fate of COIT rests with either:

1. The county’s approval
2. The approval of the Democrat-controlled Elwood City Council

If COIT passes, then taxpayers will suffer from inept officials who refuse to make difficult budget cuts or make better use of taxpayer money. At the heart of the matter is whether government bloat should continue to thrive at the expense of taxpayers.

Despite the Democratic domination running rampant in all areas of government, the Republican party is building support in communities and holding elected officials’ feet to the fire.

This week, a Herald Bulletin editorial summed it up best:

“There are those still in government who act as if their first responsibility is to city employees. It’s not. … [It is] to the citizens of the city, to keep taxes low and to run lean while providing essential services.”

The Republican party boldly stands for lower taxes and smaller government. Our friends over at the bi-partisan, watchdog group Rebuild Anderson, also want to see our community grow and not wither under the duress of higher taxes.

Rebuild Anderson is organizing a walk to distribute flyers to alert citizens about what COIT means for Anderson, Elwood and all of Madison County’s taxpayers. Both Democrats and Republicans will take part. This is a great time to contact people who have been wanting to get involved — to reach out to those who want to speak out — but don’t know how.

Complacency is keeping folks fat and glued to America’s couches! It’s time to get off your can, and go door-to-door. Help educate the community about the pending tax hike that city and county councils want to keep secret. Besides, walking is an excellent way to start your exercise regimen that you’ve been putting off for months! Or years?

Only you can stop higher taxes, and it begins at the grassroots level.

Rebuild Anderson Walk Schedule

• Sat., Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. in Chesterfield at Millcreek Civic Center
• Sun., Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. in Pendleton at Fall Creek by the playground
• Tues., Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in Elwood at Dairy Queen on State Road 13
• Weds., Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in Elwood at Dairy Queen on State Road 13
• Sat., Oct. 24 in Elwood, Pendleton and other areas if they are not done (times to be determined)

Your Officials

Please send a polite email or call. It’s their job to listen to you!

Madison County Council

• Bill Savage (D-Dist. 1)
  savagewd@hotmail.com
  Ph: (765) 552-8384
• Buddy Patterson (D-Dist. 2)
  buddypatterson@comcast.net
  Ph: (765) 378-5345
• John Bostic Jr. (D-Dist. 3)
  Ph: (765) 649-2138
• Gary Gustin (R-Dist. 4)
  g.gustin3@verizon.net
  Ph: (765) 778-7804
• Larry Crenshaw (R-At Large)
  lcrenshawapd@yahoo.com
  Ph: (765) 649-0716
• Larry Higgins (D-At Large)
  bighig0928@aol.com
  Ph: (765) 208-0923
• Mike Phipps (R-At Large)
  mike@gophippsgo.com
  Ph: (765) 610-6442

Elwood City Council

COIT will surely pass with the Democrats’ domination in Elwood. Let these folks know that re-election is not an option if they vote COIT.

• Jason Leonard (D-Dist. 1)
  Ph: (765) 557-0504
• Debbie Brown (D-Dist. 2)
  Ph: (765) 278-7823
• David Savage (D-Dist. 3)
  Ph: (765) 552-6894
• John Wright (D-Dist. 4)
  Ph: (765) 552-6617
• Jack Powell (D-Dist. 5)
  Ph: (765) 552-7634
• Brian Courtney (D-At Large)
  Ph: (765) 552-0744
• Matt Leeson (D-At Large)
  Ph: (765) 552-0669

Links

• Rebuild Anderson Web Site
• Rebuild Anderson Facebook Page
• Editorial: Rise Up Against Local Tax Increase

With qualifications that far exceed most judges, Madison County’s newest judge will soon take the bench.

On Sunday, Gov. Daniels appointed Rudolph “Rudy” R. Pyle, 39, as Madison Circuit Court judge. Pyle is a proud Republican, and notably, he is Madison County’s first black judge. The Madison County Republican Central Committee applauds and congratulates Rudy Pyle on this crowning achievement!

His historic appointment will culminate with a swearing-in ceremony this Friday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. on the first floor of the Madison County Government Center. Immediately following the ceremony will be a reception on the fourth floor of the Circuit Court courtroom.

Already, Pyle has plans to improve the court system to be more efficient and save taxpayers money by merging the Circuit Court with the unified court system. Courts would then share resources and use the same case management system.

Pyle helps bring order to a chaotic court system rocked by the sudden death of Judge David Hopper in February and the sudden departure of Judge Fredrick Spencer last month.

“Rudy Pyle’s devotion to public service and diverse range of real world and academic experience show he has the necessary traits to be a great judge,” a governor’s spokesman said.

As a teen, Pyle moved from Rhode Island to Anderson in 1987, where his father was a professor at Anderson University, since retired. Rudy and his family still reside in Anderson.

Pyle’s Credentials

• Four years service as a state trooper
• Madison Co. deputy prosecutor since 2004
• Private law practice since 2006
• Law clerk for the Indiana Court of Appeals
• Adjunct professor at AU

Pyle earned his Bachelor’s degree from Anderson University; a Master’s degree from the College of William & Mary; and a law degree from Indiana University.

Above photo by the Herald Bulletin‘s Aaron Piper.

Links

• Governor Appoints Pyle to Bench
• Editorial: Pyle Appointment a Home Run

Ah, the blissful indulgence of recycling Madison County’s garbage for GOP profit!

A Bi-Partisan Can Collection

We don’t care whether a Democrat or Republican drank from the can. Just let us carry your sugary pop cans to the crusher so that we can redeem them for cash.

It’s easy! Collect cans from family, neighbors and friends. Aluminum cans only please. We will pick up the cans on Saturday, Nov. 14. Pickup location and time to be announced.

The precious funds we raise will help us:

• Increase voter turnout
• Educate voters about early voting
• Combat absentee and early voter fraud (a huge problem in Madison County and nationwide)
• Train precinct committeemen to ensure fair and honest elections
• Promote Republican and conservative leadership in local, state and federal government

Cleaning up the environment is nice, but making money from recycling cans is even nicer. Whether it’s pop cans or beer cans, we’ll take your cans crushed or uncrushed. Yes, some Republicans do drink beer and drink it from a can.

Recycling Tips

Pop cans get sticky and beer cans get stinky. To make recycling cans less of a mess, rinse out the cans with a splash of water as soon as you finish drinking.

It would be real sweet to crush the Democrats next November. Remember, U ”can” do it!

This year, join the Indiana Republican Party and Gov. Mitch Daniels for the Fall State Dinner at Ritz Charles in Carmel. The date of the event is Monday, Nov. 16 and will feature remarks from the governor.

• Registration and Cocktails, 6 p.m.
• Private Reception, 6 p.m.
• Dinner and Program, 7 p.m.

Ritz Charles is located at 12156 N. Meridian St. in Carmel, about one half mile north of 116th Street on US 31.

To reserve your spot, call (317) 964-5000 or email Susan Hammond at shammond@indgop.org.

Links

Directions to Ritz Charles

• MapQuest
• Google Maps

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Anderson City Council convenes for a public hearing to:

1. Repeal CEDIT
2. Increase COIT to increase the Homestead Credit percentage
3. Impose an extra COIT for public safety

Your city council, dominated by Democrats, is poised to pass this ordinance.

The word around town is that a lone Republican may actually favor the ordinance. And even if a couple of Democrat dissenters vote it down, the nine-member council still has enough votes to pass it.

Herald Bulletin Editorial

The Herald Bulletin hit the nail on the head in its July 10 editorial:

When the economy is sour, unemployment up, wages down, charitable giving stagnant and government assistance limited, it’s not the right time to raise taxes.

It’s the right time for government to become leaner and more efficient, to re-evaluate the services it offers and the way they’re offered.

Action Items

• Post a link to your Facebook page.
• Tweet it to your Twitter account.
• Email or text it to your friends and family.
• Phone a friend.
• Meet us all at City Hall on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

Many in our community don’t even know about the proposed ordinance. We must hold local leaders’ feet to the fire, and send them the message that raising taxes is unacceptable, especially with our slumping economy.

Why aren’t we exploring more traditional options like salary cuts? If the ordinance passes, God forbid, we can repeal it with new council seats in 2010. Correction: City elections are in 2011. (Thanks, Russ!)

What, When & Where

Anderson City Council Public Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers

120 East 8th Street

Anderson City Council

• Rick Muir, (D), President, At-Large
• Donna Davis (D), Dist. 2
• Pamela Jones (D), Dist. 3
• Ollie Dixon (D), Dist. 4
• Joe Newman (D), Dist. 6
• David Eicks (D), At-Large
• Rodney Chamberlain (D), At-Large
• Mike Welch (R), Dist. 1
• Art Pepelea, Jr. (R), Dist. 5

Council members are not without controversy. In June, Councilman Dixon pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated and was the focus of a grand jury indictment on a charge of criminal recklessness in connection with his toting a loaded .45-caliber handgun into the county jail. Dixon called the gun charge “ridiculous,” and “political-, racial- and class-motivated.”

The charge was eventually dismissed by a tearful Madison Circuit Court Judge Fredrick Spencer — who is also a Democrat — on his last day on the bench following a state investigation of alleged misconduct.

Links

• Anderson City Council Home Page
• Anderson City Council Agenda
• Herald Bulletin: Just Say No to COIT Increase
• Judge Spencer Dismisses Gun Charge Against Councilman Dixon
• Herald Bulletin: Spencer’s judgment questionable
• Dixon pleads guilty to DWI

Title: Sam Hanna Fundraiser
Location: Anderson National Guard Armory, 125 S. Scatterfield Road
Description: Dan’s Fish Fry
Date: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
Time: 4-7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. For more information, please contact Sam Hanna at (765) 602-3840 or email ahanna0705@aol.com.

Bring your appetite! Hope to see you all there!

The Indiana University College Republicans will host a fundraising event at Indiana State GOP Headquarters, 47 S. Meridian, Indianapolis, Weds., Sept. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests of honor will include Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and State Treasurer Richard Mourdock.

A light dinner will be served at 5:30, and the formal program will begin at around 6:15.

Several other elected officials are planning to attend, including State Reps. Kathy Richardson, Randy Borror, Brian Bosma, and Mark Messmer, and State Sens. Pat Miller, Jim Merritt, and Brandt Hershman. Also in attendance will be Charlie White, the leading Republican candidate for Indiana Secretary of State, and Todd Young, who is pursuing the Republican nomination for Congress in the 9th district.

There is a suggested minimum donation of $50 per person. For more information, contact Justin Kingsolver (IUCR Treasurer) at (317) 989-3195 or via jkingsol@indiana.edu.