LPBC June 2021 Minutes

Minutes of the Libertarian Party of Bay County, FL. From the June 17, 2021 meeting, at Applebee’s (Callaway, FL).

Officers present: Anna Marie Morris (Chair), Joey Ferguson (Vice-Chair), James Morris (Treasurer), David Agosta (Secretary).

Members present: Patrick Leistner and Elaine Agosta .

Guest speaker: Dr. Jon Ward

Visitors were James and Anna Marie’s daughter, grandchildren and Callaway resident, Ronald Shaner . Overall, 12 people attended.

7:00 PM: Anna Marie called meeting to order. She introduced Dr. Ward and turned meeting over to him.

7:02: Dr. Ward introduced himself and thanked the LPBC, for his invitation. He explained how social media, was the best asset used; defeating Bay District School’s Ad Volurm tax.

7:03: He grew up in Defuniak Springs, FL. He chose the University of Florida, for his College education. He remained there, attending Medical School. Afterward, he began his practice, in Panama City, FL and continues after 16 years.

7:04: He used his social media platform, to counterpoint the “beer bug” scare. He gained a following, saying the scare was equal to “Chicken Little”. His posts, got him suspended from FB twice.

7:05: He spoke of BDS Ad Volurm tax. Appealing to Bay voters, BDS would let them vote. Thinking voter sympathy would pass it, BDS avoided passing it themselves. They relied on Bay voters continuing, to “tax themselves”. To get it on ballot, the Bay County Commission had to pass it.

BDS promoted “goodies”, the County Commission gets out of the tax. The Commission didn’t bother discussing or debating. They passed it, with a procedural vote. (BDS paid over $200,000.00 of our tax money, to put it on the ballot).

7:07: Dr. Ward read the entire ballot, including “fine print” details. Once passed, all Bay County property taxes increase by 16%. The so called “citizens’ sympathy vote”, was a ploy. Based on past vote history, BDS counted on lower turnout.

7:08: Florida Taxwatch said, “Voters passed 80% of FL’s tax increases. This is due to the same sympathy story, always used. ‘We must pass this, for the children.'” On this Ad Volurm tax, BDS said this message, to their employees. “You are voting for a raise, for yourselves.”

7:10: Dr. Ward then shared making strategy, to defeat the tax. He studied the war strategies, of historical warrior Sun-Tzo. One quote summed it up; “Know your enemy.”

Dr. Ward began knowing Superintendent Bill Husfelt, before winning his fourth term. The FBI supeoned Husfelt and his records, in their continuing investigation; of Bay County fraud. Husfelt and his lawyer intentionally kept the supeona quiet, until after the election. (As he won by only 500 votes, his decision wasn’t kosher. It shows fact, he feared losing re-election).

7:11: Another red flag Husfelt showed, in 2018, he was a Republican In Name Only (RINO). After the Parkland, FL School shooting, he became “gung ho”; passing gun control. As the GOP platform supports 2nd Amendment rights, he was spitting on those rights. Dr. Ward questioned, “Is there more GOP beliefs, Husfelt is against?”

Dr. Ward concluded, “Understanding Husfelt, was how I could campaign against the Ad Volurm tax.”

7:14: Beginning his strategy, Dr. Ward looked at his social media platform. That began his ground work. Next, he contacted his business connections.

7:15: He asked the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to help. They weren’t interested. Even polling their member businesses, on “for” or “against”, didn’t move them. So, he decided to kept the Chamber, as neutral as possible. (Another strategy of Sun-Tzo is, “Don’t drive a neutral party, into your enemies’ hands).

7:16: Dr. Ward said, “When I get a challenge, I do everything legal getting a successful win.” Next, he brought up past BDS wasteful spending. He set up a political committee, called “Bay County Tax Payers LLC”. Through BCTP, he helped raise campaign funds, to defeat the tax. $50,000.00 was voluntarily raised.

He hired Neeves Media, promoting TV ads.

7:19: He acknowledged and thanked the LPBC and Bay GOP, in additional support. He said the LPBC gave the biggest help, making “boots on the ground”, posting yard signs. Those signs were at strategic Bay County locations, as well as voters’ homes. Remembering again, about not offending neutral parties, he made sure BTCP signs had this message; ” We Love Teachers”.

This message shows, voters were not against Teacher raises. They are against tax increases, which causes all financial suffering.

7:20: The local mainstream media accepted BCTP, as a credible group/movement. This was due to over 1,200 followers, on their social media page

7:22: Dr. Ward continued using his personal social media page, for the tax defeat. He presented the 2019 FL State Audit, on BDS. Audit revealed 10 points of financial defecits; in BDS spending.

7:25: Last line of referendum, “What is used of remaining funds, once all raises are paid.” Funds will go for Charter Schools and future BDS use. Until then, the funds are kept in a special “trust” fund. “Trust” fund, sounds more like slush fund.

BDS employs more Teachers and employees, than neighboring County School Districts. Yet, BDS Students perform academically worst, than the neighboring districts.

7:28: BDS had questionable ” emergency meetings”, with Bus Drivers and other employees; leading up to the vote. The meetings’ purpose, was encouraging them voting for the tax.

7:30: When the meetings were made public, Husfelt called a press conference. He denied the illegal meetings.

7:31: Dr. Ward brought up Gov. Ron Desantis announcement, of increasing the State education budget. The Governor announced all FL Teachers, get pay raises. With the announcement, one thinks the Ad Volurm tax vote gets cancelled. Husfelt showed his hypocrisy, of finding funds, for Teacher raises. He still calls for the Ad Volurm passage. It guarantees additional money, for BDS Teacher raises.

7:32: More of Superintendent Husfelt’s character leadership is questioned. The afore mentioned FBI investigation, lead to indicting a BDS Vice Principal. Antonius Barnes served on the Lynn Haven, FL City Council. The Federal Prosecutor indicted him, on defrauding tax payers; misusing Hurricane Michael recovery funds. While Mr. Barnes is no longer a Lynn Haven Council member, he was when the fraud happened.

Despite Mr. Barnes indictment and pending trial, he’s on “paid leave”; from BDS. Past BDS employees, charged with crimes, were suspended without pay. This remained, pending their charges or case outcome. Yet, Mr. Barnes remains on paid leave, from BDS. (That pay, comes from Bay County taxpayers). Why hasn’t Mr. Husfelt followed precedent and suspended, without pay, Mr. Barnes?

7:35: After seeing the entire Ad Volurm referendum, former BDS Board Member Ryan Neeves spoke against the tax. Local media personality Burnie Thompson, invited Dr. Ward, on his social media show. As he too was against the tax, reaching Burnie’s audience was another win.

7:37: Dr. Ward shared using humor, in defeating the tax. BCTP bought an ad, on WPAP radio. It was a satire of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. Called it “Billy Went to the Voters”. Ad received laughs and positive feedback.

7:38: Final days before the vote, the News Hearld hosted a social media debate. Mr. Husfelt and Dr. Ward debated and we’re allowed one debate partner. Dr. Ward chose Bay GOP officer Tho Bishop . Husfelt chose the Chair, of The Bay Teachers Union. His choice was desperation, as Bay Voters know the Teachers Union supports left wing agendas. Dr. Ward and Tho won the debate; strongly.

7:40: One final fact guaranteed the tax’s defeat. Dr. Ward got access to a January BDS meeting. BDS Board Member Jerry Register asks Mr. Husfelt, what will be done with remaining funds, once raises are done. Husfelt admits those funds are “catch all”. That admission killed a “Yes” vote, from Bay voters.

7:42: The final vote was 70% “No”, to 30% “Yes”. Bay voters broke a two decade tradition, of self approving tax increases. Dr. Ward said it was a true David and Goliath victory. BTCP only spent $30,000.00 of their $50,000.00 funds, defeating BDS tax increase. Considering BDS has an annual $500 million dollar budget, win shows Joe and Jane voter, can defeat big government.

7:44: Closing out, Dr. Ward spoke of his future and continual Libertarian involvement. His views are mostly libertarian, because he’s socially moderate. (What people do in their private lives and homes, are their business. Just don’t cram it down the public’s throat). Also, he acknowledged Callaway, FL success, of fiscal libertarianism. (I personally told Dr. Ward, credit goes to their City Manager; Eddie Cook ).

As far as his running for local office, that must wait. He’s putting family first, raising his kids. He said once all his kids are in or graduated High School, he might run for office. With that, he concluded his presentation.

Anna Marie thanked him for coming and extended an open invitation; for continuing work with the LPBC.

7:45: Anna Marie moved on to old business. James presented the Treasurer’s report. We had $1,877.71 available. I made a motion to accept the report and Joey seconded. Anna Marie called for a vote. Vote passed unanimously.

As I didn’t make the last meeting, Anna Marie took the minutes. She presented them and we looked them over. James made a motion to accept and I seconded. Anna Marie called for a vote and passed unanimously.

7:46: Anna Marie moved to new business. She announced Patrick was the new Libertarian Party of FL’s new State Treasurer. As Patrick is a professional CPA, we’re confident the State Party sees his work, maintaining fiscal party soundness. We congratulated Patrick, on his business and honored a State Officer, is one of our chapter members.

7:48: Anna Marie spoke of her and James needing another break, from our local meetings. James Auto Center, is their full time business. Plus, their business doubles, as LPBC HQ. Their business increase, makes it harder, for them to plan meetings. However, we discussed party activities, to keep our local name going.

As new State Treasurer, Patrick can keep us going, at State recognition. The local farmers market offered giving us free booth space, on their monthly Saturday market operations. As I work in Saturday afternoons, I volunteered to run the booth, on those Saturdays. Also, I volunteered (weather permitting), continuing my weekly sign waving. I decided to keep the waving in Callaway, as we’ve built a Libertarian name foundation there. We could build on it, getting Bay County voters to check us out. The long-term plan, is them switching to the LP.

Finally, we agreed to take a summer break. This way, James and Anna Marie can focus on their business. Also, to celebrate our Nation’s birthday next month. Our next meeting, would occur in September. I made a motion to accept the plans; Joey seconded. Anna Marie called for a vote and passed unanimously.

7:50: Anna Marie called for a motion, to adjourn the meeting. James motioned and Joey seconded. She called for a vote and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.