May 2023 Chairman’s Notes
“People ask me about if, being a Republican, you guys want to cut everything and stop everything and not help people. I find that patently false.” – Senator Tim Scott
I’ve been hearing this recently because of our successful fight against the Largest Tax Increase in Stafford History. And not to say that Senator Scott didn’t go far enough, but I think that is a blatant and willful lie. You can see more details below, but the Republican plan (which passed 5-2) provided a $16.2 million increase to the Schools Budget – the single largest increase in Stafford history. This is the 3rd year in a row that the Republican plan gave the largest increase in Stafford history to the schools – with our schools getting ever larger increases each year.
Don’t believe the lies that Republicans don’t care about schools, or children, or teachers. You can believe what you want about Democrat plans that just might bankrupt a significant percentage of neighbors, families, and friends.
You cannot tax your way to prosperity – unless you are the king. And we threw off royalty in 1776. The Supervisors are exploring new ways to generate revenue without just piling it up on the backs of property owners, but they are severely hampered by the state legislature about what they can do. They are have been working with Governor Youngkin and our local legislators to find solutions.
Which brings me nicely into our Candidate Forum on Monday. Instead of our regularly scheduled May meeting, we will have a Candidate Forum with those seeking the Republican nominations for Stafford Treasurer, for the 27th Senate district, for the 29th Senate district, and for the 65th Delegate district. More details are below, and I hope to see you there.
NEXT STAFFORD GOP MEETING
We will not hold an official meeting in May. Stay tuned for details about June.
CANDIDATE FORUM
We have invited all of our candidates in contested primaries to participate in the Stafford GOP Candidate Forum on Monday, May 8 at 6:30pm at the Falmouth Fire Station at 250 Butler Rd in Southern Stafford. The forum is being co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg City GOP, the Prince William County GOP, and the Spotsylvania County GOP. Come out to hear our candidates, what they stand for, and how they plan to represent you!
- Tara Durant – State Senate District 27
- Matt Strickland – State Senate District 27
- Nikki Baldwin– State Senate District 29
- Maria Martin – State Senate District 29
- Lee Peters – House of Delegates District 65
- Michael Kasey – House of Delegates District 65
- Heather Mitchell – Stafford County Treasurer
- Mike Sienkowski – Stafford County Treasurer
STAFFORD COUNTY BUDGET
The following is the message that was sent out by Stafford County about the FY2024 Budget, tax rates, and CIP:
Stafford’s Board of Supervisors adopted its Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and
Fiscal Year 2024–33 Capital Improvement Program. The FY2024 Budget
takes effect on July 1, 2023, and includes a real estate tax rate of $0.93 and
a motor vehicles personal property tax rate of $5.49 ($2.745 effective rate).
Before this meeting, the Board of Supervisors did vote to advertise the real
estate tax rate at $1.145.
The Board of Supervisors provided a $16.2 million increase to the School
budget, the largest increase in history. The increase includes a 5% percent
pay raise for all school employees. The Budget also includes several
enhancements to public safety, such as one new fire crew, six new deputies
for the Sheriff’s Office, 11 school protection officers and a Homeland Security
investigator.
The FY24 Budget goes into effect on July 1, 2023. The new tax rates are
based on a calendar year and will be in effect starting with the June 2023
payments. New Utilities fees also go into effect beginning July 1, 2023.
All information on the FY2024 Budget may be found at
www.staffordcountyva.gov/budget. The Adopted Budget will be published
before July 1, 2023.
2023 ELECTIONS
The county is looking for more poll workers (Election Officials). With the increased number of precincts, and a county-wide primary, they need our help. The best way to ensure election integrity is by having Republicans in every precinct actually running the elections. If you’d like to sign up, or for more information, go here. If you can’t commit all day, then make sure you sign up with the party to help in a poll greeter role.
SPEAKER SERIES
This month, our Speaker Series welcomes Maureen Siegmund who represents Garrisonville on the School Board. The event is, as always, on the 4th Monday of the month, May 22 at 6:30pm at the Porter Library, 2001 Parkway Boulevard. More information below or at this link.
I am always amazed at the ease with which people tell lies, or convince themselves of things which aren’t true. People get ideas into their heads and refuse to let them go. Research shows that people, when shown evidence that contradicts their beliefs, will become more entrenched rather than reconsider. I think this is doubly true when we look at the media, most of our universities, our entrenched “elites” who run most of our institutions. Public trust of our institutions is at historic lows. And for good reason. They blatantly tell lies, then when caught tell you the next lie – that they said the truth all along. We have much hard work as we seek to unspool their lies and take back our society. But there’s nobody I would rather be on this journey with than all of you.
In Freedom,
Chairman
April 2023 Chairman’s Notes
March 2023 Chairman’s Notes
February 2023 Chairman’s Notes
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
– Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States
NEXT STAFFORD GOP MEETING
We will hold our next meeting on Monday, February 13 at 7pm at the Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant, 752 Warrenton Rd. Fredericksburg. The official call is below. If you wish to become a member, or renew a lapsed membership, you can enter your information and pay the dues here. We’re asking everyone to try to sit by Magisterial District – we’ll need to do some things by district in the meeting, so it will be easier if they’re already together. Come Early – Order Food and Drinks – Support Our Local Businesses
STUDENTS FOR LIFE ACTION
Thank you to Les Gabriel who forwarded me information about Students for Life Action targeting Representative Abigail Spanberger because of her vote against the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 26). They are asking for small donations to help support these students who are engaged in this campaign. Donations can be made here: https://studentsforlifeaction.givingfuel.com/sflactionpizza?registrants.source=hf®istrants.messageid=230202
17 ELECTIONS IN 2023
We will have 17 elected offices to fill in Stafford County this coming November. Many of our incumbents are running for re-election. We have some new names and faces putting themselves out there. And we’re still seeking individuals who may want to be Republican candidates in upcoming elections. If you or someone you know may be interested in running for office, please reply to this email so we can set up a time to talk. An up-to-date list of this year’s elections can be found at our website: https://staffordgop.com/2023-elections/ We will update this page regularly with new information about the process and candidates.
SPEAKER SERIES
We will hold our next SCRC Speaker Series event on Monday, February 27 at 6:30pm at the Porter Library at 2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford, VA 22554.
IMPORTANT COMMITTEE BUSINESS
At our meeting on Monday, we will choose the method of nomination for eight of the upcoming elections, we will consider our annual budget, and start preparing to fully support our Republican candidates to secure victories in November. More information on these items will be sent to our Members’ distribution list. If you are a current member and haven’t been receiving our Members’ distribution emails, please reply to this message and let me know. We’ll get it sorted out.
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
December 2022 Chairman’s Notes
“Let the light of millions of candles in American homes give notice that the light of freedom is not going to be extinguished. We are blessed with a freedom and abundance denied to so many. Let those candles remind us that these blessings bring with them a solid obligation, an obligation to the God who guides us, an obligation to the heritage of liberty and dignity handed down to us by our forefathers and an obligation to the children of the world, whose future will be shaped by the way we live our lives today. ” ―Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States, in his 1981 Christmas Address to the nation
We will not hold an official meeting in December. Our next official meeting will be on January 9, 2023. Information (including our location) will go out before the meeting.
SCRC CHRISTMAS PARTY
We will hold our annual Christmas Party on Monday, December 19 at 6:30pm located at Augustine North Community Center, located at 201 Monument Dr, Stafford, VA 22554. Thank you to Adela Bertoldi for securing the location for us. This party will be a pot luck affair – so bring something for everyone to enjoy! I will send out more detailed information as we get closer.
2023 Stafford County Elections
As you are aware, we will have 17 elections in Stafford County in 2023. All of the Constitutional offices are up for election, as are the state legislature seats and Supervisor and School Board seats in three of the districts. We will post information about each of these elections at https://staffordgop.com/2023-elections/ as we proceed. Information for candidates is already available at the Virginia Department of Elections website: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/candidate-bulletins/ It is our responsibility to decide how our nominees are selected. In the coming weeks I will share information about that process as we move toward making those decisions in the new year.
God bless us, everyone!
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
November 2022 Chairman’s Notes
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” ―Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States
As you know, we did not win the 7th Congressional District. Yesli did carry Stafford County – so our RED LINE held. But it was not enough to overcome the numbers out of Prince William County. When I spoke with Yesli, she said how grateful she was to everyone in Stafford who worked so hard over the past few months. She said we should proud of our work, and keep up our determination in the future.
We must persist – we must redouble our efforts and continue to charge into the fray. As we look at next year, there will be 17 elections in all or part of Stafford County. Most candidates will announce their intentions in January. All of them will need our help. And we will need our friends, our family, our neighbors, and anyone else we can find to help us. We must show persistence and determination in carrying out the RPV Creed, getting our candidates elected, and ensuring that Stafford and Virginia move in a more conservative direction.
We will hold our next Speaker Series event this Saturday, November 19 at 9:30a at Porter Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd. Our speaker this month with be Aquia Supervisor Monica Gary. Join us as we engage with one of our local supervisors!!GET INVOLVED
How can you get more involved? How can you donate to the Stafford GOP? How do you know what events are coming up? Head to our website at StaffordGOP.com and follow the links at the top of the page.Persistence. Determination. These are our words. Stand strong. Face the right direction and move forward. Hold the line. Extend the line.
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
October 2022 Chairman’s Notes
3 Weeks to Win with Yesli Vega!!!!
“The Democrat Party that I joined—the party of JFK and MLK, Big Tent inclusivity, and fought for free speech, civil liberties — that Party no longer exists. It is now under the complete control of a warmongering, elitist cabal. That is why I left, and why I ask you to join me.” – Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard
We have three weeks left. Vote! Get your friends and family to the polls – either early voting at the Government Center, or on Election Day at your their precinct. Stafford is the key to the new 7tth District – and you are the key to winning Stafford. Whoever works hardest will win Stafford. And we’ve seen the Democrats campaigning all over the county – at early voting, at festivals and fairs, and everywhere else they can be. We’ve been all those places as well, and we’re ahead, but we can’t let up now. We need to fight hard for the next three weeks!!
Election Volunteers
Seeking Poll Greeters, Poll Watchers, and Poll Workers for Election Day. If you want to volunteer to work on Election Integrity inside, please get in touch with John Roy, our Director of Election Integrity at [email protected]. If you want to volunteer to work on greeting voters outside, please get in touch with Charles Sterne, our 1st Vice Chairman, at [email protected] to sign up for times, or for more information.
Funds Needed
As always, you can find out more about events and updates at out website https://staffordgop.com
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
September 2022 Chairman’s Notes
“The Constitution is the sole source and guaranty of national freedom.” – Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States
I believe in the Constitution. I believe in the ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence, which take form in the Constitution to create our federal government. The Constitution was not perfect when written – and still is not perfect. But as President Coolidge said almost 100 years ago upon being nominated for President by the Republican party, it serves as “the sole source and guaranty of national freedom.”
We must fight for it, because if we don’t, no one else will.
SEPTEMBER MEETING
We will be holding our September meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month. The meeting will be held in person on Monday, September 12th at 7pm at the Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy.
I’ll be sending out more information in the coming days about helping Yesli Vega, about the great work of our task forces, about volunteering for early voting, for Election Day, and for other activities. Stay tuned, get more involved, and fight for the Constitution – fight for freedom.
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
August 2022 Chairman’s Notes
“Take a good, long, honest, positive look at what good can come out of every situation you’re in. Wherever you are, that’s where you are. You’re there with it. This is your history you’re living right now. So do what you can to make the most of what comes along. And please, don’t try to do everything on your own. There are a lot of people out there in the universe who wish you well and want to be your friend. Let them help you. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.” – Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Astronaut
Buzz is 100% right – there are a lot of people wishing you well, who want to help you, who will happily help you carry your burden just as you would offer to help to carry theirs. We work together as members of a community. Our community is based on certain principles that we share. And we work to get our candidates elected. We share our story with the community at the fair or get involved in other ways. We donate funds to help achieve our goals, or will even join (or re-join) the Stafford Republican Party.
You are not alone!
LIBRARY TASK FORCE
The Library Task Force has asked me to share this library survey with the membership. Please fill it out so that our voice is heard!
AUGUST MEETING
We will be holding our August meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month. The meeting will be held in person on Monday, August 8th at 7pm at the Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy.
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman
July 2022 Chairman’s Notes
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” – Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States
I’ll keep this message brief. We must fight for freedom. We must protect it. And we must hand it down to the next generation. We do this by teaching our children. We do this by electing men and women who share those values – like Yesli Vega, our nominee for the 7th Congressional District. We do it by building up institutions who can carry that banner forward – like the Stafford GOP. And we do it by fighting those who would be happy to tell their children’s children how they were able to tear it all down. Join us!!
JULY MEETING
We will be holding our July meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month. The meeting will be held in person on Monday, July 11th at 7pm at the Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy.
In Freedom,
Tony DeTora
Chairman