Chairman Kidd opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

Baylor Reinhart led the invocation.

Chairman Kidd led the Pledge to the American Flag and the Republican Creed.

Debbie Rittenhouse read the Minutes of the January 12, 2004, meeting. Baylor Reinhart made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Emil Kilianski seconded. Motion carried.

Bob Meyer gave the Treasurer’s Report. He stated that we have a $3,525 balance. He also stated that we were over budget for printing by $300, and asked for a motion to amend the revised budget and move monies to cover this cost. A motion was made by Don Morton and seconded by Kevin Willis. The motion carried. A copy of the Report and the Revised Budget is attached.

Don Morton, Chairman of the Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers:
1st Vice Chair – Baylor Reinhart
2nd Vice Chair – Kirt Doersch
Recording Secretary – Debbie Rittenhouse
Correspondence Secretary – Esther Kilianski
Treasurer – Bob Meyer
The floor was open to other nominations. There being none, a motion was made to close nominations. The motion passed. Larry Hutner made a motion to accept the slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee. Bob Schwarz made the second and the motion passed.

Chairman Kidd reappointed all past Precinct Captains, except Mr. Haney.

OLD BUSINESS

Chairman Kidd noted that phone calling is still needed. The goal is to use the NFS offices sometime in April to do a phone banking.

Chairman, Kirt Doersch, gave the By-laws Committee Report. His recommendation was that we implement the by-laws in two phases. Phase I being that the officer’s position definitions take effect at the next Committee meeting, and that Phase II be implemented at the beginning of our new year starting March 1, 2005. Mr. Doersch volunteered to go over the by-laws one-on-one with anyone that is interested.

NEW BUSINESS

14 new members were voted in, bringing our total to 114 members. It was noted that this time last year we had 117. Chairman Kidd stated that her goal was for 50 more members this year. She asked that we all help in the phone banking and that maybe we could reach this goal by July.

Kirt Doersch stated that we currently have 1,751 people in our database. Our Committee membership (114) is broken down as follows:
5 Columbia
7 Palmyra
15 Fork Union
29 Cunningham
58 Rivanna

The Virgil Goode fundraiser dinner is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, at the Fluvanna Middle School. Hernandez Catering will be providing the meal. The cost is $25 per person and a sign up sheet for sponsors was passed around.

Chairman Kidd wanted to review the Republican Committee’s goals for this year. They are as follows:
1) Raise $5,000 for Virgil Goode’s campaign
2) Carry big in Fluvanna for Goode and Bush in November
3) Raise $3,000 for candidates at our Annual BBQ Rally to be held on October 16
4) Develop a working list that we can use to get out the vote for our candidates on Election Day. Major phone banking will be needed in April
5) Increase our membership by 50 people with mailing and phone calling
6) Work Old Farm Days, which will take place on October 2 this year
7) Work the Scottsville Parade with Virgil Goode on July 4
8) Have a Candidates Breakfast for Virgil at Mulligans. Nothing has been confirmed at this time.

A flyer (attached) regarding the General Assembly debate on the budget was sent to us by Delegate Rob Bell. Chairman Kidd passed out post cards to anyone who wanted to send a thank you to Rob Bell for his stand, and to Senator Frank Ruff encouraging him to go with the House Budget.

It was suggested that the Committee make up a Resolution stating that we do not agree with Governor Warner’s or the Senate’s budget proposal. The Resolution will state that we agree with the House’s proposal and ask that all Republicans get on board. The motion was made by Reese Belk and seconded by Doug Johnson. It was noted that copies would be sent to Frank Ruff, Rob Bell and Watkins Abbitt. A suggestion was also made that it be distributed to the local newspapers.

Delegate Rob Bell was on the agenda as one of our guest speakers for the night. Due to illness he was unable to attend.

Our second speaker was Dr. Tom Smith, Superintendent of Fluvanna Public Schools. Dr. Smith presented the School Board’s controversial budget. There was much discussion.

A motion was made and a second to adjourn.