To My Fellow Republican Club Members,
The results of October 17th, 2023, Annual Meeting vote for the Club elected officers for 2024-2025 are in.
Meeting attendance was low, as expected, we could not compete with the Phillies’ NLCS game and the rather dark and dreary night.
In attendance were 13 Club members, 4 guests, along with 6 absentee ballots and an email from Second Vice-Chair Sally Haulman who was driving to Virginia, granting me as her proxy.
The 6 absentee ballots were from Club Treasurer Linda Radabaugh who had a conflict, Club Recording Secretary Bob White who was on a plane headed to Georgia, Club Communication Secretary Matt Wood who had a scheduling conflict, Executive Board Member Rita Clark who had scheduling conflict due to her role as South 3 Committeewoman, and Executive Board Member Bill Clark.
When it was noted that the meeting was being delayed a few minutes pending the arrival of the last nominee, Larry Borda; Jeff Hall-Gale indicated that Larry would not be attending, he was traveling on business.
As chairperson, I was the only elected Club officer present, so I get to write the minutes.
Three candidates running for office on November 7th were present, 2 of which had a county-level commitment in Bristol that was not on the County calendar when our annual meeting date was chosen; nonetheless, they took time to attend our meeting.
Jeff Hall-Gale introduced Pam Van Blunk, a former Club member when she and her husband, Hank, lived in the area until she was elected as the Bucks County Auditor in 2021.
Pam has been endorsed by the Bucks County Republican Committee to represent the Party as a candidate for Bucks County Commissioner.
Club member Peter Lachance, current Chairman of the LMT/ Y Republican Committee, introduced Club member and Committee Executive Jeff Hall-Gale who has been endorsed by the County Republican Committee as the Party’s representative for Bucks County Clerk of Courts. It should be noted that the Club has made contributions to Jeff’s campaign.
Last but certainly not least, Peter introduced Allen DePuy, locally endorsed candidate for a seat on the LMT Board of Supervisor. Again, the Club has made contributions to Allen’s campaign.
After the candidates had spoken, Pam and Hank left for their commitment in Bristol.
Prior to voting for the new Club Officers, the Club welcomed 2 new members: Nicole Mumme, a nominee for the Club Officer position as Second Vice-Chair, and Allen DePuy, the currently running for a seat on the LMT Board of Supervisors. Nicole brought a friend with her to the meeting.
We also had 2 Club membership renewals, Scott Ferrante, and Matthew Wood.
On to the vote to seat a new Club Board of Directors.
All nominees for the new Board of Directors were present except for Bob White and Matt Wood (previously noted above) and Larry Borda.
It was noted that Mr. Borda is not eligible to run for office as he is not currently a Club member.
As opposed to voting for all nominee’s with a show of hands as was done at the 2021 Annual Meeting at the Yardley Country Club, with the non-eligibility of the First Vice-Chair nominee, voting was conducted on a position-by-position basis. The results are as follows:
|
Position |
Nominees Elected |
Term |
|
Chair |
Jeff Hall-Gale |
2 years |
|
First Vice-Chair |
|
|
|
Second Vice Chair |
Nicole Mumme |
1 year to get back Article VII requirements. |
|
Treasurer |
Rich Radabaugh |
1 year to get back Article VII requirements so there is continuity between election of Chair and the Treasure for County periodic reporting requirements. |
|
Recording Secretary |
Bob White* |
2 years |
|
Communications Secretary |
Matt Wood |
2 years |
· Bob White agreed to fill this position until a full-time Recording Secretary could be seated.
It has been a painful 2 years for Club membership that has been caused by the intra-party agenda angling within the Republican Party at every level of government from the National level all the way down to the geographic reach of the LMT/ Y Republican Committee.
At every level, Republican Party members should remember that we are all Republicans with a basic set of ideals; set-aside the differences of opinion of how we should govern, come back together, and present a unified front.
The Lower Makefield Township/Yardley Republican Club is just exactly that, a Club of like minded individuals that can come together to enjoy each other’s company, talk about our Republican values, and support our local candidates.
Respectfully submitted,
Outgoing Chair
Rich Radabaugh
