Letters From Steve Dean
Protocol for BCRC Meetings
We are growing and developing as the BCRC. Our meetings are running more smoothly each month. There are talented and qualified people who have recently joined the committee and we welcome their knowledge and skills. Together we’re becoming more equipped to accomplish our goals.
Those goals include electing Donald Trump, Hung Cao and Ben Cline, registering voters, raising funds and working toward a large voter turn-out. To accomplish this, we need to pull together and work as a team.
As a GOP committee we are not working to remove library books or recall supervisors. If those efforts are ongoing, they are being made by private groups. We were asked as a committee to contribute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the formation of a library foundation and that task has been completed. The memorandum is posted on the website and Facebook page if you’d like to read it. This issue is behind us and the BCRC must move on.
At our last meeting on July 15, we had several instances of what I would call inappropriate behavior. There were times when some of the members were speaking over others and even raising voices in anger.
There has been a learning curve for me and I have tried to allow open discussion but this is not working and I simply cannot tolerate that kind of behavior if we are going to have productive meetings. It takes up valuable time and is not helpful.
According to BCRC bylaws, these meetings MUST follow Roberts Rules of Order. That means before anyone speaks, they must be recognized by the Chairman. They then must speak on the subject that has been approved by the agenda, or in the case of new business has been approved by the Chairman. No other subjects will be discussed.
Going forward I will insist that we follow the agenda closely and run our meetings according to Roberts Rules. We all need to cooperate by following the agenda and speaking only when recognized by the chair. I realize we all have issues we’re concerned with, but if they are not on the agenda they can only be brought up under New Business, and then only when recognized by the chair.
If your topic is considered to be outside the scope or aim of this committee we will move to the next item. We cannot conduct business with 4 or 5 people speaking (or shouting) at once, thus I ask that you refrain from having private conversations during the meeting.
Should you wish to speak you must hold up your hand, say Mr. Chairmen I would like to speak about the “subject” at hand.
Only after you are recognized by the Chairman and given permission to speak, please come to the front so everyone can hear you.
There will be no impromptu comments, there will be no interrupting those speakers that have been recognized and no subject will be discussed has not been approved.
If there are interruptions, I will ask that person to cease. If it happens a second time, I will ask that person to leave the meeting. You must show respect for our fellow members and not speak unless you are called on.
At our next meeting in August, please come prepared to be cooperative in this effort.
We are averaging 75 at our meetings which is great. There are also 75 different personalities, emotions and opinions. But, we have too much to accomplish to waste our meeting time with futile interjections. We need to be unified in purpose and we all have to be team players if we are to continue to be successful as a committee. We have elections to win!
I appreciate your continued support of the BCRC.
Steve DeanChairman – BCRC
Supreme Court Rulings
Committee Members:
Two great victories at the United States Supreme Court!
Fischer v. United States
The US Supreme Court on Friday delivered a devastating blow to Biden’s corrupt Justice Department and overturned the obstruction charge used to jail hundreds of January 6 defendants.
Biden’s corrupt DOJ charged more than 300 J6ers with 18 USC §1512(c)(2). Additionally, two of the four charges against Trump in Jack Smith’s DC case are conspiracy to obstruct so the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday torpedoed the special counsel’s case against Trump as well.
The Supreme Court earlier this year heard oral arguments in Fischer v. United States and at issue was statute 18 USC §1512(c)(2):
Loper Bright Enterprises et al. v. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, et al
The court overturned the Chevron law which gave the administrative state unlimited powers and the Fisher won his case which vacated many of the J6 convictions.
n a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has overturned the long-standing Chevron doctrine, fundamentally altering the balance of power between the judiciary and federal agencies.
The ruling, which came in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises et al. v. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, et al., marks a significant shift in the balance of power between the branches of government.
The Chevron doctrine, established in the 1984 case Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, has long been a source of contention. It granted deference to federal agencies in interpreting ambiguous statutes, effectively allowing unelected bureaucrats to make laws through their regulatory actions.
However, by a 6-3 majority, the SCOTUS has now declared that such power is unconstitutional and goes against the principles of democratic governance.
Committee members and Botetourt citizens. we are winning this country back, and we are winning in the County. Come an join us as we help to move the County, State and Country back to Faith, Family and Freedom!
Everyone needs to get involved!
Steve Dean
Chairman BCRC
May 26th Letter to the BOS
Letter written to the Board of Supervisors on May 26, 2024
To the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors,
We, the members of the Botetourt County Republican Committee, convey our concern with the change in real estate values which has resulted from the most recent assessments which will dramatically raise real estate taxes for the citizens of this county. Our citizens are struggling with rising costs every day from the grocery store to gas prices and many families are unable to keep up. Sometimes there arises a disconnect between citizens of the County who are trying to make ends meet and the concerns and focus of the Board toward costs, improvements, and projects needed in the County. We feel that disconnect is creating serious concerns with the real needs of the people.
As the Board debates the tax rate to be implemented, we are concerned the Board will maintain the present rate or increase the assessed tax rate of $.79 cents per $100.00 of value, which is assessed at 100% of the fair market value. These new tax assessments have shockingly raised property values, and in some cases raised them over 100%. The recent assessments are alarming in and of themselves, but it’s coupled with your determination of how it will be taxed. We feel the tax rate per $100.00 of value needs to be reduced to at least $.60 cents per $100.00 of
value which will offset this crippling tax increase from these recent tax assessments. Please factor our concerns into your debate.
It would also be helpful, and we feel strongly about implementing a zero-based budget! Allocation of costs toward programs which never succeed or are under implemented leave the county funding unnecessary projects which should be eliminated or reduced. This unnecessarily inflates the budget for the county. Sometimes the old saying needs to be heeded, “It’s not how
much you make, it’s what you do – with what you make.
We strongly request you implement these changes for the good of all the citizens of the County!
Thank you for your attention in the matter.
Respectfully,
Stephen M Dean
Chairman, Botetourt County Republican Committee
Botetourt County Republican Committee 