Minutes. The chairman, Ward Mazzucco, called the meeting to order at 8 PM.

Minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved, with two changes. John Fagan was changed to Jon Fagan. The suggested annual donation should be paid by January 31 each year.

Gary Miyashiro presented the Treasurer's report. As of March 5, 2006, there was $4,567.61 in the treasury. Mr. Miyahiro noted that approximately 50% of the RTC had made donations, and Ward Mazzucco reminded the RTC that the RTC had voted to suggest a donation of $100.00 per member.

Election of Officers:

Ward Mazzuco announced that the RTC would elect new officers. He asked for nominations for Temporary Secretary. Lewis Brey was nominated and seconded to serve as Temporary Secretary. The motion passed unanimously.

Report from State Central:

The RTC heard a report from our representatives to the Republican State Central Committee - Spencer Brown and Gian-Carlo Peressutti. Mr. Brown and Mr. Peressutti discussed the creation of a strategic plan for the 26th Senatorial District. The first phase of the plan will include a poll taken of likely voters in the 26th spread among the seven (7) towns in the district. The second phase will include focus group meetings.

The Fall Election:

Ward Mazzucco discussed the various positions up for election in November, 2006. Mr. Mazzucco stated that John Stripp will run again, but that Hank Bielawa will likely not run again. Mr. Mazzucco urged anyone from Northern Redding who may be interested in running for Mr. Bielawa's seat to come forward.

Mr. Mazzucco announced that that he attended a fundraiser for Governor Rell in Easton with First Selectman Natalie Ketcham. He announced that Governor Rell will also have a fundraising event in Redding at a location to be announced.

Other Announcements:

Mr. Mazzucco announced that representatives from the Congressman Chris Shays' campaign were supposed to be at the RTC meeting, but could not come due to a last minute change in schedule. The Shays representatives will be at the next RTC meeting.

Tom Derderian announced that the Week in Washingtom program will be publicized over the next week or two.

Mr. Mazzucco stated that that vote for Chairman for the Region 9 Board of Education was very political and expressed concerns about the behavior of the democrats and the abilities of the newly elected chair. Ms. Ketcham stated that the Board of Selectman will fill vacancies on the Board, if necessary.

Committees:

Mr. Mazzucco announced the appointment of the Vacancy, Events/Finance, Publicity, and Campaign Committees. Mr. Mazzucco stressed that the committees should make maximum use of email to conduct business. He also urged that Events/Finance Committee to start raising funds.

Mr. Mazzucco stated that he does not anticipate any immediate vacancies to be addressed by the Vacancy Committee but urged the committee to look toward the next municipal election and begin the recruitment process.

A general discussion ensued regarding the need to focus on registration of residents as Republicans and noted the closing gap between Republicans and democrats. Ms. Ketcham stated that she could send a letter to new residents. There was also a suggestion that a second letter, focusing on Republican issues and goals, could be sent from the RTC.

Mr. Derderian suggested that the website could be regularly updated with photos and information and that a satisfactory system is in place to accomplish those updates if the photos and information were available.

A discussion also occurred surrounding the website and the need to build an email database. Concern was expressed that the democrats had built a system for contacting loyal voters by email, and that the RTC lacked that capacity. Various suggestions wee put forth including: (1) setting the website to capture emails of web users who choose to leave their email address; (2) considering the use of other lists available in the community; (3) direct mail and telephone solicitations to obtain emails; and (4) and an ad campaign asking for direct contact information.

Upcoming Conventions and Caucuses:

Mr. Mazzucco informed the RTC that the 4th Congressional District convention was scheduled for May 15, 2006, the 26th Senatorial District convention will take place on May 17, 2006, and that the conventions for State Assembly will be on May 16, 2005. It was not clear when the caucus for Judge of Probate would be held.

Report from First Selectman:

Ms. Ketcham informed the RTC that a public hearing of the Conservation Commission regarding the proposed River Bend project was to take place in Town Hall on March 7, 2006.

Ms. Ketcham stated that applications for the Gilbert & Bennett property would go before the Planning Commission and Zoning Commission at the same time and that she expected decisions by the end of April, 2006. She stated that demolitions should start soon after the decisions were rendered.

Ms. Ketcham stated that she was going to Washington, D.C. with representatives from the Georgetown Land Development group to seek $2,000,000 in funding to bury the utilities at the site. She would also be seeking $500,000 in funding from Homeland Security toward the construction of the Police Station in Georgetown.

Ms. Ketcham announced that the budget hearing before the Board of Finance would take place on March 9 in the community room at John Read Middle School. She also asked whether the RTC supported the abolition of the car tax. The sentiment was generally that we did support the elimination of the tax. Concern was expressed that the State may later impose a similar tax, but Ms. Ketcham argued that once it was gone, it would be difficult for the State to impose a new tax.

Request to Discuss Information Submitted by David Bohn:

Mr. Mazzucco announced that David Bohn (a guest) had emailed him and requested that the RTC discuss the study that Mr. Bohn had submitted to the RTC at its prior meeting. Discussion commenced regarding the worthiness of discussing the study and taking a position on the issues presented by the study. A motion was made and seconded to eliminate the issue from the discussion at the meeting and future meetings of the RTC and to leave it for RTC candidates for office and those interested in the study to discuss the issues on their own. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion of Formation of Executive Committee:

Mr. Derderian stated that he believed that an Executive Committee should meet to form goals for the upcoming year. He pointed out that the blueprint prepared by Andrea Cotton called for the formation of the Executive Committee. Mr. Mazzucco stated that he did not believe the Executive Committee should consist only of the four elected officers and there was some discussion of whether the chairs of the appointed committees should be included in the make-up of an Executive Committee. Mr. Mazzucco again stressed that much of the business of preparing an overall strategy could be done largely by email.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned by vote of the RTC at 10:01 p.m.