Opinion By Samuel Strait – February 17, 2022 I attended the most recent local Republican Central Committee meeting to gauge how effective they were as a political group. I'd been told that the group consisted of mostly RINO's (Republican's in Name Only) who did not stand for much of what the Republican Party tells it's adherents it stands for. I came away with the impression that there are a lot of insubstantial characters that make up the Central Committee of the local Republicans and not a whole lot of adherence to core principals of what it means to be a Republican. In a few words, it was a lot like watching a group of people standing on the railroad tracks, discussing whether or not to get off of them before the next train sliced and diced them. While the meeting itself ran more or less like a regular public meeting, some of it consisted of listening to a short list of statewide aspirants to public office, of which only one bothered to make an appearance albeit remotely. At that point the public was asked to make their public comments. We were instructed to make comments on any item NOT ON THE AGENDA, and reserve those comments for items on the agenda when the item came up. Sounds good so far… The meeting proceeded through the typical items found in all public meetings, opening ceremony, minutes, Chairman's report, committee reports, and correspondence, pretty dry stuff. Continued business, I presume from previous meetings, talked mostly about up coming events, training, bemoaning the fact that the community didn't seem interested in joining, and the run up to the Spring Primary, mostly dates and forums designed to get a take on candidates and issues. "NEW" BUSINESS The "New" business consisted of discussion of Measure "R" repeal and a yearly dinner. Measure R being the 1% sales tax increase for the County passed in 2020. The Measure "R" discussion was delayed until after the final item on the agenda, Other Business and the Republican Women's next meeting announcement. What was interesting about the Measure "R" discussion was an attempt, mostly successful to limit the discussion to the members of the Central Committee only. Remember the instruction by Chair Karen Sanders during the opening "Public Comments" section of the meeting. All public comment on Measure "R" was to wait for the Agenda item to make their public comments. DIDN'T HAPPEN….. The discussion by the Central Committee, revealed just how far many in the local group has strayed from advertised "Republican" principals, if they ever had them in the first place. They clearly did not comprehend why the sales tax hike in Measure"R" was being disputed. I am not sure exactly what it was about two previous meetings of the group being presented with the reasons why Measure"R" should be repealed that they didn't understand. Another tax on an already taxed to the hilt population? Disconnect? Ignorance? Lack of Knowledge that made the issue understandable? What was clear was a desire for Chris Howard to present to the group " his side" of the issue and arranged for that to happen. Having just listened to Chris Howard and Neal Lopez lie without effort and repeatedly in an hour long meeting about Measure "R" with representatives from the Crescent City Times last Thursday about the County's intentions with the Measure "R" funds, I am not sure that would be of benefit to the group. Then again I suspect there is not much of an up side with the local Republican Central Committee and many of the attendees. For all the fanfare, as one participant noted, the meeting was excruciating and equivalent to watching paint dry. No wonder so many people have abandoned the major political parties. It would be nice to count on a political party which stands for no taxes and limited government to actually adhere to its principals rather than dithering around making excuses for government and their insatiable need for MORE MONEY. Are you listening Republican Central Committee? If "public safety" was already the "priority" of the local government why is it incessantly necessary to constantly lobby for "MORE MONEY?" Particularly when "MORE MONEY" means only that the next time government is feeling the pinch, the "go to argument" for MORE MONEY is that it is necessary to provide appropriate levels of police, firemen, and emergency services. The problem is, that grift never seems to be satisfied…..And services do not improve when more money is approved. Will wonders never cease. The forty five minutes to respond to my house hasn't changed in nearly fifty years, but the Sheriff's Office has grown significantly. Outlying areas remain under served. How has anything really changed during that length of time other than the size of the budgets of police, fire districts, and emergency services? When will the local Republicans realize government can't be Del Norte County's only economy?