Running for US Congress; District 5
My US Representative, Ginny Brown-Waite, is an embarrassment. Yes, I blog about grown-up toys, among other issues, and still feel comfortable issuing such a charge.
Ginny makes me cringe and long for someone to come along and boot her ass out of Washington. Perhaps one of these men is the answer to my prayers. (Wow. That's a sentence previously reserved for Chris Cornell or Jack Black. Well. Desperate times call for desperate measures.)
I don't know much about these two cats - yet - but I will list what I like and allow you to make up your own minds. I know. Blogger of the year.
John Russell has something in common with me, Dave Andreychuk, and Jim Kelly. He's lived in Buffalo, New York! That's right baby - a Buffalo boy. Russell used to be a nurse and seems to devote a lot of space on his site to health care. Finally, a politician who knows something about which he speaks.
Rick Penberthy has been a teacher for over twenty years and won awards for educational excellence. Score! As a result, he has great ideas about education and ways it should improve. He lives on a ranch. Well. I won't hold that against him.
I will continue to educate myself and you in the months to come. Hopefully the best man will win the primary and restore some decency to Congress. Wesley Chapel, District 5, and Washington need a breath of fresh air.
posted by kate @ 5:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I've met John Russell on several occasions, and like the guy quite a bit. He would light a fire in the House, and would make a great representative for the district.
Now if we can get someone to challenge Adam Putnam here...
Thanks for your post!
Rick Penberthy volunteered to serve his country three times, first as an 18 year old in the US Army, then in Florida in the US Naval Reserves, and finally for the past 23 years teaching in Florida Public Schools. His life has been dedicated to public service.
You can visit Rick's site at www.RickForCongress.com
Here are a few newspaper endorsments from the last primary. both current candidates applied for these endorsments, Rick is the only current candidate to be endorsed:
Citrus County Chronicle ('04) "Without question, Penberthy, the only lifelong Democrat in the race, is best prepared to challenge U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite in the general election. " Read In Full
The Tampa Tribune ('04) "One candidate stands out … Rick Penberthy, 50, of Wesley Chapel. His background, life experiences and 20 years as an educator make him the most knowledgeable about issues of importance in the district, which is home to more than 100,000 military retirees. His is a truly grassroots campaign." Read In Full
St. Petersburg Times ('04) "...Penberthy's unassuming determination and down-to-earth grasp of the issues facing voters...makes him best." Read In Full
Hernando Today ('04) "Penberthy of Wesley Chapel...has the most statesmanlike approach and is the most impressive in the way he describes his platform."Read In Full
Lakeland Ledger ('04) "He's the only candidate in the race who's a military veteran with active-duty experience. ...(he) has the best understanding and articulates well thought out positions."
Ocala Star Banner ('04) "He understands the critical issues facing our country and offers clear ideas on how to enact them."
Furthermore, we are posting citizen endorsments up on our website, here is an especially touching one...
“I have known Mr. Rick Penberthy for 6 years now – he has been my teacher, my mentor, and my friend.
In High School, he was a favorite teacher of mine, as well as of countless other students, for his ability to talk to each of us on a personal, yet professional level. He cares about each of his students, whether they are high or low performers; he does his best to model his passion for his job and his country to his students.
I can not communicate enough in how many ways Mr. Penberthy has positively affected my life, and those of people around him. As my teacher, Academic Team coach, and informal mentor, Mr. Penberthy inspired me with his absolute passion for democracy and freedom, study and the pursuit of goals, and above all, his desire to work to make America a better place. He has instilled these values in me, throughout our friendship; it was no surprise to anyone when he announced to us, rather humbly, that he was going to run for Congress. It was inspired by him that I myself have chosen in college to study Social Politics, indescribably led by his example.
In the six years we’ve known each other, and in the two since Mr. Penberthy announced his intent to seek office, I have always known him to be a hard-working, caring man, of his family and friends (and his farm); I can honestly not name to you a better man to stand as a representative of the American Citizen and the American Dream. In his work, and in his advice, Mr. Penberthy has been a guiding light to me and my own social and political conscience, and an archetype of a decent person.
I have every faith that, when elected, Mr. Rick Penberthy will serve his constituency with every bit of leadership, with every bit of dignity, and most importantly, with every bit of empathy that he has showed for decades, and continues to show to this day, to his students.”
-Joshua Michael Reed
Hope to see great continued coverage on District 5!
-kc
Post a Comment
<< Home