Minutes of the October 16, 2004 meeting of the Tampa Chapter SAR

President Tetrick called the meeting to order at 12:00. Chaplain Jim Washburn offered the invocation. Jack Bolen led the pledge to the flag and the president the pledge to the SAR.

Members present: Dwight Tetrick, Rodney Stebbins, Allen Bell, Marty Miller, Jim Washburn, Jack Bolen, Ed Neugaard, Walter Lane, Joe Hill, Robert Yarnell, and Kevin Yarnell.

Welcome guests: Billie Washburn and June Bolen.

The SAR membership approved the minutes of the September meeting as published in the newsletter.

The president reported on the status of the Liberty Tree. We are waiting to hear from the Tampa Parks and Receation Department about a location.

The president reported a slate of nominations for the chapter officers in 2005.

Elected Positions:

President Jack Bolen

Vice President Ed Neugaard

Secretary / Treasurer Kevin Yarnell

Newsletter Editor Rodney Stebbins, Sr.

Appointed Positions:

Chaplain Jim Washburn

Registrar Dwight Tetrick

Historian Robert S. Yarnell

Sergeant at Arms Allen Bell

Surgeon Walter Lane, Jr.

Archives Kevin Yarnell

CAR Liaison Robert S. Yarnell

DAR Liaison Dwight Tetrick

Knight Essay Contest Kevin Yarnell

Law Enforcement& Ed Neugaard

Fire Safety

Liberty Tree Dwight Tetrick

Medals & Awards Dwight Tetrick

Senior ROTC Dwight Tetrick

Junior ROTC Kevin Yarnell

Elections will be held in November. Nominations from the floor will be taken at that time.

The meeting recessed for lunch.

The secretary reminded the membership that the annual dues will be due by Dec. 15^th. He also gave a brief report from the state Board of Management Meeting held in Lakeland this same weekend. He highlighted the new push at the state level to provide judges for local school history fairs. Bob Yarnell, being more familiar with history fairs, provided more details.

The treasurer reported a current balance of $2,109.12.

The president reconvened the meeting and asked Jack Bolen to introduce the speaker. He introduced Bob Yarnell who spoke on the original meaning of the Constitution.

He began by reminding the membership that the founding fathers intended the House and Senate for different purposes. House members were elected directly by the people and therefore represented the people. The Senate was originally elected by the state legislators and therefore represented the states. After the 19^th amendment the people have two voices and the states none. These may not always be a good thing.

Bob then gave several examples where the constitution was not properly followed due to ignorance or lack of understanding. Recent Presidents, for example, have imposed tariffs, often to political advantage, which is a power given to the congress in section 8 of the constitution.

Another area of misunderstanding is the checks and balances on the judiciary. We often see judges as having the final say on issues and this isn’t truly the case. There are three separate checks against the abuse of judicial power.

He concluded with additional examples and a brief question and answer session. The membership found the talk quite interesting.

The 50/50 drawing was won by Ed Neugaard. The treasury was thus enriched by $7.00.

President Tetrick led the recessional and Chaplain Washburn benediction. The meeting adjourned at 1:44 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Yarnell

Chapter Secretary