The East Providence Republican City Committee will be hosting a multi-city GOP Presidential Candidate Signature Party and “Florida Primary” Straw Poll on Tuesday, January 31st. The event will be held at the Santa Maria Cultural Center (Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense), at 846 Broadway, in East Providence from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Registered voters who live in East Providence, Providence, Pawtucket, or Barrington are invited to stop by our FREE event to sign the nomination papers for all of the GOP candidates for President (Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, etc.). To get on the ballot in RI for the April 24th primary, each candidate must obtain at least 1,000 valid signatures by February 2nd. Please note that you are not required to be a Republican to sign the candidates’ nomination papers, just a currently registered voter.

Those attending may also “vote” for their favorite GOP presidential candidate in our Florida Primary Straw Poll ($1 per vote), as well as watch the results of the Florida Primary as they come in. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the candidates, local campaigns, and our city committee. Speakers include new RI Republican Party Chair Mark Zaccaria. There will be a cash bar, as well as complimentary snacks available. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact EPGOP Chair Bob Carlin at chair [at] epgop [dot] org or 345-6608.

The East Providence Republican City Committee will hold its biennial reorganization meeting on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Santa Maria Cultural Center, at 846 Broadway, in East Providence. Expect the meeting to run about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. A cash bar and refreshments will be available.

A more detailed agenda will be mailed out to current city committee members. However, you can expect it to include the following:

Recap of 2010 election results

Important revisions to the EPGOP bylaws

Nomination and Election of City Committee officers for 2011 – 2013 term.

Election of 5 Delegates and 5 Alternates to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee.

Appointment of additional city committee members

We also expect to hear brief presentations from some of the candidates who are running for RIGOP offices, for their elections to be held in March.

Any questions can be directed to EPGOP Chair Bob Carlin at chair [at] epgop [dot] org or 345-6608 or to myself. Thank you.

Congratulations to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney on his very convincing “win.” Here are the “official” results from the polling:

50.4% – Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
22% – Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
13% – Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
7% – EPGOP Treasurer Will Ricci *
3% – Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri
2% – Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
1.3% – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
1.3% – Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul

* Unbeknownst to him until after balloting has ended, Will was the recipient of some write-in votes. Will wants to make it very clear that he did not vote for himself, nor does he have any plans to run for president in 2012 or any year thereafter. However, he is flattered to have placed 4th, especially considering his much more well-known “competition.”

The East Providence Republican City Committee cordially invites all reform-minded citizens to attend its upcoming “Fantastic Fall Fundraiser,” which will be held on Thursday, November 5th, 2009, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 50 Crescent View Avenue in Riverside, from 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. It will feature catered Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres with a Cash Bar, a great Silent Auction, “The Very First” 2012 Presidential Straw Poll (vote rigging encouraged), as well as a top-notch Speaking Program.

Confirmed guest speakers include: Gov. Donald Carcieri, E.P. Assistant Mayor Robert Cusack, E.P. School Committee Vice-Chair Steven Santos, RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedesian, R.I. Congressional candidates John Loughlin and Mark Zaccaria, R.I. Tea Party Founder Colleen Conley, and R.I. Attorney General candidate Erik Wallin.

Tickets for this great event are affordably priced at only $25.00 per person or $40.00 per couple. R.I. Young Republicans can attend for $15.00. Children are FREE with a paying adult. If it is within your ability, please consider giving an additional contribution. To reserve your tickets today, please send your request and payment to: EPGOP, c/o 66 Merritt Road, Riverside, RI 02915. An RSVP form can be printed from our web site at http://epgop.org/rsvp/ . For planning purposes, your timely RSVP and payment in advance is greatly appreciated. For any inquiries, please contact EPGOP Chair Robert Carlin at 345-6608 or chair [at] epgop [dot] org or EPGOP Treasurer Will Ricci at treasurer [at] epgop [dot] org.

P.S. There will be a Special Election in House District 62 on December 29, 2009, a district which includes East Providence. Your early support will greatly aid our efforts to win this seat for the GOP!