Teri Newman is running as a Republican for the 12th Congressional race against longtime congressman Jerry Costello.

The party is receiving a lot of request for information about Teri Newman and are very upset with Costello’s votes in the United States House of Representatives.

You can visit Teri Newman’s website at http://www.terinewman.com or email her at teridavisnewman@aol.com.

By Ed Cockrell, Republican Candidate for St. Clair County Assessor

(Ed Cockrell of New Athens is chair of the St. Clair County Board Finance Committee and the Republican candidate for County Assessor in the November 2^nd general election.)

If anyone wants to know what St. Clair County residents think about anything, all you have to do is ask. I did, and more than 1,000 concerned citizens answered.

Earlier this summer, I held a series of 15 public forums in communities large and small throughout St. Clair County so that I could hear first-hand what taxpayers have on their minds, and — no surprise — it’s 40 years of mis-treatment and unfair tax assessments.

Many people were surprised that they could check all residential assessments at http://www.co.st-clair.il.us/Departments/Assessor+Department/parcel.htm.

People Are Tired Of ‘Business As Usual For 40 Years’

The most common concerns expressed are, first, St. Clair County citizens clearly are ready to pay their fair share of taxes, but they wonder about the fairness of individual tax bills, and, second, they are tired of the “business as usual for 40 years” attitude in the County Assessor’s Office.

Many of the people who took the time to attend a forum clearly are confused, some are upset and most feel used because of what they perceive as wide-spread over-assessment coupled with an apparent inconsistent approach to property assessment. That’s topped-off by a lack of communication from the current Assessor’s Office.

People feel that similar homes in the same neighborhood seem to be assessed at widely different values while other homes are assessed as if the property had no buildings or improvements.

After listening to these many taxpayers, it’s obvious that several underlying factors are causing these concerns and doubts, including especially the sad 40-year tradition of St. Clair County leaders of ignoring state law which requires that each residential property be properly assessed every four years.

We Must Have Consistent Standards

But the problem is deeper than failing to follow the law, it’s the lack of consistent standards for the employees of the Assessor’s Office so that comparable homes have comparable assessed values, without the need to resort to some type of multiplier system.

The more basic problem, then, is a series of bad habits brought on by a lack of management – including the failure to spot-check assessments – over the last 40 years.

The solution is to break the tradition of electing the same old group’s same old type of “go along to get along” assessor and to elect a person who will make a real difference, a person who understands the details of the law and who has the maturity and experience to manage people, resources and technology.

Our country was founded by fighting for the principle of fair taxes for all. By assessing all property fairly and consistently, each of us can be confident that we’re doing our fair share to support our local governmental units, public safety services and school districts.

That’s something all Americans have agreed on for more than 230 years.

Source: http://www.gop.gov/blog/10/08/11/graph-democrats-job-agenda-revealed

The Republican Party will be at the St. Clair County Fair from August 10 through August 14. It is at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds in Belleville, IL. The fair is open from 6pm until 10pm, Tuesday through Friday and 2pm until 10pm Saturday.

If you can volunteer to be at our booth to support Republican candidates, please send us an email to chairman@stclairgop.org.

Ed Cockrell, Republican Candidate for Assessor, has scheduled a series of property tax forums throughout the county. He has already held two and they have been very successful. Below is a schedule of upcoming forums. Also, please read the BND Editorial Published on June 10.

All meetings are at 7pm. Feel free to attend any meeting that is convenient for you, regardless of where you live:
read more…

The Belleville Shriner’s Parade was held on Friday evening and the St Clair County Republican Party had a beautifully, patriotic decorated float with many Republican marchers. Several candidates for election marched in the parade and included Robert Enriquez, Secretary of State; Teri Newman, 12th Congressional District; Ed Cockrell, County Assessor; Stephen McArthur, County Sheriff; and Bill Brady (represented by Wes Gozia, Metro East Coordinator. Pictures of the marchers and float can be seen in the slide show. It was a long, hot parade, but everyone enjoyed it very much. Over 6,000 pieces of candy wrapped in Republican logo paper with “Proud American” and “Proud Republican” printed on it. Other mixed candy was handed out as well. The Republican message for St Clair County got out that We Are Back and We Are Strong. Thanks a ton to all those who helped, especially our Young Republicans from Belleville East HS Alex Davis, Evelyn and Melinda. A great conservative way to start the summer of events off with a bang.

Join the St. Clair County Republican Party on Facebook and Twitter. Links to sign up are below. After you join our fan page, please invite your friends and family to join too!

“I am disappointed the Democrats have passed this flawed and unconstitutional healthcare bill that will ruin our healthcare system, bankrupt our future generations and does nothing to guarantee innocent life will be protected. Over 16,500 new IRS employees will be hired to enforce this mandate on the American people and it dramatically expands government control in all of our personal lives. The Republican Party will continue to fight for smaller government, fiscal responsibility and the protection of innocent life.”

Jon McLean, Chairman
St. Clair County Republican Party
(888) SCC-GOP4
chairman@stclairgop.org

On Saturday March 20, 2010 a special training and orientation was held for newly elected Republican Precinct Committeemen. Also in attendance were seasoned committeemen and prospective committeemen who are considering becoming committeemen or helpers. The training covered the role of precinct committeeman and methods they can use to get help from their constituency. Valuable information was distributed in the form of brochures and pamphlets about election judges, pollwatchers, deputy registrars and other functions. Following the training many attendees stayed for lunch at Fischer’s and another opportunity to formulate ideas and connections for the forthcoming election year. It was a great session and hopefully more will follow in the future.