Republican Chairman Caught on Tape Strong-Arming Precinct Committeewoman

1. Gotta love technology. 😉

   https://soundcloud.com/cco-mole/130828_0005-wav/s-u8Q4R

2. Oh my God. Brenda is a proud American that believes in good public policy. I’m ashamed that Mr. Parke would treat her this way. This act is Un-American and I’m ashamed that I’m a member of the local GOP.

   I thought that the Republican party was founded on freedom of speech and open Government. This is shameful.

   Thank you Brenda for standing up for your God given rights.

3. This is horrible.

   Cheers to Brenda for standing up against the local Republican political fat cats.

4. Wayne,resign your post! With actions like that you are no longer needed in the repub organization.

   • Take bucshon with you .He is another worthless member of a do nothing congress.He doesn’t want to hear what the people have to say, doesn’t listen when they speak.Take him with you.

   • First thing I’ve ever agreed with you on, outside of the fact that I live your screen name of course.

5. Brenda,

   I can’t thank you enough for all the courage you have displayed over all these years. One of the best things that Roberts Stadium gave me was the chance to meet you and work with you on civic service. You hosted rallies in both the freezing cold and scorching heat, and you did it because you believed in Roberts & not because some party or some person told you to do so.

   I will never forget the day you argued the case for Roberts in front of the Parks Board. You stood up first and told the board about your rallies and why you were there. Then, Mr. Sherman Stevens, a retired Marine, stood up and told them about the 150 + yard signs he put he out in favor of Roberts (all funded out of his own pocket I may add).

   And then, I saw Mr. Parke stand up in favor of Winnecke’s plan. I’ve asked him a gazillion times on here to prove that the task force report was not rigged and what evidence from the report possessed him to take the stand at the meeting.

   He has not done so (Am I right on all this Wayne? Correct me if I’m wrong) only saying it was his opinion that demolition was the best option (Heck I could say it was my opinion that a 10,000 room hotel is best and not have any report to back it up) and that there’s only so much money for old buildings (Roberts would have used the Innkeepers anyways) even though he now supports a 37.5 mil hotel. I just don’t get it. It seems to me like Mr. Parke only supports projects his mayor supports even if he can’t explain them.

   I have no idea why someone would take time out of their schedule to stand in front of a parks board and support demolition when they cannot explain the very “report” the mayor, who Mr. Parke said he was supporting, supposedly based his decision on. And now, now we are back in the same situation with Mr. Parke telling Brenda to take down her post without explaining why it is acceptable for Bucshon to be hosting zero town hall meetings? This is unreal. Am I really seeing this?

   I’m going to be straight up honest with you Wayne, this just makes me sick to my stomach. I am so sick and tired of the scales being tipped against people like Brenda. I’m sick of seeing good people like Rick Davis run out of office over some goofy time clock situation that I’m still trying to make sense out of. I have no idea why you would stand behind the mayor’s jobs projection for the hotel when there is no report to back it up. I am shocked at how the city council meeting over the cemetery funding went. And, I’m tired of both your party and the other party not respecting free speech and free thought. Once more, am I seeing all this correctly Wayne? Help me out.

   Thank you Brenda for standing up to Carol when she called you to try to get you to support the mayors plan for Roberts, thank you for taking a stand for Roberts with the rallies, and now thank you for taking a stand against Bucshon’s refusal to host town hall meetings. You have my total and complete respect.

   • Ah yes, who can forget the photo in the Evansville Courier&Press where the local officials are standing around a stain on the floor at Roberts Stadium with expressions on their face one usually sees on the faces of people standing over a casket in a funeral home.

     I remember how contrived the photo looked. But hey, when you have the publisher of the local newspaper on your team you do things like that.

     ___

     • Got a link to that photo? I’d be interested to see who was in it.

       • http://media.courierpress.com/media/img/photos/2011/12/30/420111229231225001_t607.JPG

6. Parke demeans himself every time he opens his mouth, way beyond any disparaging remarks the “Peons” may articulate.

7. Since he left his phone # should everybody call him to explain their view on this?

   • Probably not a good idea, although his number is in the local directory.

     __

8. So let me get this straight… If you sign up to serve your party as a precinct committeeman/woman, you automatically sign away your right to political opinions and you give up the right to hold your congressman accountable??????

   Is this REALLY what the Republican party has become? This is why we have crooks who embed themselves in DC and are never held accountable for their actions.

   You should be ashamed Mr. Parke.

   • Democrats do that too. Hell, the vanderbirgh County Dems held a special meeting and swore allegiance to Winnecke because they were afraid Rick Davis wouldn’t keep the crookedness going. Pelosi turned Brad Ellsworth into her little beeatch and got him thrown out of office. Of all of the things wrong with America blind party loyalty is the worst. And yes Mr Parke is willing to cajole, demean, and intimidate to waste money in the name of party loyalty. That makes him no different than a yellow dog democrat.

   • It has become this. In the Republican National Convention when Mitt Romney and Ron Paul were sparing to become the next Republican Presidential nominee…the National Republican Party moved the Ron Paul supporters to the bake of the convention and out of the “spotlight” and even refused some of the delegates who supported Paul to vote on party matters.

     The Republican crony’s did not want it to appear as though there was a divide in the party. But there absolutely was.

     Here is a news article on the lawsuit that was filed against the Republican National Convention for violating federal law when they forced Ron Paul supporters to vote for Mitt Romney.

     Sounds like Wayne Parke is part of this same control group to me.

     http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/rnc-faces-suit-from-paul-backers-20120619

9. Not having public events…. Right. Get real people.

   https://www.facebook.com/RepLarryBucshon

   Aug 28 In Spencer, IN last night, we had a town hall with a lot of great input from the community.

   Joined groups from the energy industry to discuss the vital role Indiana plays in providing affordable, clean energy at our Energy Roundtable in Gibson County this morning.

   Aug 27 Toured North American Latex in Sullivan to discuss how the Affordable Care Act is causing uncertainty for their business.

   Had a great turnout out at our town hall in Clay City this afternoon. Thanks to everyone who joined us.

   Stopped by Clay City High School after our town hall this afternoon.

   Had a great time discussing healthcare, tax reform, the budget, and other important issues with the Rotary Club in Terre Haute.

   Met with Sullivan Mayor Clint Lamb this morning to discuss all the great things the city is doing.

   • I just spoke to Mrs. Bergwitz this morning about this and she said he didn’t hold these town hall meetings mentioned on his Facebook page until after she had gotten on him about it, and they are being held in tiny towns up north of here.

     She also pointed out that the Congressman wasn’t publicly posting any town hall events on his official website’s web calendar.

     • Don’t you mean Tiny Towns in his district? And those were meetings over the past two days.

       Congressman Bucshon has meetings all over his district with all kinds of groups. It is either an ignorant statement or an out right lie to say otherwise.

       As far as posting his events, I have seen them advertised in the media many times. If you want to see the man then attend one or just call his office and ask for an appointment.

       Chairman Parks is well within his rights to ask an official in the county GOP to remove an inflammatory and inaccurate posting. If you are a party official (and she is) then at least get it right if you are going to be critical.

       • Mr. Parke has a problem on his hands if he goes forward with his thinly veiled threat to remove Mrs. Bergwitz…

         She is prohibited from supporting candidates who are NOT Republicans openly, this is true, but, she is not prohibited from protesting on an issue before a primary deadline has passed.

         “Rule 1-6. Each and every member and officer of any Party Committee or Subcommittee shall be a true representative Republican, in good standing in the Party. If an individual openly supports a candidate after the Primary Election, who is opposing a Republican Candidate, they are not in good standing in the Party and may be removed for cause under Rules 3-22 and 3-23. (See Rule 1-8)”

         http://tinyurl.com/o3rhbvn

         • For that matter, according to this wording, a PC can openly support any candidate they choose before a Primary has passed. Period.

         • She’s not supporting a Republican primary challenger. She’s trying to damage a Republican officeholder in an off election year which can only benefit the Democrats and Obama. That’s not what Republican Precinct Committeeman should do. Think what you want about Mr. Parke, he’s right on asking her to stop and they have cause for removal. Personally, I wish she’d stop helping Democrats advance Obama Care and the Obama socialist agenda.

         • As an appointed PC, Brenda serves at the pleasure of the Chairman, granted; however, to forcibly remove a well-known and well-liked PC and activist like Brenda Bergwitz would be a severe mistake on Mr. Parke’s part, and I think he well knows that. That is why he hasn’t shown his face on this thread yet. He knows this is a dangerous political path to wander down. Pretty ill-considered, if you ask me – almost as ill-considered as his support on tearing down Roberts to build a dog park and a taxpayer funded hotel project.

           In fact, I propose we rename the Robert’s dog park in honor of Wayne’s contribution to the project and call it “Wayne Parke Dog Park”.

10. The entire month of August, there has been no town hall in Evansville, the largest city in District 8. Please don’t tell me you expect us to drive to “Clay City”, population 861, and try to fit into a restaurant to meet with our Rep. And scheduling office hours meetings for 15 minutes is not serving enough of the people. And by the way, since when have town halls become “listening sessions”? Could we also get answers? If you do not meet with as many constituents as possible, how can you possibly know how to represent us. Voters want a town hall in Evansville before the next crucial votes are taken in Congress.

11. Wayne Parrke needs to do us republicans a big favor by resigning his position right now.

12. Parke needs to resign soon as possible. I know Brenda and she is an outstanding person.

    Wayne Parke is nothing but a big political blow hard..

13. From GOP.com

    Our Party

    Economy

    We believe in the power and opportunity of America’s free-market economy. We believe in the importance of sensible business regulations that promote confidence in our economy among consumers, entrepreneurs and businesses alike. We oppose interventionist policies that put the federal government in control of industry and allow it to pick winners and losers in the marketplace.

    ___

    • The same holds true for State and Local governments Wayne.

      WE, as in taxpayers: ” We oppose interventionist policies that put the federal government in control of industry and allow it to pick winners and losers in the marketplace.”

      Ditto for Evansville, and ditto for the State of Indiana!

      ___

      • Until you understand and abide by you own party’s stated beliefs and goals, you have no business being the party chairman.

        __

        • Exactly. Indiana State Republican Platform expressly speaks against what Mr. Parke is advocating on the hotel issue.

          If Republicans are so intent upon acting like progressive, tax and spend liberals, why even have a “Republican Party” at all? Why not just paint our HQ purple and call ourselves “Democrats II: The Revenge”?

          This BS illusion of choice is getting old and I hope the PCs left in the local Republican machinery grab these reigns on this runaway chariot and steer it back on the proper course, because right now we’re looking like a bunch of the losers from Ben Hur.

14. Please join Brenda tomorrow (Friday) at noon in front of the Federal Building at 101 N.W. MLK Jr. Blvd. for her “Peaceful Protest”. Make signs and wear your shirts!

15. I respectfully disagree with most posters. As a Republican Precinct Committeeman, Ms. Bergwitz has the duty not to submarine the Republican candidates and office holders. She is unintentionally directly helping Weinzapfel or who ever the Democrats are going to run against Congressman Bucshon. That will help Obama Care ruin our healthcare system and further Obama’s liberal agenda ruining our Country. The same held true when Chairman Owen and Democratic Central Committee breached their duty and back stabbed Rick Davis after he won the Democrat mayoral primary. Anyone is free to have any position they want, but when you volunteer for positions in a political party you have to accept the duties that come with it including not openly helping the other party candidates.

    • I disagree. I realize what the Party rules state, but if an elected politician is shown to be in violation of the Party Platform, it should not be the duty of all Precinct Committeemen to support that politician regardless.

      Besides…for all you know at this stage, another primary challenger might step forward. Are all PCs STILL required to support Larry Bucshon in that case? No, they are not.

      If all PCs were required to unconditionally support ALL politicians flying under their banner, there could be no such thing as primaries at all.

      • Mr. Linzey, with all due respect, you missed the point. Ms. Bergwitz is free to support a challenger in a Republican primary, but as a Republican Precinct Committeeman she volunteered to accept a duty to support the primary winner and not openly help and support the other party candidate. That is exactly what the Democrat Central Committee did when they back stabbed Rick Davis after he won their primary. Here, Ms. Bergwitz is unintentionally (I hope) helping Weinzapfel, Weaver or whoever the Democrats run against the Republican candidate. If that is what she wants to do, she has the right to do so, but not also while “serving” as a Republican Precinct Committeeman.

        • Yes, she absolutely has the right to support whomever she chooses before the Primary has passed. The Republican Central Committee Rules are clear on this. She still qualifies as a “Republican in Good Standing”.

          “Rule 1-6. Each and every member and officer of any Party Committee or Subcommittee shall be a true representative Republican, in good standing in the Party. If an individual openly supports a candidate after the Primary Election, who is opposing a Republican Candidate, they are not in good standing in the Party and may be removed for cause under Rules 3-22 and 3-23. (See Rule 1-8)”

          http://tinyurl.com/o3rhbvn

        • Mr. Biden, if you want Republicans to loose local elections, this is exactly how you do it. Brand yourself “conservative” and then do exactly the opposite. Support government central planning, higher taxes, taxpayer bailouts, government intervention in the free market. The people instinctively knew consolidation was wrong, they know they didn’t need a new stadium, and they now know they don’t need a hotel that they have to subsidize for the rest of their lives that will ultimately fail also. Taxpayers now looking at major increases in sewer and water rates, I can go on and on… All of these are directly attributable to the new “fiscally restrained conservative” republican leadership…come on give me a break. Brenda’s protest doesn’t hold a candle to the damage being done by our current leadership. Republican leadership should be ashamed of themselves. They all fail basic economics 101.

    • On your point about the Democrats and their betrayal of a duly elected Mayoral candidate, this goes back to what I’ve always said about it being the responsibility of both the rank and file PCs AND the larger body of self-identified Party members to throw out people like Chairman Parke who go against the will of the voters and the Platform.

      Saying nothing is lending de facto support, which for someone principled like Mrs. Bergwitz is impossible.

    • I agree with you 100%. Brad, after speaking with you yesterday I thought that you had a smoking gun with Wayne’s fingerprints on it. Your evidence of strong arming has the offensive and stern words like “ask”, “please”, and “thanks”. How rude of Wayne! This is nothing more than a PC that cannot understand that she is fueling the election campaign of any potential opponents of Dr. Buschon. When her elected chairman tried to counsel her on her error, she behaved like a child. If I’m not in favor of something my elected official is doing I call their office or contact our party office to get the word to the official. A much better way for Ms. Bergwitz to handle it would have been for her to tell Wayne that the constituents are complaining and get the word to the congressman to have more townhall meetings.

16. President George Washington warned of the dangers of political parties. Chairman Parke is a modern day testament to the genius of our first President… the President who could have been King but abdicated for a Republic. Please Mr. Parke for this and other transgressions against the Republic please resign.

17. I think what most people are trying to say here is that “it is not my party right or wrong.”

    When the party is not even following their OWN stated beliefs, then there is a major problem that must be addressed.

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18. Still waiting for the big mouth and back room political wheeler and dealer Wayne Parke post something on this site about this subject.

    Whats wrong Parke did Brenda expose your political games to the public?

    Its time for you resign.

    • I consider this matter an internal Vanderburgh County Republican Party issue. When you accept and serve in the position of a Precinct Committeeman there are certain guidelines you are to follow. I will not be posting public responses on this matter even though many of the comments in the CCO are not correct.

      • Wayne:

        47% of the students enrolled in the EVSC are on free or reduced lunch.

        27.5 of the new proposed budget for the Evansville public Library is slated for debt service.

        Evansvillians have an EPA unfunded mandate hanging over their heads of hundreds of millions of dollars.

        I could go on and on but I know you understand the picture.

        You would have to be the most insensitive man on the planet if you do not recognize how asking taxpayers to give $37.5 million plus interest to a privately held business at this point in time makes you look, and you are the leader of the local Republican Party.

        It seems you will not take a stand on principal, because you are afraid of organized labor. Your party is not ever going to get labors vote so it is time for you to go back to the principals of your party so when this current house of cards comes tumbling down, as it must, someone will be there to pick up the pieces and make a new start down the right path.

        __

      • Can you at least post the guidelines?

        • You are such a kind thoughtful person who only states facts in their comments and never blows anything out of proportion. People are just falling all over themselves to do something for you.

          • I’ll take that as a “no”.

            Listen to me, Wayne… I suggest you listen good. I like you as a person. I think you are a good man outside of the political game, BUT, and this is a big BUT, I think politics has brought out the worst in you. I think it has corrupted your judgment, and has certainly corrupted your principles.

            The Republican Party should be an open and accepting Party with a big tent; however, when those foundational precepts of personal libertarianism, low taxes, private enterprise, and fiscal conservatism are compromised in the way you have compromised them, I would not be surprised if I am able to get half the PCs in the Party to write Letters to the Editor against your actions and against this latest boondoggle hotel plan I warned you you should stay neutral on.

            Your actions are damaging the Party. If it takes a few incisions to correct the tumor, then that’s what needs to be done now.

19. […] interesting story comes our way from the City County Observer blog by Brad Linzy. A Republican precinct committeewoman from Vanderburgh County was given a dressing down by her county… (R-Newburgh). According to Linzy’s article the issue is that Vanderburgh County Republican […]

20. This is why it will be a cold day in Hades before Republicans win another federal election. Conservatives are being attacked by RINOS and Liberals.

    Screw the Republicans. From now on I vote for the TEA Party Candidate.

    • Ron old boy–no Tea Party Candidate per se will likely be on any ballot by themselves. If Tea Party Candidate/s runs for an office, it would likely be on a Republican Ballot. Hang in there big guy.

      • Thanks for enlightening us on your esteemable wisdom of how the two party system works. However, I hope your aware that even Dem’s and Libertarians have been known to run under the RINO ticket. However, now we can expand it to include true conservatives as TEA Party candidates.

        • Ron–
          Tea Party people have always been allowed to run on the Repuiblican ticket. I do not know what you are talking about.

          • Hello everyone I wasn’t going to say anything but I well I have to you well problem think it a little boring buy for those of you that don’t no me I well share I am from W.Va. Maiden name Hatfield I joined the U.S.M.C. Fall of my senior year . My husband and my 6- brothers were in the Marines I had a brother in the Navy & a brother in the Army and my husbands brother was in the Navy reserves then our sons – John & Greg were in Army and our 2- son’s Nick retired last April 13-2012 has Master Chief with with 30 years Our son Charlie was in the Navy Our son Charlie was Killed in the C-130 plane crash Feb.6-1992 at Drurrys Inn. Here in Evansville In. The reason I am writing this is we the American people have got to Remember Freedom is not Free you might think it is but let us remember all the men & women Past & Present that have given their Life’s for Us to be Free and we at home should never take that for granted . Like I said when I went to holy hour this past Tuesday evening from 12-1a.m. I prayed about taking the poster down but I felt what I was doing was the right thing I was not trying to impress anyone everyone that knowers me they no what I stand for I would give my Life for my God,Country, the Constitution, I am Pro-Life, I believe in the Second Amendment I have my life time conceal carry gun permit and the Peaceful protest Rally in front of the Federal building because Congressman Dr.Larry Buschon was because he would not hold a town hall while he was home & House Speaker Boehner well be here in Evansville Friday Sept.6th. For a Fund raiser and we no what Boehner well try to do .to go along not with just Obama Care now it is also being called Boehner Care the People we elect no matter which what they have forgotten That we the People the Tax Payers pay their Salary We the People are their Employers They work for Us and it is Time that the American people in both parts wake Up thank you all for your thought & prayers during this time I really feel at peace at what I did God Bless Everyone and Have A safe and Blessed Labor day

    • Ron, you & people that think like you are the reason why Republicans have difficulty during the election. If a candidate does not walk lock and step with your way of thinking then they are useless. There is too much separation, infighting and cannibalism within our ranks. While the lesser of two evils is a horrible way to elect a representative, it’s a heck of a lot better than I won’t support the Republican candidate because I feel the need for vindication. We need to stand by our principles, but at the same time realize that we don’t know everything. When we think that we know everything, we stop growing. There’s a certain amount of immaturity that I see

21. in people when I have political discussions. It’s the same mentality of a kid that takes his ball away when the game is not going how they like. (sorry for the interrupted post. Smartphone problems

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