Friday, June 29, 2007

Georgia's Esther Clark is NewCRNC Treasurer Candidate

The NewCRNC Campaign announced today that Georgia's Ester Clark will replace Mike Miltenberger as their candidate for CRNC Treasurer. Clark is in her first term as CR State Chairman in Georgia.

Miltenberger dropped out earlier this week after his home state of Massachusetts rescinded its endorsement of Charlie Smith and removed Miltenberger from its list of delegates to the National Convention.

Florida Endorses Cottrell

The Florida College Republicans today endorsed Kristy Cottrell of the NewCRNC campaign for Southern Caucus Chairman.

David Stevens, the Federation's Chairman, stated, "On behalf of the Executive Board of the Florida Federation of College Republicans, let me be the first to commend Kristy for her exemplary leadership at the chapter, state, and national levels of College Republicans. No one is more worthy or qualified for the post."

Cottrell is in her first term as Chairman of the Alabama College Republicans.

Burris Responds to Mississippi Matter

Today, candidate for CRNC Southern Caucus Chairman John Burris responded to what has become to be known as "The Mississippi Matter." Burris only sent his email to the Southern Caucus, but CRNC World News has obtained a copy of it.

Burris stated, "While there are many lessons to be learned from the events that unfolded in Mississippi, I believe one key lesson that was clear throughout, and that is the importance of having an independent representative for the Southern Caucus. Jessica continues to lead her state federation because there were people who were willing to help."

Burris also shyed away from the national commotion that has taken place as of late. Burris stated, "In closing, I would like to say that this release was only sent the states of the Southern Caucus. I believe the issues addressed here are best suited for that forum. Other issues on the national scene seem to cloud the events that truly matter here."

Earlier this week, MS CR Chairman Jessica Westbrook had called on the NewCRNC Campaign team to quit tampering with her delegates. Former NewCRNC Campaign Manager Ethan Eilon responded that "Neither Kristy Cottrell nor any member of the New CRNC team contacted any Mississippi College Republican other than yourself in regard to the Southern Caucus elections."

However, Westbrook later produced emails from inside Mississippi where one delegate claimed to have been contacted by "some girl" regarding the Southern Caucus elections. Kristy Cottrell has since denied that she personally had any involvement in the alleged tampering.

Westbrook also produced an instant message conversation with Nick Micarelli, NewCRNC candidate for National Co-Chairman, in which Micarelli attempted to coax Westbrook into voting for Cottrell. After Westbrook refused, Micarelli stated, "to hell with you."

After Westbrook's first email, former MS CR Chairman Natalie Cole attempted to have Westbrook impeached, an attempt that failed. Later, Cole asserted that she was the true State Chairman in MS and ordered a state convention be called for August. Cole has since backed off of this assertion. Westbrook later noted that Cole was a NewCRNC supporter and questioned whether this was an attempt to cause confusion as to who truly represented Mississippi at the National Convention.

Note that Burris' email was not posted on TruthCaucus.com

Siler Responds to Miltenberger's Charges

In an email released earlier today, Ohio CR Chairman Brian Siler responded to NE Caucus Chairman and former NewCRNC candidate for National Treasurer Mike Miltenberger.

Miltenberger had acused Ohio's Brian Siler of deceitful campaign tactics and and money laundering. In his statement, Miltenberger said, "Brian has claimed, on video, to have raised over $200,000 dollars for Ohio CRs, yet they have never registered with the FEC or the Ohio Secretary of State as a group involved in elections. Where did he launder the money if he truly had it? No one knows, and Brian refuses to answer."

In today's response, Siler asserted that the OFCR had indeed raised the money in question. He claimed the reason for not filing was because the OFCR's finances were a part of the Ohio Republican Party's finances. Siler stated, "We did not file with the Ohio Secretary of State or the Federal Election Commission because all of our finances and filing go through the Ohio Republican Party. To assert that I laundered money is ridiculous and completely out of line."

Miltenberger also acused John Plecnik of being the intellect behind Siler's supposed "shadow campaign of deceit." Plecnik is a former North Carolina College Republican who now works in New York as an attorney.

In response, Siler denied this claim, stating, "I have never met, spoken to, e-mailed, mailed, telegraphed, pony expressed or otherwise communicated in any way with John Plecnik in my entire life."

Miltenberger also acused former Missourri State Chairman Taylor Burks of making "slanderous phone calls into numerous statefederations".

Siler responded by stating, "The Missouri Federation of College Republicans elected him unanimously in April because of his strong leadership in carrying his federation forward after the past chairman resigned. Taylor was a fine chairman and should not have been impeached. I am sure that Taylor will tell his story in full."

This comes on the heels of accusations earlier this week that the NewCRNC campaign team engaged in a plot to force Mississippi College Republican State Chairman Jessica Westbrook to vote for Kristy Cottrell, NewCRNC candidate for Southern Caucus Chairman. When Westbrook refused, the NewCRNC allegedly organized a failed impeachment attempt to remove her from office.

New York Out, Indiana In

Today, The New York College Republican Executive Board rescinded its endorsement of the NewCRNC team, including candidate for Chairman Charlie Smith.

Citing "recent developments," the NYCRs stated, "it has become clear that the so-called “New CRNC” is nothing more than a repositioning of the deck chairs of the current administration and their continuous corrupt practices."

In response, the NewCRNC released the endorsement of the Indiana College Republicans.

Indiana stated, "We believe that Charlie Smith’s bold vision and innovative ideas will help make the CRNC stronger than ever before. Charlie will be a great chairman of the CRNC and will represent our organization with dignity and class. Indiana also believes that Justin Smith will make an excellent Regional Vice-Chair for the Midwest. Justin has great experience with national politics, and his knowledge of the national amendments will help better the CRNC organization."

Charlie Smith Calls for Gourley's Resignation (Thursday, June 28, 2007)

Shortly after the CRNC Executive Board announced it was investigating alleged Christmas bonuses for Chairman Paul Gourley and former Executive Director Amanda Hydro, NewCRNC candidate for chairman Charlie Smith called for Gourley's resignation.

In a statement, Smith said, "I am appalled to learn that Paul Gourley and Amanda Hydro abused the trust placed in them by College Republicans around America by taking enormous bonuses without the approval or even knowledge of the other national officers and in direct conflict with the budget passed by the National Board. I believe that was unethical, inappropriate and wrong. Paul’s actions are a disgrace to his office, especially since he hasn’t been there for the last six months. I urge him to take the honorable course and resign, so that we can spare this organization the calls for impeachment."



View the statement here: http://www.newcrnc.org/newcrnclatestnews.html

SHOCKER -- CRNC Executive Board Investigating Chairman Gourley

The acusations of criminal activity continue today. In a shocking announcement, the members of the CRNC Executive Board (except the Chairman) today accused CRNC Chairman Paul Gourley of awarding himself and former CRNC Executive Director Amanda Hydro Christmas bonuses of 14,408.32 each.

The Executive Board stated, "This expenditure was neither outlined in the approved budget for salaries, nor was it approved by the National Officers." The CRNC Constitution requires that expenditures over $5,000 and not in the yearly budget be approved by the CRNC Executive Board.

Rumors had circulated for weeks that former CRNC Executive Director and NewCRNC Campaign Manager had uncovered something drastic at the CRNC headquarters. However, he had refused to comment on the matter.

One CRNC observer noted, "This undoubtedly helps the NewCRNC Campaign shift the focus away from the Mississippi matter. One has to wonder if NewCRNC new about this and was sitting on it until the right time."


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Dear Members of the National Board,

According to our current CRNC staff, led by Ethan Eilon, it has come to our attention on the balance sheets that Amanda Hydro gave both herself and Paul Gourley Christmas bonuses valuing $14,408.32 each.This expenditure was neither outlined in the approved budget for salaries, nor was it approved by the National Officers.

We are disappointed that this decision was made without our knowledge. We will continue to look into this matter, particularly Hydro’s term, and we do not condone these actions.
In an effort to be completely transparent about the CRNC’s finances, we will continue to update you on our findings.


Sincerely

Jess Beeson, National Co-Chairman
Nat Harding, First Vice Chairman
Britton Alexander, Second Vice Chairman
Dan Schuberth, Secretary
Tom Robins, Treasurer