Thank You! .....A new call to action...

Undoubtedly some of you are disappointed with the final results in our County Council at Large race.  But today is not the end of anything.  Today we celebrate the victory we've gained in educating at least 47% of Volusia County voters about the Real World Issues our County Council faces.  And today we congratulate ourselves and each other for all the hard work and heart that went into this job well-done!

WE DID IT!!!

She thought she had us beat in the primary, but she didn't.

She thought she could ignore forums and radio appearances, but she was wrong.

Joyce Cusack may have won this race by a very narrow margin, but Margie Patchett is not going anywhere.  In fact, it's more apparent than ever before that Margie Patchett and Volusia Tax Reform are leading the way, not only in Volusia County, but statewide in discovering and implementing the changes our communities need to better serve We The People.  And with Marco Rubio moving on to the US Senate, some of our ideas will even be traveling to Washington DC!

We look forward to continuing to work towards lower taxes, government efficiency and increased accountability from our elected officials, and we invite all of you to join in our efforts to improve our beautiful county.

If you're not already a member of Volusia Tax Reform, please take a moment to visit our website and sign up.
The best way to put Margie in office in 2012 is to start today.  We have 729 days until the next election – let's make each one count!
 
A MESSAGE FROM MARGIE

This isn't the end folks.  It's just the beginning.

It's important to realize that even though Joyce may have won the Vice Chair seat, we have gained amazing ground in the past seven months.  This was never about one race or one candidate.  This has always been and continues to be about true and lasting reform; changing the way that government does business and changing the way that the people respond to politics as usual.

If we roll over and walk away and abandon our goals and our principles, then we have lost.  But there is no reason to do that, today or ever.

Port Orange is looking to implement our ideas with their fire department.  The County made $24 million in cuts to their budget.  This election had record-breaking volunteer response and voter turn-out.

I don't know about you, but I would say we've made a pretty big difference so far, and that's a WIN in my book.

Volusia Tax Reform had approximately 10,000 members when we started, but in this election I received over 60,000 votes – that's 500% increase in visibility on the county stage.

So let's get to work!

You've all done a tremendous job rallying together during this election, attending forums and fundraisers, calling in to the radio stations and writing letters to newspaper editors.  Words do not exist to fully express my gratitude for all your hard work, positive energy and financial support.

And with this election out of the way, the pace will slow down – just a little bit.

But as the citizens of Volusia County, NOW is the time to show our elected officials that we are serious about accountability.  NOW is the time to become accountable ourselves for the future of our children and our grandchildren.  This is why we do it; not for ourselves, but for them; and they can't afford for us to give up.

The next two years promise to be very rewarding as we work together with the people we have just sent to Tallahassee and Washington as well as our County Council and new city leaders.  We must be present at City and County Council meetings.  We must continue to make our voices heard.

That's the great thing about this country.  Election Day isn't our only chance to participate in government – we can participate EVERY DAY.  And the when the people speak, our leaders listen.  They HAVE to listen, because every elected official knows that is where the true power lies – with We The People.  When we work together we can accomplish anything.

And in 2012 we'll get the votes we need to begin reforming government from the inside out.  But until then, there is still so much we can do together.
We all have a part to play.  Make sure you're a part of the team

Thank you.

Open Letter to Volusia County Citizens:

       As Executive Director of Volusia Tax Reform, our organization has been showing our elected officials how to get the job done for the past four years.  Four years ago we told the County Council that real estate was the cornerstone of our economy.  We told them that if they did not do the right thing and reduce the tax burden then our economy would go into a downward spiral. They have failed. They have not done it. Now, it is time for us to show them how to do it. One of the reasons I am running is due to the downturn in our economy many people are suffering, my husband and I included. I am a real estate paralegal and licensed title insurance agent. My husband is in construction and we own rental property. My family members have been hurt financially. Most of my very close friends are hurting financially. Just as thousands of Volusia County residents are suffering.

 I firmly believe this is a direct result of the addiction to spending by our local governments. Our businesses have suffered. Some have filed bankruptcy and thousands of others are on the verge of bankruptcy. My very close friends have worked their entire lives, myself included, and saved and now they have lost everything. Unfortunately, this is an all too common theme, not only in our county but across the nation. I firmly believe the only way to change this is from the ground up... and that is why I am running for Volusia County At Large Seat.

 It will not be an easy road but it has to be done. The citizens just cannot afford it anymore. There will be tough decisions ahead. Tough times call for tough measures. But I am prepared to make those decisions as this is our only option. The status quo is not acceptable, which is more businesses failing, more bankruptcies, more people leaving the county, more foreclosures and higher taxes. We need to reform local government from the bottom up and I MEAN REALLY REFORM.. NOT JUST TALK ABOUT IT, BUT ACTUALLY DO IT!

                         JOIN US IN TAKING OUR COUNTY BACK!