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Palin paying off, officials say: Speaking fee already more than covered by ticket sales
The Hanford Sentinel ^ | April 30, 2011 | Seth Nidever

Posted on 04/30/2011 12:45:23 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

West Hills College Lemoore officials say they invited Sarah Palin to speak to make money for the school, and it's working out as planned - even with the $115,000 fee they're paying for her upcoming speech on Sunday.

"That's the bottom line," said Frances Squire, marketing director for West Hills Community College District. "We're raising funds ... and so we wanted somebody we knew would sell tickets."

WHCL officials say they recouped the $115,000 just a few weeks after they announced that Palin was coming to kick off the grand opening of their new Golden Eagle Arena. At this point, they've sold $180,000 to $185,000 in tickets, with more than 1,000 seats still available. All the profits from the event will go to support scholarships, programs and facilities at WHCL.

"Basically, the state is upside down economically, and we need to do everything we can to raise funds," said Don Warkentin, WHCL president.

The speaker's fee came from the West Hills College Community Foundation and didn't involve taxpayer money, Squire said.

Some local residents have vowed to stage a protest Sunday against Palin, the controversial former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate.

Most people responding to a Sentinel Facebook question were opposed to Palin's fee.

Said Michael Quinn: "[It] won't be any of my money. I have already seen her comedy act twice. Once on SNL and the other time at the GOP convention of '08 ... oh and that interview with Katie Couric. Now THAT was funny."

"If people wish to waste their money to hear Ms. Palin speak, that is their business; however, as an educational institution West Hills should not be promoting someone who, by abandoning her professional responsibilities and by regularly spouting misinformation and lies, sets a poor example to those students who wish to actually improve their lives by working hard to educate themselves with facts and knowledge," said Scott Tucker, a frequent commentator on the Sentinel website.

But many current and former Kings County residents don't have a problem with her appearing at the college and being paid the hefty fee.

"Most speakers get paid in that range," said Hanford resident John Bartlett. "I have no problem with it, and it's not coming out of state funds. Basically, the people that want to go see her are paying the freight. I wish I could have been there, but I can't."

"[Palin] speaks to a certain segment of society," said Alan Garner, a former Hanford resident who produces television shows in Los Angeles. "If they want to go and listen to her speak, more power to them. I don't think it's all that controversial, especially for the Central Valley."

A Sentinel website poll with about 130 responses found 18 percent planning to attend the speech, 71 saying they wouldn't show up and another 11 percent saying they planned to be there Sunday, but only to protest.

Officials say they have sold 27 sponsorship packages costing $5,000 that give the buyers choice seats at Sunday's speech plus dinner and a photo-op with Palin afterward.

Officials asked Palin to compare California and Alaska in her speech, Squire said. They've also asked her to speak about water policy affecting the San Joaquin Valley.

"We wanted [Palin] to learn about local water issues," Squire said.

Palin is the first in a series of speakers at the arena that will include former first lady Laura Bush in September.

Officials say they aren't worried that there will be negative feedback from Palin's appearance. In fact, just the opposite. They say they're pleased by the results so far.

"It's quite frankly putting West Hills College Lemoore in the map," Warkentin said.


TOPICS: Education; Local News; Politics
KEYWORDS: california; cashingin; communitycollege; lemoore; palin; sarahpalin; speakerscircuit
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Imagine that: A "washed-up", "has-been", "moron" is drawing thousands of paying guests just to hear her speak.
1 posted on 04/30/2011 12:45:31 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
At least she didn't create a phony scam called Global Warming, create and invest in a Carbon Credit Exchange to cheat & hurt American businesses.
2 posted on 04/30/2011 12:51:38 PM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

>>Officials say they have sold 27 sponsorship packages costing $5,000 that give the buyers choice seats at Sunday’s speech plus dinner and a photo-op with Palin afterward. <<

vs $36,000/plate for the rich, brain-dead Obamatons just to hear more BS and lies from the left coast fundraiser by the golfer in chief.


3 posted on 04/30/2011 12:52:32 PM PDT by max americana (FUBO)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Sounds to me like a lot of moonbats are just jealous of the ‘controversial’ Gov Palin. If Sarah can make 115K for one speech then she obviously has something to say that people want to hear.
4 posted on 04/30/2011 12:57:34 PM PDT by JPG (Sarah Palin talks and people listen.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
For balance they can invite noted professor Bill Ayres to speak on: "Direct action against a police station".

The local leftists will climb the fence to get in to see that, but I doubt they would pay admission.

Still, the disadvantaged could probably be admitted free.

I suggest Ayres start his talk with: "Now wait until you get home, then....."

5 posted on 04/30/2011 1:05:31 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (Sarah and the Conservatives will rock your world.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

If it wasn’t for San Joaquin valley and Kings County being mentioned in the article, I would’ve thought it was Hanford, Washington. Even going to the link wasn’t helpful.

Next time PLEASE remember to put the name of the state at the top of the article. For example:

(Hanford CA) West Hills College Lemoore officials say...


6 posted on 04/30/2011 1:05:46 PM PDT by SatinDoll (NOT FOREIGN NATIONALS AS OUR PRESIDENT)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Imagine that: A "washed-up", "has-been", "moron" is drawing thousands of paying guests just to hear her speak.

LOL, In a whiny little liberal voice "But, but the Palins shouldn't be allowed to make any money, it's just wrong".

7 posted on 04/30/2011 1:06:13 PM PDT by The Cajun (Palin, Bachmann, Free Republic, Mark Levin, Rush, Hannity......Nuff said.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

the democrats are turning green with envy. Or is it greener


8 posted on 04/30/2011 1:10:42 PM PDT by goat granny
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Imagine that: A "washed-up", "has-been", "moron" is drawing thousands of paying guests just to hear her speak.
Not to mention that relatively speaking, Lemoore and Hanford are in the middle of nowhere between Fresno and...nowhere.

Given it's proximity to Fresno (home of FreeRepublic) I'm surprised there are still tickets available.

9 posted on 04/30/2011 1:29:00 PM PDT by lewislynn ( What does the global warming movement and the Fairtax movement have in commom? Misinformation)
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To: The Cajun

10 posted on 04/30/2011 1:30:05 PM PDT by ROTB (Sans Christian revival, we are government slaves, or nuked by China/Russia when we revolt.)
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To: ROTB
Sad, but so true.
Think times are changing though.
11 posted on 04/30/2011 1:34:01 PM PDT by The Cajun (Palin, Bachmann, Free Republic, Mark Levin, Rush, Hannity......Nuff said.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I got to hear Palin speech for free at a tea party in Phoenix. I did not even know she was going to be there.


12 posted on 04/30/2011 1:47:03 PM PDT by Nateman (If liberals are not screaming you are doing it wrong!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I got to hear Palin speech for free at a tea party in Phoenix. I did not even know she was going to be there.


13 posted on 04/30/2011 1:47:13 PM PDT by Nateman (If liberals are not screaming you are doing it wrong!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
What's not to like?


14 posted on 04/30/2011 2:06:33 PM PDT by hattend (How much do you have to invest in the future before you've spent it and no longer have one? - Steyn)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Right on, and what did she draw on a snowy afternoon in Madison a couple of weeks ago? 14,000 people showed up to here someone whose time has passed, and who America hates so bad she can never be elected.
Yeah...Right! LOL


15 posted on 04/30/2011 2:31:52 PM PDT by rikkir (I had to show my college transcripts to get my job, why doesn't the imposter in chief have to?)
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To: rikkir

I hope she runs... have always said she is Ronald Reagan in a skirt...First saw her on the Larry Kudlow show


16 posted on 04/30/2011 2:41:47 PM PDT by Hojczyk
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"If people wish to waste their money to hear Ms. Palin speak, that is their business; however, as an educational institution West Hills should not be promoting someone who, by abandoning her professional responsibilities and by regularly spouting misinformation and lies, sets a poor example to those students who wish to actually improve their lives by working hard to educate themselves with facts and knowledge," said Scott Tucker, a frequent commentator on the Sentinel website.

"I'd have no problem with the freak show in the White House showing up, though" he added.

17 posted on 04/30/2011 2:42:38 PM PDT by hattend (How much do you have to invest in the future before you've spent it and no longer have one? - Steyn)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Isn’t Lemoore a Navy town?


18 posted on 04/30/2011 2:44:07 PM PDT by hattend (How much do you have to invest in the future before you've spent it and no longer have one? - Steyn)
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To: Hojczyk

I am working towards that end. A lot of us believe she will, and that speaking engagements like these encourage her.
The biggest issue I believe she is grappling with, if there is any, and it’s not just timing, is the family issue. If there is anything that gives Sarah pause about running for President, it’s the toll it will take on the family, especially Trig, and Todd.
She’s not even announced and look at the disgusting things being said about that baby. She’s developed a thick skin, and the ability to throw the attacks back in their face, but I know based on everything I have read about her as a person, she would lay down her life for a member of her family, and she cares much more about them than she does anything else.
I say Todd’s already convinced her to run. He’s her true north on the compass.


19 posted on 04/30/2011 3:02:11 PM PDT by rikkir (I had to show my college transcripts to get my job, why doesn't the imposter in chief have to?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

One of the reasons the elites don’t like her is that when she walks in the door, she sucks up all the oxygen in the room. The elites can’t even breath to speak.

A great attribute for a President in my book.


20 posted on 04/30/2011 4:01:25 PM PDT by texmexis best
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