Free Republic 3rd Qtr 2024 Fundraising Target: $81,000 | Receipts & Pledges to-date: $65,048 | |||
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Woo hoo!! And we're now over 80%!! Thank you all very much!! God bless. |
Posted on 04/01/2004 12:32:54 PM PST by Jim Robinson
Woo hoo!! Are you ready for another FReepathon!?
It's time once more for us to raise the funds that are necessary to keep Free Republic on the air.
People have asked me if the $60,000 settlement with the City of Fresno means we won't have to have a fundraiser this time. Well, I wish it could be so, but, unfortunately, it's not.
First of all, we did not actually receive $60,000. After legal fees, mediation fees and other expenses directly related to the suit, we netted approximately $34,000. Of that, we distributed over $10,000 to the members of the Fresno Chapter who were in business and their businesses suffered due to the city's libel and also to the members who met with us regularly on a weekly basis. Then, due to the fact that the city was late with their press release and no media picked it up, we paid approximately $2,000 to run ads in several valley papers announcing the city's retraction.
The approximately $22,000 left over will be used in our operations. We plan to use about $4,000 to upgrade our equipment and $10,000 or more will go for taxes. I plan to use part of the balance to beef up our insurance coverage and also will look into a health insurance plan. The remainder will be used for travel and other expenses. I still hope to visit as many chapters as I possibly can over the next year or so, but obviously won't be doing so in a motor home (you had to have been there to get the inside joke). We'll be traveling in our trusty old FReepermobile van. She's an 11 year old Mercury Villager with 150,000 miles, but she's got good rubber, purrs like a kitten and is pretty good on gas.
So, as it turns out, the settlement has strengthened Free Republic and also has strengthened the conservative position in the City of Fresno. As a result of our suit, the controversial loony peacenik chair person of the Fresno City Human Relations Commission who committed the libel against us and has also caused much turmoil within the city and the city council has resigned "to pursue other interests." Also, the loony liberal President of the Fresno City Council who made some ridiculous comments belittling the suit and the settlement in the Fresno Bee was voted out of office just a couple months later.
So, as I've said before, the settlement is a win, win, win position. It's a win for Free Republic, a win for the City of Fresno, and, ultimately, a win for the taxpayers.
At any rate, we thank all of you who participate on Free Republic and support our efforts and we look forward to another exciting election cycle.
Hope to see y'all either on our road trip and or at the Free Republic George W. Bush Inaugural Ball II in January!!
Go GWB!!
It's just my way of returning something for all that this Great Land has done for me.
I came from a Great, yet not "poor family" and yet, by no means "Rich".
(But, WE Did have a richness, The Richness of our Family and of the American Spirit.)
(My Wonderful Grandmother used to say,"Being 'Poor' is a state of mind, Not of 'Pocketbook". The "so called poor" will always be with us, as the Bible says...They are "poor in spirit only.)
In our family, there was a "belief". That belief was (And Still is, In my opinion, at least), That here in America WE Can do Anything we set our minds to.
I came from a small texas farm/ranch. I went to school. I worked in the fields after school (back when school really taught things.....(like how to spell; You're welcome....instead of the present day "your welcome" LOL! What is that? Your Welcome...as opposed to what? "My Welcome" LOL)
How ere it was, I "learned". I studied. I worked.
(It was not easy. It was never easy. I achieved success in and of the American way)
I went to college. I learned. (That was back when one could learn in a college, Not now, unfortunatly....it seems)
And Now! I am over 60 years of age. I have a good bank account. In another year, I shall draw Social Security. I have lived and realized the True American Dream.
It is done with "Hard Work".
Nothing More, Nothing Less.
Most everyone on this forum knows that.
(If Not, they should)
I like to "Give Something Back Too"
(Unlike the "Liberals....Damn 'em all)
I'll "Give it back to the Right People)
(Pun Intended J )
My consience drowned years ago. In a vat of whisky. Many folks fought to save it - but it fought them valiently off.
So my max is $400, if someone will match. You got $200, right?
Happy Birthday Brad's Gramma!!
Who needs pictures of women when you've got these guys!!
*HUGS*
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