After a number of years since my years with the Orange County Republican Executive Committee, I was voted into the Marion County version. A big thank you to all of those who voted me in. Now for the hard part – Working to get big wins in November!

Above is Lewis Dinkins, who is the current Republican State Committeeman.

Guess what I did today?

This is Angie Boynton, who is in charge of the Ocala Republican Womens Federation. She’s also heading the McCain campaign in Marion County.

This is Pam Archer who assembled the shindig I drew at.

This is Pam’s mother, Ann, who is Republican Woman of the Year. She has been involved with the party since many years ago in Dade County at the same time my grandparents were involved. She even lived near them. She later was involved in Broward County and now Marion County is lucky enough to have her lifetime of insight.

Just finished a book I’ve heard many recommend, ‘America Alone’ by Mark Steyn. This is a bit of a horror story of the potential future of the planet. Many of us have read about the changing demographics in America and around the world. Steyn brings a focus to this and implies its repercussions. Those are scary.

The reasoning is cogent which makes it more scary.

In that the census bureau just released numbers a few days ago to further back up this books conclusions, we had better set aside global warming and take this global warning and prepare for the worst.

While we’re distracted by Global Warming, Presidential campaigns and trying to follow every move Paris Hilton makes – The rest of the world moves on.

I attended a John McCain party. Parties like this were held all over the U.S. At 9:40pm all of the parties dialed the same number and a massive conference called occurred. The call had John’s wife Cindy, a top McCain strategist Charlie Black and Rudolph Guliani all rallies the troops. Above is the phone used for the telephone rally.

I learned today that Jim Strickland pased away August 5th. Jim was a barber in Orlando for most of his life and, according to my mother, gave me my first haircut some 44 years ago. Through his many years he was without doubt an expert barber. People would always compliment the haircut I received from Jim each time. Jim will be greatly missed for his exemplary cutting skills and gentle demeanor by so very many in and around Orlando. It’s another chunk of Genuine Florida slipping away.

You can click here for the obituary.

In the ’90s I created a comic strip for the Orlando Sentinel, named ‘Perelman’ that focused on Downtown Orlando, where Jim was located.  I included Jim in one of the strips which is above.

Below is a photo from what turned out to be my last haircut from Jim this past April 16th from the Genuine Florida site. Click here to read what was written then.

Guess what I did today?

Above is Rich Menard who I used to work with at Orlando City Hall until I got sick of his fishing stories and I quit….. Just kidding!
I hadn’t seen Rich since I left Silly Hall 2 and a half years ago and he looks just as he did oh, so many years ago. It was great to see Rich and his very funny view of life!

There were other City Hall people at the event I was at who seemed not to have aged a year. Rhonda Lattimore looks just as she did when I met her some 22 years ago. Must be some Fountain of Youth at City Hall. I somehow by-passed that fountain.

Another ageless one is Keith Grayson (Above), a heck of a nice guy, who I didn’t know loves a good Western flick. So I placed him in some True Grit garb with his trusty steed out to save the day!

Here’s a great young lady, Christina. She’s been at City Hall for a few years and I drew her in what I recall her office area to look like. That was an interesting challenge to remember!

Could there be a better Vice-President for him? Two for the price of one. No gambles here. The perfect match.

Another great gag from Ken Culotta!

Could there be a better Vice-President for him? Two for the price of one. No gambles here. The perfect match.

Another great gag from Ken Culotta!

Could there be a better Vice-President for him? Two for the price of one. No gambles here. The perfect match.

Another great gag from Ken Culotta!

Could there be a better Vice-President for him? Two for the price of one. No gambles here. The perfect match.

Another great gag from Ken Culotta!