Freedom ~ Liberty Conference Breakout Sessions
Room 1 (Ivanhoe) – Policy & Reform
Session 1) The Power of the EPA - Chris Wiest
Chris Wiest is an attorney in Thompson Hine's Environmental practice group. He focuses his practice on litigation, permitting, administrative practice, and counseling concerning environmental, health and safety matters, as well as counseling on environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions. Chris focuses his practice on air emission permitting, compliance, and enforcement matters. Prior to joining the firm, Chris worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Environmental Enforcement Section, where he handled civil and criminal enforcement matters, administrative appeals, and environmental bankruptcy. He has significant experience in civil environmental air enforcement cases, compliance counseling, and permitting matters involving the federal Clean Air Act, federal Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA, and other environmental laws. Chris received his law degree from the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated magna cum laude and was a Editor of the Law Review. Chris is admitted to practice in Ohio and Kentucky.
Session 2) Government Econ 101 - Robert Martin
The economics of government size relative to the economy. As government takes a larger share of the economy, what are the tradeoffs? Is there an optimal government size relative to the economy? Can there be too little government? What must happen to freedom of choice as government grows? I will reserve time to talk about current economic conditions, financial reform, or other topics of interest to the audience.
Robert Martin is an Emeritus Boles Professor of Economics from Centre College in Danville Kentucky. He has years of experience understanding economic issues and conditions and how government size and policy impact the free market system. He has given numerous talks on this subject and considered a foremost expert on Nation’s Economies.
Session 3) Effect of HB 44 – Cindy Rich
Cindy Rich was elected as Boone County Property Valuation Administrator in 2006, recently won a primary bid for re-election and is unopposed in the general. She is a CPA by trade. While in office, Cindy discovered a tax rate calculation "loophole" that allows some taxing entities to charge more than 4% revenue increases, while leading taxpayers to believe it is only 4%. Since discovering this, she has worked diligently to inform taxpayers of this fallacy and work to change it. She requested an Attorney General Opinion, who affirmed the calculation. Since then, she has spoken to the legislators in Frankfort and is currently on the committee to draft a bill to address these issues.
Session 4) 10th Amendment – Mike Maharrey
In the Tenth Amendment Center breakout session, we will take an in depth look at what the Constitution’s framers actually had to say about the relationship between federal and state power, at the historical precedent for states nullifying unconstitutional federal acts and at the present day “Tenther” movement, focusing on the fact that those advocating state sovereignty actually lie in the mainstream of political from a historical perspective. We will also discuss some practical things you can do to further the cause of state’s rights.
Mike Maharrey is the Kentucky chapter coordinator for the Tenth Amendment Center, a national think tank educating and advocating for the preservation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the promotion of liberty. Mike works as a journalist and has covered state and local politics for several publications in both Kentucky and Florida.
Room 2 (Beowulf) Faith & Heritage
Session 1) Faith of Our Fathers – Don Pinson
During 1740 – 1780 men like George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards spurred the first great awakening and shaped the people that we know as our founding fathers. See not only how Faith and God influenced our heritage but how we are a Christian Nation and both Faith and the beginning of our nation can not be separated.
Don Pinson is a minister who, over the last forty years, has served as a Pastor, Evangelist, and Counselor. He currently is a policy analyst and serves as President of Heritage Ministries of Kentucky. Heritage Ministries seeks to restore Biblical understanding in the educational, economic and governmental realms through seminars, revival meetings, a radio and television ministry called Think About It, Christian History Tours, Children’s Heritage Days, and other means. He resides in Clay Co., Ky. with his wife of 37 years, Vickie, and daughter, Christ is Joy, who tutors a Christian homeschool and also teaches art from a Biblical perspective.
Session 2) The Greatest Document Ever: Declaration of Independence – Rick Treitz“We hold these truths to be self-evident…
the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God…
endowed by their Creator...
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...
Everyone is familiar with these phrases. There is a great deal of interest of late about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This is a good thing. But just how much in-depth knowledge is there of America’s founding precepts? We love our freedom, but many have little understanding from whence it comes. America’s Founding Charter – the Declaration of Independence – is greatest document expounding the principles of civil government ever penned by the hand of man. Some might even say divinely inspired. Come dive in and gain a deeper appreciation for the birth of the greatest nation on earth.
Rick Treitz is with The Heartland Tea Party and has spoken at numerous rallies and educational seminars. He has become an expert on the America’s founding chapter and role of religion and principles of liberty.
Session 3) Restore Our Families – Richard Nelson
Examination of the legislative process and how best to mobilize and sustain a grassroots movement for social, moral, and value issues. We will look at recent issues such as gambling, pro life, and other family value orientated legislation and what was a success and how it may be duplicated.
Richard Nelson has worked as a policy analyst with The Family Foundation of Kentucky since 1997. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin –Stevens Point in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in triple majors of Biology, Resource Management and Wildlife Management. He then graduated with a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Regent University in 1995. His experience includes employment with Pro-Life Wisconsin as a project director and fundraiser; research assistant in the Wisconsin State Legislature and policy analyst for The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin. He currently resides in Cadiz with his wife Kari and four children.
Session 4) How We Appoint Our Senators - Norm Davis
Dealing with the 17th Amendment and why we need to repeal it. The 17th Amendment has in effect destroyed "states rights". To regain these rights we need the legislatures of the states to appoint the Senators as the 'Founding Fathers' originally placed in the Constitution and for the very reasoning they had at that time. This will take 15 minutes and then I would like to just show some forms we use to help be organized. I will have copies for those that want them if you will kindly let me know how many will be in attendance.
Norm Davis heads the Take Back Kentucky organization, which is one of the most effective statewide coalitions in the nation. He has led workshops in several states, and has developed an organizational plan of action that has yielded positive results time and time again, in the Kentucky Legislature.
Room 3 – (Woden) American Majority Restore Our Community
Half day sessions repeated in afternoon
The System (an in-depth look at the system we’re in, the problems we’re faced with, how the progressive movement implemented their changes that got us here, and what we can do about it)
Hardwiring Precincts and Effective Campaigning (learn how to organize and impact campaigns on a precinct level, and the practical steps to campaigning or being an effective campaign volunteer in this important election year)
Patriot 2.0- Effectively Communicating Your Views (learn how to effectively use blogs, using social networking tools and wiki projects to win hearts and minds online and advocate for the principles of conservatism)
American Majority believes that real political change begins at the local level. American Majority is a national non-profit, non-partisan political training institute whose mission is to train and equip a national network of leaders committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market. Headquartered in Purcellville, Virginia, we currently have state offices in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas, with plans to open additional state offices.
Beka Romm originally joined American Majority as a Field Representative in May 2008. In her current role as Executive Director, Beka oversees candidate acquisition and American Majority outreach across the state of Kansas as well as conducting trainings across the nation, from Washington State to South Carolina. Prior to joining American Majority, she directed student programming and outreach at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas.
Alex Ballinger joined American Majority in May of 2010 and currently serves as a Kansas Field Representative. In her role at American Majority, Alex is responsible for scheduling and conducting training sessions for individuals and groups throughout the state, including our Campus Majority program, which equips college students to make a difference on their campus, in their communities, and by advocating for liberty throughout their online spheres of influence. Alex is a graduate of Kansas State University with a B.A. in Public Relations and a minor in Leadership Studies.
Room 4 – (York) FreedomWorks The First Rule of Community Organizing: Never Forget the Rules
Half day session repeated in the afternoon
Saul Alinksy Rules for Radicals (and in depth look at the play book of the progressives and what the liberty movement needs to know about their rules and the tactics we can use today)
FreedomWorks Founded in 1984, FreedomWorks is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has hundreds of thousands of grassroots volunteers nationwide. The organization is chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey and the President is Matt Kibbe. FreedomWorks recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes millions of volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.
Nan Swift is the Campaign Manager at FreedomWorks – a national grassroots organization led by former Majority Leader Dick Armey. Nan organizes and trains activists from around the country to effectively advocate on behalf on lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. She was a main organizer of the historic 9/12 Taxpayer March on Washington and has been busy coordinating events and get out the vote efforts with the tea party movement.
Room 5 – (Grendal) National Center for Constitutional Studies - Developing America 's Great Success Formula
Half day session repeated in the afternoon
Making of America Highlights (This is the exciting exploration which Jefferson, Adams, Franklin , Washington and others made in order to rediscover the key to the creation of the first free nation in modern times. We trace their adventure from 1400 B.C. to A.D. 1787)
NCCS are a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation funded by thousands of patriotic Americans who believe this country needs the message we're disseminating. They are an educational foundation, not a lobbying group or political action committee, although they urge their supporters to be actively involved in political issues and campaigns at every level of government. National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) firmly believe it's possible to save the Constitution, but we believe it can be saved only by an enlightened citizenry who have the knowledge and commitment to abide by its precepts and safeguard its original purity. This is why the American people must have an opportunity to learn the truths on which our nation was founded. Never has there been a more urgent need for this kind of education-and that's precisely why NCCS was created.
Bill Norton has been volunteering with the National Center for Constitutional Studies, or NCCS, for 8 years updating educational material related to the Constitution. He has been a presenter for the organization for 3 years. He was briefly mentored by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen, founder of NCCS, and Earl Taylor JR., the current president of NCCS. He is the chairman of the Arizona State Constitutional Commemoration Committee and the founder of Constitution Week USA, the largest celebration on the Constitution in the nation. He is a recipient of the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
Breakout Sessions Lunch & Dinner – (Stuart)
Lunch Key Note - Sheriff Richard Mack
Popularly known as Sheriff Mack is a well known spokesman in the liberty movement. Sheriff Mack has authored books relating to gun ownership and the role that law enforcement should play in America. He currently speaks at seminars on constitutional issues relating to gun control, law enforcement, States' rights, and the oath of office. He received national attention in Mack v. United States (later restyled to Printz v. United States) in his tenure as a local sheriff for opposition to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act on the basis that it is unconstitutional due to congressional action to compel state officers to execute Federal law. You can find out more about Sheriff Mack at his web site (http://sheriffmack.com).
Banquet Dinner - Harald Zieger
Born in 1954, Harald was raised in East-Germany and was fully indoctrinated in the communistic brainwashing system. Although the overall scientific education was great, he found it very strict and authoritarian. At 16 years old, Harald was a strong communist. At 22, he met his wife and she brought him to Christ. He was 26 when he finished his Masters degree in electronic engineering, by which time he had two children. Harald was 31 when he could finally leave East Germany. He managed manufacturing divisions in multi million dollar corporations. Since, then, he has formed companies from nothing into success. He finally fulfilled his dream by starting his own business here in the United States. He is now afraid that his dream may become a nightmare as this country slips into the trappings of the failed political positions he left behind in East and West Germany. Harald loves this country and the people and although he sees how irresponsible politics may be beginning to destroy the hard work of generations, he still believes it is the best country on God’s Earth.
Banquet Dinner Key Note - L. Brent Bozell III
Founder and President of the Media Research Center, L. Brent Bozell III runs the largest media watchdog organization in America. Established in 1987, the MRC has made “media bias” a household term, tracking it and printing the compiled evidence daily. Mr. Bozell appears frequently on Fox News Sean Hannity program and is a nationally syndicated writer whose work appears in publications such as Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The New York Post, The L.A. Times and National Review. You can find out more about Brent Bozell at his web site (http://www.mrc.org).
