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Loading ...I would like to preface this column with an emphasis on the fact that this is a column by Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Jack Richardson, and does not necessarily reflect the views of Blue Grass, Red State. Richardson has served the JCRP as Chairman for about 8 years, and deserves to have his full views on party matters disseminated when and where he deems it appropriate to do so. I am in a position to help him do that, so I will. The JCRP is legally bound by bylaws which govern the organization’s procedures. Therefore, there are formal and defined ways to approach disagreements with party leadership. Complaining in forums other than the local party is pointless if you care about the future of the Republican Party. Take it up with the party formally and respectfully when you get formally involved.
Setting the Thieneman and Francene Record Straight
The recent dust up by Chris Thieneman, aided by his friend and talk show host Francene, was a shameful exhibition of a grown man throwing a public tantrum and a media personality who curiously allowed her friend days of unfettered access to one of the largest radio stations in this area to spew his venom without any accountability to the truth. How much free media did Francene give Thieneman and how much would that cost a real candidate? Moreover, Francene, a sensationalist pretending at journalism, ran roughshod like a drunken driver over the line of slander again and again. Here are some meaty facts to put on the bones of this story, which Francene and Thieneman were careful to avoid.
Mr. Thieneman has a history of party switching when he doesn’t get his way. He did so in 2002 when he was a Democrat. At the invitation of the Jefferson County Republican Chairman, Jack Richardson, yours truly, Chris Thieneman was asked to join the Jefferson County Republican Party in 2006. He did so and supported nearly every measure that the Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman and the leadership proposed. It was hoped that with some maturity and exposure to the political process Mr. Thieneman would someday become a good candidate for elected office. Current events proved that wrong.
In May 2007 Mr. Thieneman decided to run for Congress at or near the same time that Erwin Roberts, another member of the Jefferson County Republican Party Committee, decided that he would run. Both were considered good potential candidates and were advised, in writing, by myself that no partiality would be shown to either. Mr. Thieneman replied, “Thanks.” Sadly, Mr. Thieneman, in his tirade and tantrum, which Francene was all too eager to promote with total disregard for the truth, failed to mention that fact.
Mr. Thieneman subjected himself to the automatic removal clause of the party rules, due to his excessive absences. He never wrote a letter of resignation or requested reinstatement. More importantly, Mr. Thieneman NEVER uttered one word of dissatisfaction as to the operation of the local Republican Party, but rather when present endorsed and supported with his vote, all leadership initiatives. It appears Francene could care less about the facts, but then when was Francene ever concerned about anything but Francene, much less the truth?
Mr. Thieneman, having disappeared from the committee after August of 2007, reappeared wanting to run for the 14th District Metro Council Seat. In spite of his having absented off the committee, the committee began the preparation of Thieneman’s walk sheets to assist him in his campaign. Then Mr. Thieneman drops his bid for the 14th District seat and re-launches his bid for the 3rd District Congressional seat. So here’s Mr. Thieneman’s history in a nutshell, he begins as a Democrat and switches to Republican. He then decides to join the local Republican Party Committee then absentees off. During his time on the committee Thieneman decides to run for Congress, then without explanation withdraws. Thieneman then flirts with a run for the 14th District Metro Council seat and then withdraws. Thieneman then re-announces for the Congressional seat. Dizzy yet? Sit down, there’s more to come. Last week Thieneman was a Republican and Yarmuth was the guy to beat. This week Thieneman is a Democrat and Yarmuth is ok with him. Who in their right mind could trust anything Mr. Thieneman says, except Francene, of course?
Somehow we are expected to believe from Thieneman and Francene that the Republican Party leadership is bad and doesn’t care about people. What’s the truth? Well, you didn’t get it from Thieneman or Francene, who obviously have other agendas at work. They seem more interested in getting people to react on emotion and sensationalism and not on fact. The truth is that for years a small group of zealous individuals whose lives revolve around attracting attention to themselves, have embarked upon an endless campaign of lies and deception to cover up the truth of their agenda. This crowd wants control of the party and many tend to mirror the temperament of Mr. Thieneman. The tragedy is they mislead many well intended Republicans angering them with the notion that somehow the local party is being taken over by radical elements of the left. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This is for the intended purpose of motivating them to act in a way that they would not, if they knew the agenda of those like Mr. Thieneman. The local party is proudly cast in the image of Ronald Reagan, Mitch McConnell, Anne Northup and many others who have earned the respect and good will of Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
Be careful not to be misled by the deceitful whining and divisive tactics of a few who can only succeed upon getting well meaning people to act upon misinformation and lies.
The local Republican Party is in good hands and has seen much growth and success over the last few years. We will continue our growth and enjoy victory again in November.
Jack L. Richardson, IV, Chairman
Jefferson County Republican Party
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February 6th, 2008 at 7:34 am
There are so many misstatements in Jack Richardson’s posting that one hardly knows where to begin, so I’ll start off by touching on just one:
If “the truth is that” those who oppose what Jack Richardson has done is “a small group of zealous individuals,” then why was it necessary for him to disenfranchise over half of the district slates in 2004 to ensure his re-election as county chairman? Why was it necessary to hide the locations of the Legislative District meetings?
The truth is that the local Republican Party is NOT in “good hands” and has not “seen much growth and success” under Jack Richardson. The special election for the 37th Senate District, which could have easily been won by Doug Hawkins (even the Senate leadership thought so) is but one example.
The truth is it is Jack Richardson who wants to (and does) control the party, even to the point of deciding who is on the Executive Committee (rather than allowing a cross-section of the Republican community) as well as who the candidates are.
If Jack truly believes that those who believe he is not doing a good job is truly “small,” I challenge him to do the following:
1. Announce in as many places as possible the times and locations of the legislative district meetings, as far in advance as possible, to get as many Republicans as possible to attend. I would be more than willing to help.
2. Publish all the convention rules, including what would make a slate ineligible, a resolution ineligible, etc. (I wasn’t told until the LD convention that resolutions had to be typed - luckily for me my resolution calling for Richardson’s removal WAS typed, and passed overwhelmingly - only to be totally ignored at the convention. My other proposed resolutions were hand-written and not acted upon.)
3. Open the credentials committee meeting to the public so that we can find out why our slate is being disallowed. I know for a fact that all of the people on my slate (the 29th) were registered Republicans (I have a copy of the state voter registration database and verified it.)
4. Agree to follow Robert’s Rules of Order (or Sturgis, if you prefer). I can lend you my copy if need be and can even provide you with a one-page sheet listing the rules.
If all of this is too much to ask for, I would like to hear Jack’s response (or anyone else’s) as to why.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I am not sure who is running this blog. But by the disclaimer: “The JCRP is legally bound by bylaws which govern the organization’s procedures. Therefore, there are formal and defined ways to approach disagreements with party leadership.”
They are either supporting Richardson’s position or are poorly informed. The JCRP does not operate under any bylaws. Not even their members can get a copy! The state party has given them free reign to do as they please. There is no rule of law and there is no controlling legal authority. To claim so, is deceitful at best.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:14 am
If you look at http://www.rpk.org/images/ky/08%20Reorganization%20Chart.pdf
You will see a little disclaimer:
“This chart does not apply to Jefferson County.”
I’d like to know why.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:44 am
Why does the State Republican Party let JR do as he pleases? Ask McConnell! I agree that the number of Republicans that oppose Jack is not small. How many contributors to the local and state parties have ceased giving to either? Why? I, for one will NEVER give a cent to the party as long as Jack is in charge! And we will NEVER have a fair and open process in Jefferson County!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hey folks…..the Jefferson County Bylaws are available at http://rpk.org/About/
Jefferson County has been allowed to have rules that are not identical to the state’s for over twenty years. This is largely due to the fact that the county is so much larger than other counties and has a extra organizational layers. Other counties may only hold one or part of one Legislative District, while Jefferson has 17 full and 1 partial Legislative District. Like it or not that makes it a different animal.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am
But will they follow the bylaws?
According to http://www.jeffersonreview.com/articles/2004/032204/theparty.htm and personal experience, they didn’t follow the rules last time, having made some up even on the fly at the conventions themselves. What makes you think they will obey them this time? If they do, they will be defeated. I will be very surprised if they don’t try to repeat 2004.
However, having the bylaws published is great, because if they do try to change them, we can restore them by a two-thirds vote, and I expect Richardson supporters will be less than one-third in most of the precincts.
Richardson, et al, have shown themselves to be untrustworthy and needs to be replaced.
Also, the “Jefferson County is bigger” argument fails when you realize that Fayette County has to follow the rules everyone else follows, and they have multiple legislative districts also.