KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Central Committee and Lake County Republican Women, Federated hosted the Inaugural Ronald Reagan Day Reception and Dinner on Saturday, March 10, at the Riviera Hills Restaurant in Kelseyville.

The first order of business by Mistress of Ceremonies Lani Urquiza, chair of the Lake County Republican Central Committee, was to honor the many veterans in attendance at “The Inaugural Ronald Reagan Day Reception and Dinner.”

Stephanie Codling, president of Lake County Republican Women, Federated, welcomed all with a call to action for our country.

This event brought together gentlemen working for the best interests of citizens of California and throughout the nation. They described what is happening and how putting Republicans in key offices could and would benefit all people, not the chosen.

Speaking first was Jim McCully, representing California's Republican Northwest Region, of which Lake County is a part. He is a veteran with a 40-year law enforcement career at the local, county and federal level including positions, but not limited to, defense criminal investigator and Special Agent for the US Secret Service.

McCully explained the way in which law enforcement should be working, but the constraints being put on enforcement today is hurting all citizens. This can only be corrected by putting new faces in old places occupied by to many people for too long. All people need to look at the platforms on which all Republicans are running.

Speaking up to right the wrong was Charlie Schaupp, candidate for US Congress from California's Third District. Calling Yolo County his home territory all of his life, he understands our area with diversified agriculture which is being strangled by regulations.

During a five-year mobilization in the Global War on Terrorism, Schaupp served as anti-terrorism officer for the 3rd Marine Division, Security Officer for First Marine Expeditionary Force in battle of Fallujah (duties as a special staff officer to General Conway assigned to safeguard access to classified information and operations), and deputy camp commander and anti-terrorism officer for Camp Courtney, Okinawa-Japan, protecting and safeguarding over 5,000 Marines and families who were deployed overseas.

With this background, he knows how to fight for right and protect the people of California and the nation. He pledges to go to Washington to restore the proper function of congress, restore ethics and again instill pride in our country. He would work to stop the infighting that slows the solving of problems and bring all to the table to accomplish what is needed. He is a man who champions the constitution unlike the man now representing this area. He is running against John Garamendi who has been a career politician since 1974. There comes a time when a change in Washington is needed to move our country forward.

Paul Taylor stepped forward with “Solutions that are Taylor-made for California,” as he works to unseat wealthy 85-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Getting right to the point regarding his solutions for California and the country, he listed the following: Enforcing existing laws, creating jobs and decreasing size of government, merit-based immigration, bringing back companies to California, building up the military, enforcing E-verify, ending sanctuary cities and states, reforming schools and preventing special interest agendas, working on health care, building the wall and maintaining the Second Amendment. This agenda was greeted with great applause.

Taylor also spoke of Republican Mark Meuser, an accomplished attorney in both election law and civil litigation, who is candidate for secretary of state. The secretary of state is the chief election officer in the state, and is responsible for keeping the voter rolls clean to ensure fair and free elections within California. If we can clean up the rolls, we can clean up our state.

Judge Steven Bailey was applauded as he stepped forward to address the assemblage. He recently retired from the California Superior Court to run for attorney general. He is a conservative Republican with extensive litigation experience in criminal and administrative law.

As a judge he presided over complex criminal, civil, family, veteran, business, and juvenile cases, and administered tough punishment such as death penalty and the life sentence rulings. He is endorsed by the California Gun Owners Association, Mike Reynolds (author of three strikes), multiple police and sheriff's departments and many others. He recently released a statement vehemently opposing sanctuary state status.

“California needs an Attorney General who knows the law and the true impact on its families,” Bailey said. “As a retired judge of the Superior Court of California, I have seen the impact and have enforced our laws according the our Constitution – not the political whim of the day. Law enforcement agencies have endorsed me because they know my proven record of standing on the side of public safety and the rule of law.”

Each speaker, a problem solver in his own past experiences, recognizes how to tackle the daunting tasks before us statewide and nationally. They talked frankly about the current situations in our country and how each would work to help correct the country's problems. They welcome discussions with all citizens, regardless of political affiliations, on how to move our country to a better place.

Not to be lost in the politics of today, tribute was paid to Ronald Reagan our 33rd governor of California and our 40th president of the United States. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is in Simi,where one can see the story of his presidency unfold and visit the burial site of President Reagan and his beloved Nancy.

Famous for his sense of humor and storytelling, he is also remembered for his words of wisdom such as, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” and “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

Leona M. Butts is publicity chair for Lake County Republican Women, Federated.