Tax Day Tea Party Rally draws crowd HISTORIC CITY NEWS

The winds of change were strong at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds today — Historic City News numbered the crowd at about 1,500 – 2,000 state and local Tea Party members who turned out to show their support for smaller government, less government spending and lower taxation.

Honored by St. Augustine Tea Party Chairman Eric West with a “We the people” t-shirt, emblazoned with the nickname “Tea Party Gov”, Rick Scott spoke to a crowd that largely feels it was their support that won him residence in the governor’s mansion last November.

Nobody is the boss of the Tea Party movement, yet thousands of groups across the nation have become stronger and more unified in their calls for those ideals as well as a balanced budget and reliance on a free market system.

Represented at the rally were a dozen local Tea Party groups; including Nassau County, Putnam County, Flagler County and St. Johns County — who served as event hosts. Booths were manned by representatives from the FairTax organization, the Libertarian Party, Republican Party and vendors selling everything from bumper stickers to t-shirts to souvenir copies of the US Constitution. There were nearly a dozen food vendors.

Florida’s 18th Lieutenant Governor, Jennifer Carroll, warmed-up the crowd — sharing Rick Scott’s vision for the state of Florida. Carroll said that she and Scott share conservative values. She believes in smaller government, lower taxes, personal responsibility, and personal freedom.

When Scott took the microphone from the Lieutenant Governor at center stage, he remarked, “Enrolling Jennifer Carroll as my second in command was the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

“This was a rally unlike many political rallies I’ve attended,” Brian Iannucci told Historic City News Editor, Michael Gold. “Often, the politicians outnumber the participants — not today.”

Speakers also included Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Florida Senator John Thrasher, among others. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Mike McCalister, Frantz Kabreau, and 13 year-old Sara Warmack all would have a crack at the microphone.

West told Historic City News that he was happy about the turnout; realizing that the event was being held on the same day as 16th Annual Rhythm and Ribs, 5th Annual Sea Turtle Festival, an Equine Community Appreciation Event and 16th Annual Flower & Garden Expo, among others. “Unfortunately, we’re committed to this weekend — can’t change tax day,” West said.

Dan and Aimée Riggsby joined Derek Hankerson for a live broadcast of The Riggsby Report on WFOY 1240 AM until 1:00 p.m..

The St. Augustine rally is being funded by Richard Willich, owner of MDI Holdings Inc., of Nocatee.