NEW BEDFORD GOP PUTS FRESH FACE FORWARD
By Nathan Pierce, chairman – New Bedford Republican Party

Believed by some in the Whaling City to be physically and socially extinct, the New Bedford Republican Party has, by contrast, only just begun its resurrection and renaissance. A strong and stable, yet eclectic group of individuals and patriots, New Bedford Republicans are heartily engaged in family and community as well as a guiding sense of civic responsibility for restoring the city of New Bedford to greatness.  Deeply concerned by the stagnant status quo and the seemingly accepted deficiency of duality in both political thought and dialogue, New Bedford Republicans agree that significant challenges lie ahead in helping to achieve a more healthy level of free-speech and discussion of socially and civically pertinent issues.

Many in New Bedford feel strongly that there exist a multitude of important, yet divisive issues where emotions run strong (for example:  Conflict in Iraq, Illegal Immigration, and The Economy).  These issues provoke raw emotion at the municipal, statewide and national levels.  As a smaller, local political action committee, the New Bedford Republican Party indeed identifies with the Republican National Committee and the MassGOP on many ideas and opinions, but is proud of its objective and conscientious abilities to reflect upon these ideas and opinions and detract from national and statewide parties when a self-evident consensus is reached by the membership.  This is an important distinction to be discerned as the New Bedford Republican Party realizes the importance of reaching out to all New Bedford citizens in its strategies for enhancing its positive and hopeful message.  The New Bedford Republican Party further identifies itself as hosting a ‘large tent’ of ideas and priorities.

With this philosophy firmly established in our collective set of goals, New Bedford Republicans have drafted a mission statement reflecting our priorities and our agenda:

We believe in small, local government; less regulation and a free and fair economy. We believe that business should be strongly encouraged to conduct commerce and provide jobs to those who respect citizenship and our American heritage. We believe in a quality education for all with an emphasis on providing school choice and the highest standards for students and educators. We believe that our elected officials must be held wholly accountable for the way our tax dollars are spent. We honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and support all men and women who continue to protect and defend our liberties. We believe that ALL Americans are capable of attaining and living the American Dream. As Republicans, we have a positive message with real ideas and dialogue, as well as a desire to make our SouthCoast community a better place in which to live and work.

The New Bedford Republican Party has been wholly active throughout much of the present year with measurable involvement in several important municipal and regional races. As the presidential contest looms ahead in 2008, the New Bedford Republican Party has become even more increasingly relevant and looks forward to kicking off numerous membership initiatives to reach more New Bedford Republicans as well as to expand its impact and outreach to better serve collective SouthCoast community.

We need the New Bedford Republican Party now more than ever to champion those citizens that desire a different direction in SouthCoast and in New Bedford.  As New Bedford Republicans, we have identified serious challenges to restoring our city to greatness, and we have real ideas and genuine passion for changing not only the way outsiders perceive our city’s strengths and weaknesses, but also the way we view ourselves. We hope to continue to explore the merits of membership in the New Bedford Republican Party throughout the next few weeks and months ahead and establish why an active local Republican Party is the best remedy for the neglect of civic responsibility and disregard of public mandate as a result of one-party rule that has been the source of continued negativity in New Bedford.

The New Bedford Republican Party consists of a six inter-dependent ward subcommittees representing each of the city’s ward districts.  Each ward subcommittee, by charter, may maintain a maximum of 35 members.  Each Ward Subcommittee may have a slate of officers who regularly consult and report to the Executive Board of the New Bedford Republican Party. 
Membership in the New Bedford Republican Party is open to any and all New Bedford Republicans who are able to prove their current city registration.  Meetings are hosted at various city locations on a rotating basis to reach each of the six wards regularly. 

Please inquire with Chairman Nathan Pierce for more information regarding membership in the New Bedford Republican Party.  Further information regarding agendas, contact information, calendar of events and photos may be viewed at www.semassgop.com.