Winter weather paid Marion County a visit this past week and made for a couple of dicey commutes. But it also created beautiful vistas of frost-covered trees and lawns. Our flurry of inclement weather serves as a reminder of the importance of making sure your family is safe and warm and preparing for the unexpected. We expect a tough political battle in 2014 so now is the time to prepare!

With this in mind, let’s remind ourselves what a Republican is and what we believe…

WE BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

WE BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

WE BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

WE BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

WE BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

WE BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

WE BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

WE BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

FINALLY, WE BELIEVE the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

Now is a great time to be a Republican and it’s a great time to get active in the Marion County Republican Party! Come join us tonight at 6:30pm, at the Stayton Library for a regional county meet up. Bring your ideas and concerns about how to make the party grow, attract more PCP’s and WIN Elections!!

We’ll be giving an overview on the county party’s strategy as well as an introduction to NationBuilder, the online tool we will be using to better organize, raise funds and communicate with you.

See you there!

Be sure to follow MCGOP on Twitter @marioncogop, join us on Facebook and check us out on the web at www.marioncountygop.org

Remember: “3 for 4” — 3 PCPs ask 3 people to contribute $4 per month to the MCGOP. Those 3 people then ask 3 more and well, you see where this is going… For the cost of one coffee drink each month, you can make a direct impact on local elections and build a strong grassroots team here in Marion County.