SEBASTIAN — North County Republicans apparently see nothing wrong with raffling off firearms to raise money. The raffle of an AR-15 rifle raised over $3,000 for the North County Republican Club Scholarship Fund last week.
Tony Mahon held the winning raffle ticket and was presented with the prize during the club’s regular meeting July 8 at Capt. Hiram’s in Sebastian. Mahon donated the rifle back to the club, and members then bid on it.
After a brief bidding battle, member Jim Hill won it for $650. Although the AR-15 is considered a common assault rifle, the AR stands for the original manufacturer, ArmaLite.
Raffle tickets had been available since last November, said Club President Ted Pankiewicz, who went on to explain that the club, not wanting to offend anyone, was careful to choose appropriate locations to display the gun and sell the tickets ($5 each or five for $20).
“We tried to avoid conflict. We went to three gun shows and the Fellsmere Frogleg Festival,” he said. “We felt events like Downtown Friday and the Clambake would not be appropriate.” Pankiewicz said that, except for a disapproving look from one passerby, no one voiced any complaints at any of the locations where raffle tickets were being sold.
Pankiewicz said events such as the raffle fund club scholarships for North County students. This year the club awarded a $1,000 college scholarship and a $1,000 trade school scholarship.
Another highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Irene Bush Service Award, annually recognizing a member for outstanding service to the club and to the Republican Party. This year the award went to Cheryl Diedolf who, said Pankiewicz, served the club with dedication and energy, selling raffle tickets; campaign for various Republican candidates; and volunteering for the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, IRC/ARC Bowling and Golf and St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church.
Guest speakers were Sebastian City Manager Joe Griffin and City Engineer/Community Development Director Frank Watanabe, who provided an overview of current city issues and projects. Griffin, tongue in cheek, referred to, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”: Fisherman’s Landing, the Indian River lagoon pollution and the All Aboard Florida high-speed passenger train project.