Most of the Bayshore Tea Party Group’s members are not paying their $12 per month dues and Barbara Gonzalez is angry.
In an email sent to her membership obtained by MMM, Gonzalez, the group’s co-founder, laments the malaise that has fallen over many tea party groups and recounts how she and fellow co-founder Bob Gordon tried to keep members engaged; movie nights and events.
Admitting that she is not likely to be the named the queen of popularity or move members who have stopped paying dues to pony up, Gonzalez said she was “utterly disappointed” in her members who she finds totally dishonorable.
Gonzalez, Gordon and someone named Kathy will pay the remaining $5000 rent of the group’s Red Bank office out of their own pockets, because so few of the members are paying their $12 monthly dues.
Here’s an excerpt of the email:
Today, I am specifically writing to tell you all, with the exception of those that should know they are not a part of this, that you have done something that I find totally dishonorable.
Last January, we asked our membership if they wanted to rent another office that was cleaner and cheaper than the first one we had in Middletown. We had a commitment from many of you. ONLY because of that commitment did I sign the lease to have the office for a year. Well, little by little, many of you have stopped paying dues. What do you think happens to the rent payment? Without your dues payment, that you committed to, the money is not there!
It has come to a point where Bob, Kathy and I have to put our own money towards paying for the office until January. That is 5 months at $1,000 plus the utility bills. While reading this, you may come up, in your mind, your excuse as to why you don’t pay or stopped paying. Well, we all have financial issues and you are not the only one who has them. If you cannot find $12/ month to honor your word, then I have absolutely no words except that I think of you as a very dishonorable person who left fellow patriots holding the bag.
In writing this, I realized two things; one is that there are people who will read this and gloat thinking that the BTPG is over and done. First, let me say that if you knew me and Bob at all, and the people that do still pay dues and come to the meetings, you would realize how wrong that is. We will find a way to get through this, and continue to do what we do, without you.
Second, I realize that this email will probably not get you to pay your dues! The truth hurts and most of you will either write me a nasty note back, give me an excuse to why you cannot hold to your commitment, or just read it and ignore it. If there is one thing I’ve learned over the last 4 years, it’s not to mince words. It is what it is.
If everyone who voted for the Bayshore Tea Party Group’s slate of candidates in the 13th legislative district Republican primary, contributed $3, they still wouldn’t have enough to pay the rent.
