 and her husband, Dale, hosted Congressman John Rutherford, State Rep. Cindy Stevenson, Michael Waltz, a candidate for Florida’s .JPG)
 and her husband, Dale, hosted Congressman John Rutherford, State Rep. Cindy Stevenson, Michael Waltz, a candidate for Florida’s .JPG)
On Aug. 3, a special political gathering took place at the home of the Westling family in Sawgrass Country Club.
The dinner reception for over 60 guests was a departure from the typical summer political rally and barbecue. Instead, guests enjoyed an Italian dinner from a local favorite, Poppy's Italiano. After dinner, guests gathered in the great room to hear from and about candidates for Congress, the Florida House and St. Johns County School Board.
Congressman John Rutherford, who is running for reelection in Florida’s 4th Congressional District, was the first to speak and provided an update on many of the issues facing the community and country. He specifically talked about the importance of protecting the southern border in California, Arizona and Texas.
“Securing our southern border,” said Rutherford, “is a complex, but achievable, challenge.”
Former Green Beret and Lt. Col. Michael Waltz, a candidate for Florida's 6th Congressional District, addressed many issues including the veterans who return from combat.
According to Bob Zoeller, a former Marine and Sawgrass neighbor who attended the talk, Waltz always impresses.
“His grasp of local everyday issues and his understanding of national and global affairs will make a great addition in Congress,” Zoeller said.
State Rep. Cindy Stevenson, who is running for reelection in Florida’s District 17, followed with an overview of the issues affecting the state and local community. The next speaker was Pam Mullarkey Robbins, a former St. Johns County School Board member and the founder of Project SOS. She filled in for current St. Johns County School Board District 4 Representative Kelly Barrera and spoke of the healthy state of the schools. She also spoke highly of Barrera.
