Monthly Archives: June 2012

In a heated conference call with dozens of Tea Party supporters throughout the state late Sunday, Florida's disparate Tea Party groups debated whether or not to endorse Republican Connie Mack in the Florida U.S. Senate primary.

The call, organized by Freedom Works, the conservative non-profit based in Washington, D.C., became very heated as several tea party backers urged the group to stay out of the primary while the Freedom Works supporters wanted to endorse Mack of Cape Coral, said Henry Kelley, chairmanof the Fort Walton Beach Tea Party.

"The general consensus was not whether we should back Mack or LeMieux but why are we moving into the middle of a primary,'' Kelley told the Herald/Times. He said he supports LeMieux, in part because of Mack's refusal to debate,but expects most Tea Party members to support the Republican nominee. "Why would you jump in when there are only 60 days left?"

Documents written by Easton Randall of the Freedom Works Foundation show that the organization prefers Mack over LeMieux because of his voting record and his "penny plan" to cut federal spending 1 percent a year. Download Tea Party Florida_Senate_Race_BriefDownload Tea Party Mack Florida_6-10

To confuse matters further, Mack has been endorsed by the Tea Party of Florida, the Orlando-based third party group started by activist Doug Guetzloe but which isnot supported by othergrassroots tea party activists around the state.

"That group was anathema to tea party groups throughout the state,'' said Tim Curtis, chairman of the Tampa 912 Project and a local tea party organizer.

He said thatmanygrassroots groups opposed to endorsing a candidate because it woud violate their tax exempt status under theIRS status while others do not believe that a single endorsement can represent their diverseviews.

"We are not monolithic,'' said Curtis, who is a registered Democrat. "There is a great, hugh, gynormous diversity of opinion within the tea party groups and 912 groups throughout the state...,We have shared principles values views and vision of the nation and upon those tings we do speak with one voice."

Freedom Works isthe conservative non-profit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. that was founded by former conservative congressmanDick Armey. Its affliate, the Tea Party Express, is finishing a two-month bus tour of the nation in Florida this week. It held a rally in Tallahassee on Sunday attended by Gov. Rick Scott.

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Freedom Works pushing tea party groups to endorse Mack

IRVINE, CA, June 11, 2012 Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by 2100 Trust, LLC in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust.

At the time the transaction closes, Freedoms businesses will consist of its flagship Orange County Register, the Barstow, CA Desert Dispatch, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO, the Marysville, CA Appeal-Democrat, The Porterville Record in Porterville, CA, the Victorville, CA Daily Press and The Yuma Sun in Yuma, AZ and their associated non-daily publications along with specialty publications and digital properties. The Company had previously announced sales of its other newspaper assets and broadcast properties, which sales have closed or are expected to close within the next few weeks.

It is expected that the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, will be completed in about 30 days. All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms Chief Executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The new owners have a long-standing interest in community journalism and understand the critical role that newspapers, despite all the changes of recent years, continue to play in providing the information that people need and cant find anywhere else, said Mark McEachen, Freedoms Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

R. C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented employees of Freedom Communications in serving these communities. We believe that newspapers are essential to the fabric of our lives and are excited to own and grow these unique institutions," said Aaron Kushner, 2100 Trust's Chief Executive Officer.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 20 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

About 2100 Trust, LLC

Original post:
Freedom Communications to be acquired

Raymond Cyrus "R.C." Hoiles bought The Orange County Register in 1935 and made it the flagship of what was to become Irvine-based Freedom Communications Inc., once the 12th largest media company in the country with more than 100 papers. The Hoiles family, however, lost its financial interest in the company in April 2010 after Freedom emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The company has gone through dramatic change in the two years since then:

Sept. 1, 2009: Freedom Communications Inc. files for bankruptcy reorganization.

April 30, 2010: Freedom emerges from bankruptcy. A group of investors and banks take control of the company.

June 29, 2010: Mitch Stern, a former Fox television executive, is named Freedom chief executive officer.

Oct. 3, 2011: Michael Henry, Register general manager, is named interim publisher succeeding Terry Horne, who retired.

Nov. 2, 2011: Freedom announces the sale of its eight television stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group for $385 million. The sale left Freedom free of the $325 million in debt it had when it emerged from bankruptcy.

Jan. 12, 2012: Freedom announces the sale of The Tribune in Seymour, Ind. to Indiana-based Home News Enterprises LLC. Terms were not disclosed.

Jan. 31, 2012: Freedom announces the sale of the News Journal in Clovis, N.M. to Clovis Media News. Terms were not disclosed.

April 2, 2012: The sale of Freedom's television stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. closes.

April 17, 2012: Register editor Ken Brusic also takes on the title of interim publisher, succeeding Michael Henry, who left to become chief financial officer of The Denver Post.

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Freedom since bankruptcy

IRVINE Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by 2100 Trust, LLC in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust.

At the time the transaction closes, Freedoms businesses will consist of its flagship Orange County Register, The Porterville Recorder in Porterville, CA, the Barstow, CA Desert Dispatch, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO, the Marysville, CA Appeal-Democrat, the Victorville, CA Daily Press and The Sun in Yuma, AZ and their associated non-daily publications along with specialty publications and digital properties. The Company had previously announced sales of its other newspaper assets and broadcast properties, which sales have closed or are expected to close within the next few weeks.

It is expected that the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, will be completed in about 30 days. All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms Chief Executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The new owners have a long-standing interest in community journalism and understand the critical role that newspapers, despite all the changes of recent years, continue to play in providing the information that people need and cant find anywhere else, said Mark McEachen, Freedoms Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

R. C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

The Porterville Recorder was acquired by Freedom Communications in 1974 and over the past 38 years weve continued to grow by knowing our customers exceeding well, said Recorder publisher Paula Patton. Knowing what is important to them; being recognized as an active, involved and caring member of the community; and being the indispensable source of local news and information delivered over multi-platforms has always been and will continue to be our goal as we move forward.

We couldnt be more pleased with the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented employees of Freedom Communications in serving these communities. We believe that newspapers are essential to the fabric of our lives and are excited to own and grow these unique institutions, said Aaron Kushner, 2100 Trusts Chief Executive Officer.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 20 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

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Freedom Communications to be Acquired by 2100 Trust

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -06/11/12)- Monday, June 11 is Tax Freedom Day, the day Canadians have finally earned enough money to pay all the taxes they owe to all levels of government for the year, according to the Fraser Institute's annual calculations.

Tax Freedom Day arrives one day later than in 2011, when it fell on June 10.

"This underscores a worrying trend across the country of governments increasing taxes," said Charles Lammam, Fraser Institute associate director of tax and budget policy and co-author of Canadians Celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 11, 2012.

Despite tax increases, the report notes that Tax Freedom Day would have come 12 days later this year if, instead of running deficits, governments covered their current spending with even greater tax increases.

"We need to remember that the budget deficits incurred by Ottawa and the provinces must one day be paid for by taxes and could mean a later Tax Freedom Day in the future."

Tax Freedom Day is an easy-to-understand measure of the total tax burden imposed on Canadian families by federal, provincial, and local governments. If Canadians were required to pay all taxes up front, they would have to give governments each and every dollar they earned prior to Tax Freedom Day.

To celebrate Tax Freedom Day and bring attention to the array of taxes Canadians pay, the Fraser Institute produced a satirical R&B song and music video (watch it on YouTube or at http://www.fraserinstitute.org). Canadians can also calculate their personal Tax Freedom Day using the Fraser Institute's Personal Tax Freedom Day Calculator.

A later Tax Freedom Day

The federal government and several provinces increased taxes in 2012, which contributed to the later Tax Freedom Day. For example, the federal government increased Employment Insurance (EI) premiums; Quebec increased its provincial sales tax, health tax, and gas and mining taxes; British Columbia raised its health tax; New Brunswick increased its financial corporation capital tax and property transfer tax; Manitoba raised tobacco taxes, gas taxes, and its financial corporate capital tax, in addition to expanding the list of items covered by its provincial sales tax; and Ontario introduced a new tax bracket for high-income earners and canceled a scheduled decrease in the general corporate tax rate.

Tax Freedom Day also arrives later in 2012 because Canada's economy is improving. When the economy recovers from a recession and incomes increase, a family's tax burden also tends to increase because of Canada's progressive tax system, which imposes higher taxes as Canadians earn more money. Household consumption also rises, which results in an increase in the amount of sales and other consumption taxes families pay.

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The Fraser Institute: Tax Freedom Day is June 11, One Day Later Than Last Year as Canadians Work Longer to Pay Taxes

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 11, 2012) - Tax Freedom Day falls on Sunday, June 17 in Quebec, four days later than in 2011, according to the Fraser Institute's annual Tax Freedom Day calculations.

"The provincial government's decision to hike the QST to 9.5 per cent from 8.5 per cent is one of the main reasons for the later arrival of Tax Freedom Day this year," said Filip Palda, Fraser Institute senior fellow and professor at the Ecole nationale d'administration publique.

"As a result of the tax hike, the average Quebec family will pay $491 more in sales taxes in 2012. Had the government not raised the QST, Tax Freedom Day would have fallen two days earlier, on June 15 rather than June 17."

Quebec celebrates the second latest Tax Freedom Day among all Canadian provinces, ahead of only Newfoundland and Labrador. The complete report is available at http://www.fraserinstitute.org.

On Tax Freedom Day, the average Quebec family has earned enough money to pay the taxes imposed on it by all levels of government over the course of the year. If Quebecers were required to pay all of their taxes up front, they would have to pay governments each and every dollar they earned prior to Tax Freedom Day.

"Quebec families face among the greatest tax burdens nationwide. For perspective, families in Ontario celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 10, a full week earlier than those in Quebec," Palda said.

When calculations of tax rates are averaged across Canada, Tax Freedom Day falls nationally on June 11.

Tax Freedom Day varies from province to province, depending on the taxation levels of provincial and local governments. Alberta continues to enjoy the earliest Tax Freedom Day on May 22, followed by Prince Edward Island on June 2 and New Brunswick on June 6. Manitoba's Tax Freedom Day falls on June 7 followed by British Columbia (June 8), Ontario (June 10), Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia (June 12), and Quebec on June 17. Newfoundland and Labrador has the latest Tax Freedom Day, June 21.

While all but three Canadian provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, BC, and Alberta) experience a later Tax Freedom Day in 2012 than in 2011, Quebec experiences the largest delay in its 2012 Tax Freedom Day, coming four days later than in 2011.

Reasons for a later Tax Freedom Day

Continued here:
The Fraser Institute: Quebecers Celebrate Tax Freedom Day on June 17, Four Days Later Than 2011

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by 2100 Trust, LLC in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust.

At the time the transaction closes, Freedoms businesses will consist of its flagship Orange County Register, the Barstow, CA Desert Dispatch, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO, the Marysville, CA Appeal-Democrat, The Porterville Record in Porterville, CA, the Victorville, CA Daily Press and The Sun in Yuma, AZ and their associated non-daily publications along with specialty publications and digital properties. The Company had previously announced sales of its other newspaper assets and broadcast properties, which sales have closed or are expected to close within the next few weeks.

It is expected that the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, will be completed in about 30 days. All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms Chief Executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The new owners have a long-standing interest in community journalism and understand the critical role that newspapers, despite all the changes of recent years, continue to play in providing the information that people need and cant find anywhere else, said Mark McEachen, Freedoms Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

R. C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented employees of Freedom Communications in serving these communities. We believe that newspapers are essential to the fabric of our lives and are excited to own and grow these unique institutions," said Aaron Kushner, 2100 Trust's Chief Executive Officer.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 20 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

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Freedom Communications to be Acquired By 2100 Trust, LLC