James Frevert, hero

There are some people – although not nearly enough of them – who are successful in their life's work, but who don’t stop there. They take the time to acquire a understanding of the value of the free society we live in and make it a personal mission to preserve and improve it. Civil society requires such men and women to survive and prosper.

James Frevert of North Palm Beach, Fla., was one of them. Jim died on Friday at age 86.

For as long as I have known him, at least 25 years, Jim had dedicated time and resources to educational and civic causes. It is for one of these that I owe him personal thanks.

In 2001-02, I was campaign manager for a citizens referendum in Palm Beach County to limit the terms of our county commissioners to eight years in office. We had over 75 petitioners and contributors that helped put the issue on the ballot and, in November 2002, 60% of voters approved the term limit and it became law.

All of the volunteers played an important role in the victory, but a few of them were decisive. The truth is that without Jim Frevert, the outcome would have been different. In fact, the effort would never have got off the ground. Please note, he derived no personal gain from this campaign, but acted only to further what he thought was right and proper. I don't think his name ever even made the papers.

When the first Palm Beach County Commissioner is term limited out in 2010, please take a moment to remember Jim Frevert.

I had the opportunity to thank him in life, but my gratitude is such that I wanted to share it with you. He was a world traveler, as everyone who knew him knows, but more than that he also really cared about the world. He set an example for us to follow. He will be missed.

Palm Beach loses two term limits heroes

A term limits hero passed away on Dec. 5, William V. "Bill" Hayes of Palm Beach Shores, Fla. He was 73.

Hayes was the chair of the Palm Beach County Term Limits Committee that sponsored the successful 2002 referendum that limited the terms of Palm Beach County commissioners to eight years in office.

Hayes was a retired U.S. Navy captain, having served as a submariner and in Naval intelligence as well as a Naval Attache in Oslo Norway from 1979 to 1981. Bill retired as director of Perry Technologies (Lockheed Martin) in 2006 and was active in numerous organizations advancing individual freedom and limited government, including the Heritage Foundation, James Madison Institute and the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida.

Hayes death closely followed the death of musician Lee Coleman of Lake Worth, 90, who was a stalwart volunteer petitioner in the same term limits effort.

Sadly, both missed the startling news that their nemesis of the term limits campaign, commissioner Mary McCarty, was indicted for corruption in early January.

Thank you, Bill and Lee. You will be missed.

Allan Carl "Al" Schmid, 1929-2008

The term limits movement lost a pioneer upon the death of Allan Carl "Al" Schmid Nov. 16 in his home in Saginaw, MI.

From his obit, we are reminded that Schmid was a principal architect of modern legislative term limits in America, having proposed a term limits proposal “A Sunset Law for Legislators” as early as 1980. He was a co-author of two major amendments to the Michigan Constitution: the 1992 Term Limits Amendment and the 1978 Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment.

Schmid requested the hymn “God Bless America” be sung at a brief memorial service, which will be held for family, friends, colleagues, and well wishers at the Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Avenue at Mackinaw, Saginaw, MI 48602 next Tuesday, November 25 at 1:00 P.M. It was his wish, and his family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, well wishers make donations in his honor to the U.S. Term Limits Foundation 9900 Main St. Suite 303, Fairfax, VA 22031 or, in the alternative, to the American Diabetes Association Foundation, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

Thank you, Al, for all your hard work for individual freedom and limited government.