The article that appeared in the Friday, Aug. 14 Ponte Vedra Recorder had a number of inaccuracies that need to be addressed. First and foremost, this event has never been "in conjunction" with Americans for Prosperity, nor has it been promoted as such. While Mr. Willich is the Chairman of the Florida Board of Americans for Prosperity, he is sponsoring the event as a private citizen celebrating our American rights and inviting others to do the same.
Secondly, the phrase "Willich’s call to arms," is inappropriate. This event has always been about celebrating American rights, freedoms and liberties. It has never been contentious or about holding some quasi-military rally as that turn of phrase suggests.
The shooting range is not only used by security personnel for "target practice." The shooting range is used for MDI Holdings, Inc. employees and friends who want to qualify for their concealed weapons permits; most of these people trained happen to be women.
Finally, the term "businessman," is not the best way to describe Mr. Willich. Mr. Willich is the president and CEO of a holding company, which does not do business but rather has business interests. In the case of MDI Holdings, Inc., the subsidiary companies are run by their own presidents. Mr. Willich is well-known in the community as a "philanthropist" because he has contributed so much to local schools, women’s assistance programs and non-profit organizations. He has given freely to causes on the left and the right. The following is a partial, but representative list of the groups Mr. Willich has recently supported:
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Raleigh Tavern "Innkeepers" of the Williamsburg, VA Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Ponte Vedra Beach Bird Island Park
St. Johns County Police Athletic Football League
Florida Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches
Beaches Women’s Partnership
Ponte Vedra Girls Softball Team
Pedro Menendez High School
Creekside High School
Nease High School
Ponte Vedra High School
St. Augustine High School
Fishing for Dreams
HEAL, Healing Every Autistic Life
Wounded Warriors
Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Landrum Middle School
Sea Turtles
Bobby Tebow Ministries
Mandarin Christian School
Birdies for the Brave
Rodeheaver Boy’s Ranch
Christina Abel
Media Relations Coordinator
North St. Johns, LLC
editor’s note: Abel is also the director of corporate communications for MDI Holdings Inc.
August 22nd 2009 - 8:42AM