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| Thursday, September 09, 2010 |
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Home > DEC News > Newsletters > the Activist, September 2009
| Welcome to The Activist - the official newsletter of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party. The HCDEC will soon be launching a new website, so stay tuned for announcements in future editions of this newsletter as we enable our local Democrats to organize like never before! |
In This Issue:Message from the Chair
Health Reform Update Urge Senator Nelson to Support the Public Option
Cone Ranch Action Alert: We need your support and action on this important issue to our county.
The 50 State “Health Insurance Reform Now” Bus Tour Hits Tampa
Better Know a Precinct! This month featuring Matilda Garcia of Precinct 135
Terminate the Juggernaut of Hate What you can do to help bring respect back to public discourse.
FairDistrictsFlorida On the Verge of Fair Elections!
Voter Registration Suffers Cruel Blow Republicans Get their Wish, Democracy Suffers
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A Message from the Chairby Patricia Kemp
I'm very pleased to report that— even in this off-election year—we have a vibrant, active, and growing Hillsborough County Democratic Party. Two new clubs have sprung up in the last few months, in Temple Terrace and South Tampa. Several candidates locally have stepped up to run. We will even have Democratic primaries in State House District 60 (USF area, Temple Terrace, Lutz, and Seffner) with Chris Cano and Russ Patterson, as well as in State House 47 (NW Hillsborough, including Carrollwood and Citrus Park), where Chris Mitchell and Mike Steinberg have now filed.
We've also had about 40 Democratic activists show up at each of our precinct trainings at the West Tampa Library with Susan Smith and Kevin Wren. If you are interested in running for office or being involved in a campaign, sign up for the Wellstone Campaign Training coming October 23-25. It is a rare opportunity brought to us by the Young Democrats and has never before been offered in Tampa.
And make sure to reserve your spot now for the biggest Democratic Gala of the Year--the Kennedy-Graham Dinner at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on November 7th! Expect to hear from our winning statewide team with candidates for Governor and US Senate to Congress, Attorney General, and Agriculture Commissioner, as well as many of our State Senate, State House, County Commission, and other offices in Hillsborough County.
—Pat Kemp
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Urge Senator Nelson to Support the Public Optionby Jane Gibbons
President Obama gave a rousing speech to a joint session of Congress last week and signaled the need to move beyond partisan bickering and get on with the serious work of meaningful health care reform.
After a noted silence, our own Senator Bill Nelson publicly discussed his efforts to bring about reform in a recent letter to the St. Petersburg Times. Senator Nelson is to be commended for offering several legislative amendments to help pay for reform, however, nowhere has he expressed support for the public option, the key to providing the competition that will force private insurance companies to bring down premiums.
Senator Olympia Snow has proposed a “trigger plan” which will delay the public option and give private insurance companies the chance to self-regulate and bring down rates. Private health insurance companies have already proven they are not willing to regulate their rates and will have no incentive to do so. As Congress continues to debate the details, now is the time to call on Senator Nelson to represent his constituents and support a strong public option with no trigger plan.
Please call and write Senator Nelson, and urge him to support the public option:
Senator Bill Nelson
(202) 224-5275
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Also, please consider writing a letter to the editor by clicking this link.
Anyone wishing to thank U.S. Representative Kathy Castor for her support of the public option can contact her as follows:
U.S. Representative Kathy Castor
(202) 225-3376
http://castor.house.gov/Contact/
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Cone Ranch Updates!by Kent Bailey Local Activists are Saving Cone Ranch, But the Work isn't DoneCone Ranch is one more important step closer to permanent protection!
After receiving 64 emails and with more than 22 public supporters in attendance, ELAPP's site selection team re-evaluated Cone Ranch, giving it one of the highest scores the panel has awarded. We have made a difference!
The recommendation to purchase Cone Ranch now goes to the county's Parks Advisory Board. Eventually, the final decision will be made by the County Commission, but that's not likely until after final report from the Cone Ranch Environmental Advisory Panel.
The next meeting of the Cone Ranch Panel will be Friday, October 16th at 2:00 PM. Cone Ranch Wins a Stay Amidst Vocal Public OppositionThe Cone Ranch Advisory Panel met on August 24th. The public turnout to oppose Cone Ranch's purchase by the Florida Conservation and Environmental Group (FCEG) was terrific, in spite of a last minute change in venue. Seven citizens spoke against the sale, and none supported it.
At the meeting, panel member Denise Layne offered a motion rejecting the FCEG privatization proposal, which was an interesting development since she had previously voted against a similar motion by Rosanne Clementi two meetings prior. It looked like Layne's motion would pass, 4–2, since Clementi's motion had failed by a single vote, and the person voting against it was absent at this meeting.
Ken Jones, representing FCEG, appeared restless throughout the meeting. He leaned forward nervously, appearing to count the votes in his head. Sensing defeat, he rose and moved to the podium with the intention of addressing the panel prior to the vote, but the public shouted him down as Chairperson McCree ruled him out of order.
Unfortunately, Mr. Jones's fears were unfounded.
Hugh Gramling, who had supported the Clementi motion, changed sides. Joining Heidi McCree and Pam Jo Hatley, he voted against Layne's motion, resulting in a 3–3 tie vote. Vivienne Handy, Rosanne Clementi, and Denise Layne voted to end consideration of the FCEG Cone Ranch deal immediately.
The opponents of the FCEG proposition understand what is at stake. They cannot accept the sale of a public asset of inestimable value for an undetermined price to unidentified buyers. As brokers, FCEG would collect an unspecified fee (between 5-9%) plus unspecified additional fees for possible services related to “bridge financing” and contingent activities.
According to FCEG's final proposal, once purchased, Cone Ranch's still unwritten Conservation Easements would be monitored and enforced by the Nature Conservancy, the Cone Ranch Land Trust (CRLT), or both. Given that CRLT does not yet exist, has no bylaws, and that the assignment of powers and responsibilities between the parties has not been determined, FCEG's proposal is sorely incomplete, and cannot be adequately evaluated.
Furthermore, should the purchase be approved, CRLT members will be named by the BOCC through an unspecified procedure, and charged with overseeing a Master Restoration Plan, yet to be developed. No part of the current plan allows for public input or oversight when modifications of the currently unwritten Conservation Easements are sought by the new private landowners.
The next meeting of the Cone Ranch Advisory Panel will be in October, after the Environmental Land Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) has met to reconsider the ranking of Cone Ranch on their list of properties in need of acquisition and protection.
How You Can Take Action:
Cone Ranch must emerge from this process with an "A" grade, otherwise, it is unlikely to be preserved within ELAPP, adding momentum to the FCEG deal. Securing a high rating by the ELAPP panel depends in part on public input. You can express your support for the preservation of Cone Ranch via email. Include in your message, "I support the acquisition of Cone Ranch by ELAPP," and send to Forest Turbiville turbivillej@hillsboroughcounty.org.
Also, please contact your County Commissioners and let them know what you want to happen with Cone Ranch:
Website link to County Commission: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm
County Commission Office: 272-5660
Kevin White 272-5720 whitek@hillsboroughcounty.org
Rose Ferlita 272-5470 ferlitar@hillsboroughcounty.org
Ken Hagan 272-5452 hagank@hillsboroughcounty.org
Al Higginbotham 272-5740 higginbothama@hillsboroughcounty.org
Representing all of Hillsborough County:
Jim Norman 272-5725 normanj@hillsboroughcounty.org
Kevin Beckner 272-5730 becknerk@hillsboroughcounty.org
Mark Sharpe 272-5735 sharpem@hillsboroughcounty.org
Click here to send email to all county commissioners at once
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Local Stories Shared: The 50-State “Health Insurance Reform Now” Bus Tour Hits Tampaby Terry R. Watson
At 4pm, Saturday, September 12th, the rain stopped just in time for the start of Organizing for America's "Health Insurance Reform Now" Bus Tour Rally. The scene was reminiscent of then-Senator Obama's Ybor City rally 2 years ago. Then, too, the rain paused just before Obama spoke. On both occasions, people came together to support change and express their hopes for the future. Despite the terrible weather and short notice, over 500 people showed up to the rally.
I had been asked to speak about my own struggles with our health care system. After being diagnosed with cancer three years ago, I was turned down for surgery at a major cancer treatment facility because of “extenuating risk factors.” To get the treatment I needed, I ended up traveling to Japan. There I underwent a scientifically-proven procedure that eliminated the unnecessary risk. That procedure was not available in the U.S., despite its use in advanced industrialized nations for the last 18 years.
Alison Morano, Kristen Bell, Anna Scott, and I had each been asked to share our personal experiences. As the crowd assembled in Al Lopez Park, the four of us road to the rally together on the Organizing for America (OFA) bus. With us was Mitch Stewart, National Director of Organizing for America. According to Mitch, Obama used this same bus during his presidential campaign. Now it is home for several OFA staffers who eat, sleep, watch cable news, and strategize as they travel the country to support health care reform.
(From L-R) Malanda Schmitz, Eric Ahrens, Jane Gibbons, Pamela Hewitt, Norma Bean, Robin Rosenbaum, and Terry Watson
As the bus arrived and we took the stage, two things struck me: the excited expressions on the faces in the crowd—and the absence of protesters. After a morning of rain, it helped that we finally had sunlight. John Binova, OFA Regional Coordinator introduced the program and each of the speakers. Through four different stories, a supportive audience heard some of the problems we face and will be facing if we don't reform our health care system. Risks to small businesses, lack of affordable insurance, limits on access, and rising costs only begin to describe what we heard on stage. Mitch Stewart finished by laying out the task ahead. What we do now, in the next 3 or 4 weeks, will determine the future of health care for years to come.
Perhaps because there were no protesters, many of the TV cameras disappeared before the end of the rally. This was unfortunate, because they missed an important part of the story. It was not the cheering crowd or the speeches, but the people who came backstage afterwards.
As I left the stage, a middle-aged woman approached me. She told me she had spent the last year of her life and all her money caring for her dying partner. Her unresolved anger was still evident as she spoke. Right behind her was a man who also wanted to talk. He was fighting a difficult battle with cancer and hadn't left home for weeks except for medical appointments. He said that his life had become a daily struggle, and his financial resources were depleted. Despite all that, he wanted to come out and tell somebody that things have got to change. He said he understood that change will not come if we sit at home and just watch events unfold on our TV screens. He knew that, despite the pain and inconvenience, our hope for change comes only if we let our voices be heard.
These two individuals, and many others, had a need to be there, and to be with people who might understand. To talk with people who would go out and make a difference by becoming informed, calling their representatives and writing letters to the media. It was their opportunity, despite all they had been through, to share their stories and to find out what they could do. It was their chance to share in a sense of HOPE.
(Terry Watson may be reached at terry@myhealthrecovery.com)
Editor's note: If you have not done so, please sign the letter telling Congress to support President Obama's plan for health reform.
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Please forward this message to interested friends so they can sign up and stay informed.
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Better Know a Precinct: #135Where can you buy a tan, doggie diapers, beds, cell phones, Frappucinos, sandwiches, and decorative international knickknacks, plus, bank and trade stocks all on one street corner?
The answer lies in the first part in our 898 part series, Better Know a Precinct.
Today, it's Hillsborough County's 135th Precinct—the Fightin' 135th!
Precinct 135 is bordered by Kennedy Boulevard on the north, Morrison Avenue on the south, Himes Avenue on the east, and West Shore Boulevard to the west.
The 135th is known for its luxurious old houses, tall, majestic trees, and winding, low traffic streets. Schools serving the 135th are Grady Elementary, Coleman Middle School, and Plant High School. The 135th is home to beautiful Swann Circle Park, where children play, animals are walked, and events are held, such as the Beach Park Homeowner's Association Annual Holiday Event in the Park and the Easter Egg Hunt.
In the 135th, Republicans outnumber Democrats 1341 to 1042, and McCain beat Obama there 1426 –1030 in the 2008 Presidential Election.
But those numbers don't deter our featured Committeewoman, Matilda Garcia, one of Hillsborough County's most ardent and dedicated Democrats!
Matilda has lived an extraordinary life, filled with adventure and public service. Besides traveling the world several times over, Matilda was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2000 and 2008 and was the Florida State Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. She is currently Chair of the Affirmative Action Committee for the Hillsborough County Democratic Party.
 | Committeewoman Profile: Matilda Garcia, 135th Precinct
Birthday: May 30
Hometown: Tampa
Profession: Retired from Social Security Administration
First became politically active in: 1940
First became a HCDEC member in: 1991
Favorite political movie: Fahrenheit 9/11
Favorite food: Spanish, Cuban, Puerto Rican
The last thing she read: All local newspapers and the New York Times (she's still trying to finish War & Peace) |
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| Please Donate!Making a recurring contribution as little as $5 or $10/month goes a LONG way toward supporting the continued success of our local Democratic Party. Signing up to make a small monthly donation takes just a few minutes on our secure website.
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Please Help Terminate the Juggernaut of Hateby Patrick Cannon, PhD
A Dangerous Path
Since Barack Obama became president, it appears he can't do anything without being attacked by Republicans, even including what he puts on his hamburger or taking a well-deserved vacation. According to those who hate him, President Barack Obama is an enemy of the state, a racist, and the equivalent of every “bad guy” of history: Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Castro, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Kim Jong-il, and even the Devil. (I'm still waiting for Attila the Hun, Ivan the Terrible, and Hagar the Horrible.)
The Glenn Becks and Rush Limbaughs are whipping up the nation's loudest fringe elements into a frenzy: Birthers, Deathers, Tenthers, Twelvers, Tea-baggers, Czar-ers, racists, self-proclaimed “right wing terrorists,” secessionists, militia members, the confused, and the mentally disturbed.
The Republican leadership is not voicing any concern, much less telling their folks to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric, cool their jets, and teach them how adults participate in a democratic society. By refusing to do so, Republicans are giving the most extreme members of their party the green light to do the President harm.
In Tampa, just the other day, a friend of mine was getting his car oil changed, as it turns out, by an African-American male. An old white gentleman sat next to my friend, and, after complaining that the incarcerated have it too easy, he leaned close and spoke in a hushed tone, while pointing to the African-American. He said, “We ought to have ourselves an N-word day. A day when everyone can say the N-word all they want, and we get to drive down the street and mow them all down with Gatling guns.”
We might be afraid to say it, but we all know where this could lead. It's only a matter of time before one of these whackos takes a shot at the president. If terrorism means using the fear of violence to control, this is terrorism.
Take Action
Unless we voice our objections, this trend will escalate. Please take the following actions:
1. Contact your elected officials and Republican leaders (especially) and urge them to denounce this insanity before it's too late. You might say something like the following:
Dear __________:
Television pundits, town hall attendees, and numerous elected officials are making wild, outrageous, inaccurate, and unfounded comparisons of President Obama to former or current enemies of the United States.
As a result, people across the country are being whipped up into a frenzy. Given U.S. history, the pervasiveness of racism, present levels of frustration from financial pressures, and anxiety about the future, what are now only statements may very likely turn into violence.
This behavior has no place in civilized political discourse. We are better than that.
I urge you to call a news conference with your colleagues immediately and denounce those making such inflammatory statements.
You would not be censoring free speech. You would be taking a public stand against a dangerous trend.
Democracy is about a free exchange of ideas and reasoned discussion, not incivility, shouting matches, or ad hominem attacks. If anything happens to President Obama, you will be complicit by your silence.
Please demonstrate that we, the American people, can disagree on issues while still treating each other with civility and courtesy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Your name
2. Please sign the ColorofChange.org petition. Color of Change.org is attempting to make Glenn Beck's program too costly for FOX News Channel to keep him on the air. They want you to thank the companies who have pulled their support, and urge those who haven't to do so.
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FairDistrictsFlorida: On the Verge of Fair Elections!by Susan Smith
Thanks to your commitment and hard work, we are well on the way to fairer elections in Florida! With over 1.5 million petitions collected, we've almost reached our goal of 1.6 million, which would put two amendments on the ballot in 2010 giving the Florida Legislature commonsense guidelines for redrawing electoral boundaries on the heels of the U.S. Census. These guidelines will prevent, or at least limit, drawing these boundaries to the political advantage of the party in power.
Now that the petition drive is almost over (deadline submitting petitions is October 31st), comes the next step—raising money! Petitions must be processed through county Supervisors of Elections at a cost of 10 cents each. Without sufficient funds, gerrymandering will continue unabated, depriving Floridians of an authentic democratic state government.
On 9-9-09, FairDistrictsFlorida held an online fundraiser, bringing in an amazing $60,000 dollars! Thanks to all who participated. Donations are still welcome. You can donate online at https://www.fairdistrictsflorida.org/donate.asp, or by postal mail to:
FairDistrictsFlorida.org
2665 South Bayshore Drive
Suite M-103
Miami, FL 33133
Remember: We must keep talking to our families, friends, and neighbors about the importance of redistricting in 2010. The campaign to pass these amendments is just beginning! (For more information, contact Susan Smith at stsmith222@aol.com.)
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Click image to access voter registration website
Voter Registration Suffers Cruel Blow: Republicans Get their Wish, Democracy Suffers by Jennifer Fenn
A law restricting voter registration by “third-party organizations” is now in effect. Originally passed in 2006, the law had languished under an injunction. Once the injunction was lifted, the Florida Division of Elections adopted Administrative Rule 1S-2.042 regarding third-party registration organizations. The rule took effect February 26, 2009.
What is a third party registration organization?
It is any person, entity or organization that solicits or collects any voter registration application. Those falling outside this classification are those collecting a voter registration application for a spouse, child or parent, employees or agents of the Division of Elections, Supervisors of Elections, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or federally mandated voter registration agencies (Florida Statutes §97.021). It should also be noted that the law originally excluded political parties from this definition but that exception was eliminated in 2008.
So, they passed a new law about third-party voter registration organizations. What does that have to do with me?
Any political parties, civic groups, homeowners associations, issue-driven groups, and any other group gathering voter registration applications must register as a third-party organization prior to conducting any voter registration drive. Such third-party organizations must name a registered agent in the State and list the individuals responsible for the day-to-day operations of the group on Form DS-DE 106, which must be filed with the Division of Elections in Tallahassee. Additionally, quarterly reports must be filed with the Division of Elections (Form DS-DE 107) providing the date and location of any organized voter registration conducted by the group in the previous quarter. These quarterly reports are due April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15. Organizations must submit voter registration applications within 10 days of their execution. Failure to do so incurs a fine of $50 per application. Organizations keeping any signed voter applications past the voter registration deadline for an election, may be fined $100 per application. Organizations keeping applications will be fined $500 per application. Furthermore, if the act was committed willfully, fines will be higher ($250/$500/$1,000 per application). Fines are capped at $1,000 per calendar year per group (Florida Statutes §97.0575).
What happens if I don't comply with the law?
Failure to comply is not subject to any civil or criminal penalties, however, doing so would reflect poorly on our Party and/or your organization. It is the law and, it is in your interest to comply. In the unlikely event you make a mistake and fail to deliver a voter registration application on time to the Division of Elections or the Supervisor of Elections, your compliance with registration and reporting requirements will result in a 75% reduction in any fines (Florida Statutes §97.075, Florida Administrative Code Rule 1S-2.042).
What's the bottom line?
This is important: Do not register any voter (other than a spouse, child, or parent) without contacting Susan Smith, Chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party's Campaign and Precinct Committee. You can reach her at: stsmith222@aol.com or by calling the Party's phone number, (813) 876-1945.
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