LWVOC Blow By Blow Blog

Kaia's Boston Marathon Update

Friends,

I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for the kind words, encouragement, emotional support – and financial support - since I announced my amazing opportunity to run the Boston Marathon in support of America SCORES Boston on April 16, 2012! Special thanks to the named donors on my fundraising page as well as the anonymous donors (whoever you may be!) I feel so very blessed to have so many local folks rooting for me and I wanted to update you on my progress.

I completed a 21-mile training run this past Sunday (intact!) and I have been incorporating hills (those that I can find in Orlando!) into my training runs in preparation for the rolling course in Massachusetts. I received confirmation of my registration from the Boston Athletic Association (hurray!) and much love to my mom who purchased my plane tickets (thankful!) so I wouldn’t have to. I am staying with wonderful friends in Ashland, MA who are also running and fundraising so I have a race-day support team and no lodging expenses (bonus!) My husband Joe and our daughters have been incredibly supportive of my diet restrictions and time commitment to training runs (unconditional love!) Our extended charity team network has daily emails and posts on Facebook (affirming!) that counsel, coach, and connect us out-of-towners to those training together in the northeast. I can’t wait to meet this wonderful collection of philanthropic, committed, race-crazy individuals in just a few short weeks – I truly feel I have joined a “movement” – and it is amazing! In 2011, these “charity runners” raised $10.2 million for amazing nonprofit organizations. I feel honored to be included in their ranks this year.

I have just four weeks left to prepare before I travel to Massachusetts. I’m both nervous and excited. In the coming weeks I will continue to fundraise. By now, you may have heard or read my personal story, but I’ve included the details below for those who haven’t.

I have an opportunity to fundraise for America SCORES Boston and participate as a member of their charity team. I completed my first marathon in November of 2011. This was a “bucket list” goal and I was able to complete it with hard work, dedication, and lots of encouragement. I trained with a group of runners from the Fleet Feet Orlando running store and continue to run with great friends I made through that experience. It ignited a fire within me, an opportunity to compete against others and against myself, and to do something just for me outside of my work and family responsibilities.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Boston is my “backyard”… it’s like going home. THE Boston Marathon is widely considered the greatest race in the WORLD. Runners dream of being able to participate. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! And though I didn't get there the old-fashioned way (by running an unbelievable qualifying time!), I am able to run alongside the greats while raising funds for a personally compelling program that serves inner-city youth.

America SCORES Boston empowers Boston youth to overcome obesity, academic struggles and detachment through an innovative combination of soccer, poetry and service-learning programs. America SCORES inspires youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. I was given these opportunities as a young person: a chance to learn the game of soccer which resulted in a college scholarship; an opportunity to express myself through creative writing allowing me to become a published author; and the occasion to experience service learning through my AmeriCorps service year. These “chances” made me who I am today.

So what does this have to do with you?

I am first asking for your support and encouragement. As humans, we are lifted up by the positive energy of those who believe in us. Second, if you are compelled, I am asking for your financial support. I have committed to raising a minimum of $2,500 for America SCORES Boston – this is my "entry fee" for the marathon. Your donation is tax-deductible and will benefit this amazing 501(c)(3) organization. Please consider a gift of:

• $26 - $1 for every mile I will be running for America SCORES in the marathon
• $45 - Provide shorts, shin guards, and a water bottle for a SCORES poet-athlete
• $150 - Provide transportation for one team to get to an away game or end-of-year event
• $262 - $10 for every mile I will be running for America SCORES in the marathon!
• $500 - Get one student through a full season of SCORES programming
• $1,000 - Get one student through a full year of SCORES programming

Please visit my web page at http://www.razoo.com/story/Kaia-Forget?referral_code=share to learn more about my personal journey and this great organization.

If you prefer not to use the online platform, simply make checks payable to America SCORES Boston and mail them to the attention of: Carl Pett, Development Associate, America SCORES Boston, 29 Germania Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Remember to put my name in the note area!

Thank you for your support! Every little bit will make a difference in the lives of youth… today, and for years to come.

With warmest appreciation,
Kaia

Kaia W. Forgét

HBO series Luck canceled after horses die

By Ann Hellmuth

When I worked at the Orlando Sentinel I launched the Animal Crazy blog. Probably my British heritage, but I've always been an animal nut. After all in England it is the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals but the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

I was horrified to read this morning that three horses died during the filming of the HBO racetrack series LUCK. Then I just read on Twitter, courtesy of the Sentinel, that the show has been canceled. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/zap-hbo-series-luck-canceled-after-three-horses-di-20120314,0,7701579.story.

That is good news. I find it unfathomable in this day and age that producers can't work out a way to make a film built around animals without harming them.

 

 

 

State Senate redistricting plans

From State Sen. Dan Gaetz, chairman of the reapportionment committee.

After opening the session today (March 14), the Senate Committee on Reapportionment met to hear a presentation from professional staff about the Supreme Court’s opinion and its guidance in interpreting and applying redistricting standards. A copy of the presentation and the Court’s opinion is available as the Meeting Packet posted on the Committee’s webpage at http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/RE/.

 Next week, another committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 20, from 9:00 am until 6:00pm to consider a proposed plan. In keeping with the transparent and open policies we have followed from the start, the proposal will be available on the Senate Redistricting website no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday. The deadline for senators to file alternative plans as amendments to be considered at the meeting is 12:00 noon on Monday. 

 On Thursday, March 22, the Senate will meet to vote on the adoption of the redistricting plan that comes out of the committee process. The deadline for senators to file alternative plans as amendments to be considered on the floor is 12:00 noon on Wednesday.  Maps, downloads, and statistics for all proposed plans will be posted on the Submitted Plans page of the Senate Redistricting website.

Lots to toast as board gets down to business

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

By Ann Hellmuth

The bottles of champagne stood unopened on the boardroom table. The idea had been to have a toast to celebrate the League's success in helping force the state Senate to redo its redistricting plan. But the well laid plans of League board meetings often hit a wall when time runs out. That is exactly what happened at our Monday (March 12) board meeting.

We never did get to open the bottles, kindly donated by Adrienne Katz Katz. But did accomplish a lot of business.

The proposed 2012-2013 budget, which we will be mailing to you by the end of the month, was provisionally approved. We'll ask you to give your final approval at the April 26 annual meeting to be held at the University Club in Winter Park, starting at 5 p.m.

Communications Committee members Laurie Wack and Sara Segal reported that the totally revamped LWVOC website should be launched by the end of this month. It has been designed to include The Voter, the blog and much, much more.

I had training Tuesday from Suzi Albrecht of Juicyresults, the computer whiz who has volunteered her time to help us come up with a website that even someone as technically challenged as me can handle.

Suzi and I shared a table in the Panera restaurant on Lake Eola -- my unofficial office -- and I was amazed when she linked via Skype to Laurie and Sara so they could watch and offer suggestions as she put me through my paces for posting copy and photos on the blog. I worried that we were disturbing other customers but no one seemed to care and in fact most were intent on checking their own computers.

But I digress. Back to the board meeting.

Voter Services chair Carol Davis with the help of Advocacy chair Caroline Emmons-Schramm will hold a training session for would-be debate moderators on March 27 at 11.30 a.m. at Einstein Bagels, 441 S. Orlando Avenue, Maitland.

First VP Michele Levy, co-chair of Local Government, said Walter Hawkins, chair of the Orange County Citizens Advisory Committee, will speak to committee members March 29. The monthly meeting will be held at the Rollings Philanthropy Center on New England Avenue in Winter Park and will begin at 11.30 a.m. Michele said she and co-chair Andrea Kobrin will provide lunch so let Michele or Andrea know if you plan to attend.

Second VP and New Membership chair Sandra A. Powers said her committee was planning League social events for April 19 and Dec. 6.

Education chair Roger Pickar said his group is still in the planning stage and developing strategies for focusing on Orange County schools. Sister Teresa McElwee said her Immigration Committee was making a presentation to Amnesty International and would be holding "Know Your Rights" meetings.

Good to know that we now have about 260 paid-up members for this year. Membership chair Sarah Goodwin encouraged members to pay their dues as soon as possible. Don't forget if you aren't paid-up you cannot attend Hot Topics at the $20-rate.

We had to rush through the agenda to meet our 6:30 p.m. deadline for ending the meeting. Thank you Charley Williams for allowing us to meet in your company boardroom.

Adrienne promised to bring the champagne bottles to the April board meeting and to make sure we have time for a glass of bubbly, we'll be starting the meeting 30 minutes early at 4 p.m. If all goes well we'll be able to toast the successful launch of our new website and much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pignone's tribute to Yvonne Opfell

This was a tribute that Fran wrote when Yvonne stepped down last September.

By Fran Pignone,
Former Orange County Commissioner
   Many who may know Yvonne Opfell as our faithful and resolute timekeeper at so many forums may be interested to know what a valuable role she played in "saving" the UCF Research Park  in the early 1990's.
    Without delving into the convoluted history of the park, the project was facing possible default on the bonds used to purchase the land on which it was built. This was of great concern to county government since a default might negatively affect its credit rating.
     While this information was not known to the general public, as the commissioner for District 4  where the center is located it became important to replace some members of the center board with new leadership. Additionally, it was imperative that these individuals have a reputation for intelligence in order to understand the complicated financial situation, a forthright manner in questioning the status quo  and the ability to help restore the creditability and stability of the center.
    Yvonne was able to do just that thereby insuring that the center would continue to be an important institution in our area. Her willingness to serve in this very sensitive position was yet another example of her decades of service to the community

Yvonne Opfell dies

LWVOC stalwart Yvonne Opfell passed away Monday. This is a tribute to Yvonne that was published in The Voter last year when she had to relinquish her job as timekeeper because of illness.

Timekeeper Opfell kept things running

By Ann Hellmuth

    “We’ll ask Yvonne,” “Let’s get Yvonne, she’ll do it.”
   Every time a major Hot Topics debate where time was of the essence was being planned, HT chair Andrea Kobrin would mark Yvonne Opfell down for the all important job of timekeeper.
    And Yvonne never failed to keep things running on time. Even verbose speakers not used to taking orders wavered when Yvonne held up her board bearing the number of seconds left to speak and gave him or her a firm, unyielding look.
    So it was not a good day when I got an email from Yvonne in which she said she could no longer be the League’s timekeeper. Yvonne explained that she had been diagnosed with  pulmonary fibrosis, requiring her to be almost permanently attached to an oxygen machine.
     “I have been moderating debates in this town for more than a decade and wish I could have had Yvonne at my side for all of them,” said Scott Maxwell, the Orlando Sentinel’s “Taking Names” columnist. “I have seen her stand up and wave the ‘Stop talking’ signs in the faces of everyone from mayors and county commissioners to governors and members of Congress. Many of them fear running afoul of Yvonne … as well they should. Come to think of it, if Yvonne took her signs to Washington, I bet things like the debt-ceiling debate would be resolved in minutes, rather than months.”
      Yvonne joined the LWVOC in 1978 when Linda  Chapin’s was president. Her favorite committee was local government, which she chaired.
    “When Linda became Orange County chair she called Pat Schwartz and
me to form a committee to find the problems with the OC Advisory Boards,” Yvonne recalled. “Boy did we. At that time there were 76 ADV boards. With the help of the members of LWVOC, all of the boards were personally visited. Pat and I made up questions, the answers were placed on a spread sheet. That showed the problems. The BCC accepted the report and implemented our recommendations.”
        Later Orange County Commissioner Fran Pignone had Yvonne appointed to the Central Florida Research Park Commission, where she served for eight years, two as chair.
        “I've enjoyed the LWV,” Yvonne wrote in her email. “Hope I have added something to the LWV.”  
        You sure have, Yvonne.
   

BUSY WEEKS AHEAD FOR THE LEAGUE

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

By Ann Hellmuth

It has been a few weeks since my last president's letter. I apologize for the lapse. The League has been constantly on my mind but everytime I sat down at the computer my mind went blank, the phone would ring or I had to run an errand. I'm just not very good at juggling the Florence Nightingale role with other duties. But my husband is slowly recovering from his heart surgery and life is returning to normal.

We have a board meeting today (Monday, March 12)with much to discuss. The financial budget for the coming year has to be voted on and we need to complete arrangements for the April 26 annual meeting. The meeting will be held at the University Club in Winter Park, starting at 5 p.m. There will be wine and snacks and lots of good conversation. Among the items on the agenda - confirming the LWVOC board for the 2012-2013 term and approving the League's program, which sets our priorities for the year ahead. We'll also be giving out awards and honoring those of you marking 50 years with the League. Think about it. A half-century of helping to safeguard democracy and advocating for better government. What an amazing record.

Andrea Kobrin and Sara Segal are still fine-tuning the April Hot Topics program. It will be held on April 11 and the subject will be the 2012 legislative session. Veteran journalist Bob Shaw, government/politics editor at the Orlando Sentinel and State Rep. Scott Randolph have already signed on to be among the speakers. We'll keep you posted.

Adopt-a-Precinct chair Laurie Wack has some of us working the Orlando City Elections on April 3. We'll be at Precinct 3301, North Park Baptist Church in Baldwin Park. Love to think we are watching democracy in action and making money for the League at the same time.

The May 9 Hot Topics program will be a newsmaker. The candidates for Orange-Osceola State Attorney - Lawson Lamar, Jeff Ashton and Ryan Williams - will be our speakers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CRC votes not to seek County Commission expansion

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT

By Caroline Emmons-Schramm

Sandra Powers, Jean Seigfried and I attended the first of two meetings the citizens’ Orange County Charter Review Commission scheduled to review reports from the CRC subcommittees and determine which of the proposed amendments to the Orange County Charter should be placed on the November ballot. 

 This meeting began with a roar. The room was packed, and many county residents presented their opinions with passion and eloquence. Other residents were obviously not so used to presenting their views in public, but gamely made the effort because the issues were important to them. 

 The first proposal, to increase the number of county commissioners to 8 and keep 1 county mayor, generated 2 hours of public input, although the meeting was scheduled for only 2 ½ hours in total.  Most testimony was in favor of placing the proposal on the ballot, although not all.  The Commission voted not to place the amendment on the ballot by one vote.  Many of the public were not happy with this result; look for this issue to return during the next review process.

 After this, the commissioners agreed to discuss 2 other proposals and leave the others until the meeting scheduled for 4/12/12.

 The commission agreed to place an amendment “prohibiting or regulating simulated gambling or gambling” to the extent that such minimum standards are more strict than applicable municipal standards before the electorate.

 Next, the proposals from the CRC subcommittee that would allow the board of county commissioners to fill a vacancy in the office of county commission and of county mayor were heard.  As more than one process was presented, the issue was tabled to give the CRC members time to review the options and be able to discuss them at the next meeting.

 As this issue is a concern of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, I spoke in favor of local County government having this ability, citing our position that “local government should have the necessary power and authority to meet its responsibilities.”  The League believes this circumstance defiantly meets the criteria of local control.

 The next meeting will cover discussion and vote on the options to fill vacancies in the offices of county commission and county mayor.  In addition the CRC will address the Frequency of the Charter Review Committee and the Citizens Review Board.

 The meeting on 4/12/12 should be interesting and extensive.

 

 

 

Senate maps violate fair districting

By Aaron Deslatte,

Tallahassee Bureau Chief

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TALLAHASSEE — On the last day of a once-a-decade redistricting legislative session, the Florida Supreme Court officially ordered overtime Friday by ruling that the re-drawn state Senate map failed to follow new anti-gerrymandering standards.

The high court decided in a 5-2 ruling that 8 of the Senate's 40 re-drawn districts violated the new Fair Districts standards, a move that will force lawmakers to return to work -- possibly within days -- to take another crack at the maps. The court also decided unanimously that the House maps did comply with the new Fair Districts standards.

The defective Senate districts stretch from the Panhandle to Fort Myers, and Jacksonville to Orlando — and failed to measure up in the high court's review for different reasons, including protecting incumbents, and failing compactness or geographic standards.
In South Florida, the court ruled that two districts currently held by two Fort Lauderdale lawmakers, Democrat Chris Smith and Republican Ellyn Bagdanoff, also run afoul of the new standards because they were based on the last round of maps drawn in 2002 before the Fair Districts standards were enacted.

The court said the two districts – Districts 29 and 34, which run parallel to each other down a strip of coast from Jupiter to Dania Beach – “are clearly not compact” and the coastal District 29 “is indicative of intent to favor an incumbent and a political party” by making Bogdanoff’s district safer for a Republican.

The 234-page ruling said the Legislature's new lines for 120 House districts passed the constitutional tests laid down by the anti-gerrymandering amendments approved by voters last year. But the 40 Senate districts will have to be redrawn to the court's liking before candidate qualifying begins in early June.

The decision is precedent-setting, because the justices ruled that the Fair Districts amendments imposing new constitutional standards on redistricting also require more than a cursory review by the court of whether lawmakers followed them.

"The new requirements dramatically alter the landscape with respect to redistricting by prohibiting practices that have been acceptable in the past, such as crafting a plan or district with the intent to favor a political party or an incumbent," Justice Barbara Pariente wrote for the majority.

"By virtue of these additional constitutional requirements, the parameters of the Legislature's responsibilities under the Florida Constitution, and therefore this Court's scope of review, have plainly increased, requiring a commensurately more expanded judicial analysis of legislative compliance."

Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston dissented with the court's decision to invalidate the Senate map.

The court said the eight Senate districts didn't comply fully with the new standards, because they packed in too many minorities, didn't adequately follow geographic boundaries or weren't compact enough.

"The Legislature should remedy the constitutional problems with respect to these districts, redrawing these districts and any affected districts in accordance with the standards as defined by this Court," Pariente wrote, "and should conduct the appropriate functional analysis to ensure compliance with the Florida minority voting protection provision as well as the tier-two standards of equal population, compactness, and utilization of existing political and geographical boundaries."

While the Senate continued moving through its last-day legislative calendar without releasing a statement, the House reacted in stark contrast -- giving House Redistricting Chairman Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, a standing ovation moments after the order was released, as he read the passage from the order finding the House maps valid.

After Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman of Coconut Creek questioned why they weren't also discussing the decision on the Senate districts, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, clarified that lawmakers would have to return for a special session at some point.

"We understand the difficulty of the court's duty to review the application of new constitutional language," Cannon said in a statement. "We appreciate the court providing input as their guidance will provide a great deal of help moving forward."

Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, said the defects in the maps could have been avoided.

"The ruling ... underlined all of the warnings which went unheeded during the redistricting committee hearings and the ultimate vote," Rich said in a statement.

"The Supreme Court saw the same troubling issues of discrimination and favoritism as the Senate Democrats who voted against these maps, and which go against every fiber of the Constitution's new anti-gerrymandering amendments overwhelmingly passed by the majority of Florida's voters."
[email protected] or 850-222-5564.

Copyright © 2012, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Lou Frey explores federal budget, Social Security and much more

If you loved listening to Congressman Lou Frey at our last Hot Topics, here's another opportunity to hear him and benefit from his informed perspective on a topic of critical importance to us all.  This program is geared to a multi-generational audience, so senior citizens are being recruited to have a good balance.

To learn more about the mysteries of the federal budget, deficits, tax rates and how entitlements like Social Security are affected, join other concerned citizens (especially those 65 and older) as well as UCF students on Monday, March 19, 2012 for the Lou Frey Institute 2012 Symposium on “The Federal Budget:  An Unsolvable Problem?” taking place at the Fairwinds Alumni Center (across from the UCF Arena). 

Below is the schedule for the day:

 

9:15 Welcome Dean Michael Johnson and Congressman Lou Frey

9:30 – 10:45 Entitlements, Defense, Deficits, and Taxes: Problems the Supercommittee Couldn’t Solve

Congressman Frey will be joined by three former members of Congress in a discussion and debate about solutions to the large-scale fiscal issues facing the nation.

 

10:45 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 1:00 Principles and Priorities: The Concord Coalition Budget Exercise

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch

 

Attached you will find two items that you may find helpful regarding the budget process.  If you want more information, please go to the

Concord Coalition’s website at:  www.concordcoalition.org

 

If League members would like to attend, please contact Laura Stephenson, executive assistant to the executive director, at [email protected] or else 407-823-4018. no later than Wednesday March 14. 

 

I look forward to seeing you on March 19.  Take care til then.

 

Regards,

 

Terri Susan Fine

 
Professor of Political Science
Associate Director and Senior Fellow,
Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government
Schusterman Fellow, Brandeis University
PO Box 161356
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL   32816-1356
407-823-2081
[email protected]