FLORIDA DIGEST February 04, 2007

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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/us/04florida.html?ei=5094&en=48a63fddfab2cb63&hp=&ex=1170565200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print


February 4, 2007

Attention Turns to Salvage After Deadly Florida Storms
By LYNN WADDELL
LADY LAKE, Fla., Feb. 3 - As the search for survivors continued on Saturday,President Bush approved a declaration to provide federal aid to the fourCentral Florida counties where tornadoes left at least 20 dead and 1,500homes severely damaged or destroyed.

In a speech to Democratic members of Congress gathering in Virginia, Mr.Bush said he "shares concerns for those whose lives were turned upside downby that storm," which hit Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties.

"Whatever federal response is needed," Mr. Bush said, "we will make it quickand sure."

R. David Paulison, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, saidtractor-trailer loads of tarps, blue sheeting, water, meals and generators,along with five mobile-assistance trailers were on their way to the area onSaturday. But by the end of the day none of the trailers had arrived, saidRich Nicorvo, spokesman for Lake County Emergency Services.



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The Herald Tribune

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070203&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=702030495&SectionCat=NEWS0101&Template=printart


Foley's money keeps flowing
It's legal for the ex-lawmaker to spend his campaign cash.

By JEREMY WALLACE


H-T POLITICAL WRITER


jeremy.wallace@heraldtribune.com

Former Congressman Mark Foley may be out of office and facing possiblecriminal charges, but that isn't stopping him from spending money intendedfor his now-defunct re-election campaign.

Since resigning in late September amid allegations that he madeinappropriate advances toward teenage interns, Foley has paid his sistermore than $14,000 to run his campaign, almost $2,000 to lease a Volkswagenfor the bygone campaign and an additional $50,000 to hire prominent criminaldefense attorneys.

And there is still a lot more money to spend.

Foley has more than $1.6 million sitting in his campaign account, thebiggest war chest of any candidate for office in Florida, according to theFederal Election Commission. And there are very few things he can't use themoney for, as long as he can prove the expenditures are associated with himhaving been in Congress.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/16609586.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp


Posted on Sun, Feb. 04, 2007


Florida still searching for an election fix
OUR OPINION: A PAPER TRAIL IMPROVES ODDS OF AN ACCURATE VOTE TALLY



Gov. Charlie Crist got to the heart of Florida's election quandary Thursdaywith this simple but eloquent declaration: ''You should, when you go tovote, be able to have a record of it.'' With that clear-eyed assertion ofintent, Mr. Crist put Florida on track to achieve what hasn't been fullyaccomplished since the 2000 election when punch-card irregularities andbutterfly ballots made our state the laughingstock of the nation.

Mr. Crist is trying to fix problems that have cropped up in severalelections since the 2000 fiasco. His approach is a common-sense assessmentof what needs to be done to produce statewide elections in which ballots arecounted accurately. Achieving that goal, however, won't be easy.

If the governor gets his way, all Florida counties will have opticalscanners as their primary voting machine. Mr. Crist would replace electronictouch-screen machines that are used in Broward, Miami-Dade and 13 othercounties with the more-accurate optical scanners. He is allocating $32.5million for the conversion. Because the electronic touch-screen machines aremore versatile than optical scanners, counties would be allowed to keep someof them on hand to accommodate special needs, such as for blind voters orhaving ballots in other languages.



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The Miami Herald


http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/16611304.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp


Posted on Sun, Feb. 04, 2007

LAW ENFORCEMENT
New jails: Is there a need?

Broward is building new jails to cope with growing population and combatovercrowding. But experts say prevention and diversion programs arebetter -- and cheaper -- tools for keeping inmate numbers under control.
BY NIKKI WALLER
nwaller@MiamiHerald.com

Broward County is building new jails faster and more frequently thanFlorida's other urban counties at a cost of tens of millions of dollars totaxpayers.

County commissioners approved $62 million last year to build a 1,000-bedjail in Pompano Beach. When it opens in 2009, it will be the county's thirdnew lockup in less than a decade.

And Sheriff Ken Jenne will soon ask commissioners for money to build anotherjail -- this one designed to house inmates with mental illnesses or specialneeds.

Critics say new jails don't actually improve public safety. Expensive newlockups instead allow politicians to appear bullish on crime and give localleaders sway over millions of dollars in construction and staffingcontracts.




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PalmBeachPost.com

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/state/epaper/2007/02/04/m1a_vote_0204.html

Quest for voting certainty leads back to paper
By George Bennett

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, February 04, 2007

During the chad-hanging agony of Florida's 2000 presidential election, itwould have been hard to imagine a politician appearing before a crowd andpromising more manual recounts - and getting applause.

But after six years and a contentious experiment with paperless electronicvoting in much of the state, Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler last weekmade hand recounts sound as appealing as low-cost prescription drugs when hespoke to a senior-dominated audience west of Delray Beach.

"Florida law wisely says, in a close election, the people deserve a manualrecount," Wexler declared.

He then introduced Gov. Charlie Crist, who wants legislators to approve$32.5 million to end paperless voting in Florida. The Republican governorgot wild applause from the Democrat-dominated audience as he, too, calledfor a return to paper ballots and the prospect of more recounts.



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From: Rand Hoch pbchrcnews@gmail.com

Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:33 AM
Subject: Lobbying the Florida House of Representatives Schools & Learning Council for H.B. 609

Forwarded for Action - from The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council

Dear GLBT activist,

House Bill 609 -- Representative Shelley Vana's bill to amend the Florida Educational Equity Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in Florida's public schools (K-20) -- has just been assigned by Speaker of the House Marco Rubio to the Schools & Learning Council.

Getting H.B. 609 through the bill through the Schools & Learning Council is the first of many steps step required to move the bill through the Florida House of Representatives.

Here is a list of the State Representatives who serve on the Schools & Learning Council. Click on any Representative's name will bring you to his or her web page, where you will find contact information.

Schools & Learning Council

Representatives:
Pickens, Joe H. (R)Chair
Traviesa, Anthony Trey (R)Vice Chair
Bendross-Mindingall, Dorothy (D) Democratic Ranking Member
Altman, Thad (R)
Coley, Marti (R)
Flores, Anitere (R)
Heller, Bill (D)
Kiar, Martin David (D)
Legg, John (R)
Long, Janet C. (D)
McKeel, Seth (R)
Mealor, David J. (R)
Proctor, William L. (R)
Simmons, David (R)
Vana, Shelley (D) BILL SPONSOR


Contact us for the addrtess of the representatives.


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ArtsUnited Features Artist Frank Grant in Solo Exhibit

ArtsUnited is pleased to feature the mixed media works of Frank Grantin this solo exhibit at the Stonewall Library and Archives from February 5through March 2, 2007. Stonewall Library and Archives is located at 1717N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Frank uses discarded and found objects in his work, finding new life inold and unwanted things. He has incorporated old blue jeans, found workgloves, neckties, chair and window awning canvas, receipts and poster bills,as well as fruit and vegetable peelings into his art. He is always lookingfor new and unusual items to present in his work. The possibilities areendless!

One of his works, not exhibited in this current show, won a juried award. Frank has exhibited in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, wherehe spends part of his time. His works hang in private collections in Hawaii,Florida, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Italy.

The exhibit opens with a reception to meet the artist on Monday,February 5th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Refreshments will be served, andadmission is free to the public. For more information, call ArtsUnited at954-530-2723.



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Carlos Eduardo's Photography on Exhibit at Stork's

ArtsUnited will feature the photography of local artist Carlos Eduardoin a solo exhibit at Stork's Bakery Coffee Cafe, 2505 NE 15th Avenue, WiltonManors, from February 3 through March 2, 2007. The exhibit is free and opento the public.

Carlos Eduardo Martinez was born in 1965 in Coral Gables, FL. He is agraduate of Florida International University with a degree in Management.Though he always knew his degree would give him employment, it would notfulfill his creative desires. With a fourth generation horseman for a fatherand a photo journalist for a mother, his artistic interests were strong atan early age. Armed with his first camera at age 9, Carlos photographed hisfamily’s horses and his nature expeditions. That influence continues todaywith nature, wildlife and the great outdoors the subject of many of hisworks.

After spending time in Europe as an adult and engrossing himself in theart world, Carlos finally decided to exhibit his work in South Florida. Theresponse has been overwhelmingly positive. Now you see his work in exhibitsand private collections throughout the area.


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