FLORIDA DIGEST - October 16, 2008

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Anti-gay church to speak at FIU debate on Amendment 2
Forum will focus on amendment to ban same-sex marriage
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/schools/sfl-flpwestboro1016pnoct16,0,1119087.story

-Boca church takes a stand against marriage amendment
Along with casting a vote for the next president of the United States on Nov. 4, Florida voters will decide if the state's definition of marriage needs revamping. One of six proposed amendments to the state constitution that will appear on ballots statewide, Amendment 2, the Florida marriage protection amendment, reads as follows: "This amendment protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and provides that no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/bocaraton/sfl-flbrfamendment1015brfoct15,0,7012641.story

-And yes, it does affect us
I don't know a lot of people who have a happier marriage than I have.
Correction: I don't know anybody who has a happier marriage than I have. So according to the backers of proposed Amendment 2 to the Florida Constitution, I not only shouldn't worry about the possibility of that amendment passing, I should embrace it.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flesbjaundiced1016esboct16,0,3526645.story


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Steve Rothaus
http://www.MiamiHerald.com/gay
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Video | Michael Schiavo: Vote No On 2
This is a web commercial from ProgressFlorida done by Michael Schiavo, husband of Terri Schiavo, the comatose Florida woman at the center of a national end-of-life debate a few years ago. Michael Schiavo is campaigning against Florida's proposed marriage amendment.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/


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Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-BSO forms task force to fight hate crimes
Includes protections of victims of GLBT bias
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#21748


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St. Petersburg Times
http://www.tampabay.com/

-Two wealthy Republicans fueling both sides in the fight over Amendment 2
Two wealthy Republicans are the financial fuel behind both sides of the ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in the Florida Constitution. Backing the measure is the patriarch who founded Amway Corp. On the other side is a little-known telecom multimillionaire.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article856986.ece


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From Anthony Niedwiecki for Oakland Park City Commission
www.Anthony09.com
City of Oakland Park Takes Stand Against Amendment 2
Commission Passes Resolution Opposing Amendment 2
Last night, the Oakland Park City Commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution opposing Amendment 2, Florida 's so called "Marriage Protection Amendment." The commission passed the resolution because of the "potential adverse impact that it causes on the existing rights and future rights of unmarried Floridians."


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GLBT Get Out the Vote Center - Saturday and Sunday!

-Tonight! Please join us at the GLBT Get Out The Vote Center
2040b N. Dixie Highway (back left corner of the new GLCC Campus)
1/3 mile south of "5-points" intersection Wilton Manors, FL 33305
(954) 630-VOTE (8683)
Friday, October 17th, 2008
6:00 pm
Wine and cheese served.

-Campaign season is in full swing and voter turnout is expected to break all records! With early voting and vote-by-mail available, we're trying to help people make sure their votes are counted and educating them on these opportunities. The last thing we want on election day is a surprise that people weren't allowed to vote. We need your help. Please volunteer this weekend for two great events: The first is Bubba's Country Fair at Scandals Saloon in Wilton Manors Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, with shifts between 11 am and 7 pm. The second is the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day at the GLCC Friday, October 16 from 3 pm until ?? They're both going to be wonderful events and incredible opportunities for us to do an incredible thing for the community. If you are able to help, please email Chipwich00@hotmail.com. Let me know what day, time and event you would like to help with, along with your name, number and email, and I will make sure you get plugged into your favorite event. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Chip Clapp
Outreach Coordinator
GLBT Get Out the Vote Center
Chipwich00@hotmail.com
(954) 701-2902


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Join Us For Our Statewide Day of Action!
Saturday, October 18 2:00-6:00pm
It's all hands on deck! Polls show that we are very close to defeating Amendment 2 and we have less than 3 weeks to reach millions of Florida voters- and the time has come for everyone to step up! This Saturday we'll be in your community and we need you to join us. Click here to join your local team. With less than 3 weeks until Election Day and early voting set to begin next Monday, Saturday is our best opportunity before November 4th to reach Florida voters with our message to vote NO on Amendment 2. Join the Vote No on 2 Campaign and hundreds of other volunteers as we go door-to-door to inform voters about the dangers of Amendment 2, the so-called "Marriage Protection" Amendment. Water, snacks and campaign materials will be provided. If you have a Vote No on 2 t-shirt, wear it! If not, please wear a plain white shirt and we will provide you with a sticker and/or pin. Click here to do your part!
http://ga4.org/Equalityflorida/events/dayofaction/details.tcl


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Palm Beach Human Rights Council
www.pbchrc.org

-Town Meeting on Amendment 2
The American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Advocacy Project, The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, and The Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) Club at PBCC's Lake Worth Campus invite you to a Town Hall Forum regarding Amendment 2 (the so-called "Marriage Protection Amendment)
October 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
STAGE WEST @ Duncan Theatre
Lake Worth Campus,Palm Beach Community College
While backers of proposed Amendment 2 claim they are only reaffirming marriage as one man and one woman, there are already several laws, including the Florida Defense of Marriage Act, that outlaw same sex marriage in the state.
RSVP to Jamie Ziegele. Call; (561) 868-3315 or e-mail ziegelej@pbcc.edu


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Gary Resnick for Wilton Manors Mayor Campaign
For information about Gary's campaign, please contact Gary at home at 954-566-0054, or via email, garyresnick@..., or visit his website, www.garyresnick.com


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From Steve GLASSMAN For Fort Lauderdale City Commission District 2 Campaign
Leadership for a Change
From Naugle and Rodstrom to a Majority Community-Friendly Commission Gay Leaders excited over the potential for change in the upcoming elections Even before a single vote is cast in this historic presidential election season, pro-community activists were looking ahead to Fort Lauderdale's municipal elections. Key leaders optimistic about the potential for change include important voices in Fort Lauderdale's community, political and neighborhood organizations such as Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and Waymon Hudson, founder of Fight Out Loud .Watching historic change coming to America and the White House, the local leaders sense opportunity for Fort Lauderdale and both have endorsed Steve Glassman's candidacy in the strongest terms. Albetta explained, " Naugle is termed out and so the Mayor's race is wide open. Cindi is departing so that's District 4. And so you have Rodstrom, whose silence on important issues and failure to live up to loudly stated campaign promises has been a slap in the face of the GLBT community." Hudson, who started Fight Out Loud after experiencing a Hate Crime, summed it up, " Look, the last Commission meeting was the latest example of intolerance from the dais that is just outrageous. Rodstrom was clapping after one pro Amendment 2 speaker for goodness sake. I am endorsing Steve Glassman because Rodstrom has become an obstacle to having a commission that is committed to all its citizens." Asked about the endorsements, Glassman embraced them, stating, "District 2 is the most diverse district in the City - racially, ethnically, economically, geographically. In many vibrant ways, our community is a microcosm of America and the city as a whole and who I am reflects the community. I am happy to see that recognized, especially by leaders who by their advocacy have earned everyone's respect." Regarding the opportunity to transition from a culture of division to one of inclusion, Glassman summed up everyone's
sentiment: "DREAM! HOPE! CHANGE!"
Steve@VoteGlassman.com
http://voteglassman.com/


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From Earl Rynerson for Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Campaign
MAYORAL CANDIDATE EARL RYNERSON TAKES THE LEAD IN CAMPAIGN FUNDING
Earl Rynerson, Mayoral Candidate for Fort Lauderdale, announced today that he has taken the lead in total Campaign Funding among the four Mayoral Candidates. Rynerson's total funding (at the end of Q3) totaled $90,307, compared to Jack Seiler's total of $74,130, Dean Trantalis' total of $16,192, and Steve Rossi's total of $2,844. "I made the decision that, in order to level the playing field against career politicians like Jack Seiler, I will need to inject some of my own funds into this campaign to ensure that I am able to get my message out to the voters. I am invested in Fort Lauderdale and investing in my campaign is a natural extension of that".
"We as voters need to have alternatives to career politicians and attorneys running our city. We will soon be ending 18 years with a career politician as Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. Do we really want another career politician as a replacement? I made the decision to enter this race in July after seeing the qualifications of those that had entered the race. I believe I have unique experiences and a background that will give the voters a clear and better alternative."
www.earlformayor.com


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From Gary Resnick for Wilton Manors Mayor Campaign
RESNICK RECEIVES ENDORSEMENTS FROM BROWARD COUNTY AFL-CIO, QUALITY FLORIDA AND MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS,
Commissioner Gary Resnick, Candidate for Mayor of Wilton Manors, is pleased to announce the endorsements of Broward County AFL-CIO, Equality Florida Action PAC and many prominent local, county and state elected officials. Some of those supporting Resnick include State Senators Steven A. Geller and Nan Rich, State Senator Elect Chris Smith, State Representatives Perry Thurston, Jim Waldman and Martin Kiar, Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl, Mayors Rae Carole Armstrong (Plantation), Lori Moseley (Miramar), Jack Brady (North Lauderdale), Beth Talabisco (Tamarac), Debby Eisenger (Cooper City), Joy Cooper (Hallandale Beach) and Frank Ortis (Pembroke Pines). Equality Florida, a statewide education and advocacy organization announced their endorsement of Gary Resnick for Mayor of Wilton Manors. Equality Florida works to eliminate all discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and class. Gary was first elected to the Wilton Manors City Commission in 1998 and was re-elected handily in 2002 and 2006. "I am honored to have so much community support for my campaign for Mayor of Wilton Manors. My grassroots campaign is focusing on walking door to door and listening to the residents of Wilton Manors. It is about putting WILTON MANORS FIRST," commented Resnick. Resnick also received the endorsement of the Island City News, the local Wilton Manors paper. Gary and his partner, Eric, live on Jenada Isle in Wilton Manors.
www.GaryResnick.com


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From Mark LaFontaine
Thank you all for so generously supporting me when I ran for office.
Although, we did not win, the outcome raised awareness and showed our true determination. I have another goal that I want to ask for your support on. For years now, I have wanted to participate in the Smart Ride. This bicycle ride is held annually to raise awareness that HIV/AIDS is still prevalent here in our community. The money raised from this 165 mile bike ride will go directly to local AIDS charities in combating this illness. As someone who has lived with HIV/AIDS for over 16 years since my diagnosis in June 2002, I am fully aware of the needs that infected people have regarding access to healthcare, medication, housing and employment. We need these organizations to ensure that our brothers and sisters are being cared for and that the youth are educated on the risks that exist. PLEASE consider sponsoring me by making a pledge at www.thesmartride.org/3/pledge/ . My rider number is 398. You need to put that into the form and then follow the directions as presented. I appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving the community in the near future.
Sincerely,
Mark LaFontaine


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From Scott Newton for Wilton Manors Mayor Campaign
Terry DeCarlo, Bill Huelsman & Chuck Williams
Invite You To A Pool Side Barbecue for the Re-Election Of Wilton Manors
Mayor Scott Newton
Oct. 18, 2008 - SATURDAY - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
At the Home of Chuck Williams
609 NW 28 Street
Wilton Manors
RSVP: CHUCK 954-567-1566 or ArtsUnited1@aol.com
Please bring a friend or neighbor.


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Tonight! GLADD and ABSOLUT® presents: TGIF South Florida.
GLAAD and ABSOLUT® Vodka invite you to the second annual TGIF South Florida - a Friday evening happy hour event series held at Georgie's Alibi. The perfect opportunity to meet like-minded young professionals and support the work of the only LGBT media advocacy organization in the country, this event is also the perfect way to kick off your fall. Enjoy two hours of hosted ABSOLUT® cocktails with entry, win prizes from local businesses and feel good knowing your Friday plans support an important cause.
Event #2: Friday, October 17, 2008
Event #3: Friday, November 21, 2008
Time: 9 - 11 pm
Location: Georgie's Alibi
2266 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL


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Florida Red and Blue
www.sayno2.com
Tonight! Join us for the unveiling of a new work by acclaimed Miami Artist Xavier Cortada
"Justice Is An Action Verb"
This powerful work of art was created using the names of the first 1,000 donors to Florida Red & Blue.
Posters of the artwork will be donated to the first 1000 donors in attendance.
4500 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33137
October 16, 2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-County charter questions: Just say no to more bureaucracy
Michael Mayo | News Columnist
Early voting starts Monday, and anyone who's looked at a sample ballot knows there's going to be some homework involved. Consider this a cheat sheet. Today, a rundown of the 10 Broward charter questions. The county Charter Review Commission meets every six years. As usual, the group of political appointees punted on any meaningful changes. An effort to let voters decide on a strong mayor failed. The current commission didn't want to see its power diluted.
Instead, Broward voters get to decide on these questions:
...1. Should we create a Metropolitan Transit Authority to coordinate transit improvements and initiatives? Estimated cost: $72,000 a year. We already have regional planning councils, and the county already has a Transportation Department. Let's use those more effectively. This could be more bureaucratic alphabet soup added to the mix. I'm voting NO.
...2. Should county commissioners be barred from interfering with county employees and deal mainly with the county administrator? This strengthens existing policy, and seems reasonable. YES.
...3. Should commissioners who recuse themselves from voting on an item because of conflicts also be banned from taking part in discussions about the item? Too many times, conflicted politicians try to sway fellow commissioners in debate, even though they can't vote. It's disgraceful, and this fix makes perfect sense. YES.
...4. Should we create a Broward Housing Council to coordinate issues such as affordable and workplace housing? Estimated cost: $185,000 a year. Here we go again, more bureaucracy. I say let's take the $185K every year, buy a foreclosed home and have an annual lottery for a starting teacher or cop. NO.
...5. Should the charter specify that the county has a duty to develop policies and programs with a county and regional focus? Well, duh, it is county government. This seems obvious, but if we need the charter to spell it out, I suppose it's harmless. YES.
...6. If the county wants to sell a park or change its land use, should it take 60 percent voter approval to authorize it? Hell YES.
...7. Should an environmental policy statement be added, clarifying the commission's duty to protect a sustainable environment? This seems like an easy yes, but I'm afraid the vague language could have unintended consequences with the port and airport. Call me an anti-greenie meanie, I say NO.
...8. Should we create a county Ethics Commission? Estimated cost: $73,000-$100,000. State ethics law and the state Ethics Commission are already toothless, do we really need another local bureaucracy to issue meaningless rebukes when a public official does something wrong? NO.
...9. Should we hire an independent consultant to study redistricting of commission seats? Estimated cost: $53,000-$184,000. In the past, redistricting has been handled in-house. It probably couldn't hurt to have outside eyes, but is there any such thing as an independent consultant? A reluctant YES.
...10. Should the Management and Efficiency Study Committee next meet in 2009 instead of 2010? Sounds like somebody has a big vacation lined up for 2010. What the heck, I'm flexible. YES. Coming Sunday: A look at the six proposed state constitutional amendments. Michael Mayo's column runs Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Reach him at mmayo@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4508.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-flbmayocol1016sboct16,0,1949144.column

-Mahoney's attorney defends pay to woman
He says congressman used his own money to pay an alleged lover U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney did not use campaign funds to buy the silence of a former aide with whom he is accused of having an affair, his attorney said Wednesday.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpmahoney1016pnoct16,0,462535.story

-Hurricane Omar moves through northern Caribbean
Hurricane Omar was quickly moving away from the northern Leeward Islands early Thursday after passing through the area as a major Category 3 storm that caused little damage.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/sfl-hurricane-omar.5am,0,6326405.story


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Election Recommendations
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/

-Gov. Crist: False voter registrations not big problem in Fla.
Gov. Charlie Crist said he doesn't believe false voter registrations are a serious problem in Florida. And the ACORN group said it is being set up.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/728095.html


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-How votes could go missing
Here's something for Republicans to chew on. In a recent court-sanctioned test, 102 ballots were fed through two Palm Beach County vote-counting machines. The first machine found 13 valid votes and 89 invalid votes. The other machine, counting the same ballots, found 90 valid votes and 12 invalid ones. It's hard to blame the ballots. Something isn't right with at least one of those two machines. So, if Barack Obama does what seemed impossible just a few short months ago and wins Florida, Republicans can blame the machines. They can rage about how the machines can't be trusted, how voters' votes are not being counted and how there must be an improved paper trail. In other words, they can sound like Democrats.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/10/16/a14a_engelhardtcol_1016.html

-Decision may haunt Democrats
David Lutrin can hardly hold back the "I told you so." Three years ago the schoolteacher and passionate anti-war activist from Palm Beach County was all set to run for Congress against then-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley. The 54-year-old husband and father opened up a campaign account, started stumping in the 16th Congressional District and thought he had won the blessing of national Democrats. But then, almost overnight, Lutrin said the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began pressuring him to get out of the race and told him it was no longer backing him. Instead it was putting resources, including a check from then-DCCC chairman Rahm Emanuel, behind a political newcomer: Tim Mahoney, a multimillionaire venture capitalist and former Republican, who was mostly unknown within state Democratic circles.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081016/ARTICLE/810160371/2076/news0105

-Outlook bleak for Florida budget
Dire economic circumstances call for severe responses, a fact reflected in contingency plans drawn up by state agencies as Gov. Charlie Crist begins his budget-building process. Crist asked his agencies to provide requests that included plans for a 10-percent cut. He's hoping that's not what's required when he presents his version of the state's spending plan in January, but his department heads have painted what it would look like if it were.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/CD/20081016/CAPITOLNEWS/810160338/-1/capitolnews

-Florida exports on pace for record
You wouldn't know Florida is in a recession based on the volume of the state's foreign trade. It will be another record-breaking year for Florida exports. Through August, they exceed last year's total by $7-billion, a gain of 24 percent. And the year isn't over. Here are a few details of this little-heralded success story: FERTILIZING INDIA: Two years ago India was Florida's 19th-biggest export destination. This year the country has moved up in rank to sixth. The reason? India's insatiable hunger for phosphates to grow grain. One main beneficiary has been the Mosaic Co., which runs phosphate mines east of Tampa. January through August 2007, Florida exported $400-million worth of goods to India. Through August this year, India had already imported $1.5-billion worth of Florida stuff.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/economicdevelopment/article856963.ece

-ACLU: Federal death row inmates denied health care
Death row inmates at the federal prison in Terre Haute are routinely denied access to medical, dental and mental health care, the American Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday in a letter to a governmental official. One diabetic prisoner showing symptoms of high blood sugar had to wait two hours to be treated with insulin, the ACLU said after a yearlong investigation. And some prisoners with dental problems chose simply to have all their teeth removed rather than suffer pain while waiting for complicated procedures, it said.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081015/APA/810151587

-Registering to vote exposes Florida stalking victims
Dawn Streeter won't vote this year, even though she wants to. Streeter, who just moved out of Orange County to escape a neighbor who was stalking her, knows that registering to vote in the Nov. 4 election will make her new address in Central Florida a public record. So she opted against registering to preserve her privacy, though she's vowing to lobby for changes that would make stalking victims' addresses confidential on Florida voter rolls.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/orl-votestalk1608oct16,0,2193969.story


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Democracy for America
Across the country a progressive tide is rising and nowhere is it more apparent than right here in South Florida. That's why DFA has me here in Miami for the rest of the campaign. I'm here to help you and other Democracy for America members make sure that Annette Taddeo, Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez are helping a President Obama in Washington next year. But time is short. So we're calling an all hands on deck emergency meeting for all local DFA members this Monday at 7 p.m. on the FIU campus -- and I need YOU to be there.
Emergency Meeting
FIU Campus, Graham University Center Room 140
Monday, October 20. Starts at 7 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/31473-dfa-emergency-volunteer-meeting


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