FLORIDA DIGEST - January 26, 2009

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.


~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Organizations United Together, Inc. (OUT) - Florida
http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/01/organizations-united-together-inc-out-florida/

-An unprecedented number of leaders of local LGBT and allied organizations met in Orlando, Florida Saturday from every corner of the state in an all day session. The meeting was convened by a statewide federation of local organizations created last month: Organizations United Together ("OUT"). "OUT's first meeting was an unqualified success," declared OUT spokesperson Karen Doering. "The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement about the possibilities of what we can achieve together was inspiring." The morning portion of the meeting included a networking session where each region of the state networked with other groups from their own region and discussed their local priorities. In the afternoon, participants broke up by interest area, so that political, educational and community-focused groups could network with similar groups and work together to explore how OUT can best assist them in enhancing communication, sharing resources and developing coordinated strategies for the future. Several statewide projects emerged as priorities from the daylong strategy sessions. [...] Organizations United Together, Inc. (OUT) is a federation of local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied organizations dedicated to achieving equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians. By connecting and empowering local organizations throughout the state to share resources, skills and knowledge, OUT aims to forge our statewide strength to achieve common goals.
http://www.gayagenda.com/2009/01/organizations-united-together-inc-out-florida/


=
Anthony Niedwiecki Receives Key Endorsements for Oakland Park Commission Race
Long-Time Community Activist Proudly Accepts the Support of Diverse Community Organizations
Andrew Lewis, the president of the American Black Caucus (which is involved in several community projects, including the FaithWorks projects that partner with small member churches to alleviate health disparities), had this to say about Niedwiecki: "I have learned over the years, especially in tough times, to take Anthony at his word. Anthony Niedwiecki has a list of great things he would like to accomplish for Oakland Park, for us, for you, over the coming years, and he has given his word, that when elected on March 10, he will do everything possible to enact our community's list of progressive priorities for Change."
www.Anthony09.com


=
From Julie Carson for Wilton Manors City Commission Campaign
Wilton Manors FL, January 23rd 2009 - Commissioner Julie Carson, has received the endorsement of the Broward County AFL-CIO for the February 10th 2009 special election for Wilton Manors City Commission. The Broward County AFL-CIO represents all unions in Broward County. As Senior Paralegal at the real estate investment and Management Company of Gator Investments in North Miami Beach , Julie employs her years of practical experience in routinely facilitating multi-million dollar complex real estate acquisitions, financing and related transactions in connection with the ownership, development, and management of the Company's income producing portfolio. Commissioner Carson brings more than 20 years of valuable business and negotiation skills to the City of Wilton Manors .
http://JulieCarson.net


=
From Scott Newton for Wilton Manors City Commission Campaign
RALLY'N THE VOTE FOR SCOTT NEWTON
Upcoming Scott appearances:
.. Tuesday, Jan 27 Hagen Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - 2020 Wilton Drive - 6:00 PM
..Wednesday, Jan 28 Wilton Station "W" Club - 5:30 to 7:30 PM
..Thursday Jan 29 Eastside Meet & Greet Kiwanis Clubhouse - 2749 NE 14th
Avenue - 7-PM With only 14 days
left until election day, Scott still needs your help...VOLUNTEER NOW!
www.votenewton.com


=
SAVE DADE - COMMUNITY COORDINATOR
SAVE has now begun to actively search for candidates to fill the position of community coordinator. The heart of the job is volunteer recruitment, training, and development.
http://savedade.readyhosting.com/Employment_Opportunities_Page.htm



~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

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

-Charlotte Rodstrom: I didn't snub the Urban League
Posted by Brittany Wallman
Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Charlotte Rodstrom said criticism of her as a "racist'' is unfair and just "political antics.''
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2009/01/charlotte_rodstrom_i_didnt_snu.html

-South Florida cities list projects for President Obama stimulus plan money
15 mayors in South Florida draw up wish lists that add up to $2.5 billion
By Ihosvani Rodriguez
When it comes to asking for free money, South Florida officials are not bashful.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbstimulus0126sbjan26,0,6722962.story

-Public housing full in Broward County, with need expected to rise
By Brittany Wallman
"Please be advised that all waiting lists are closed." "We are not accepting any applications at this time." That's the message callers to the Hollywood Housing Authority are getting. At a time when more people than ever might find themselves facing homelessness, Broward County Click here for restaurant inspection reports has no public housing left. It's all full.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbhousing0126sbjan2609,0,1309813.story

-Random drug testing of high school athletes scores big life-lesson points
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board
High school athletics is more than an extra-curricular activity. For many students, it's a training ground for the more competitive world of college sports.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editnbdrugtestingpnjan24,0,1426198.story

-Paranoia, bigotry toward Muslims still with us
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board
Two events involving Muslims, in an airport concourse and a South Florida protest against bus signs, speak to lingering fear from a terrible day.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editgsmuslimpnjan23,0,7378444.story


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

-Ex-Broward wrestling coach set to stand trial in sex charge
BY TODD WRIGHT
Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday afternoon in the trial of a former Broward County public school wrestling coach accused of sexually molesting a student.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/872591.html

-RECESSION: Hard times leave South Florida pets homeless
BY JOHN DORSCHNER AND PATRICIA MAZZEI
As the recession deepens, pet owners throughout South Florida are being forced to give up their beloved four-legged family members.
http://www.miamiherald.com/103/story/872313.html

-TALLAHASSEE: Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom faces complaints, state probe
BY MARY ELLEN KLAS
A Leon County grand jury will decide this week whether to probe allegations that House Speaker Ray Sansom misused his office.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/871182.html

-Outgoing Fort Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle backs two candidates
AMY SHERMAN
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, a lightning rod of controversy for his comments about gay sex in parks, is off the commission in March due to term limits. But he remains a factor in the Feb. 10 primary because of his backing of two candidates: former state Rep. Jack Seiler for mayor and attorney Romney Rogers for a commission seat.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/872398.html


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

-Florida Pushing Hard For Stimulus
By BILLY HOUSE
WASHINGTON Floridians, including elected officials from Tampa Bay, are looking to President Barack Obama and his administration to meet a raft of expectations.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/26/na-florida-pushing-hard-for-stimulus/news-metro/

-Grand jury to weigh speaker's ethics amid inquiries about ties to college
By MICHAEL C. BENDER
It was the final days of last year's legislative session and after six weeks of brutal budget cuts, the Florida House was in disarray. Democrats effectively slammed the brakes on the process by requiring that each word of every bill be read out loud. Republicans retaliated by refusing to put Democratic bills up for a vote.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2009/01/25/a1a_sansom_0126.html

-Klein explores Senate bid with due diligence
By George Bennett
He hasn't made as much noise as some of the other potential candidates considering a U.S. Senate bid, but U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, is continuing to coolly and methodically size up the race. "We're still in that discussion stage," Klein says. "We're talking to fund-raising people, talking to people that are leaders around the state, talking to professionals who run campaigns."
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/hp/content/local_news/epaper/2009/01/25/a1b_palmbeachpolitics_0126.html

-'Global Gag Rule' Lifted
By Barbara Crossette
On Friday evening, a time favored by officials trying to avoid attention, President Barack Obama issued a statement reversing one of the most damaging policies ever visited on developing nations by Republican administrations. This was the "global gag rule," which forbade US government support for any organization that in any way fostered, provided or even advised women about abortion. It was a policy foisted on an unsuspecting world by the Reagan administration at, of all events, a United Nations conference on women and development held in Mexico City in 1984.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090209/crossette?rel=hp_picks


=
Just News
http://www.justnews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-PTA Mom's Stage Mock Funeral To Get State's Attention
One hundred students dressed in black marched slowly around Southwood Middle School Sunday in a mock funeral meant to get state lawmakers' attention. The mourners placed their violins, books and soccer balls in a coffin. The adjacent headstone read "Here lies our dreams." The overdramatized mock funeral was meant to send a message to state lawmakers to stop slashing state education funding.
http://www.justnews.com/news/18562523/detail.html?treets=mia&tid=2655619429813&tml=mia_9am&tmi=mia_9am_1_08000201262009&ts=H


=

[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####