FLORIDA DIGEST - February 02, 2009

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

-FORT LAUDERDALE CITY COMMISSION
Plenty of Lauderdale Commission candidates but few specificsWith two seats open and two other contested races, the face of the FortLauderdale commission will soon change.
BY AMY SHERMAN
Fourteen candidates vying for four Fort Lauderdale commission seats promiseto safeguard taxes, improve quality of life and forge consensus on the dais.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/883582.html

-FORT LAUDERDALE MAYOR
Naugle's nod a wild card in Fort Lauderdale mayor's race
A gay activist and a businessman with a critical view of city finances areamong candidates challenging former legislator Jack Seiler in the mayor's race.
BY AMY SHERMAN
At first blush, the Fort Lauderdale mayor's race may appear lackluster --three attorneys and a businessman complimenting each other at forums as theydiscuss the need for collegiality and budget balancing.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/883581.html


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From Dean Trantalis for Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Campaign

-Let's work together to change the face of history!
With only 9 days until the February 10th election, we still haven't talked to as many people as we will need to win this election. We need your help! Together, we can make Dean Trantalis the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, changing the face of the future, but only if we all put in a little something extra... time. Everyone from Dean to me to our event coordinator to our office manager will take part in a massive effort beginning at 12:30pm. We're putting teams of canvassers on the street and phone bankers on the phones to reach as many people in one day as possible. 200 volunteers will allow us to reach the numbers we need in one day. It may seem like alot, but with me there we only need 199 more, with Dean there we only need 198 more, with you there we only need 197 more, and with every single person who shows up we get that much closer, but it will take all of you. Please come to campaign headquarters at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2009, bring a friend, and when you respond to this email to let us know that you'll be there, sign up to help us at the polls on election day. We're still about 100 volunteers short for morning, lunch and afternoon shifts.
Chip ClappVolunteer Coordinator
Dean Trantalis for Mayor Campaign
volunteer@deanformayor.com
(954) 701-2902 cell
http://www.deanformayor.com/


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From Steve Glassman for Ft. Lauderdale City Commission Campaign

-This is a really exciting moment... as we have the unique opportunity to bring a proven leader to Fort Lauderdale, District 2- someone that can bring real change to our city. Our campaign is focused on civility, reason, unity, and judgment. 10 days until election day!! Please tell 10 people tovote for Steve Glassman on February 10th! We are down to the homestretch. You guys have been GREAT! Your friendship and support have been tremendous and extremely appreciated. Every vote counts, and together we can do it! For a yard sign, a t-shirt, or to volunteer this last week and on election day, please call the Campaign Hotline: (954) 638-8461.
http://www.voteglassman.com/


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From Earl Rynerson for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale Campaign

-As you know, my message throughout this Campaign has been to 1: Get our City's budget back under control; 2: Lower property taxes and; 3: Reducesome of the highest salaries in our City Government and eliminate bureaucracy. This is what I intend to do, with the help of the majority of our newly-elected fellow Commissioners. I believe that our City can become a"World-Class" City for residents, tourists and employers, and I have contributed over $85,000 of my own funds into this Campaign to enable us to win and to start making much-needed improvements to our City. [...] I am asking you to go to our Campaign web site (www.earlformayor.com) and make a secure, online contribution that is one tenth of one percent of what I have invested, or $85.00. That is a small amount, but can help a lot to insure that we are able to place resources where they are needed for Election Day. If you can contribute more, please do so (maximum of $250.00). If you have already contributed the maximum, I thank you! Ask your friends to help out by making an on-line donation instead! Please do it now; if you wait, you'll miss the deadline!
www.earlformayor.com


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

-Gay night in...Delray Beach? Venture Out at The Coffee District
By Dan Renzi
You probably haven't been to The Coffee District in Delray Beach yet. That's the way the Delray hipsters like it. The creative loafers of South Florida have slowly been migrating to this little town north of the gay'hood, and they're even starting to form their own little scene.
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#23783


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~


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

-Nude beaches: Should they stay or go?
Richard Mason of the South Florida Free Beaches and the Florida Naturist Association asked Broward's state lawmakers to oppose any legislation that would force nude beaches to close. Vote: What do you think of nude beaches in our area?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-0130poll,0,1804769,post.poll


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

-Sick policy: Gassing mentally ill inmates
OUR OPINION: State should stop cruel and unusual punishment
When federal Judge Timothy J. Corrigan ruled three weeks ago that spraying
mentally ill inmates with skin-blistering chemicals violates the Constitution's ban against cruel and unusual punishment, it seemed that Florida might finally put an end to a horrible, unnecessary practice. Instead, the state is fighting the ruling. The rationale? Two of the inmates have now been transferred to a safer facility. Meanwhile, the shameful practice of using pepper spray to subdue mentally ill inmates for misbehaving continues at Florida State Prison.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/883568.html

-Signs call for ouster of Oakland Park city manager
Mysterious signs suggesting that Oakland Park should oust City Manager John Stunson have been appearing along the roadside lately. The signs have emerged during campaign season and on the heels of a controversy about a city-approved project to build an extended-stay hotel.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/883736.html

-Broward lawmakers lament loss of air bridge
BREANNE GILPATRICK
Broward County legislators are used to feeling a little left out as an overwhelmingly Democratic delegation in the GOP-dominated Legislature, but now some say the feeling starts before they arrive at the Capitol.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/883737.html


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

-GOP moves to oust Sansom as leader, Florida House speaker
By Alex Leary
Three days after announcing he was temporarily stepping aside as speaker ofthe Florida House, Ray Sansom will be forced tonight to fully give up the job.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article972516.ece

-Lobbyist ties, state appraisers' price concerns cloud U.S. Sugar deal
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/hp/content/state/epaper/2009/02/01/a1a_ballard_0202.html

-State probe of gas hikes targets Morgan Stanley over claims of gouging
By CHARLES ELMORE
More than 10,000 Floridians complained to state agencies about steep increases in the price of gasoline after Hurricane Ike last year. At least two retail stations in North and Central Florida have agreed to settlements of price-gouging allegations for about $6,000. A grab bag of such settlements with small-scale businesses is typical after a disaster.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/hp/content/state/epaper/2009/02/01/a1a_pricegouging_0202.html

-Seminole Tribe to defend gambling deal Monday at House panel hearing
By Times Staff Writers
No time for bluffs at gaming hearing
The Seminole Tribe of Florida will defend its gambling deal with the state before a House panel today. Seminole Gaming chief executive James Allen will lay out what the compact means in revenue to the state, economic development and jobs. The House select committee on the deal plans to look into why Gov.Charlie Crist signed the compact, consider ways to change it and decide whether to ratify it.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article972115.ece

-U.S. aid bill has Florida schools squirming
Florida school districts are anxious to see an economic stimulus package tweaked so education funding is maximized.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/883551.html

-New teachers cut, weak links stay?
It's not a good time to be a teacher in Florida, but especially if you're ayoung teacher. As budget cuts have forced districts to look everywhere for savings, many have turned their sights to teachers on annual contract, with the latest example making headlines being down in Indian River County. But is this really the best thing to do?http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2009/01/new-teachers-cu.html


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