FLORIDA DIGEST - February 07, 2009

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

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

-Ads advise gays of which candidates have Fort Lauderdale mayor's backing Outgoing mayor admits his backing could hurt candidates in the eyes of homosexual voters.
By Anthony Man | Political Writer
Mayor Jim Naugle, who leaves office next month because of term limits, is so controversial in the gay community that the Dolphin Democrats political club is running ads alerting voters which candidates in Tuesday's primary have his support. "Mr. Naugle has not been a friend to our community," said Justin Flippen, president of the Dolphins, a gay and lesbian political group.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/fort_lauderdale/sfl-flbnaugle0207sbfeb07,0,3057448.story

-Fort Lauderdale mayoral candidates
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/sfl-0206-elx-laudmayorprofiles,0,1106477.story

-Four seeking Lauderdale mayor post say civility is key
By Brittany Wallman
The men seeking to be Fort Lauderdale new mayor agree on one thing: It's time for civility. From homeowner meeting to homeowner meeting, the three lawyers and one businessman running for mayor are telling voters Fort Lauderdale is ready for leaders who get along with each other. With tough work ahead to make financial ends meet, candidates say the City Commission can't afford to spend time squabbling.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/sfl-0206-elx-laudmayor,0,7497948.story


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

-Tonight! ArtExplosion opening event
One of the largest GLBT art exhibitions in U.S.
Saturday, February 7 - 6:00-9:00 PM
Exhibit Runs February 2 - February 27, 2009
ArtServe Gallery - 1350 East Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale - $10 Admission
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#23777


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From Dean Trantalis for Fort Lauderdale Mayor Campaign
-The run for the primary is here!
Tomorrow starts our final push to the primary on February 10th. It's imperative that we have as many supporters as possible take part in tomorrow's activities. Please meet us at campaign headquarters at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2009, bring a friend, and come canvass and phone bank with us. This is the most important day of the campaign so far. 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 90 volunteers short for morning, lunch and afternoon shifts. If you can't make it tomorrow afternoon, then meet Dean tomorrow evening at 5 and wear your campaign shirt as Dean makes an appearance at St. Demetrios church for their Greek Festival. He'll be meeting volunteers at 5pm at the 14th Avenue entrance to the church. We hope you'll be able to make at least one of these events. Have a great afternoon and don't forget to vote on February 10th and make sure everyone you know does the same.
Chip Clapp - Volunteer Coordinator
Dean Trantalis for Mayor Campaign
volunteer@deanformayor.com
(954) 701-2902 cell


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GLCC - Ft. Lauderdale - Calendar of Events
http://www.localendar.com/public/glccsf


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

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

-Sansom flap exposes lax rules that invite back-scratching
Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom's shameful departure from the leadership ranks is hardly the final chapter in this sordid little story. While Sansom faces multiple investigations, Florida lawmakers need to face up to the fact that they have a much bigger problem on their hands. Sansom got into trouble because he took a six-figure administrative job at a Panhandle community college late last year after steering many millions of dollars to that same college. It looked like payback, even if Sansom and college administrators insist it wasn't.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editossansomsbfeb07,0,3184123.story

-Find a way to keep State Farm, or we all lose
By Michael Perry
As a 40-plus-year resident of Florida, I am curious why no one is concerned that the insurance commissioner is forcing a property insurance company to leave Florida. I have been a State Farm customer for over 20 years, and have found them to a be a fair, honest and valued insurance company. When I had a roof claim after Hurricane Andrew, it was paid fairly and quickly, and we were never canceled or penalized in any way. I would rather see the state insurance agency negotiate fairly with State Farm to reach a resolution where they are able to stay and compete for clients in Florida. If they price themselves too high, then the marketplace will sort out the pricing issues.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-statefarmforum06pnfeb06,0,6918539.story


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

-The Miami Herald recommends
FOR FORT LAUDERDALE MAYOR
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/892375.html

-For Fort Lauderdale Commission, District 4
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/890536.html

-Ex-schools chief joins USC
Former Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew has taken a post at the University of Southern California.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/892441.html

-Mayors' economic stimulus package wish list contains surprises
Questions surround some of the local projects that could receive federal funding as part of a national stimulus package.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/story/892386.html


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Broward County Board of Commissioners
Historic Heritage Marker to be Unveiled at "Colored Beach"
Broward County will recognize a five-mile strand of beach that was once commonly referred to as the "colored beach," now known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach, with the placement of a Historic Heritage Marker. The special ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 13, at the Manatee Pavilion located inside the park. The Broward County Historical Commission spearheaded the effort to have the State's Division of Historical Resources declare the beach a place of historical significance under the State Historic Marker Program.


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From Kristin Jacobs, Commissioner
Broward County, District 2
954-357-7002
WE NEED YOUR HELP! CONTACT OUR SENATORS
I hope this e-mail finds you all well and warm! I returned last night from Washington D.C., where I was representing Broward County working with a group called Climate Communities. Climate Communities is a national network of counties and cities that work together to promote local initiatives to battle climate change. This week, I joined with leaders from all over the country to lobby members of Congress and the Obama administration to include Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in the economic stimulus package. These funds would help local governments implement strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the total the total energy, and create green jobs. Today, the alert went out from Climate Communities that Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are introducing an amendment to remove the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants from the economic recovery bill . THIS WOULD BE HUGE MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR BROWARD COUNTY. Broward County needs your help! Please contact Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Mel Martinez, and urge them to oppose the Nelson/Collins amendment. Below are links to their web pages where you can express you opposition to the cuts and urge their support of funding for local and state energy projects.
http://martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorMartinez
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm


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

-Crist touts $13 billion stimulus' prospects for Florida
By GEORGE BENNETT
While Republicans in Washington have blasted a massive economic stimulus package moving through Congress, Republican Florida governor and possible U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist today touted the billions of federal dollars the legislation could bring to the state.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/02/06/0206criststimulus.html

-Diverse pick of Broward judges officially `robed'
Nine Broward County judges were honored during a robing ceremony that attracted several hundred people to the courthouse Friday. Most of the newly elected and recently appointed judges have already begun handling cases. With three new minorities and two women among the honorees, the ceremony highlighted the progress being made to diversify the bench. In all, six circuit judges -- William Haury Jr., Lisa Porter, Bernard Bober, Merrilee Erhlich, Steven Feren and Kenneth Gillespie -- participated in the formal affair. County Court Judges John Hurley, Ellen Feld and Ian Richards also were robed. Last month, Gov. Charlie Crist appointed general magistrate Barbara McCarthy and attorney Carlos Rodriguez to fill vacant seats on the bench. Another appointment is expected soon to replace retired County Judge Robert S. Zack.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/892452.html


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