FLORIDA DIGEST - February 08, 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~~

DEAN TRANTALIS ENDORSED BY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce today co-endorsed candidate Dean Trantalis in the city's mayoral race. The unusual co-endorsement with candidate Jack Seiler underscores the closeness of the mayoral race in Fort Lauderdale , which is an open seat for the first time in 18 years. "The Chamber recognized that, contrary to conventional wisdom, my campaign has growing support in the business community," Trantalis said. "We've known all along this is a choice between a candidate who wants the city to move progressively into the future, and one who supports the status quo. Fort Lauderdale 's business community understands the need for vision and new ideas." The Chamber interviewed candidates on January 30 and deemed candidates as "qualified" on issues important to the business community. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has 1,400 members. Trantalis has a long record of public service in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County , including a term as Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner and Vice Mayor. On the City Commission, Trantalis helped the city erase a $23 million deficit without raising taxes or cutting essential services. He also led the way in increasing the size of the Fort Lauderdale police force by 20 percent.
www.DeanForMayor.com


=
Black Gay Pride South Florida

-Black Gay Pride South Florida In Collaboration with Arts United
Loud & Proud Spoken Word
With Host Bishop S.F. Makalani-MaHeee, Featured Poets Chunky & Profet
With The presentation of the Bayard rustin Community Justice award
ArtsServe (1350 E. Sunrise Blvd.) - Friday February 13, 2009 @ 7pm

-Black Gay Pride South Florida Invites You To Our Official Club Event
Jay's Bar - Saturday February 14th
2780 Davie Blvd - Fort Lauderdale


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-In Florida, Despair and Foreclosures
By DAMIEN CAVE
Desperation has moved into this once-middle-class exurb of Fort Myers, where hammers used to pound.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08lehigh.html?_r=1&hp


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

-Despite Amendment 1, Floridians are still trapped in their homes
By Mary Ellen Klas
Gov. Charlie Crist and a throng of supporters packed the lawn of Keith and Elizabeth Markowitz's Orlando home to launch the Amendment 1 property tax campaign last year with a promise: If the referendum passed, they would no longer be "trapped in their homes."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article974188.ece

-Senator Wise to introduce bill on intelligent design
The senator wants it to balance Florida science standards that require the teaching of evolution.
Amid much controversy a year ago, the Florida Board of Education approved new standards that require public schools to teach that the scientific theory of evolution is the foundation of all biological science. But don't think that battle is over. Not even close. State Sen. Stephen Wise, a Jacksonville Republican, said he plans to introduce a bill to require teachers who teach evolution to also discuss the idea of intelligent design.
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-08/story/wise_to_introduce_intelligent_design_bill

-Nonpartisan sheriff for Broward? Let the voters decide
BY FRED GRIMM
Something like this could have kept our Kenny out of jail. Maybe if Jim Waldman had dubbed his proposed legislation the Sheriff Ken Jenne Prison Preemption Act, his fellow Democrats might not have stomped the idea as if it were an autographed photo of Rush Limbaugh.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/fred-grimm/story/893789.html

-Crist to decide on U.S. Senate bid after legislative session ends in May
Will the governor pass on trying for a second term in Tallahassee to run for the U.S. Senate?
By Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/article974177.ece

-Palm Beach County stimulus wish lists hit nearly $2 billion
By DON JORDAN
They're lining up with empty pockets, a hat in one hand, a shovel in the other. As the U.S. Senate pores over its version of a House-approved federal stimulus plan that would send billions of dollars in economic stimulus money to local governments, municipalities around the country are making their requests known.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/02/07/a1a_localstimulus_0208.html


=

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