Friday, September 27, 2013

Democratic Women meet in Panama City this weekend

The Democratic Women's Club of Florida, Inc. began the first full day of their annual multi-day conference in Panama City this morning.

The day began with officer reports and nominations for the weekend's elections. Candidate speeches completed a full morning before the delegates adjourned for the lunch program.

The luncheon program featured FDP Chair Allison Tant and Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith. 

Chairwoman Tant's remarks included comments on the pending implementation of "Obamacare" and the life changing difference it would make for all Floridians.

Nadine Smith moved the audience with stories of families impacted by expanded equality laws.









Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Update: Questions Submitted for Tonight's Wetlands Panel


Questions for the Wetlands Panel
Tuesday September 24, 2013
Hosted by the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee
At the Wakulla County Library
7 PM
Free & Open to the Public

Questions appear as submitted to the panel organizers:

When we are talking about wetlands and just building a few feet closer to the edge...why would the difference between 0 and 35 feet be important? For that matter, why would it make any difference between 35 and 75 feet? It seems that runoff and impact would not be much different either way? Can you explain the reasoning and the differences it will make?

Is this not true: the State can permit a private owner to fill a water body because the State holds sovereignty over all land, water, and water bottoms within its boundary, but the private owner cannot give himself permission, because he holds property —not sovereignty. If this is true, would you say that those who assert that any wetlands regulations are a violation of property rights may be fundamentally confusing property with sovereignty?

Why is it important to have a 35 to 75 ft buffer instead of the State 0 -  25 foot buffer.   What is the function of the buffer?

(1) What is the difference between the Wetland's Ordinance and the Current Comprehensive Plan  Language/why don't we just need comprehensive plan language like we have had since 1995?
(2) If the wetland's ordinance is repealed - and the comp plan language is still in place- what effect would that have on buffer zones and variances? It is my understanding that there would be no variances and a strict 75 foot buffer would be put in place.
(3) The 75 foot buffer was added to the comp plan in 1995- as our county's population has more than doubled since that point- what effect on growth do you believe that the buffer has had on growth and environmental protection?
(4) with over 2/3rds of our county already protected in a state or federal park- why do some people believe we should try to protect isolated wetlands with these additional guidelines?
(5) Without the wetlands ordinance or the comp plan language how would permitting be different?
 will cost or time be less?
(6) If we do away with the wetlands ordinance is there a way that we could provide new buildings with a best practice guidelines document or a certificate program to show that they are trying to protect our wetlands?

On what information were the Florida wetlands regulations 25 foot  buffer based upon?  Does the State of Florida believe that this buffer at 25 feet, does its job?


1. Do State Regulatory program(s) address and regulate the Dredging and Filling of wetlands?

Background: there have been statements indicating that Dredging and FIlling of wetlands by developers will go unchecked if the Wakulla Wetlands Ordinance is repealed.

2. Do State Regulatory program(s) include and address dredging and filling activities in "isolated" wetlands"?

Background: there have been statements indicating that "isolated wetlands" will have no protections if the Wakulla Wetlands Ordinance is replealed.

3.  Is it true that State Regulatory program(s) identify that activities in wetlands and other surface waters must not be contrary to the public interest, or if the activity is located in an Outstanding Florida Waters, the activity MUST be clearly in the public interest?

Background: there have been statements that developers will be able to conduct dredge/fill activities in wetlands that will lead  to an overall loss of recreational and economic benefits to the citizens of Wakulla County should the Wetlands Ordinance be repealed.

4. Are there special provisions in State Regulatory program(s) that protect waters used for shellfish harvesting?

Background: there have been statements that the shellfish industry will be totally ruined if the Wakulla Wetlands Ordinance is repealed.

The current Wakulla Wetlands Ordinance was adopted in August 2010.  At that time, did the State regulate Isolated Wetlands in Wakulla County?  If not, does the state regulate Isolated Wetlands now?  If so, when did that change occur?

Does DEP provide wetlands delineation?  How about the County?

Are State regulations different, depending upon when the property was acquired?  How about County regulations?

Does the state require mitigation for unavoidable adverse impacts to wetlands?  How about the County?

Is there a minimum buildable area requirement by the State and County?

Does the Wakulla Wetlands ordinance regulate development occurring adjacent to springs, karst features, or sinkholes?  How about State regulations?

If a property owner is proposing development activities involving an existing structure, which does not increase the exterior square footage of the structure, is he required to comply with the Wakulla Wetlands Ordinance?  How about State Regulations?

If a property owner has sufficient property to accommodate his proposed construction in the uplands without impacting the wetlands, but prefers to build in an area that will encroach the wetlands, is he allowed to build in the wetlands if he propose to mitigate the wetlands encroachment?  County/State?

Does the ERP (Environmental Resource Permit) program, require permitting of uplands development when no wetlands exist on the subject property, but do exist on adjoining parcels?  Does the Wakulla Wetlands ordinance regulate uplands when no wetlands exist on the subject property?

In the event that the planning department issues a wetlands and other surface waters preliminary letter which includes an incorrect determination, is the county bound by this determination if additional information received subsequent to the date of the letter reveals that wetlands or other surface waters are likely to exist?  Is the State bound by its delineation/determination?

In the event the planning department disputes the accuracy, completeness, or validity of a delineation submitted by a developer, who is the final authority regarding the extent of wetlands and other surface waters on the subject parcel?  If DEP has final authority, will DEP make a binding determination that applies to the 75 feet buffer zone that exists in the Wakulla County ordinance?

Note: A regulatory expert from DEP will be on tonight's panel.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Women Fail to Move Needle on Wage Gap


“DWCF Reacts to News about the Gender Wage Gap”

Tallahassee, Florida – Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc. President Janet Goen reacted to the findings from the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2012 with disappointment, “The Census Bureau’s report shows that the gender wage gap has not closed. Far from closing, this report shows that women’s workforce gains have been stalled since 2002.”
Women’s Studies writer and DWCF Communications Chair Rachel Pienta noted, “While the Lily Ledbetter Act was a significant victory for comparable worth in the workplace, the legislation did little to advance women’s earning power in the broader marketplace.”

According to Dr. Pienta, “Women have not made significant progress in closing the earning gap since the 1980s when women’s earnings relative to men climbed from 60.2 cents in 1980 to 71.6 cents by 1990. Women’s earnings have been stalled at earning 77 cents to male wage earners’ dollar since 2002.”

The 1980s were marked by increased numbers of women pursuing advanced levels of education, women entering higher-paying occupations, and women’s willingness to spend more time on the job. Government legislation such as the 1963 Equal Pay Act, as well as measures that granted equal access to education and expanded prohibitions against sex discrimination. Efforts to increase women’s participation in higher wage earning jobs in the STEM fields have yet to bear fruit.


The Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc. had its official beginning in 1956 although there had been individual Democratic women’s clubs in our state for many years.

The DWCF was formed to bring together all Democratic Women’s Clubs in Florida to provide a forum for discussion of public matters, to support qualified candidates for public office and to encourage qualified Democratic women to seek elected office.

For more information, please visit our website at http://democratic-women.org/.
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Friday, September 13, 2013

Panel on Wakulla’s Wetlands: Understanding the Economics and the Ecology of the Wetlands Issue in Wakulla County


For Immediate Release




Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee presents a Panel on Wakulla’s Wetlands:
Understanding the Economics and the Ecology of the Wetlands Issue in Wakulla County


Crawfordville, Florida -  Wakulla Democratic Party Chair Rachel Pienta announced today that the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee will hold a panel forum on the role of wetlands in Wakulla County’s ecosystem. Pienta said, “There has been much heated debate about the role of a wetlands ordinance and how it impacts possible development and the environment impact. Our panel will provide fact based perspectives on our existing wetlands and the realities of planning and permitting for development in Wakulla County.”

What: a Moderated Panel Discussion, with time for audience submitted questions
When: Tuesday, September 24th, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served)
Where: Wakulla County Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy.

The event is free and open to the public.

The panel will be moderated by Palaver Tree Theatre Director Herb Donaldson.  Pienta said, “Herb will serve as the panel moderator and his team will be taping the program for later web and radio broadcast.”

To submit questions ahead of time, please submit questions via email to drpienta@gmail.com.  All questions will be reviewed before the moderator poses the question to the panel members.

For additional information, visit www.wakullademocrats.org.



Jim Stoutamire

About Jim:

James Stoutamire, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Jim was with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 1982 until his retirement in 2011. Previously he was the Assistant Program Administrator, Florida Coastal Zone Management Program from 1982-1991 where he supervised the grants program including development of sovereignty submerged lands rules and aquatic preserve management plans. From 1991-1998 he was the Senior Management Analyst, later Environmental Administrator - wetlands policy development and wetlands data management (GIS) section. He was the Environmental Administrator - sovereignty submerged lands and wetlands policy development and wetlands data management section from 1998-2001. He became the Administrator with the Office of Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources from 2001 and responsible for policy development and programmatic support of the statewide sovereignty submerged lands and wetlands regulatory programs. He holds a Ph.D. in Archeology from the University of Missouri, 1975 and Research Associate from Florida State University, 1975-1981. His hobbies include hunting and saltwater fishing.

Luis Serna

About Luis:

Director at Wakulla County Department of Planning and Community Development. Over 20 years experience and training in land planning. Extensive experience in project management and local government development permitting.

Luis says, “My goal is to use my experience and training to promote quality, sustainable developments and to support smarter and more effective government planning.”

Specialties: Permitting, site plans, concept plan, feasibility analysis, expert testimony.

Tabitha Frazier

About Tabitha: 

Tabitha Frazier was raised in North Florida and her love and appreciation for the beautiful and unique wild lands of North Florida is what inspired her educational pursuits. Tabitha earned her Bachelors degree form Florida State in Environmental studies in 2001. She continued her studies and earned her Masters degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida 2005, where she specialized in Wetland Restoration.  Tabitha serves elected office in Leon County as a Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor and has led the charge in raising the profile and community outreach of the board. 

###

Thursday, September 12, 2013

"Democratic Women of Florida, Inc. align with key ERA supporters"

"Democratic Women of Florida, Inc. align with 
key ERA supporters"
 
Tallahassee, Florida - The Democratic Women's Club of Florida, Inc. expressed their appreciation and continued support of key Democratic women legislators tireless advocacy of the Equal Rights Amendment. Communications Chair Rachel Pienta stated, "Members of the Democratic Women's Club of Florida, Inc. are proud to stand in solidarity with Representative Berman and Senator Joyner. The efforts of Representative Berman and Senator Joyner are a credit to their service on behalf of the women of Florida."
 
Pienta further stated, "The Democratic Women's Club of Florida will be recognizing Representative Lori Berman for her legislative advocacy during the 57th Annual Convention in Panama City, Florida September 26-29 at the Edgewater Beach Resort.
A full schedule is available online at the DWCF website: 
 
 
Scheduled speakers include Bob Graham, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, and Nan Rich among other special guests.
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
September 12, 2013


CONTACTS:

Office of Representative Lori Berman: 561-374-7850
Office of Senator Arthenia Joyner: 813-233-4277


EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT FILED IN FLORIDA


On Thursday, Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) filed HCR 8001, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The legislation provides for Florida to ratify the ERA, which would make Florida the 36th state to do so. Senator Arthenia Joyner has filed the companion bill in the Florida Senate, SCR 68.


“Florida women are at the forefront of research, medicine, engineering, law, politics and even military operations overseas – yet without any constitutional protections of their right to equality,” said Senator Joyner. “In the 10 years I’ve sponsored this bill, I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation for why this state should not ratify the ERA. The Constitution’s guarantee of equality is not only a right women deserve, it is a right they have earned.”


“The Equal Rights Amendment will offer Constitutional protection to women,” said Representative Berman. “I am proud to sponsor this bill for the fourth consecutive year. Now that more women are in the workforce, we need to assure that women are treated equally in the labor force as well as all facets of society."


In the 2013 session, the Local & Federal Affairs Committee in the Florida House of Representatives held a workshop on the ERA. Attended by multiple supporters, the presentation and reception of the committee members was very positive. "Based on the success of the hearing in 2013, I am optimistic that we can advance the dialogue toward adopting the ERA in Florida during this session," said Representative Berman.


Constitutional amendments must be approved by three of every four states, or 38 states. As the ERA has previously been approved by 35 states, only three more are needed to reach this threshold.

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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Rachel Sutz Pienta Radio Interview Scheduled Sunday September 15 8:30 PM EST



 Rachel Sutz Pienta will be featured on Rick Spisak's weekly radio broadcast on Sunday, September 15th. She will be closing out the evening's program on Women's Rights, from 8:30 to 9 pm.

Progressive News Network

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Our air, and water, our justice system, our voting system, our education system  - showcasing how everyday Progressive Activists are making a difference bringing tomorrow's Florida to life.

Listen in - as News Director and Executive Producer Rick Spisak brings you guests each week for the good news, direct from the activists who breathe life into the FUTURE! -





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About Rachel Sutz Pienta
 


 

Spotlight on Rachel Sutz Pienta, Candidate for DWCF 2nd Vice President


Rachel Sutz Pienta, Candidate for 2nd Vice President

My name is Rachel Sutz Pienta and I am running for 2nd Vice President in the upcoming Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc. election.

My history with the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc.

I attended my first Democratic Women’s Club event in 2006 when I was invited to celebrate Mildred Hall’s recognition as a Golden Democrat by the Capital City Democratic Women’s Club. In late 2009, I was asked to become more involved in the leadership of the organization and served as co-chair of the 2010 Golden Democrat Luncheon. That same year, I also took steps to found the Wakulla Democratic Women’s Club. We were chartered in July 2010 and I served as the first president of the club.

In the years since, I helped to revive the dormant Tally Days event.  In 2011, I was asked to serve as the DWCF Communications Chair. In this role, I was able to break new ground and raise the visibility of the organization across the state.

During the 2012 electoral cycle, I represented DWCF at numerous events across the state. I spoke on radio shows and at rallies. My press releases generated positive earned media for DWCF across the state.

In 2013, I coordinated our second annual Tally Days media event. Our President Janet Goen was able to stand alongside Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant and legislative leaders during a press conference that garnered television, print, and radio coverage. Working closely with FDP staff, I was able to craft aligned messages for both President Goen and Chairwoman Tant and consequently maximized positive exposure for DWCF throughout the state.

My work on behalf of DWCF has led to our increased visibility with FDP, with the DCCC, and with members of the media across the state.

Over the last two years, I have also worked closely with the CCE. This year, I have been working closely with a CCE transition team to position DWCF to hit the ground running under the new laws governing political committees and electoral fundraising.

Why am I running for 2nd Vice President?

Membership is the life blood of our organization. Every county in Florida should have a chartered Democratic Women’s Club. The women’s caucus in the Florida Democratic Party should be the largest caucus in the party. DWCF has the potential to be the largest and most powerful political organization for women.

In my professional life, I worked as a Women’s Studies professor from 1999 to 2012. I have also published and presented on issues of concern to women since the mid 1990s. The following titles represent samples of my professional work:


Author. (May 2013).  “Florida”.  Chapter in Sociology of Education, Jame Ainsworth, Editor. Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA.

Author. (August 2013). Taking Sides: Women’s Studies. McGraw Hill.
               
Author. (2012). “Power and Conflict over Women’s Reproductive Health”. Medical Sociology Reader. Cognella Press.

Co-Author. (2012). “Women on the Margins: The Politics of Gender in the Language and Context of Science Textbooks”. Hickman and Porfilio, Editors. The New Politics of the Textbook: Problematizing the Portrayal of Marginalized Groups in Textbooks. Sense Publishers.

Author. (2011). Chapters on “Million Mom March” and “The Mothers’ Movement Online”, Ed., Andrea O’Reilly, You Say You Want a Revolution: The Motherhood Movement of the 21st Century, 2011, Demeter Press.

I share this sample of my professional work with you to illustrate that working for the advancement of women is part of my daily life.

My passion for bringing women together began in my collegiate years at the University of Florida. I became a member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and would later serve as the Vice President of Housing. 

As an adult, my belief that women working together can achieve powerful goals led me to serve as an officer in my local chapter of the American Association of University Women.  I also was one of 100 women who came together to found the Oasis Center for Women and Girls in Tallahassee. 

My experience in bringing women together to work on big ideas and achieve audacious goals will be put to use helping the Democratic Women's Club of Florida, Inc. to become not only the premiere organization working to elect Democratic women in Florida but will also position our organization to be a key part of Democratic infrastructure across the state.

My work as a committed Democrat and community activist

I was re-elected to serve as chair and state committee woman in 2012 by the members of the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee.  This will be mysecond term serving the Wakulla Democratic Party in a dual capacity. I am also the former president and founding member of the Wakulla Democratic Women’s Club.

I first became involved in Democratic politics as a student at the University of Florida. I was part of a team of College Democrats who worked statewide to elect President Bill Clinton. Following the 1992 election, I worked as a district intern for then-Democratic state senator Kirkpatrick and then worked on campaigns to elect Congresswoman Karen Thurman and Governor Lawton Chiles. 

Later, I went to Washington to intern in Karen Thurman’s Congressional office. When I moved to Tallahassee for graduate school, I was awarded a paid legislative internship to work as a legislative policy analyst for the Florida House of Representatives on Education K-12. After my internship year, I continued to work on public policy and political campaigns.

In 2011, I helped to found a new caucus in the Florida Democratic Party - the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida and I currently serve on the caucus Board of Directors (http://www.progressivedemcaucusfl.org/).  In 2012, I was selected to chair and host the Florida Democratic Party’s Small County Coalition Conference in Wakulla County. I currently serve as the Secretary for the Small County Coalition.

Over the past three years, I have also served on two statewide Democratic Party committees – serving on the team of authors who wrote the Florida Democratic Party’s state platform and serving on the team that developed an endorsement and slating procedure for statewide candidates. I currently serve on the FDP Campaign Committee.

I also served on the North Florida Finance committee for the Obama Campaign under the leadership of Allison Tant Richard. 

I tweet as @wakullawriter and have been recognized as one of the "Top Political Tweeters" in Florida by Peter Schorsch of the SaintPetersBlog.  

In 2011, I was honored by the Tallahassee Democrat as one of "25 Women You Need to Know". In 2012, the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals honored me as a "Golden A.C.E." in Higher Education for my "authentic community engagement".

My record of working with women to benefit women

Member, Board of Directors, PACE Center for Girls Tallahassee, 2011 - Current

Steering Committee Member, League of Women Voters of Florida, 2011- 2013
             
Founding Member, Oasis Center for Women Girls, Tallahassee, Florida, 2010 – current.
           
Victim Advocate, Refuge House, Tallahassee, Florida 1999- 2005.
               








Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Former Wakulla Democratic Women's Club President Rachel Sutz Pienta joins DWCF officer slate with Dr. Maureen McKenna




Dr. Maureen McKenna for President

Maureen is a Ph.D. level Rehabilitation Counselor who has supervised multidisciplinary teams as part of her career. She is retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs where she helped veterans with service-connected disabilities. Maureen has been a member of DWCF for over 8 years serving as President of the DWC of Highlands County, DWCF Credentials Chair, DWCF Legislative Chair and is currently 1st Vice President of DWCF. As Legislative Chair, she increased DWCF's political visibility and clout by starting the successful, statewide annual Tally Days. She currently serves as board member on the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida and has been appointed by Allison Tant, FDP Chair, to the FDP Legislative Committee. It is clear, as President, Maureen will move our organization forward in a positive, progressive, and prepared manner which will serve to advance the future growth of DWCF.




Nancy Hurlbert for 1st Vice President

Nancy Hurlbert has been in leadership roles for over 3 decades, and specifically, active in DWCF since 2007. In March 2004 Nancy concluded a 4-year term as President of the Florida Women’s Consortium, a statewide organization of more than 30 women’s organizations throughout the state of Florida, representing some 250,000 members. She also concluded a 4-year term on Florida Planned Parenthood’s South Palm Beach and Broward Counties’ Voice for Choice Action Fund and PAC in December 2004. She served as the Lake County Coordinator for the unsuccessful gubernatorial bid of Congressman Jim Davis in 2006 and as the central Florida Coordinator for Sen. Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2007-2008. Nancy was elected Vice Chair of the Lake County DEC in 2007 and just completed a 4-year term as Chair (2009-2012) as Lake County Democratic Party Chair. As DWCF Bylaws Chair this past year, Nancy has assisted local Clubs and suggested more progressive ideas to move the organization forward. As 1st VP, Nancy will bring her organizational skills and “contact list” to fulfill her responsibilities with programming and Convention coordination.


Dr. Rachel Sutz Pienta for 2nd Vice President

Rachel joined the Capital City Democratic Women’s Club in 2009 and co-chaired the Golden Democrat Lunch in 2010. She founded the Wakulla Democratic Women’s Club and, as founding president, accepted the charter in July 2010. Dr. Pienta currently serves as the Communications Chair for DWCF, Inc. and has led the transition team for the CCE/PC. She has partnered with the Legislative Chair to provide key support for DWCF’s Tally Days event for the last 3 years. She has also served in leadership roles for FDP and several Democratic caucuses.


Anna V. Eskamani for Recording Secretary

An Iranian-American and Florida native, Anna has dedicated her life to the social justice movement. She graduated from UCF in the spring of 2012 with dual degrees in Political Science and Women’s Studies, and while an undergrad she spent her time writing, advocating, and organizing for progress. She serves in numerous leadership positions, and began her work with the DWCF in 2010 as a member of the Greater Orlando chapter. She served as the organization’s Secretary, and then rose to President. A lifelong feminist, grad student, and staff member of Planned Parenthood, Anna hopes to give the DWCF an added edge with her experience, leadership, and digital communication skills.

Carol Flaumenhaft-King for Treasurer

Carol King has been an active member of The Lake County DWC since 2005 and its Treasurer for three years. She also served as Treasurer for the Lake DEC. Presently, Carol is Region IV Chair. For over two decades Carol held various Time Inc. financial positions including Time-Life’s International Business Manager. She left Time-Life as VP of Time-Life Books, Inc. to start her own consulting business utilizing her skills in financial analysis, budgeting, and cost control. As Treasurer, her business skills will enhance the financial team of the DWCF.