North Florida Democrats Gathered at Wakulla Springs Lodge Thursday Night

Wakulla Democrats gathered at Wakulla Springs Lodge on Thursday, November 7^th for the biannual gala that county Democrats plan as a springboard to launch 2014 electoral efforts.

More than one hundred Democrats from North Florida mingled with guests from all over the state.  Wakulla County Sheriff Charlie Creel welcomed guests to the county and encouraged everyone to return to fully enjoy the “beautiful gem” that is Wakulla County.

Democratic candidate for governor Nan Rich was a featured speaker as was CFO candidate William Rankin.  Attorney General candidate George Sheldon spoke as the capstone for the evening. Sheldon’s long and distinguished record of service in Tallahassee make him especially welcome in any gathering of North Florida Democrats.

Congressional District 2 candidate Gwen Graham was by far the 1000 mega watt star of the night. Her energy has been setting rooms on fire across North Florida district that spans 14 counties in the Big Bend and Panhandle and her performance Thursday night was no exception.

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant provided a crowd-pleasing recap of Tuesday night’s electoral victories across the state – each announced win drew thunderous applause from the audience.  Chairwoman Tant herself earned a standing ovation as she walked to the podium to begin her remarks.  North Florida is Tant territory, for sure.

The highlight for the local crowd was the memoriam for the late Mrs. Anita Townsend, the much loved rural health administrator and former Wakulla Democratic Party leader.  A contingent of family and friends regaled the crowd with stories of Mrs. Townsend’s trailblazing history.

Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist was not in attendance on Thursday night. Wakulla County party leaders reported that an invitation was declined due to a prior engagement. 

Anti-Bullying Roundtable Discussion Nov. 6 Historic Old Capitol TLH

REMINDER SENT ON BEHALF OF REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE REHWINKEL VASILINDA

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda and Dr. Rachel Sutz Pienta co-founded the Big Bend Anti-Bullying Task force as an ad hoc response to community tragedies that occurred in 2010.  The task force, without any sustaining funding, has since organized panel discussions and events, written op-eds, participated in community events, and functioned as a speakers’ bureau of experts and dedicated community members affected by and interested in this critical issue.

Who:                Convened by Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Co-Chair, Big Bend Anti-Bullying Task Force
Co-facilitated by Dr. Rachel Sutz Pienta, Co-Chair, Big Bend Anti-Bullying Task Force and Olivia James, a doctoral candidate who worked with Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda on formulating successful anti-bullying legislation during the 2012 legislative session
What:              Anti-Bullying Roundtable Discussion
When: Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 11:30am – 2:00pm
Where:            Historic Old Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street – a boxed lunch will be served downstairs in the lower level gallery after which the Roundtable will convene upstairs in the Old Senate Chamber
Why:                To have an open and informative discussion among all stakeholders, including elected officials, public administrators, and community leaders, to talk about where we currently are with regard to anti-bullying legislation and where we need to be heading.

We are trying to get a head count for the boxed lunches.  If you have not already done so, please RSVP to Teri Cariota at teri.cariota@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:teri.cariota@myfloridahouse.gov>.  Please call if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Teri

Teri Cariota
District Assistant to
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda
District 9

1001 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

850.717.5009 (Office)
850.488.3336 (Fax)
teri.cariota@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:teri.cariota@myfloridahouse.gov>

George Sheldon, Democratic Candidate for Attorney General, to speak at Wakulla Democratic Gala November 7th

Wakulla Democratic Party Announces 2013 Gala

 

The Wakulla Democratic Party announced details today for their biannual Gala. The 2013 Gala will be held at Wakulla Springs on Thursday, November 7th. 

 

 

 

Tickets are available at http://wakullademocrats.org/

DWCF announces elected officers and appointed board members for 2013-15 term

Above: From left to right: 2nd VP Rachel Sutz Pienta, President Maureen McKenna, Treasurer Carol King, 1st VP Nancy Hurlburt, and Secretary Anna Eskamani.
President	Maureen McKenna	Highlands
1st Vice President	Nancy Hurlbert	Lake
2nd Vice President	Dr. Rachel Sutz Pienta	Wakulla
Recording Secretary	Anna V. Eskamani	Greater Orlando
Treasurer	Carol King	Lake
Standing Committees
Archives and History	Danielle Neetz: a one year appointment	Volusia
Budget	Velma Lumpkin	Highlands County
Communications/Website	Gwen Shangle	Clay
Convention 2014	Julia Heckendorn	St. Johns
Credentials	Dr. Sharlyn Roach	Miami Dade
Finance and Special Reports (Ways and Means)	Betty Gissendanner	Charlotte
Grievance	Janet Goen	Upper Pinellas
Legislative and Political Education	Stephanie Kunkel	Capitol City
Rules	Evalyn Narramore	Escambia
Campaign Screen Chair	Ellen Holt	Okaloosa
Political Committee	Samantha Hope Herring	Bay County
Auditing  Chair	Carolyn Helms	Lee
Nominating	Janet Goen	Upper Pinellas
Bylaws	Nancy Hurlbert	Lake
Resolutions	To be announced
Special Committees
Public Relations	Rachel Pienta	Wakulla
Awards	Ida Eskamani	Greater Orlando
Environmental Chair	Karen Epple	Alachua
Elder Affairs/SS/Insurance	Joan McGinnis	St. Johns
Page/Teller and Quarterly Meeting Hostess	Sandra Brown	Bay County
Chaplain	Julia Heckendorn	St. Johns
Training Resource Chair	Susan Smith	Hillsborough
Handbook Committee	Ada Burnette	Capitol City
Newsletter	Judy Schnabel	Charlotte
Sergeant-at-Arms	To be announced
Platform, Candidate Resource Chair	Karen Welzel	Platform, Candidate Resource Coordinator
2014 NFDW Convention Chair	Julia Heckendorn	St. Johns
DWCF Convention Best Practices Committee	Judy Byrne Riley	Okaloosa
(Chair rotates yearly)
NFDW 2016 Convention Committee	Judy Byrne Riley--will be co-chaired if bid is approved	Okaloosa
Officer Appointments
Parliamentarian	Carol Cherry	Capitol City
Corresponding Secretary	Judy Schnabel	Charlotte
Regional Chairs
Chair of Chairs
Region 1	Mildred Hall	Capitol City
Region 2	Judy Byrne Riley	Okaloosa
Region 3	Mary Lou Woods	St. Johns
Region 4	Danielle Neetz	Volusia
Region 5	Judy Prine	Pasco
Region 6	Patricia Farley Crutcher	South Brevard
Region 7	Sandra McClinton	Lee County
Region 8	Susie Johnson	Highlands
Region 9	Michell Warner	Miami Gardens
College Dem Caucus	To be announced

Wakulla DWC Past President Verna Brock accepted to Women Can Run Cohort Program

“Wakulla Residents Participate in Women Can Run Program in Tallahassee.”

Crawfordville, FL – Wakulla Democratic Party Chair Rachel Pienta announced today that Democratic Executive Committee Member Verna Brock has been accepted to a five member cohort of women who will receive specialized electoral training via the Women Can Run program, “Verna Brock has committed to a year-long intensive training program designed to prepare women to run for office.”

Two Wakulla residents, Verna Brock and Shirley Howard attended the September 30 Women Can Run program in Tallahassee. The featured speaker, Steve Vancore, discussed how women can prepare to run and become viable candidates for public office.

Steven J. Vancore is the President of VancoreJones Communications. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business and his Master’s degree in Marketing Communications from the Florida State University.
Beginning in the mid 1980’s, Mr. Vancore has been deeply involved in scores of political campaigns throughout the state.  Additionally, he ran a statewide polling and political research center for over a dozen years while overseeing literally hundreds of polling and political research projects during that time.  For the past decade, he has continued his work in general consulting, polling, and focus group research as well as public relations and government affairs projects throughout the nation. In addition to teaching media selection and application at the Florida State University’s Masters of Applied American Politics & Policy (MAAPP) program, he is a frequent guest lecturer on the subject of Florida politics and political research.

In addition to the highly competitive cohort program, Women Can Run hosts events with speakers open to the public. Future scheduled events include the following programs:

November 25, 2013 - Seeking and Holding Elected Office: A Woman's Perspective

January 27, 2014 - Knowing and Delivering Your Message

March 31, 2014 - Campaign Operations: The Basics

May 26, 2014 - Legal Aspect of Running for Office

Where

Programs are held at Raymond C. Sittig Hall, 301 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32301. Parking is available for a fee in the Kleman Plaza Parking Garage or on the street.

For more information, call (850) 222-2747.

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.