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Happy Thursday!  Please note that our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 
 
 

 

DWC ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

 
The Democratic Women’s Club Environmental Committee will be meeting this Friday, January 31st at 10:00 a.m.  If you wish to join them, the meeting is at Democratic Headquarters at 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach. 

 
 

 GALA UPDATE

 

With only 3 weeks to go, Blue Gala sales and sponsorships have picked up dramatically so please don’t wait to the last minute to buy your tickets!
 
We hope you are planning to attend and be part of this important and fun evening. There will be dancing, music by the Jordan Thomas Odyssey orchestra, free valet parking and a full, open bar.
 
Ambassador Christopher Hill will be the Gala’s distinguished guest speaker. Ambassador Hill was former ambassador to Iraq, South Korea, Poland and Macedonia, as well as Special Envoy to Kosovo.  Ambassador Hill was a member of the team that negotiated the Bosnia peace settlement. In 2005, he was named head of the US delegation to the six party talks to resolve the North Korea nuclear crisis.  He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs for which his portfolio included U.S.-China relations. 
 
In addition, Florida Democratic Chair, Terrie Rizzo, will be joining us for the evening. 
 
If you haven’t received an invitation and would like one, please call the office at 772-226-5267 and one will be sent to you. You can also register online by clicking the Gala button on the front page of the Democrats of Indian River Website:  www.democratsofindianriver.org  Tickets can be paid for via PayPal, credit card, or check.
 
This is the launch of setting our 2020 Vision on reclaiming the White House.  This is an event to be remembered! Democratic turnout is crucial to helping support our mission.
 
 


DWC LUNCHEON

 

Saturday, February 8, 2020
Grand Harbor Clubhouse, Vero Beach
 Entrance Off Indian River Boulevard
Registration 11:30 a.m.  
Cost:  $25 Payable at the Door
 

Choose one Entrée:  
 
Grilled Chicken Bruschetta with Diced Tomatoes,
Mozzarella & Basil with Balsamic Glaze
or
Caesar Salad with Blackened Salmon
or
Vegetarian dinner 
 

Cash Bar Available

Featured Guest: Sue Flak Recycling Coordinator For Indian River County
 

No Reservations after deadline. NO Walk-ins accepted
 
RSVP No later than Feb 1: Bonnie Ollinger 321-508-3713

 
 


POLL WATCHERS NEEDED

 
We are looking for poll watchers for the Presidential Primary.  We need volunteers for both early voting and election day (March 17).
 
Early voting is from March 7th through 14th.  There are 3 early voting locations – IRC Main Library, the Supervisor of Elections office and Sebastian City Hall.  The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Election day the polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there are 20 voting sites. 
 
It is very important for the Democrats of Indian River to have a presence at the polls.  One main goal of the Florida Democratic Party this year is to focus on voter suppression.  To ensure that ALL voters are treated equally, we need to be present.
 
If you are interested in poll watching, please contact Stacey at [email protected]
 
 
 

CLUB MEETING TO FEATURE PRESENTATION ON VOTERS’ MINDSET

 
The next meeting of the Democratic Club is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.11 at the Irish American Society, 1314 20th St., Vero Beach. 

Club Board Member Steve Osiecki will present "Getting Out the Vote is our Best Strategy:  Recent Developments in the Science of Winning Elections." This short presentation will summarize research on brain differences between liberals and conservatives, research that can help explain why the mental gap between the two groups is often so large. He will also focus on recent voter persuasion research showing why “Get Out the Vote” is our best statewide strategy.

Please join us! We have several new members this month, bringing our total to 140.

Convenient parking is available in the US Fish and Wildlife parking lots just across the street from the Irish American Society. 
 



FLORIDA’S SACRED WATERS EVENT

 
Sacred Waters: Exploring the Protection of Florida’s Fluid Landscapes with Vicky Machado

On Tuesday, February 11th at 7 p.m. at the Emerson Center, there will be a free presentation which explores efforts to restore Florida’s waterways.  We will investigate the motivations of environmentalists who love and advocate for these water bodies. By focusing on issues related to springs and the Everglades, we will dive into the conversations that arise when Floridians view water as essential to their quality of life.


 

INDIAN RIVER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN EVENT -
IRNA Lunch With George Glenn, Jr. on current status of Graves Bros. Annexation

 

You are invited to join us for lunch at:

Woody's Barbecue in Sebastian 
13600 US-1 #18, Sebastian, FL 32958
on
February 13, 2020 at 11:30 AM
 
Speaker:  George Glenn, Jr. is a fourth-generation Vero Beach resident. He spent his early legal career working in the Indian River County Attorney’s Office before entering private practice. He now works with his father at the Law Offices of Glenn & Glenn. He is currently representing Pelican Island Audubon in their lawsuit against the City of Sebastian for their annexation of the Graves Bros. property in 2019.

The cost is $20 per person.

Menu choices:
Signature Baby Back Ribs
Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast 
Fish Tacos
and a vegetarian option
 
Sides: Cole Slaw, BBQ Beans, Fries (choose 2)
 
 Dessert:  Banana Pudding 
 
Beverages:  Iced Tea, Water and Coffee 
 
Cash Bar
 
RSVP to i[email protected]
 

 
CANDIDATE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
BLUE BENCH TRAINING

 

The Florida Democratic Party’s Candidate Blue Bench Training is coming to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast!  FDP Municipal Victory Program Director Lisa Peth has been working with candidates from across the state to help us realize a brighter, bluer Florida.  As a result, they are providing a free training from subject matter experts on core aspects of campaigning, such as fundraising, messaging, digital communications, and field operations. The training is Saturday, February 8th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, 635 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408
 
Breakfast and lunch are included.
 
Here is the link to RSVP:
https://www.mobilize.us/floridadems/event/201024/
 
 

GARDENFEST

 

Gardenfest!  Nature’s Finest Marketplace Returns to Vero Beach for the 19th Year February 1st and 2nd.

Choose from a great variety of plants, pots and garden ornaments from more than 85 vendors.  Expert lectures and advice are featured each day.   Other activities are available for for kids.  There is a food court and raffle prizes.  Admission is always free and so is the parking!

Venue:  Riverside Park  3250 Riverside Dr.   Vero Beach, FL  32963
Find out more at www.gardenclubofirc.org
[email protected]  or call 772-567-4602.


 

 

 

GIFFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER EVENTS

 
The Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center has some wonderful upcoming events.  Please try and attend to support the lecturers, artists and community of Gifford.
 
January 30th, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Environmental Learning Center, Lecture: “Imagining the Dream: A.E. “Bean” Backus, the Highwaymen, and Mid-century Florida.”

February 7th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Raw Space Gallery, Art Exhibit: Willie Reagan and Terry K Hunter
 
February 8th, 6:00 p.m., GYAC, SAHMF Banquet, Tickets $35
 
For more information about these events, contact
Jonnie Mae Perry at [email protected]
 
 


ELEANOR ROOSEVELT COMES TO VERO BEACH

 
The American Association of University Women is hosting the play “Across A Barrier of Fear: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt” at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild on February 16th.  For more information and tickets visit: https://verobeach-fl.aauw.net/


 

SPEAK UP VERO BEACH

 
SpeakUpVeroBeach.com is the online hub for community engagement about the future of Three Corners - 38 acres where the old power plant, former postal annex and land & water treatment plant now stand on the Indian River Lagoon. Here you'll find facts about Three Corners and many ways to discuss & share your ideas. Kindly Register to join the conversation and be part of a new model of public debate where all voices & ideas are heard.
On January 25, Speak Up Vero Beach will be offering tours of the old power plant.  For more details go to:  https://www.speakupverobeach.com/

There is also a week of events and opportunities to engage with leaders who will be making decisions about the 3 corners.  For more information click here:
 
https://www.speakupverobeach.com/charrette-week-three-corners-january-2020?utm_source=ehq_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ehq-Power-Plant-Tours--Jan-18--Jan-25---Charrette-Week-Schedule&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=ehq&utm_medium=email
 
 
 

DWC TALLY DAYS

 

Members of the Indian River DWC attended the Democratic Women's Club of Florida Tally Days for the 2020 Legislative Session.  The Honorable Deb Butler, Representative in North Carolina, was the keynote speaker.  Members also took time to visit the Indian River County legislators.  Thank you for your advocacy!
 
Our Operations Coordinator, Stacey Klim, was in Tallahassee this week also.  She was advocating for people with disabilities, like her son Jackson. 
 
Both the DWC and Stacey had good meetings with Senator Mayfield and were appreciative of her time.


 

 


 

OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION

 
There are numerous offices up for election in Indian River County in 2020.  The Democrats of Indian River are looking for candidates for these positions.  If you are considering running for office, or know someone who is, below are the offices, positions and current office holder up for election in 2020.
 
Board of County Commissioners:
District 1 – Susan Adams
District 3 - Tim Zorc
District 5 – Bob Solari
 
School Board:
District 3 - Laura Zorc
District 5 - Tiffany Justice
 
IR County Hospital District:
Seat 3 - Barbara S. Bodnar
Seat 5 - Karen Deigl
Seat 7 - Michael J. Weiss
 
Indian River Mosquito Control District:
Seat 1 - Janice Broda
Seat 3 - Buck Vocelle
 
Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District:
Seat 2 - David Gunter
Seat 4 - Robert J. Lindsey
 
Sebastian Inlet Tax District:
District 1 – Jenny Lawton
District 2 – Beth L. Mitchell
District 3 – Michael Rowland
 
City of Fellsmere:
Fernando R. Herrera
Jessica Salgado
Joel Tyson
 
City of Sebastian
Ed Dodd
Jim Hill
 
City of Vero Beach
Tony Young
Laura Moss
Robert Brackett
 
Town of Indian River Shores Council
Robert “Bob” Auwaerter
Deborah “Debbi” Peniston
Tom Slater
 
Town of Orchid Council
Paul Knapp
Harold Ofstie
 
Here is some more information about running for office and getting your name on the ballot.
 
The pre-qualifying period runs from May 26th through June 5th, 2020. Qualifying runs from noon, June 8th through noon, June 12th.
 
To qualify by paying a fee, partisan candidates must pay 6% of the salary of the office sought. Non-partisan candidates (e.g. school board) must pay 4% of said salary.  For the Hospital, Soil and Water, or Mosquito Control, the fee is $25.
 
To qualify by petition, a candidate must obtain 1,134 valid petitions and submit them to the Supervisor of Elections. There not a qualifying fee, but there is a fee of 10 cents per petition filed.  Since some petitions are likely to be disqualified for various reasons, it's a good idea to get at least a couple of hundred more.
 
There are two deadlines for submitting petitions: Noon of March 23d for the April qualifying period, and noon of May 11th for the June qualifying period. The June qualifying period is what applies to the offices listed above.

For further information you can contact the Supervisor of Elections office, or you can go to their website at http://www.voteindianriver.com
click on "Candidates" and then click on "Workshop Presentation."
 
 
 

 CALENDAR

 

Below find upcoming government, Democrat and community events to add to your calendar.  Visit https://democratsofindianriver.org/events/ for a full list of calendar events for 2020.
 
January 31
 
10:00 a.m. – DWC Environmental Committee, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach
 
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Downtown Friday, 14th Ave., Downtown Vero Beach
 
 
February 3

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Data Meeting (open to anyone interested) with Jim St. Martin, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, FL  32960

 
February 4

8:30 a.m. – Vero Beach City Council, City Council Chambers, City Hall, 1053 20th Place, Vero Beach, 32960
 
9:00 a.m. – Indian River County Commission, County Administration Offices – Council Chambers, 1801 27th Street, Building A, Vero Beach 32960-3388
 
 
February 5

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Data Meeting (open to anyone interested) with Jim St. Martin, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, FL  32960
 
5:00 p.m. – Democratic Club of Indian River Board Meeting, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, FL  32960
 
 
February 6
7:00 p.m. – Fellsmere City Council, 22 S. Orange Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948
 

February 8
11:30 a.m. – Democratic Women’s Club January Luncheon, Grand Harbor Clubhouse, 4985 Club Terrace, Vero Beach, Cost: $25, Guest Speaker Sue Flak Recycling Coordinator For Indian River County
 

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Koffee with Ken and Parris
Democrats of Indian River Office
2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach 32960
Bring your own coffee and chat about politics! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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2345 14th Ave.
Suite 7
Vero Beach, FL 32960

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