Happy Thursday, Democrats!
FEDERAL
Meet with Senator Marco Rubio’s Office
Senator Rubio’s staff will be conducting upcoming virtual mobile office hours in Indian River County. His staff will be available to offer constituent services on items such as social security payments, issues with the IRS, federal disaster claims, and veterans benefits, as well as to listen to your concerns and suggestions.
Due to the pandemic, all meetings will be conducted virtually. You can sign up for an appointment at the link below. Please note that Senator Rubio will not be in attendance, but his staff will be directly available to you to provide any necessary assistance.
Details below:
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indian-river-county-virtual-mobile-office-hours-tickets-149564967845
Date & Time: Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Governor Rick Scott’s Statement on President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan
Senator Rick Scott said, “Democrats in Washington think the answer to every problem is higher taxes and endless deficit spending. They say it’s the only way to achieve progress. It’s a lie and it’s killing America. Today, even as our federal debt climbs toward $30 trillion, President Biden pushed this lie out again when he proposed a massive $2 TRILLION “infrastructure” package along with $2 TRILLION in new taxes. Worse still, President Biden is proposing to dramatically raise taxes in the midst of a global pandemic. Of course, the tax increases he’s laying out today on American businesses don’t include increases to the gas tax or the new vehicle mileage tax the Biden Administration has considered. So much for Biden’s promise to not raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000.
“I know how important investing in infrastructure is to bringing America’s roads, bridges, seaports and airports back to being the best in the world. As Governor of Florida, I oversaw the investment of $85 billion in critical and innovative infrastructure projects. We never raised taxes once to do it. Here’s the truth that the Democrats don’t want to acknowledge: Tax increases don’t create jobs, provide sustainable government revenue or solve problems. My advice to Biden and Democrats in Washington? Follow Florida’s playbook for economic success. Focus on cutting taxes and eliminating burdensome regulations and fight every day to grow jobs. It worked in the Sunshine State and it will work for America."
Please contact Rick Scott and let him know your response to his statement, you can email him here:
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact_rick
STATE
Voting Rights
With only a couple of weeks left for the Florida Legislature, send an email to every Florida State Senator and let them know that restricting someone’s right to vote is unacceptable.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-taking-away-our-freedom/?link_id=3&can_id=d29c190fecd3fec8eec6eceade467746&source=email-sign-now-voting-rights-are-under-attack&email_referrer=email_1134884&email_subject=sign-now-voting-rights-are-under-attack
Protect Trans Kids
Florida GOP legislators in the Senate and House leadership are attacking transgender and non-binary youth through model legislation that prevents them from participating in youth sports (HB1475/SB2012). On March 25th House Leadership removed a committee stop for HB1475 making this hateful legislation a Florida House priority bill and the Senate version is on its way to its last committee. Please send an email to the Committees and tell them to vote NO on this hateful legislation here:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-trans-kids-email-legislators-to-vote-no-on-sb2012hb1475?clear_id=true&source=email-sign-now-voting-rights-are-under-attack
LOCAL
Donate to the Democrats of Indian River
The coronavirus pandemic has been challenging for all of us. Your local Indian River County Democratic Party, however, rose to the challenge in 2020. By reaching out to every Democrat without a vote by mail ballot, we enrolled 10,000 more Democrats into the program than voted this way in 2016. We also turned Indian River County more blue, increasing the percentage of voters who voted Democratic.
Our work is not over, however. We have begun the planning, training and hard work to oust Marco Rubio from the Senate and Governor Ron DeSantis from the governor’s mansion. It’s not going to be easy, especially in a ruby red county such as ours – but we’re ready to work!
We need you to contribute to our local Democratic Party so that we can robustly do the work necessary to effect change in our community and state. Please contribute via PayPal or credit card at: https://democratsofindianriver.org/donate or mail a check today to:
IRC Democratic Executive Committee
2345 14th Avenue, Suite 7
Vero Beach, FL 32960
If you have already sent in a gift to our local Democratic Party, we sincerely thank you for your support. You are the ones that keep us going!
3 Steps Forward 2 Steps Back – Multimedia Art Exhibit at Raw Space (1795 Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach)
We want to thank Jonnie Mae Perry for calling our attention to this breathtaking exhibit, which features paintings, poetry, music and dancing all devoted to creating awareness of the struggle for civil rights for our Black sisters and brothers.
The exhibit runs through April 30. Raw Space is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/rawspaceverobeach/
TC Palm Published Letter to the Editor by Larry Zick
What is really behind voter suppression laws?
After the election of Donald Trump in 2106, I jokingly told a Republican friend that President Trump’s first act would be to outlaw the Democratic Party. And now, after reading about voter suppression laws being promoted in almost every state in the country, it appears to be coming true. Based on Donald Trump’s “Big Lie,” Republicans are now passing laws trying to render the Democratic Party ineffective by stopping Democratic voters from voting at all. In effect, “outlawing” the Democratic Party.
I am sure that citizens will not be fooled by this obvious attempt by the remnants of the once-proud Republican Party to hold onto their last dark corners of power. It represents the death throes of a dying party now in the grip of Trump followers and white supremacist groups still trying to turn back the clock to the 1950s. Even here in Indian River County, some in a hold-out group calling themselves the Republican Party of Indian River County, still promotes the lie that Donald Trump is the “real” president. These pathetic attempts are designed to undo the two-party system we rely on to protect and promote our democracy.
Democrats should not despair, however. For each Democratic voter that gets stopped by the Republican barbed wire, two Democrats will make it through. The 2022 mid-term election will be a banner year for Democrats and democracy — and the Republican Party will continue to dissolve.
Larry G. Zick, Vero Beach
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
The Democratic Club of Indian River
The monthly meeting of the Democratic Club of IRC will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 14th at 6:00 pm. Being the first meeting since the new Board was elected, the meeting will be an open forum to get input and feedback from the membership. The following is an outline of the topics:
· Membership, the Club has 94 active members, 75 lapsed members.
· When we may safely begin in-person meetings.
· Membership dues will be due in July of this year.
· A membership directory.
· Club re-certification with the FDP this July.
· Speakers at future member meetings.
· A Facebook Group for the Democratic Club of IRC?
· A discussion of the current discriminatory voting practice of At Large Voting vs. Single District Voting currently in effect in IRC for County Offices, such a County Commissioner and School Board.
· A communications committee to produce “letters to the editor” with a voice “From the Left” point of view.
· “Run Democrats ’21 & ‘ 22 in IRC” Facebook Group. To seek out and support Democrats to run for every open seat in IRC in 2021 and 2022.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Democratic Club, you can attend the next meeting via Zoom by contacting Al Griffiths. Contact information: [email protected], 203-537-1762 call or text.
The position of secretary on the Board remains open. Interested applicants can contact Al at [email protected]
Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River
The 33rd Annual DWC Scholarship Program will be on Saturday, April 10th at noon. Five young women will be recognized with scholarships. Scholarships are funded by the generous donations of members and friends of the DWC, and recognize the achievements of selected female Democratic students attending Indian River County public high schools. If you are not a DWC member and would like to attend, please contact Pat O'Hara at [email protected].
The DWC Book Group will meet on April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Fareed Zakaria’s book, "10 Lessons For A Post-Pandemic World”. If you aren't a book group member and would like to join in the discussion contact Rita Milelli at [email protected]
CANDIDATE TRAINING
Progressive Change Campaign Committee - Online Candidate Trainings
All this year, Progressive Change Campaign Committee is running a series of one-hour special online trainings for candidates on how to get out the vote, build your campaign team, recruit volunteers, and fight for progressive policies!
Whether you are a candidate running for office this cycle or simply thinking about running for office down the line, these are the trainings for you.
https://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/rsvp-pccc-online-candidate-training-2021/
National Democratic Training Committee Upcoming Trainings
https://traindemocrats.org/events/
GET INVOLVED
HELP NEEDED - Precinct Captain
We are still in need of Precinct Captains. Currently, only about half of our precincts have captains. This position is vital to our success and with the race for Governor and numerous local offices coming up in 2022, we need all the help we can get. Time commitment per month is approximately 5-10 hours and a great way to meet your Democratic neighbors.
If you are interested in learning more about being a precinct captain, please email Stacey at [email protected]
HELP NEEDED - Communications Committee—Social Media Director
Communicating our values and our activities to the public is critical if the Democratic Party is to be successful. Our Democratic Executive Committee is looking for a Social Media Director as part of our Communications Committee who has strong skills across a variety of platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and has been successful in placing and targeting ads on Facebook. If you feel you possess the skills we need and have the time to dedicate to this position, please email Stacey at [email protected]
CALENDAR
Saturday, April 10, 2021
12:00 p.m. – Democratic Women’s Club Monthly Meeting. If you are not a DWC member and would like to attend, please contact Pat O'Hara at [email protected].
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
9:00 a.m. – IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
https://ircgov.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
10:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. – School Board Discussion, School District of Indian River County
For agenda and meeting information go to
https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/ircs/Board.nsf/Public
5:00 p.m. – DEC Steering Committee Meeting
Meeting via Zoom. Contact Stacey at [email protected] for meeting link
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – School Board Business Meeting, School District of Indian River County
For agenda and meeting information go to
https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/ircs/Board.nsf/Public
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
6:00 p.m. – Democratic Club of Indian River Monthly Virtual Meeting. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected]
6:00 p.m. - Sebastian City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to https://www.cityofsebastian.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=343&month=2&year=2021&day=17&calType=0
Thursday, April 15, 2021
6:00 p.m. – Democrats of Indian River, DEC Meeting
Meeting via Zoom. Contact Stacey at [email protected] for meeting link.
7:00 p.m. - Fellsmere City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to www.cityoffellsmere.org/citycouncil
COVID VACCINATIONS
TCCH
TCCH is taking appointments for 2 locations – Fellsmere and South County Park. Call 772-257-8224 for an appointment.
Indian River County Health Department Vaccinations
Indian River County and the State Health Department in Indian River County launched a new COVID-19 vaccine registration system through Everbridge. Florida residents who are 65 years and older or are frontline healthcare workers can now register for the waitlist. To sign up, eligible residents should complete the online registration form Here. Residents who need technical assistance with online registration or do not have Internet access can also register by calling our call center (772) 226-4000, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Publix Vaccinations
Appointments for Publix vaccinations can only be made online. Once you are on the website, scroll down to the county you live in and if there are appointments available it will indicate that.
Here is a video that explains how to sign up for the vaccine at Publix:
Guide to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Publix - YouTube
Hint – there have been reports that the page refreshes itself when making an appointment. Don’t refresh the page yourself or you will lose your spot. Here is the link to the sign up page:
https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida
Sharecare Statewide System
The state recently announced the launch of a statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals 65 and older and frontline health care workers. Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting https://myvaccine.fl.gov/.
This website will allow individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to be proactively contacted when vaccine appointments are available through your local health department. On the site, residents can select their county and submit their contact information. Once appointments are available, individuals will be contacted by phone call, text or email and will be assisted in scheduling an appointment.
Other Retail Options
That’s all!
See you next week!
Stay Safe and Well!
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