Happy Thursday, Democrats!
FEDERAL
John Lewis Voting Rights Act
As Republicans ramp up their attacks on our voting rights, it’s time for us to fight back! You can start by signing the petition here: SIGN NOW: Support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act! (dailykos.com)
And read more about this Act here: The John Lewis Voting Rights Act Picks Up Steam (nymag.com)
Postcards to Swing States
There are just five weeks left until the June 8 Democratic primaries in New Jersey and Virginia. When more Democrats vote in the primary, more of them vote in November, as well. We can't let Republicans take control in these states!
Please sign up to write postcards to make sure Democrats come out and vote. They’ll send you the postcards, addresses and instructions for free. You provide $0.36 stamps and mail the cards to voters between May 28 - June 1.
Option 1: Write postcards to Virginia voters!
https://secure.everyaction.com/JUg6u-LHZkeEytNPABwiiQ2?emci=cca2712a-e4ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=39898ea8-e4ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=18235033
Option 2: Write postcards to New Jersey voters!
https://secure.everyaction.com/JUg6u-LHZkeEytNPABwiiQ2?emci=cca2712a-e4ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=39898ea8-e4ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=18235033
STATE
SB 90 – Voting
Speaking of voting rights….. the Florida State Legislature, in a party line vote, passed SB 90 that is Florida’s version of the Georgia suppression bill. Today, Governor DeSantis signed it into law. What does that mean for us? Read about it here: Florida Legislature Approves Bill With Restrictions On Voting : NPR
Florida Legislature 2021
For a recap and a list of bills that passed in the Florida 2021 Legislature, go to: 2021 Florida legislative session - Ballotpedia
LOCAL
Cares Act Funding for Rent and Mortgage Relief Still Available
About 60% of the county's CARES Act money set aside here for mortgage and rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unspent. The county continues taking applications.
About $1.7 million of the $4.5 million was budgeted for the effort, intended to help those who lost jobs or income because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, 468 applicants have received assistance, according to county records.
The program, created in September, received about 250 applications within the first 24 hours, County Administrator Jason Brown told the County Commission last year. The program allocated grants of up to $4,500, enough to cover about three months of rent or mortgage payments.
Applications are still being processed. Go to: https://www.ircgov.com/coronavirus.htm
The program will continue until the money is gone, she said. Officials expect requests could increase in July, when the COVID-19-related eviction moratorium ends.
Parental Rights
There is a new movement going on around parental rights and the desire to “reform” the community and education of our children around these rights. It’s dangerous and hurting children.
Former Indian River School Board Member, Laura Zorc, has gone to work for a national parental rights organization targeting education. She will be holding a “Parent Coalition Tour” on Monday, May 10th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Center in Downtown Vero.
If you are able, please plan to attend this event in opposition to this movement and in support of our children and community. More details here:
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Democrats’ Library
Did you know we have a free library at the office? Come on by and check out a book. We have a great selection as you can see in the picture of the library below. Our current office hours are Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As staff and volunteers become increasingly vaccinated, we will expand those hours. Masks required.
The Democratic Club of Indian River
Club Zoom Meeting: The Democratic Club Members Zoom meeting will be held on May 12th at 6:00 pm. Paul Seldes will be the speaker.
Mr. Paul Seldes is an experienced emergency management and homeland security professional with over 30 years as a trainer and practitioner. Mr. Seldes is the Director of Operations for NTB group, LLC (www.ntb- group.com) a Florida based woman owned company specializing in all phases of emergency management and homeland security.
Mr. Seldes has participated in responses for many large-scale disasters and was witness to, survivor of and first responder for the Sept 11, 2011 attacks in New York and spent 9 months working at Ground Zero.
When he is not working Mr. Seldes is an avid scuba diver and scuba instructor. He is also the founder of the Vero Beach Scuba Club.
For those who are not Club members who may be interested in joining the Club, as well as hearing Paul Seldes speak, you may contact Al Griffiths at [email protected] with your email address to obtain a Zoom link.
Club Membership Dues: Club Annual Membership Dues are due in July. Dues cover from July 1st through June 30th of the next year. Members can pay their membership dues by going online to: democratsofindianriver.org, click the “Local Democrats” tab, then click the “Democrats of Indian River Club” tab, then click the “Join or Renew Your Membership Today” tab. You can choose to either to renew your membership or to become a new member. You will have the option to pay by credit card or PayPal. You may also send a check, payable to “Democratic Club of IRC” to DEC Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Vero Beach FL 32960.
For Members who have joined in 2021, their membership dues will be valid through June 30, 2022.
Annual Membership Dues are $25.00. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.
Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River
NOW Lobbyist Barbara DeVane will be the guest speaker at the next DWC Virtual Program on May 8th at noon. If you are not a DWC member and would like to attend, contact Pat O'Hara at [email protected].
CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAINING
If you are thinking about running for office, but it seems a bit daunting, here is a course offered by the National Democratic Training Committee.
https://traindemocrats.org/course/so-you-think-you-want-to-run/?utm_source=NDTC&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=042321_tldr&fbclid=IwAR1CpHW0FDc-wprrQFdplvU8SDxJPLvX1hYgBsgfcDeaNE07enFnNiWL5q0
If you are thinking about helping on a campaign or running for office, Kevin Winchell is excellent. It is worth the $35.
Campaign Management Training for Candidates and Campaign Teams
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campaign-management-training-for-candidates-and-campaign-teams-tickets-149347027981?aff=FDP&fbclid=IwAR04Rl_GGMmU8y22HZf9DEplOhUInvS2DqFyFYWDC3RDtNYR91wBKS5S52g
Date: Saturday, May 15th - Sunday, May 16th
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM EDT Saturday & Sunday
Location: Virtual
Cost: $35.00
Description: Interested in running for office or being on a team that gets others elected? This live, online, interactive workshop, hosted by the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida and the Blue Wave Coalition, covers all the essentials of campaign management that will make you a more effective candidate or campaign leader, including strategies and best-practices for candidates, committees, clubs, and caucuses.
About the Trainer: Kevin Winchell is the Founder and Executive Director of Democracy Strategies, a civic engagement consulting firm based in Florida specializing in training political candidates, clubs, caucuses, and committees in how to turn their passions into policy through evidence-based, values-driven campaigning.
CALENDAR
Saturday, May 8, 2021
11:30 a.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, May 11, 2021
9:00 a.m. – IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
https://ircgov.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
5:00 p.m. - Democrats of Indian River, 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, May 12, 2021
4:30 p.m. - Democratic Club of Indian River Board Meeting, Contact Al Griffiths via email at [email protected] or text 203-537-1762 to receive the Zoom link.
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
COVID VACCINATIONS
Retail Vaccinations
CVS – https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-link1-coronavirus-vaccine
Walgreens--https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine1_landing_schedule
Winn-Dixie –
https://www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine
Publix -- https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida
Walmart and Sam's Club – http://www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and http://www.samsclub.com/covid
Sharecare Statewide System
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.
Covid Testing
Go to: https://www.ircgov.com/coronavirus.htm for a complete listing of Covid testing sites. Home testing kits are also available at local pharmacies.
TIDBITS
Renegades Podcast
Renegades: Born in the USA is a series of conversations between Bruce Springsteen and President Barack Obama about their lives, music, and enduring love of America – despite all its challenges. There are about 8 episodes and it’s fantastic. You can listen for free on Spotify. Take the time to listen to these 2 iconic men coming from 2 completely different worlds.
That’s all!
See you next week!
Stay Safe and Well!
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