Happy Thursday, Democrats!
FEDERAL
Rick Scott Announces His Committee Assignments
It is important to know which committees our elected officials are on because they have power in these areas. The new committee assignments in Congress have been released and Rick Scott has been appointed to serve on the following Committees and Subcommittees:
Committee on Armed Services - Subcommittees on Airland; Seapower; and Emerging Threats and Capabilities
The United States Committee on Armed Services is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation’s military, including the Department of Defense, military research and development, nuclear energy (as pertaining to national security), benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and other matters related to defense policy.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – Subcommittees on Investigations; Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight
The United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is the chief oversight committee of the United States Senate. It has jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Homeland Security and other homeland security concerns, as well as the functioning of the government itself, including the National Archives, budget and accounting measures other than appropriations, the Census, the federal civil service, the affairs of the District of Columbia and the United States.
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – Subcommittee on Communication, Media and Broadband; Space and Science; Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports; Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion
The United States Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is composed of seven subcommittees, which together oversee for the vast range of issues under its jurisdiction. These issues range from communications, highways, aviation, rail, shipping, transportation security, merchant marine, the Coast Guard, oceans, fisheries, climate change, disasters, science, space, interstate commerce, tourism, consumer issues, economic development, technology, competitiveness, product safety, and insurance.
Senate Committee on the Budget
The United States Senate Committee on the Budget was established by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. It is responsible for drafting Congress’s annual budget plan and monitoring action on the budget for the Federal Government.
Senate Committee on Aging
The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging was initially established in 1961 as a temporary committee; it became a permanent Senate committee in 1977. As a special committee, it studies issues related to older Americans, particularly Medicare and Social Security.
STATE
Val Demings vs. Marco Rubio
After months of bad news with our GOP dominated State Legislature, it’s time for a bit of good news. Val Demings is planning to take on Rubio for his seat. Stay tuned (and be ready to work to get her elected)!
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/18/demings-running-for-senate-rubio-489137
LOCAL
School Board Mayhem
Public education is under assault at the State level (e.g., more public money for private schools, parental rights legislations and more) and is being assaulted here in Indian River County. If you’ve been watching our School Board meetings, you have seen how a group of parents have been dominating and dictating what is going on in our schools. Former school board member Tiffany Justice has attacked and demeaned teachers at Beachland Elementary and has now begun showing up to film school board members – all under the guise of “Parental Rights”. Jennifer Pippen filed a lawsuit over masks. Former School Board member Laura Zorc has held “parent education sessions” that amount to white supremacy talking points. Many “concerned citizens” showed up to argue against hiring an equity position in the district. Incredibly, the district backed down and didn’t hire anyone in that position. Now, the focus has turned to the curriculum and how the school district should not be teaching anything that makes whites look bad, like slavery and racism history. This “We the People” movement by these parents and concerned citizens is taking a toll on our Superintendent, School Board, teachers and students. If we don’t start showing up to counter these voices, our education system will be altered and our students will be receiving an education based on what right-wing Republicans, like Tiffany Justice and Erin Grall, think they should learn. We do not need our local schools producing future Marjorie Taylor Greenes!
It’s time to stand up and let OUR voices be heard.
ACTION NEEDED! We need you to show up at the next School Board Meeting!
The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, May 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the School District administrative offices located at 6500 57th Street (right next to Storm Grove Middle School).
If you are unable to attend and would like to submit your comments to be read during Citizen Input, well too bad. School Board Member Jackie Rosario made a motion to make sure you can’t do that at the last meeting because she was supporting John Corapi (the guy who was removed by police at the last school board meeting) in his demand to go back to “normal”.
If you would like to look at the textbooks that the “We the People” will be opposing, you can access them here:
https://www.indianriverschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=1549525&pageId=2366637
You can access the Teacher’s manual here:
https://hmhco.app.box.com/s/lrpplnu40tlp5flxesx4ok947aw260jf
Traffic Light on 8th Street – Activated TODAY
Please note that the new traffic light on 8th Street and Indian River Blvd. will be activated today, Thursday, May 20th at 10:00 a.m. It will now be a 4-way traffic light. Please use precaution and be alert when approaching that intersection.
Looking for a Painter?
One of our local Democrats is looking for some work. Wayne Lott is an accomplished painter and has seen his business decline due to Covid. If you need any painting done at your house (inside or outside), please consider Wayne for that work. His phone number is 772-205-7336.
Help With Your Internet Bills
If you or someone you know needs help with paying for your internet, there is help! The United Way is helping IRC residents navigate the financial assistance process. You can contact them at 772-567-8900 for assistance or email [email protected] for the instruction guide.
School District of Indian River County Animal Abuse
A parent at Sebastian River High School reached out to the Democrats of Indian River asking for our help. He saw a video on his son’s phone of his teacher and fellow classmates launching a live lizard through a tube using an air compressor. Here is his letter:
Hello Fellow Democrats of Indian River County,
I’m Mike Long and for privacy reasons am using a fictitious name to keep my family safe. Last month my child came home from school and showed me a video of the abhorrent behavior of his automotive shop teacher Garrett Roux. After watching the video, I was completely, utterly disgusted with what I saw. The inappropriate language the students were using, the lack of instruction, the immoral and unethical activity of launching a live reptile from a metal pipe using compressed air resulting in its death while laughing is 100% un-acceptable.
I know each of you is busy with day to day life, however, I’m pleading for you to email Dr. Moore and Michelle Olk at the school district requesting and supporting a decision to remove Garrett Roux from his teaching position. I’m also asking that you email Sheriff Eric Flowers and ask him to arrest Mr. Roux for breaking the law of animal cruelty.
By doing this, you are ensuring that future generations of students will not be subjected to this type of inappropriate & violent behavior by this man ever again. The lasting effect on my child's mental state is still fluid, but we are hoping for the best and taking it day by day. Below in RED is the section of Florida stature where Mr. Roux broke the law. Please watch the attached video and tell me how this isn’t the exact definition of that statute.
828.12 Cruelty to animals.—
(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal, or a person who owns or has the custody or control of any animal and fails to act, which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, commits aggravated animal cruelty, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
Thank you for your time,
Mike Long
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
You can read more about the incidence here: http://veronews.com/2021/05/13/school-district-investigating-video-showing-staff-member-launching-lizard-through-tube/?fbclid=IwAR3ZeGfhydfdhpVdfS5AZqW8b_WLFbBHnQGUnArwWuQtTbmdMkvLfQwbF5I
If you want to see the video, it is here:
Sebastian River High School Teacher Kills Lizard Live On Camera - YouTube
Juneteenth
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
The Democratic Club of Indian River
Volunteers Needed!
The Club is looking for volunteers to man the booth for Downtown Friday on May 28th. Set up begins at 5 p.m. and shut down is at 9 p.m. If you are interested in helping at the booth, please contact Al at [email protected] to schedule a shift.
The Club is also looking for volunteers to man the booth for Juneteenth at Gifford Park on Saturday, June 19th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are interested in helping at the booth, please contact Al at [email protected] to schedule a shift.
Membership
Club Annual Membership Dues are due in July. Dues cover July 1st through June 30th of the next year.
To pay membership dues go to:
www.democratsofindianriver.org
Click on the “Local Democrats” tab
Click on “Democrats of Indian River Club”
Click the “Join or Renew Your Membership Today”
You can choose to either renew your membership or 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
The next DWC Book Group meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 28th at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom. Club member Carol Bristol will lead an interactive program, "American Vernacular: The Dialects We Speak." If you are not a DWC member and are interested in attending, contact Rita Milelli at [email protected]
CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAINING
Voter Registration
With the current voter suppression bill passing in Florida, registering voters is more important than ever. Voter registration is hard work and requires sustained efforts on all our parts.
On Tuesday, June 1, from 7-9 p.m., Sarasota County is hosting an informational workshop on VR Training, Volunteer Recruitment for VR, VR Strategy and the use of electronic tools (Hot Blocks/Mapper/Map The Vote/Google Maps.)
If Voter Registration is something you might be interested in doing, please sign up for the training here:
https://www.mobilize.us/sarasotacountydec/event/390393/
CALENDAR
Thursday, May 20, 2021
6:00 p.m. – Democrats of Indian River, DEC 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
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Superintendent Workshop, 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. - Democrats of Indian River, DEC Steering Committee Meeting
Meeting via Zoom. Contact Stacey at [email protected] for meeting link.
6:00 – 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 26, 2021
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, May 27, 2021
9:00 a.m. - Indian River Shores City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to https://www.irshores.com/government/town-meetings/
Friday, May 28, 2021
2:00 p.m. - Democratic Women's Club Book Group
If you aren't a book group member and would like to join in the discussion contact Rita Milelli at [email protected]
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Downtown Friday, Downtown Vero Beach, 14th Avenue
That’s all!
See you next week!
Stay Safe and Well!
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