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Happy Thursday Democrats!

Office Hours

Our office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Fundraising Help Needed

DEC Chair Bill Evans and DEC Member Fritz Trakowski are currently manning the helm of our fundraising efforts. Strategic meetings of the fundraising group, including Dionne McNamee, Josie and Steve Lieberman, Stacey Klim and others, have centered around replacing our annual gala with a direct fundraising appeal to our Blue Gala contributors and prior year donors. We are hopeful that we can start up a series of speaker and neighborhood events next year once gatherings can safely take place. Should anyone wish to become more involved in our fundraising effort, in any capacity, please contact Fritz Trakowski at [email protected] or 571-214-5011. Thank you!!

FEDERAL

Welcome to the Party

Welcome to the Party is a new podcast from the Democratic National Committee that breaks down some of the biggest issues facing our country today with the people who are fighting to address them. Each episode, Chair Jaime Harrison talks to an influential member of our party about the ways Democrats across the country are delivering for the nation.

Apple Podcast Link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-the-party/id1579080348?link_id=1&can_id=d29c190fecd3fec8eec6eceade467746&source=email-what-you-missed-this-week-6&email_referrer=email_1323681&email_subject=capture-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-endcapture-if-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-s-else-your-endif-friday-newsletter

Spotify Podcast Link:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6htmnfDCjpt7KWy1BRp4zV?si=fa70af84ed694628&link_id=2&can_id=d29c190fecd3fec8eec6eceade467746&source=email-what-you-missed-this-week-6&email_referrer=email_1323681&email_subject=capture-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-endcapture-if-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-s-else-your-endif-friday-newsletter&nd=1

Google Podcast Link:
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNzUwNjUwLnJzcw?sa=X&ved=0CBUQ27cFahcKEwiQrrLH7pfyAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&link_id=3&can_id=d29c190fecd3fec8eec6eceade467746&source=email-what-you-missed-this-week-6&email_referrer=email_1323681&email_subject=capture-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-endcapture-if-firstname3-firstname-sanitize-s-else-your-endif-friday-newsletter

Voting Rights Legislation

Senate Democrats tried again to advance voting rights legislation, saying it's needed to counteract a wave of new restrictions from GOP-controlled state legislatures. But they were quickly shut down by every Senate Republican. You can read more here:

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/20/1040238982/senate-democrats-are-pushing-a-voting-rights-bill-republicans-have-vowed-to-bloc?fbclid=IwAR1ViXwr8o1UmOaFfg8crcAqxwIvQ-MFMcD2v6XdFnStI7_UBAmQhi_sv0s

STATE

Florida Democratic Party Joins Calls for Governor DeSantis to Call Special Elections

On July 27 and 28, Democrats in House Districts 94, 88 and in Senate District 33 submitted their irrevocable resignations from their seats. By law, Governor Ron DeSantis is required to call special elections to fill those vacancies. As of this date, he has not done so. It has been 84 days since those vacancies were announced. By comparison ---as noted in a lawsuit filed by residents from those districts to compel the Governor to call the elections--- between 1999 and 2020 there were 65 vacancies at different points in time and on average it took the sitting governor 7.6 days to call for a special election. Ben Tyler, the Florida Democratic Party’s general counsel, issued the following statement.

“The Resign to Run law was designed to avoid a domino effect of empty seats caused by legislators running for different offices. Governor DeSantis is shirking his responsibility and potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of Floridians without representation in the process. Floridians in House Districts 88 and 94, and Senate District 33 have a right to equal representation.”

“The Governor should call a special primary election on January 11, 2022, concurrently with the congressional special general election. The Governor should similarly call a special general election by February 15, 2022. We know that the Supervisor of Elections offices are capable of holding elections on these dates and further delay is simply unacceptable. It should not take citizens filing a lawsuit for the Governor to do what he is required to - it’s long past time to stop playing politics and schedule these elections.”

Florida Democratic Party Calls for an Investigation Into Illegal and Suppressive Activities by Right-Wing Groups and for the Republican Party to Denounce These Activities

Over the past several weeks there have been reports of individuals across the country questioning voters on their personal information and for whom they voted. In some cases, these individuals have misrepresented themselves as officials from the County - a third-degree felony in the State of Florida. Many Supervisors of Elections are aware of these incidents and that these individuals are from right-wing groups. In Seminole County, the Supervisor got reports of these right-wing groups using fake County badges as they approached voters in their homes. The Pasco SOE has categorically denied these individuals are part of his office.

Added José Parra, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party:

“Acts like this are a threat to our democracy and our electoral system. It shows that Republican-aligned groups will stop at nothing to undermine our democratic institutions and destroy the faith Floridians have in our elections. This type of action from the same groups that brought an insurrection to the U.S. Capitol as we were peacefully transferring power on Jan. 6, should not be surprising, but it is still shocking. We call for criminal investigations into these actions. If the Republican Party of Florida supports democracy, they should denounce this type of behavior coming from their supporters."

LOCAL

Storm Grove Middle School Science Fair Judges Needed

Storm Grove Middle School is looking for volunteers to help at their annual Science Fair. If you could spare even an hour of your time, it would be a huge help. You will have to be available to come to Storm Grove Middle School on Tuesday, December 7 from 8:10 a.m. and the fair ends at 11 a.m. If you are interested, please contact Joseph Refsland at [email protected]

Volunteering is easy, fun, and minimal on your time. Volunteer today!

Special Equestrians

Do you like horses and kids with disabilities? There is an amazing organization in Vero Beach that utilizes horse back riding to benefit children with disabilities. They are looking for volunteers. You can find out more and apply to be on a volunteer on their website at:

https://www.specialequestrianstreasurecoast.org/

Big Bird Blessing

Our office is accepting donations for Thanksgiving meals. We can take canned or boxed food items. Please stop by the office on Tuesday or Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with your donations.

Let’s fill up the box!

DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER

Democratic Women’s Club

A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future by David Attenborough is the next Book Group selection. The virtual meeting will start at 2:00 p.m. on October 22^nd. If you are not a Book Group member and would like to attend, please contact Rita Milelli at [email protected].

Democratic Club of Indian River

The Club will be moving its monthly meeting from the second Tuesday of the month to the second Thursday of the month. The Board has decided to make the change due to conflicts on second Tuesdays with School Board and DEC Steering meetings.

The next Democratic Club meeting will be held, in person, on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th at 6:00 pm. Masks and social distancing will be required, as we monitor the diminishing COVID virus. The meeting venue will remain the Irish American Society on 20th St. in Vero Beach.

We will be organizing groups/committees for:

·      Engagement organizers for School Board meetings. Members who will organize volunteers to write letters to school board members, speak at School Board meetings, and support public education.

·      Downtown Friday’s Democratic Club booth, a recurring monthly event, as well as other booth events throughout the County as they occur.   Volunteers needed to set up and break down the booth.

·      Volunteers to work with Valerie Daly, the Membership Chair, to manage all things necessary, pre and post Club meetings, as well as, working on expanding membership.

·      Events that may be planned in the future. Volunteers to work on all aspects of organizing events, such as a Spring dinner dance, etc.

·      Community Outreach. Members to search out, organize and staff community outreach initiatives, such as a beach clean-up day, support of charitable day events, etc.

We are planning a Democratic Club Holiday Party that will include members of the Democratic Women’s Club and the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC), at the Irish Club on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 pm. Attendees will be asked to bring to share, appetizers, hors d' oeuvres, or desserts. We request that attendees bring an unwrapped toy to donate to "Toys for Tots". We are hoping to have a local band if affordable. Masks and social distancing will be required as we monitor the diminishing COVID virus.

The Democrats of Indian River will be sponsoring the United Against Poverty 5K Trot Against Poverty on Thanksgiving Day. Let's show our support for this great organization!

Florida Young Democrats

The Young Democrats of Indian River are planning a get-together on Tuesday, November 30th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Islamorada Brewing Company in Ft Pierce. Visit our Facebook page for more information.

TRAININGS

Candidate Training

If you are thinking of running for office or working on a campaign, this training on November 6th is the place to start. Well worth the $35.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campaign-training-for-candidates-and-campaign-teams-tickets-185354208427?aff=Sarasota&fbclid=IwAR2S0Qc4BisWMdODTiXSWijNKhYYkuYOH1VFlR7Mo5wIHWrXzz_APx7nwQw

Leadership Blue

The Florida Democratic Party is excited to share that our annual Leadership Blue Weekend has been re-scheduled for December 3-5, 2021 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel* in Orlando, FL with the signature Leadership Blue Gala taking place on Saturday, December 4th at the Orange County Convention Center.

We are excited to finally be able to get together in-person for a safe, fun and productive weekend of events. You can visit www.LeadershipBlue.com for the most up to date information about the weekend, including hotel accommodations, schedules and speakers.

The room blocks will fill up quickly so we encourage you to reserve your rooms sooner than later. All sponsorships, ticket and table purchases made for the original event date will be honored for the rescheduled event, although seating arrangements will be modified to accommodate additional distancing.

New ticket and table reservations can be made via the Leadership Blue website. For sponsorships, please email Michelle Sierra at [email protected].
Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in December for a weekend in support of FDP and Florida's Democratic candidates!

*Rosen Plaza implements measures to ensure that guest-rooms, amenities, and services are accessible to all guests regardless of abilities and disabilities. Should you require ADA-compliant accommodations, please reach out to [email protected]

CALENDAR

Thursday, October 21, 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, October 26, 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 – 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, October 27, 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, October 28, 2021

9:00 a.m. - Indian River Shores City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to https://www.irshores.com/government/town-meetings/

COVID TESTING, STATISTICS AND VACCINATIONS

Testing

If you are looking for a testing site, which is becoming harder to find, you can see a list of locations here:

http://indianriver.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/COVID-19/irc-covid-testing-sites/index.html

Statistics

A great place to check statistics for Indian River County is on Covid Act Now. You can access it here:
https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/indian_river_county/?s=21821108

Vaccinations

3rd shots are now available from Pfizer.

You can search for vaccination locations and details by clicking here:

https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/vaccine-locator/?utm_source=floridahealth.gov&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=covid-19&utm_term=information+covid-19+vaccine+&utm_content=011921-vaccine-locater.redirect.html_in_article_link

TIDBITS

Here’s a throwback to Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand singing Happy Days are Here Again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxFvQEanqbQ

Have a great week!

Copyright © 2021 Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:

Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County

2345 14th Ave.

Suite 7

Vero Beach, FL 32960

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