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** Happy Thursday Democrats!
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Veterans Day
The Democrats of Indian River salute and honor all veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces today and every day and thank you for your service!
Office Hours
Our office will be closed on Thursday, November 11^th, in honor of Veterans Day.
Our regular office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so come on by and bring your Thanksgiving meal donations for the Big Bird Blessing. We can take canned or boxed food items. Let’s fill up the box!
FEDERAL
Miami Herald Breaks Down Impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill on Florida, Billions of Dollars in Crucial Investments Are Coming to the State
A story by the Miami Herald’s Alex Daugherty gives an overview of the billions of dollars that will be invested in the State of Florida thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Not a single Florida Republican in either chamber of Congress voted for this transformative bill, which will boost our economy, help fight climate change and repair and expand our state’s infrastructure.
These are some key quotes:
“In Florida, the White House estimates that $13.1 billion would be spent to rebuild and modernize Florida’s highways with an additional $245 million for bridge replacement and repairs. The White House cited data from the American Society of Civil Engineers that said 3,584 miles of highway and 408 bridges in Florida are in poor condition.”
“The White House also said Florida expects to receive $2.6 billion over five years to improve public transit. And the state would get $198 million over five years to expand an electric vehicle charging network, with an opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion more in grants to further expand EV charging stations.”
“Florida would get $100 million to expand broadband internet coverage across the state, which the White House says would give internet access to more than 700,000 Floridians who currently do not have it. An additional 6.5 million Floridians, or anyone with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line (about $25,500 for an individual in 2021), would be eligible for a $30 a month internet subsidy under the bill.”
“The state will receive $1.6 billion over five years to improve drinking water infrastructure, $26 million to protect against wildfires, $29 million to protect against cyberattacks and $1.2 billion for airports.”
To read the full story, click here: [link removed]
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STATE
How did a Parents’ Bill of Rights turn into a mask mandate controversy in FL schools?
Erin Grall’s Parental Rights Bill has given a voice to parents who oppose everything from masks to curriculum to books. Now, the state legislature wants to expand those “rights.” Write Erin Grall and Debbie Mayfield and tell them you are opposed to this expansion. Send letters to the editor voicing your opposition, post on your social media pages, talk to your friends. We should not be silent on this matter!
You can read more here:
** [link removed] ([link removed])
LOCAL
Book Ban
A local group of women who call themselves Mom’s for Liberty, led by former school board member Tiffany Justice, have spent the last couple of years essentially attacking our school district and teachers about masks, curriculum, and teaching style. Now, they have turned their attention to books in the libraries at our schools. They have demanded the books be removed due to the damaging content and danger to students.
This is starting to seem not too different from the Nazi book burnings of the 30s aimed to align German arts and culture with Nazi ideas. Germany burned thousands of books they considered to be “un-German,” heralding an era of state censorship and cultural control. We must fight against book censorship that seeks to suppress free speech—this is un-American.
Below you will find a list of the books.
You can also watch a video of one of the books being read here: ** [link removed] ([link removed])
Please take some time to contact the school board members and superintendent to let them know what you think about a minority group controlling what books are in our libraries. You can contact them here:
School Board Members (this email will go to all of them): **
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
Superintendent David Moore: **
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
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] (mailto:
[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:
** [link removed] ([link removed])
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Democratic Executive Committee
Want to be more involved in your neighborhood and community? Consider signing up to be a precinct captain for your local area. Precinct captains lead up Get Out the Vote efforts. Contact Stacey at: **
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
if you want to participate!
Democratic Women’s Club
Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong- and the New Research That's Re-Writing the Story by Angela Saini is the next Book Group selection. The virtual meeting will start at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 3. If you are not a Book Group member and would like to attend please contact Rita Milelli at **
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
Democratic Club of Indian River
The next Democratic Club meeting will be held, in person, tonight, Thursday, November 11th at 6:00 p.m. 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 Downtown 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 Fridays 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 needed on a rotating basis for one of two staffing shifts, 5-9 pm.
· 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 American Club on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. Attendees will be asked to bring appetizers, hors d' oeuvres, or desserts to share. 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 situation.
United Against Poverty 5K Trot Against Poverty on Thanksgiving Day
The Democrats of Indian River will be sponsoring the United Against Poverty 5K Trot Against Poverty on Thanksgiving Day. If you are interested in a complimentary race registration ($35 value) please let us know. 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
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, November 11, 2021
Happy Veterans Day!
6:00 p.m. - Democratic Club of Indian River Monthly Virtual Meeting. If you would like to attend, please email
**
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
8:30 a.m. – Vero Beach City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])
9:00 a.m. – IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Superintendent Workshop, School District of Indian River County
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – School Board Business Meeting, School District of Indian River County
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])
Thursday, November 18, 2021
9:00 a.m. - Indian River Shores City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])
6:00 p.m. - Democrats of Indian River, DEC meeting
via Zoom. Contact Stacey at **
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
for meeting link.
7:00 p.m. - Fellsmere City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
** www.cityoffellsmere.org/citycouncil ([link removed])
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:
** [link removed] ([link removed])
Statistics
A great place to check statistics for Indian River County is on Covid Act Now. You can access it here:
** [link removed] ([link removed])
Vaccinations
3rd shots are now available from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson.
You can search for vaccination locations and details by clicking here:
** [link removed] ([link removed])
TIDBITS
Have a great week!
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County, All rights reserved.
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Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County
2345 14th Ave.
Suite 7
Vero Beach, FL 32960
USA
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