Our regular office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Our address is 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Downtown Vero Beach.
Newsletter Highlights
Mini fridge needed!
Canned food items are needed for United Against Poverty. See the Local section for more details.
Downtown Friday volunteers needed. See the Get Involved section.
Fridge (and donor) Needed!
Our office mini-fridge with a freezer went kaput. We are looking for a donor who would be willing to donate a new one to the office. The height can be no more than 33 inches, length no more than 20 inches, and a width of no more than 21 inches. If anyone is able to donate a new mini-fridge, please email [email protected]
GET INVOLVED
Downtown Friday Volunteers Needed
The Democrats will be back at Downtown Friday on February 25, 2022. We need your help to staff the booth. Those who volunteer will get to choose a FREE Democrats of Indian River item. There are 2 shifts – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The 5:00 p.m. volunteers will meet the setup crew at 5:00 p.m. to assist in setup. The 7:00 p.m. volunteers will meet the take down crew at 9:00 p.m. to assist in the take down. If you would like to sign up to volunteer, please email [email protected]
If you watched or read the news lately, you know our public education system is under attack. All over the country, “Moms for Liberty” and “Parental Rights” groups are jamming up school board meetings demanding books be removed, masks be removed, CRT stop being taught (it isn’t), and school districts bow down to their every whim. In opposition, groups are starting to form to counter these attacks on our public education system.
Locally, a group of parents and concerned community members have been speaking at our school board meetings and writing letters to provide an alternate voice of reason. We are beginning to organize and need more help. If you are interested in joining a team working to preserve our public education system, please email [email protected] for more information.
Texters Needed
We have purchased a new texting program to reach out to voters in Indian River County. We are looking for volunteers who can send texts. It’s very easy and can be done from your couch or dining room table. All you need is a computer, no phones needed! If you are interested, email Stacey at [email protected] and she can send you more information about how the program works.
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Democratic Executive Committee
Do you want to be part of the team that votes DeSantis out? Do you want to meet your like-minded neighbors? Are you tired of sitting by while Republicans get elected over and over?
Consider signing up to be a precinct captain for your local area. Precinct captains create relationships with their neighbors, help lead up Get Out the Vote efforts, and work with a fun team.
If you live in the following Precincts, we could use your help:
The Environmental Committee of the Democratic Women’s Club announces that the Fellsmere Fridge Ribbon Cutting will be held on Saturday, February 26th at The Fellsmere City Hall at 10:00 a.m. The Community Fridge movement aims to reduce food waste, build stronger communities, encourage local artists and promote equal access to healthy food.
This project is being coordinated by Sue Flack, Recycling Coordinator of the Indian River County Landfill, with the enthusiastic cooperation of a number of community groups including our Environmental Committee. It is our hope that our members will volunteer to help the Fridge Project fulfill its purpose. The refrigerator was donated by a member of the Environmental Committee.
The next DWC Book Group meeting will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 25th via Zoom. DWELLINGS by Linda Hogan will be discussed. 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
We often hear, "Where are the Democrats"? Please help me in identifying local events that should include the Democrats of Indian River. We are proud to stand up for democracy and we want Indian River County to know it! We need your help. Together, LET'S GET LOUD!
The Democratic Club is in need of a candidate for treasurer. Our current treasurer, Yolonda Anderson, will now be running for a board director position instead. If you are interested or have questions or candidate suggestions, please contact Claudia Martino at [email protected] or 954-290-5661. The election will be held at the Club's March meeting.
The Democratic Club will hold its annual election at the March 10th meeting. Below is the slate of candidates:
President Wendy McDaniel
Vice president Betty Morrow
Secretary Caryl Zook
Treasurer Yolonda Anderson
Director Kelly Miller
Director Jadie Barringer
Director Clay Wild
Following are biographies of the candidates who will be new to the board:
Caryl Zook
Caryl is a lifelong Democrat from a Republican family. She earned a bachelor’s in journalism and environmental studies from Indiana University. She worked as a legislative reporter for the Indianapolis News and in 2013 authored the book, “After Occupy - A Future Fiction” (available on Kindle!)
Caryl has also worked as an Organic Grower, Independent Organic Certification Inspector, and as a chef and caterer. With her background in upscale catering and private chef experience, she has currently combined her skills to consult on Farm to Table menu development.
She moved to South Florida in 2003 and in 2014 purchased an authentic cracker cottage in Indian River Farms in Vero. Caryl has two sons and two grandsons who all live in Florida.
Yolonda Anderson
A native of Vero Beach, Yolonda currently resides in Sebastian. She remembers when there were dirt roads everywhere and people rode their horses on 58th. She graduated from Indian River State College with an associates in criminal science and is also certified as a medical assistant. She works at Florida Cancer Specialists as a Patient Service Specialist. She previously worked at Indian River Medical Center now known as Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in a variety of roles.
Yolonda is proud of her beautiful family and beautiful wife of six years. She has two daughters and two sons. Her daughters are currently attending IRSC, studying surgical tech and nursing. Her oldest son is a senior at Sebastian River High School and her youngest, in the 6th grade, is homeschooled through the Digital Academy of Florida. Both sons have autism (high function) which she says taught her so much being a parent of children with disabilities. In her words, “I now know how to fight with the school system when it comes to their IEP’s and 504 plans. It is one of my passions to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. I am passionate about the disabled, human rights and so much more.”
Kelly Miller
You might know Kelly Miller from Liberals in Vero, a Facebook group she started 5 years ago. Liberals has 1,200 members and continues to grow. She has lived in Vero Beach for 20 years. Prior to that she and her husband lived in Orlando and Los Angeles where she worked in television and film production at such studios as DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Viacom and Universal. She has a bachelor's degree in Communications: Radio/Television.
Kelly’s children attended Beachland, Gifford Middle and Vero Beach High. When her two children were younger, she worked as a substitute teacher. Her children now attend the University of Florida and Florida State. Kelly is now a realtor and she and her husband Matt own Indian River Pools, a family owned and operated business since 1995.
Clay Wild
Clay, a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, was commissioned in the Coast Guard in 1986. After completing his active-duty service, he joined the Navy Reserve in 1992. He sailed for Military Sealift Command during Operation Desert Storm, later served in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom and again in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He graduated from the Naval War College and National Defense University while serving and ultimately retired in 2017 at the rank of Captain.
Nowadays Clay is a vice president of international business development for Flex Force Enterprises, an Oregon-based defense contractor. He travels extensively, working with international partners. He is also president of Sentinel Infrared Imaging, a consulting firm that helps small businesses enter defense markets.
Clay is married to the former Joycelyn San Juan of Hong Kong and has three daughters; Megan who works for St. Lucie County, Jade who works for Stitch Fix and Piper who is studying at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Please contact Claudia Martino [email protected] if you have any questions.
FEDERAL
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Investment in Florida’s Ports Will Strengthen Supply Chains, Lower Prices, and Keep Our Economy Moving
With the goal of improving U.S. competitiveness, creating good-paying jobs, and lowering prices for working families, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides more than $17 billion for our nation’s ports and waterways. This is a massive investment that will build the foundation of Florida’s economy for decades to come.
After decades of underinvestment in infrastructure, our nation’s supply chains have struggled to keep up with our strong economic recovery from the pandemic. This has slowed commerce and raised prices for consumers and businesses alike.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investment in our ports will provide a major boost to existing businesses, allowing them to get products to consumers much more efficiently. It will also dramatically expand capacity by improving container facilities and freight systems, which will attract and create countless new business opportunities in the future. For consumers, that means receiving products more quickly, without the delays and extra costs that result from shipping disruptions.
By building the next generation of modern, resilient, and sustainable port infrastructure, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will strengthen our supply chains, remove bottlenecks, and expedite commerce, all while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs at key ports in Florida, such as PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and Port Everglades. These key ports are already beginning to receive millions in federal funding from the BIL.
With a cumulative economic impact in the hundreds of billions of dollars, these ports are major economic hubs, not only for Florida, but for the southeastern United States, and indeed the entire nation. They directly employ hundreds of thousands of working Floridians, but we all indirectly reap the rewards.
Meanwhile, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is being delivered despite the vocal opposition of Governor Ron DeSantis and every single Florida Republican in Congress voting against the jobs and opportunities that it will create for Florida.
STATE
Orlando students behind bill to make online voter registration part of Florida high schools
As high schoolers, these students recognized the importance of online voter registration. Read more about their determination to make this a law here:
The GOP led Florida Legislature Doesn’t Want to Hear from Clean Water Activists
This GOP legislature has made it pretty clear that they don’t care about constituents. Even when it comes to the health of our environment. They seem to know better than any expert. Take this as an example:
United Against Poverty is running very low on canned food items for their grocery program. If you are able to donate items, you can bring them to the office during our office hours, or you can donate them directly to United Against Poverty.
First Ladies and Their Presidents
AAUW Vero Beach (The American Association of University Women) presents First Ladies and Their Presidents, two one-act plays that bring to life first Abigail and John Adams, and then Lou and Herbert Hoover. The program was created by Sue and William Wills, a veteran husband-and-wife writing and acting team. They have spent 44 years in theater, have presented over 9,000 performances together, and are in their 26th year of "bringing to life the stories of 34 different Presidential couples."
The program will raise money for AAUW’s Local Program Fund, which supports scholarships, grants and programs for women and girls in Indian River County and highlight the role of women in history. These two presidential couples were chosen because of the strength of the first ladies. AAUW is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
$40 per ticket. For students, including Girl Scouts: $20. Tickets available at the Emerson Center Box Office (Tues & Thurs from 10AM – 1 PM) or at theemersoncenter.com/first-ladies-their-presidents/
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
This week we ask that you choose a topic that is important to you and write a letter to the editor of the TCPalm. Living in a red county, we need to ensure that our voices are heard and that we counter the irrational.
So, choose a topic – education, climate, infrastructure, health care – and write a letter! Do it for our democracy!
