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Happy Thursday! Please note that our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.


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** MLK PARADE
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Thank you to all of you who came out to walk with the Democrats of Indian River in the MLK Parade. It was exciting to see the support we had from the wonderful residents of Gifford. What a great way to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.!



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** GALA UPDATE
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It’s only one month to go for the 2020 Blue Gala dinner dance, auction and fundraiser! We hope you are planning to attend and be part of this important and fun evening. There will be dancing, music by the Jordan Thomas Odyssey orchestra, free valet parking and a full, open bar.

Ambassador Christopher Hill will be the Gala’s distinguished guest speaker. Ambassador Hill was former ambassador to Iraq, South Korea, Poland and Macedonia, as well as Special Envoy to Kosovo. Ambassador Hill was a member of the team that negotiated the Bosnia peace settlement. In 2005, he was named head of the US delegation to the six party talks to resolve the North Korea nuclear crisis. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs for which his portfolio included U.S.-China relations.

In addition, Florida Democratic Chair, Terrie Rizzo, will be joining us for the evening.

If you haven’t received an invitation and would like one, please call the office at 772-226-5267 and one will be sent to you. You can also register online by clicking the Gala button on the front page of the Democrats of Indian River Website: www.democratsofindianriver.org ([link removed]) Tickets can be paid for via PayPal, credit card, or check.

This is the launch of setting our 2020 Vision on reclaiming the White House. This is an event to be remembered! Democratic turnout is crucial to helping support our mission.



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** DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING ON VOTERS’ MINDSET
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The next meeting of the Democratic Club is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.11 at the Irish American Society, 1314 20th St., Vero Beach.
Club Board Member Steve Osiecki will present "Getting Out the Vote is our Best Strategy: Recent Developments in the Science of Winning Elections." This short presentation will summarize research on brain differences between liberals and conservatives, research that can help explain why the mental gap between the two groups is often so large. He will also focus on recent voter persuasion research showing why “Get Out the Vote” is our best statewide strategy.

Please join us! We have several new members this month, bringing our total to 140.

Convenient parking is available in the US Fish and Wildlife parking lots just across the street from the Irish American Society.


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DOWNTOWN FRIDAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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After a few months off, it’s time to get back to Downtown Friday! We are in need of volunteers to man our booth on Friday, January 31^st. Volunteers are needed for the following shifts:

5 to 7 p.m. (includes booth setup)
7 to 9 p.m. (includes booth breakdown)

If you are interested in working a shift, please email Stacey at or stop by headquarters.


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** CANDIDATE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Blue Bench Training:

The Florida Democratic Party’s Candidate Blue Bench Training is coming to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast! FDP Municipal Victory Program Director Lisa Peth has been working with candidates from across the state to help us realize a brighter, bluer Florida. As a result, they are providing a free training from subject matter experts on core aspects of campaigning, such as fundraising, messaging, digital communications, and field operations. The training is Saturday, February 8^th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Here is the link to RSVP:
[link removed]


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** GARDENFEST
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** Gardenfest! Nature’s Finest Marketplace Returns to Vero Beach for the 19^th Year February 1^st and 2^nd.

Choose from a great variety of plants, pots and garden ornaments from more than 85 vendors. Expert lectures and advice are featured each day. Other activities are available for for kids. There is a food court and raffle prizes. Admission is always free and so is the parking!

Venue: Riverside Park 3250 Riverside Dr. Vero Beach, FL 32963
Find out more at www.gardenclubofirc.org ([link removed])
or call 772-567-4602.



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** ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT
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You are invited participate in the Pelican Island Audubon Society’s forthcoming conference on “Transforming Landscapes for a Sustainable Future,” on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave, in Vero Beach. The conference is an opportunity to learn how to landscape in a way that is sustainable, cost-effective and helps enhance our quality of life. This day-long conference is $25 ($35 after January 15^th). For more information and to register online go to: [link removed]


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** DAVID DINAN DANCING WITH VERO STARS
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Our fellow Democrat David Dinan is participating in this years’ Dancing with Vero Stars! This event raises money for the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. David could use our help! You can donate or attend one of the many exciting events he will be participating in over the next few months. What could be better? Having fun and raising money for babies! If you make a donation of $75 or more through David’s website by February 19^th, you will get an invite from David (as a personal thank you) to the Masquerade Party on February 22^nd. To learn more about David and to donate go to:
[link removed]

Some upcoming events include David as a Guest Bartender at Southern Social for Cocktails for a Cause on February 5^th from 6-8 p.m. Then for the remainder of the month when anyone buys a specialty cocktail from Southern Social, a donation will be made to Healthy Start.
For a list of other upcoming fun events go to:
[link removed]



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** GIFFORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER EVENTS
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The Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center has some wonderful upcoming events. Please try and attend to support the lecturers, artists and community of Gifford.

January 30^th, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Environmental Learning Center, Lecture: “Imagining the Dream: A.E. “Bean” Backus, the Highwaymen, and Mid-century Florida.”

February 7^th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Raw Space Gallery, Art Exhibit: Willie Reagan and Terry K Hunter

February 8^th, 6:00 p.m., GYAC, SAHMF Banquet, Tickets $35

For more information about these events, contact
Jonnie Mae Perry at


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** ELEANOR ROOSEVELT COMES TO VERO BEACH
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The American Association of University Women is hosting the play “Across A Barrier of Fear: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt” at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild on February 16^th. For more information and tickets visit: [link removed]


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** SPEAK UP VERO BEACH
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SpeakUpVeroBeach.com is the online hub for community engagement about the future of Three Corners - 38 acres where the old power plant, former postal annex and land & water treatment plant now stand on the Indian River Lagoon. Here you'll find facts about Three Corners and many ways to discuss & share your ideas. Kindly Register to join the conversation and be part of a new model of public debate where all voices & ideas are heard.
On January 25, Speak Up Vero Beach will be offering tours of the old power plant. For more details go to: [link removed]

There is also a week of events and opportunities to engage with leaders who will be making decisions about the 3 corners. For more information click here:

[link removed]


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** OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION
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There are numerous offices up for election in Indian River County in 2020. The Democrats of Indian River are looking for candidates for these positions. If you are considering running for office, or know someone who is, below are the offices, positions and current office holder up for election in 2020.

Board of County Commissioners:
District 1 – Susan Adams
District 3 - Tim Zorc
District 5 – Bob Solari

School Board:
District 3 - Laura Zorc
District 5 - Tiffany Justice

IR County Hospital District:
Seat 3 - Barbara S. Bodnar
Seat 5 - Karen Deigl
Seat 7 - Michael J. Weiss

Indian River Mosquito Control District:
Seat 1 - Janice Broda
Seat 3 - Buck Vocelle

Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District:
Seat 2 - David Gunter
Seat 4 - Robert J. Lindsey

Sebastian Inlet Tax District:
District 1 – Jenny Lawton
District 2 – Beth L. Mitchell
District 3 – Michael Rowland

City of Fellsmere:
Fernando R. Herrera
Jessica Salgado
Joel Tyson

City of Sebastian
Ed Dodd
Jim Hill

City of Vero Beach
Tony Young
Laura Moss
Robert Brackett

Town of Indian River Shores Council
Robert “Bob” Auwaerter
Deborah “Debbi” Peniston
Tom Slater

Town of Orchid Council
Paul Knapp
Harold Ofstie


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** CALENDAR
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** Below find upcoming government, Democrat and community events to add to your calendar. Visit [link removed] for a full list of calendar events for 2020.


January 27

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Data Meeting (open to anyone interested) with Jim St. Martin, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14^th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, FL 32960

January 28

1:00 – 4:00 p.m – Superintendent’s Workshop, School District of Indian River County, 6500 57^th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967


6:00 p.m. – School Board Business Meeting, School District of Indian River County, 6500 57^th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967


5:00 p.m. – DEC Steering Committee Meeting, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14^th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, 32960

January 29

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Data Meeting (open to anyone interested) with Jim St. Martin, Democratic Headquarters, 2345 14^th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach, FL 32960

January 31
5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Downtown Friday, 14^th Ave., Downtown Vero Beach

Every Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Koffee with Ken and Parris
Democrats of Indian River Office
2345 14^th Ave., Suite 7, Vero Beach 32960
Bring your own coffee and chat about politics!

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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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