Honoring Dr. Shirley Freeman

Letters from the Chair
Written By Bert Sise

Monday April 14, 2023

Good morning Democrats!

I was in a grassy parking lot in Vermont last Monday waiting for the eclipse to start when I got the call about our dear friend and supporter Dr. Shirley Freeman. She was so witty and smart and genuinely cared about the Keys community. I will miss her.

My brief Eclipse Adventure started with the Earthquake and ended with a stomach virus! I obviously had too much fun!

I am catching up with emails, participated in the Reproductive Rights rally on Saturday and the coming week is going to be busy. If I have not answered an email from you, please text me. It has been crazy!

Please remember to vote on April 20 for the Delegates to the National Convention. Details are listed below.

Also coming up this week in local political maneuvering, the developers of the Cemex/Publix Project are coming before the BOCC to ask for the ROGOs that they should have had before this deal was approved. Does this sound shady to you? GGGRRRR!

I have a feeling a few more candidates will be filing soon. If you are thinking about running, please call or email me. There are many uncontested races that need a challenger.

As for the state of our elections in this critical year, bear this in mind. MAGA IS NOT THE MAJORITY, BUT THEY ARE THE LOUDEST! Our job is to make sure that our voters vote. Take every opportunity to become familiar with the candidates in the down ballot races. These are the ones who can really make a difference and will be the leaders of tomorrow.

We must speak up, speak the truth, and question authority. Our elected officials need to know we are watching and will ask questions.

So, look at this week’s selections of government and activist meetings. Attend and report back. We can change outcomes if we are unafraid, speak up and ask questions.
 

Activist meetings/events this week
 

Monday April 15

Wednesday April 17

  • The Upper Keys Dems will meet at 5:30pm in the sidebar area of Denny’s, MM97.6 in the Median. Come around 5pm for a little social hour with the group and then we get into it. Guest Speakers will be a surprise.

Saturday April 20

  • Aside from it being 4-20 (hahaha) and Earth Day, (which Tallahassee really does not care about) it is ELECTION DAY for a slate of candidates who wish to be delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August! You can vote for the individuals from 10am until 2 pm at the Key Largo Public Library, the Marathon Public Library and Metropolitan Community Church in Key West. Only Democrats can vote. We are allowed five candidates to represent our US Congressional District. There are nine candidates and only one from Monroe County so we must make sure she gets elected! Holly Hummell-Gorman is our favorite in this election, so please show up and support her! (and bring snacks)

 

Local Government Mtgs this week
 

Monday April 15

Tuesday April 16

  • The Village of Islamorada has two meetings today that are examples of government transparency. They are committee meetings, not Village Council, but are part of the inner working of the city. Check it out - https://www.islamorada.fl.us/Calendar.aspx

Wednesday April 17

  • The BOCC will meet at 9am in the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Hwy, Marathon. The Consent agenda alone is a whopper! Under Item J on the agenda, the Cemex property once again rears its head. Pay attention folks. Discussion of Rogo’s is also on the agenda. For the gory details: https://monroecounty-fl.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

Thursday April 18

  • The Key West Planning Board has a full agenda of requests for variances and if you live anywhere near the 900 block of Truman Ave, you had best read this one. http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

  • The Key Colony Beach City Council will hold a public hearing at 9:30am in City Hall, 600 W Ocean Dr. to talk about a boat lift. (honest) You can attend in person or watch via zoom. This one must have a great backstory - https://keycolonybeach.net/citydocs-1/

We are currently involved with mailing voters to remind them to renew their Vote-by-Mail requests before the August elections. We will also be gearing up our digital marketing efforts and that means spending money.
If you can help us financially, please pick a level that is comfortable for you and donate.

Support our Digital Advertising Campaign - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2024digital

Support our candidate fund, The Seahorse Society – (this is a minimum $1200 donation https://secure.actblue.com/donate/seahorsesociety

General Fund – Office Supplies, mailings et al -  https://keysdems.com/donate

If you prefer to mail a check – make it payable to M.C.D.E.C.
(Monroe County Democratic Executive Committee) and mail to same, PO Box 761, Key West, Fl. 33041

Getting our message in front of voters to offset the Lies and BS from the other side is imperative.

Thank you.

Forward this message to your like-minded friends and bring them to meetings to meet candidates and discuss the issues we face.
See you in Key Largo Wednesday.

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems
 
Website – www.keysdems.com
Facebook – Florida Keys Democrats
Instagram - @keysdems
Twitter - @DemsKeys

Bert Sise
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