Letter from the Chair - July 11, 2022
No rants this week. However, I have plenty of information to share as I, Phil Dodderidge, our Vice Chair, Linda Dodderidge, our Twitter Queen, Dakin Weekley – our state Committeeman and Trish McGrath – our proxy State Committeewoman will be in Tampa next weekend for a State Democratic Party event. (Meaning no newsletter next Monday.)
So, get your calendars, and make notes, as this is 2 weeks’ worth of information. Be sure to read to the bottom of this Newsletter. There are interesting tidbits of good news and local activism.
Government Meetings This Week
Tuesday, July 12 - The Marathon City Council will meet at 5:30pm at City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon. For details and agenda, click here.
Thursday, July 14 - The Key Colony Beach City Commission will meet at 9:30 am in Marble Hall & via Zoom. For details and agenda, click here.
Thursday, July 14 - The Islamorada Village Council will meet at 5:30 pm in the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy. For agenda and Zoom link, click here.
Tuesday, July 19 - The Monroe County School Board will meet at 4:30 pm in the Media Center at Coral Shores High School, 89901 Old Hwy, Tavernier, Fl. For details/agenda, click here.
Tuesday, July 19 - The Key West City Commission will meet at 5pm in Council Chamber/City Hall, 1300 White St., Key West. Details & agenda not yet available.
Tuesday, July 19 - The Monroe County Mosquito Control Board will meet at 1 pm in their Headquarters located at 503 107th St. Marathon. For details, click here.
Coming Events
Monday, July 11 - The Lower keys Dems will meet, in-person only, at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 401 Duval St. Entrance is in the back, from Bahama St. Our speakers will be KW City Commission Dist. 4 Candidate Kim Highsmith and Mayor Teri Johnston. Both will talk about their campaigns and the mayor will explain the ballot questions regarding changes to the city charter.
Wednesday, July 20 - The Upper Keys Dems will meet at 5:30 pm in the Community Room of the Key Largo Public Library in Tradewinds Plaza, 101437 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo. Our Guest Speaker will be Robert Asencio, Democrat running for the Congressional Dist. 28 seat. We will also be meeting the FDP Regional Director for South Florida – John Munro.
Wednesday, July 20 - Key West NOW along with Adam Gentle, Democratic candidate for Florida House, is planning a forum on July 20 for women to meet and discuss their concerns, ideas, and issues. They have invited several women to speak and be available for Q&A. An Attorney, physician, sexual and domestic abuse organizations have been included. Attendees will be encouraged to speak and share: health, wages, childcare, housing, mental issues, whatever needs addressing so our community of women can actively work together. 5:30pm at 801 Georgia St. Key West.
Now for some Good News. President Biden has taken Executive Action to protect women from the states intent on punishing women who’s only crime is expecting to be able to control their own bodies. For all the details on this order, click on this link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/08/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-executive-order-protecting-access-to-reproductive-health-care-services/
Key West Now is accepting applications for the Connie Gilbert Scholarship. The three $2,000 scholarships will go to Monroe County applicants who identify as female, and who wish to continue their higher education career or apply for a professional license. Applicants must be women returning to college from the workforce, seeking professional certification or licensing, or entering at least their second year of college. Deadline for applying is August 15, 2022. The application can be obtained by contacting kwnowinfo@gmail.com
The Florida Democratic Party is looking to hire a Paid Field Organizer in and for Monroe County. This is a temporary job, running from hire date until the November Election. If you are interested, email me for more details or call John Munro, 786-222-5971
The Coral City Elks is collecting school supplies for students in these cash-strapped times. They need everything from tablets, laptops, backpacks, paper/pens/pencils. If you can help with supplies or a donation, please contact Ken Sullivan at 305-896-5514 or drop the items off at the Elks Club, 1107 Whitehead St. Key West, Fl. (they open at 4pm) School starts August 10.
I want to thank every organization that hosted events for July 4, the birth of our Nation. Founded on the principles of Liberty and Justice for All. We have made great progress, as a nation, in redefining who is included in “ALL” until recently.
Now we are going backward. We can discuss why “until the cows come home.” We must pay attention because this trend did not start with 45. He was the result of years of effort by a group intent on destroying Democracy while lining their pockets with loot, sort of like private equity firms, only pretending to be Christians.
There was a time I never thought I would be quoting Howard Stern, but I repeat – WAKE UP AMERICA!
Thanks to all who responded to my requests for volunteers!
Thanks to all who are supporting our GOTV efforts!
Please check out our website for info on voting, candidates, events and how you can help.
Special Thanks to Helen Dodderidge and Brandon Jones for their work on the website. It really looks great!
We are all in this together!
See you soon!
Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems
“It is not the qualified voter, but the qualified voters who choose to vote, that constitute political power.” Abraham Lincoln