Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: July 26 - August 1, 2021
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State Rep. Fentrice Driskell to speak at Bartow town hall
From the Lakeland Ledger:
"A town hall community chat will be held July 29 at 6 p.m. at Bartow City Hall, 450 N. Wilson Ave.
"Bartow City Commissioner Leo Longworth will host the event, and Florida Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, is the guest speaker. The discussion will cover police reform, Florida’s “anti-riot” law, elections and the search for abandoned cemeteries.
"Driskell, a Polk County native, sponsored a bill in this legislative session that created the Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Task Force.
"Seating will be limited for the event, and the wearing of masks is encouraged. For more information, call 863-534-0100."
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What's your Hot Button issue?
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Polk County DEC chair Catherine Price last week asked a group of 500+ Democrats what they thought was the most pressing local issue.
Of those who responded, the majority said COVID was the most pressing issue facing Polk County. Replies ranged from the lack of vaccinations, to lack of leadership to implement mask mandates and protections for children.
A close second was issues related to growth. Specifically, a lack of controlled residential developments and supporting infrastructure.
Let's keep the conversation going with our elected leaders and candidates in upcoming elections!
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The Florida Democratic Party's annual Leadership Blue Convention is back! This event will be held in Orlando from August 27-29, and include virtual sessions. As the list of activities and sessions are being finalized, visit leadershipblue.com for updates and more information.
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Call Bank Training Opportunity:
Join the Democratic National Committee Call Crew in a quick training on how to use their calling system. After completing a training, you will be able to sign up for upcoming phone bank shifts and get involved with the DNC Call Crew! To be held Tuesday, July 27, from 4 – 5pm, register here.
After a brief training, you will be able to start making calls immediately! Make sure you have your computer with you while attending the training.
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Join Group to fight for HOA/Condo Assoc. Reforms
The recent condo collapse in Surfside has opened the eyes of people all across this state to the desperate need to reform Florida's laws regulating homeowners associations and condominium associations.
The Torrens Law Group is looking to form a non-profit advocacy group to fight for changes to these laws, with a great emphasis on placing a cap on the attorney's fees that associations can collect against homeowners and condo owners in this state.
They will hold a second meeting, virtually, via Microsoft Teams (basically, the Microsoft version of Zoom) on August 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. To participate, send an email to Ryan Torrens ryan@ryantorrens.com, with the subject line: Join Our HOA/Condo Assoc. Reform Group! for a link for the Microsoft Teams virtual meeting.
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Hundreds watch Polk County forum on Critical Race Theory
About two dozen people gathered in an east Lakeland church Thursday night, with about 300 others watching online, to hear a discussion about Critical Race Theory, its history and how it doesn’t pertain to Polk County Public Schools.
“We’re not here to promote Critical Race Theory, we’re here to educate and give everyone the opportunity to learn from facts and truth and not misinformation,” said Terry Coney, president of the Lakeland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which sponsored the event at Rhema Word of Faith International Church. “Through this forum, we hope we can eliminate some of the divisiveness that’s been going around on this subject.”
For more, click here.
Call to Action:
From the NAACP Lakeland Chapter Education Committee
In light of the recent news on social media and in the Lakeland Ledger calling for the termination of the new school superintendent due to his participation on the panel of the Critical Race Theory Forum that the NAACP Lakeland Branch hosted, as well as comments on social media about CRT referring to the NAACP as anti-police and racists, your IN-PERSON attendance at Tuesday's board meeting is welcomed and highly encouraged, just as we are certain the opposition will be there in large numbers.
The agendas for Tuesday's Board Work Session at 12:30p.m. and the School Board Meeting at 5:00p.m. can be accessed at https://bit.ly/SchoolBoardAgendas7272021. The meetings will be held at the Jim Miles Professional Development Center located at 4270 Wallace Rd, Lakeland, FL 33812. See flyer attached.
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First hearing set for lawsuit over Florida's new anti-riot bill
A hearing is set for a lawsuit challenging Florida's new anti-riot bill, H.B.1, the first legal test for the legislation that Gov. Ron DeSantis said will combat disorder. Opponents of the law contend it infringes on the right to legally protest.
Set for Aug. 30, the hearing will be held in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee. Chief Judge Mark Walker will hear from the plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Collective, NAACP and Dream Defenders.
The organizations sued DeSantis, state Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) and others in May over whether a new bill that aimed at “combating public disorder” was constitutional.
Click here for the rest of the story.
In related news, the Orlando Sentinel reported last week that Florida taxpayers are footing attorneys' fees of up to $675 per hour to unsuccessfully defend a number of the state's unconstitutional laws.
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‘Communism is a failed system.’ In Florida, Democrats promote Biden’s stance on Cuba
The Democratic Party launched an advertisement campaign last week to highlight President Biden's actions on Cuba, following recent protests there.
In one of the ads, the words “communism is a universally failed system” accompany a picture of Biden. Another reads: “As we hold the Cuban regime accountable, our support for the Cuban people is unwavering and we are making sure Cuban Americans are a vital partner in our efforts to provide relief to suffering people on the Island.”
Read more here.
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After past ‘mockery,’ Florida GOP to begin new high-stakes redistricting effort
The last time Florida’s ruling Republicans were tasked with redrawing the state’s political districts, a judge concluded they turned it into a “mockery” by secretly and illegally working to enhance their command of the state.
Fast-forward to this summer, and an even more powerful GOP-led Legislature is again getting ready to begin the once-a-decade recasting of state House, Senate and congressional boundaries – work which could help determine which party controls Congress after the 2022 election.
Click here for more.
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Polk County decides to move Confederate marker in Bartow
In a quick, surprise decision, the Polk County Commission voted Tuesday to move a Confederate memorial from the grounds of the old courthouse to a cemetery in Bartow.
Considering the controversy surrounding Confederate markers across the nation – and as nearby as Lakeland – the unexpected action troubles a local NAACP leader. And, according to a First Amendment attorney, it “undermines the intent” of the Florida Sunshine Laws for open government.
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Florida business leaders lobby for Equality Act
More than 20 Florida businesses signed onto a letter calling for Congress to pass the Equality Act. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several Tampa sports franchises are among prominent signatories.
Industry leaders, including a significant number in the tech and hospitality sector, say Florida’s economy stands to gain if the federal government puts nationwide job protections in place the Florida Legislature has so far failed to advance.
For full story, click here.
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Here is a friendly reminder that we are looking for volunteers to fill these positions critical to successfully flipping Polk County Blue! Please contact the relevant person to find out more information.
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| Job Title |
Desirable Skillset |
Job Description |
Contact Person |
| Volunteer Coordinator |
Organized, moderate computer skill, good interpersonal communication, enjoys socializing and talking to people via text and phone |
Will take responsibility for communicating with new volunteers by text or phone, placing their data in a spreadsheet that will be used by the Office Committee. Will help new volunteers identify a job that they would like to do for the DEC and then connect them with the appropriate Club, Caucus or Committee Chair that is coordinating that job. |
Catherine Price
Chair, Polk County DEC
chairpolkdemfl@gmail.com |
| Campaign & Candidate Recruitment – Committee Chair |
A connector, person that enjoys talking to people and searching various networks for possible Democratic candidates. Resourceful and a strategic, political thinker. |
Will build a team of that will search for Democratic candidates for federal, state and local elections in Polk County. Connect candidates with training and funding resources. Help develop strategies in collaboration with candidates to win campaigns. |
Karen Welzel
State Committeewoman
Polk County DEC
Kwelzel628@gmail.com |
| Legislative Liaison |
Enjoys research; detail oriented; issue driven. Good written and verbal communication skills. Able to utilize Mailchimp and other communication software. |
Will research various issues of interest to Polk County Democrats, understand the legislative process and become knowledgeable of legislation being proposed at the federal, state and local level. Provide education about important upcoming legislation through written media, programs and emails to Polk County Democrats. Encourage lobbying by Polk County Democrats. Possibly put on townhall forums to education Democrats and the community about specific issues. |
Catherine Price
Chair, Polk County DEC
chairpolkdemfl@gmail.com |
| Finance Committee Members |
Knowledgeable of financial management and fundraising process. Good computer skills. Likes to party. |
We need people to help with our financial oversight processes and by writing fundraising letters, calling donors and helping put on fundraising events. If you like to party you might be a good fit for this committee. |
Catherine Price
Chair, Polk County DEC
chairpolkdemfl@gmail.com |
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Important Dates and Meetings
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Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, August 2.
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held on Monday, August 9 Click here to register.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month) |
Events Calendar of Clubs and Caucuses
Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club - Tuesday, July 27 at 7 pm
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Keep us up to date: If you would like to feature what your club or caucus is doing or introduce a new president, other office holder or person of interest, please send information to polkdemwd@gmail.com
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Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
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Mailing Address:
Due to the pandemic the Democratic Party of Polk County has closed the office in Lakeland.
The mailing address is the following:
The Democratic Party of Polk County, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884
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