Issue 60 |February 1, 2025 | |
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Fried’s Vision for the Future
Following the Organizational Meeting, Chair Fried outlined her vision for the future of the party, saying that over the next four years, Florida Democrats will continue to organize, mobilize and hold Republicans accountable. To that end, the Florida Democratic Party will continue to invest in year-round organizing, community engagement, and building our bench. The Party will focus on winning local races, pushing our state legislators to pass policies that make Florida more affordable, and standing up to Republicans in Washington who want to take Florida’s extreme policies nationwide. Our messaging strategy will be focused on the issue that matters most to Floridians — affordability.
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Lee County Dems Gala
By Jim Goodale
This year’s Annual Fundraiser Gala honored the outstanding individuals leading the progressive charge and also served as a powerful reminder of our collective commitment to advancing democracy for all. Approximately 85 or our fellow Democrats attended, and the event raised approximately $10,500. Participants gathered at the Broadway Palm on January 13 to share camaraderie and a buffet dinner. They enjoyed the infectious dedication and energy of the evening’s speakers.
The keynote speaker was Angie Nixon, a Member of the Florida House of Representatives District 13. Angie is a trailblazing leader, dedicated public servant, and fierce advocate for the people of Florida. A Jacksonville native and former union organizer, she has spent her career fighting for workers’ rights, equity, and opportunity for all. She emphasized the importance of her district-wide door-knocking, which enabled her to win office despite the money raised by Republicans. Read more
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The Lee County Democratic Party is generating activity across many fronts, but we need more volunteers to help shoulder the load. Will you step up? Here are some areas where we need help:
- Voter Protection Team members
- Social Media Dashboard Administrator.
- Fundraising and Events committee members
- Candidate recruitment and preparation committee members
- Podcast Creator
- Graphic Designer experienced in WordPress
- Press Release Writer
- Social Media Video Creator
- Volunteer Coordinator
For job descriptions and to apply, click Volunteer | Democratic Party of Lee County, FL.
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Club of the Month
Cape Coral Democratic Club Celebrates New Digs!
By Lane Jones
The Cape Coral Democratic Club is excited to announce our move to new spaces. We are now hosted graciously by the Printers and Allied Trades at: 1025 Santa Barbara Blvd Suite 10, Cape Coral, FL 33991. (Near the popular 1025 Restaurant)
The club held its first meeting/open house at the new location on January 18 where they were joined by a number of super-dedicated members who participated in the Fort Myers’ Peoples’ March in the morning and were still up for a meeting in the afternoon.
We love visitors! Please join us at the next meeting on Feb. 15th; doors open at 12:30 so we can socialize before business begins at 1:00 pm.
Lane Jones is President of the Cape Coral Democratic Club
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Looking Locally
“All politics is local,” or so goes the famous saying attributed to House Speaker Tip O’Neill. With all the noise and turmoil in Washington, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s going on in our own community, the place where we have the greatest potential to make an impact.
Some groups in Lee County are serving as watchdogs, keeping track of local decision-makers and inviting citizen participation. Here’s what they’re telling us about the Board of County Commissioners and the Lee County School District:
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Lee Board of County Commissioners
The Lee Commission Watch Group, including Joyce Campana, keeps track of the workings of the Lee Board of County Commissioners. They report that at the January 21 meeting that the Commissioners approved housing projects and continued cleaning up after the hurricanes.
Commenting on the Board’s agreement to use part of a $19.3 million Community Change Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address objectives, primarily within Emergency Management, Lee Dems Vice-Chair Karyn Edison pointed out that these funds were part of a Biden administration award. She cautioned Lee County residents, saying, “Watch! The Republicans will try to credit Trump with providing these funds. Don’t let them! Watch Republicans claim credit for putting the EPA to good use when the grant is a Biden program. Don’t let them!”
And coming this month…Read more
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Lee County School Board
The non-partisan Purple Group helps to make us aware of what’s happening in the Lee County school system. They will be watching the school board and Denise Carlin, the new Lee County School Superintendent, in their first few meetings and will provide updates to Informed Democrat readers in our March issue.
Dr. Paula Porter, a Purple Group member, has been monitoring School Board workshops. In January, the focus was on Student and Adult Codes of Conduct, including issues such as artificial intelligence and cheating, cell phone use, and the difference between horseplay and battery leading to physical harm. The Board also considered what constitutes insubordination and disrespect, areas that could involve differences in cultures. The Code of Conduct will come before the Board in March.
Read more
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For more information and to enroll contact: KeithEdison@yahoo.com | |
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It’s February! Have You Renewed Your Vote-By-Mail Status Yet?
You know it expired at the end of 2024, don’t you? If you haven’t renewed yet, please don’t put it off. Do it today!
Go to the County Supervisor of Elections website and sign up here to renew your ballot. Next, remind your friends and relatives to do likewise.
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The Informed Democrat is published monthly and posted on the LeeCountyDems.org website on the first of the month. Do you have something you’d like to share with your fellow Democrats in Lee County or do you have comments, questions, or ideas about features you'd like to see, or would like to volunteer? Contact us at The Informed Democrat, at InformedDemocrat@gmail.com.
Editor: Melissa Butler
The Democratic Party of Lee County is an all-volunteer organization. We do not receive any funding
from the Florida Democratic Party nor the National Democratic Party.
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