Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz endorses Julie Carson

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz endorses Wilton Manors Former Commissioner Julie Carson in the race for Wilton Manors Commission.

“I am honored to receive Debbie's endorsement,” Carson said. “Debbie’s commitment to Florida and her personal attention to residents of Wilton Manors are values that I will bring to our Island City community.”

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz joins Broward PBA and FOP, Equality Florida PAC , Oakland Park Vice Mayor Suzanne Boisvenue , State Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, Broward Property Appraiser Lori Parrish, Broward Mayor Ken Keechl, Coral Springs Commissioner Roy Gold, Broward "Gay Straight Alliance," and the Dolphin Democrats in endorsing Julie Carson.

Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick Appointed to the Florida League of Cities “Keys to the Cities Task Force

Elected and Appointed Officials from Pensacola to Key West gathered in Fort Lauderdale to create a working group to offer their expertise to the anticipated transition teams to be appointed by the incoming Governor, Cabinet members, and the new Leadership of the State Senate and House of Representatives; to be seated after the November 2nd election.

Former State Representative and current Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler was appointed to chair the “Keys to the Cities Task Force” and Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick was chosen to be a member representing our community.

Mayor Resnick stated; “ I'm honored to be appointed to this task force. The vast majority of Florida residents live within City boundaries and rely on the municipal services to support, protect and grow their businesses, homes and places of recreation. Cities are crucial to Florida’s economy and the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Leadership recognize the need to be partners with cities to ensure the best for Florida’s future."

The Task Force will next meet in Orlando in November.

Broward County Sheriff, Al Lamberti encourages everyone in Broward County to vote

Broward County Sheriff, Al Lamberti encourages everyone in Broward County to vote.

You can vote early at these EARLY VOTE LOCATIONS

If you have a mail in ballot, please, get it in the mail today or bring it with you to a early vote center by Saturday October 30th at 7pm, or bring it with you to the polls on November 2nd

If you have any questions call

Brenda Snipes at

Phone: 954-357-7050 Fax: 954-357-7070 elections@browardsoe.org

Voter Registration Information

General Contact 954-357-7050 Mary Hall registration@browardsoe.org

Name and Address Change Information

General Contact 954-357-7050 Mary Hall registration@browardsoe.org

Absentee Ballot Request Information

General Contact 954-357-7055 Mary Hall absenteeballot@browardsoe.org

Pollworker and VST Election Day Operations Information

General Contact 954-459-9911 Pat Nesbit pollworker@browardsoe.org

Voter Education Information

Gino Herring votereducation@browardsoe.org

Candidate Qualifying Information

Mary Cooney candidatesupport@browardsoe.org

Supervisor of Elections Operations

Fred Bellis opsupport@browardsoe.org

Technical Support

Jorge Nunez techsupport@browardsoe.org

Tips from BSO for a safe Halloween

Keep your Halloween celebrations hauntingly happy with these safety tips from the Broward Sheriff's Office:

FOR DRIVERS:

• Stay alert and don’t exceed the posted speed limit. Be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods.
• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars or hurricane debris piled in swales and at the road's edge. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Remember that children may be dressed in dark clothing; driving slowly and staying alert reduces the risk of an accident.

FOR PARENTS:

• Ensure an adult accompanies children as they trick-or-treat.
• Avoid areas where electricity has not been restored. Select neighborhoods where power is evident and streetlights are on.
• Plan and discuss the route children will take, and their return time, and make sure they stick to it.
• Make younger children stay in familiar areas.
• Have children carry flashlights or glo-sticks for easier visibility.
• Ensure children stop only at houses that are well-lit, and teach them NEVER to enter the home of a stranger.
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. Don't let children eat anything that is unwrapped or seems unusual. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Before eating any fruit, wash it and slice it into small pieces.
• Pin a slip of paper to the costumes of younger children listing the child’s name, address and telephone number in the event the child is separated from the group with which they are traveling.
• Turn on your home's exterior lights and remove any objects from your walkway that may be a hazard to trick-or-treaters. Place jack-o-lanterns out-of-reach so children won't burn themselves or their costumes. Tell your neighbors to do the same.
• If possible, send children trick-or-treating before dark.
• Be aware of any suspicious activity. Report any concerns to BSO or your local police agency.

COSTUME TIPS:

• Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes. Use light-colored materials and strips of reflective tape to make children visible.
• Avoid long costumes that may cause the child to trip (falls are the leading cause of injuries on Halloween).
• Use facial makeup instead of masks that can hinder a child’s vision.
• Avoid using simulated knives, guns, or swords. If these props are used, ensure they are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

FOR KIDS:

• Walk, don’t run from house to house. Use streets, sidewalks and driveways to enter and leave houses.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
• Cross the streets at crosswalks or at corners, never in the middle of the street.
• Only accept candy that is wrapped or packaged.
• Wait until you get home to sort, check and eat your treats.
• Never enter the home of a stranger. If a stranger insists you come inside, leave immediately and tell a parent, a police officer or other trusted adult.
• Be smart. Don't play pranks that can hurt other people or property. If you see someone doing something they shouldn't, tell an adult immediately.

Q: Which costume is dangerous?

A: They all are!

1. The pirate is carrying a sharp object that could cause injury to himself or others. He also has one eye covered that reduces his ability to see clearly.

2. The vampire is wearing a long cape that could lead to a fall…and a serious injury. Falls are the leading cause of injuries during trick-or treating.

3. The ghost can’t see well because his head is covered, and the eyeholes in the costume restrict his ability to see left and right.

BSO wants you have a happy Halloween…remember our safety tips!

Broward County Sheriff, Al Lamberti endorses Kelly Skidmore For Senate

There are many issues facing Floridians, but here in Senate District 25, there are a few issues that impact our quality of life directly. I am proud to have worked with two of my Republican colleagues, Rep. Marcelo Llorente and Rep. Curt Kelly, to sponsor legislation that addressed the proliferation of pain clinics in South Florida. We built a huge coalition, working with local organizations, such as, the Broward County United Way Substance Abuse Task Force, the Palm Beach County NOPE Task Force, the Florida Medical Association and both the Palm Beach and Broward County Sheriff's offices to name a few.

"Representative Skidmore has been a great friend of law enforcement. She supported our priority issues and was one of the main sponsors of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program that will begin to reign in the out-of-control pain clinics in Broward County. She has also been an outspoken advocate of banning texting while driving and protecting our vulnerable homeless population from vicious attacks."

-Broward County Sheriff, Al Lamberti
Not only did Ellyn Bogdanoff vote against all three priorities of Sheriff Lamberti, she lobbied Governor Crist to veto the pain clinic legislation and takes credit for single-handedly killing the ban on texting while driving.

South Florida Deserves Better - Vote Kelly Skidmore for State Senate

How Dems Can Keep Control

By:

Greenberg and Carville

In their Saturday New York Times op-ed "Can Democrats Still Win?" TDS Co-Editor Stanley B. Greenberg and James Carville, Bill Clinton's campaign manager, take on the common political wisdom that says a Republican takeover of congress is a done deal.

The authors, both founders of Democracy Corps, begin with a discussion of the 1998 midterm elections, noting predictions that the Dems were doomed in that election, including Speaker Gingrich's boast that GOP gains could exceed the landslide of 1994. Greenberg and Carville note that their early polling that year affirmed a bad outcome for Dems, but once the impeachment battle got underway, their subsequent polling indicated that voters were indeed ready to move-on, to end impeachment and have congress focus on more substantive issues that affected the daily lives of Americans..

Enough Democratic candidates got the message and began to focus their campaigns on the findings of the Greenberg/Carville polling, while Republicans doubled down on the scandal-mongering in their ads. The result, as the authors write:

Democrats surprised everyone: no net losses in the Senate and a net gain of five seats in the House -- the best showing for the incumbent president's party in a midterm election since 1934. Newt Gingrich resigned.

Greenberg and Carville concede that it's a very tough environment for Dems:

With the 2010 midterm elections just over a week away, Democrats find themselves in a similarly perilous situation. There are fears that Democrats could lose as many as 50 House seats; the Senate could go either way. A survey last week by our polling group, Democracy Corps, had Democrats down five points in the House ballot. Add to this early voting, heavy campaign spending by outside corporate groups, high unemployment and the general feeling that the country is on the wrong track, and it is hard to imagine that Nov. 2 will be a good day for Democrats.

But even in this context there are a couple of factors Dems can leverage:

...In our latest national poll, we found that the Republican Party and the Republicans in Congress are as unpopular as the Democrats -- unusual for a party riding a wave of support. With Republican candidates like Sharron Angle, Joe Miller, Christine O'Donnell, Rand Paul and Carl Paladino dominating the spotlight, Republicans find themselves no more appealing to voters now than they were in 2008.

In addition, there are signs that voters are still open to hearing from Democrats. An NPR poll that surveys likely voters in key House districts found this month that a Democratic message focused on the middle class and American jobs won out over a Republican message of deficit reduction and wasteful spending. (Disclosure: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner helped conduct this survey.) True, voters are not particularly moved by Democratic messages about Republican extremism or the policies that produced the recession. But they are open to hearing about how to repair the economy and put Americans back to work. This is surprising, because voters normally tune out the party they want to punish at the polls.

Greenberg and Carville conclude that "...based on our experiences leading up to the last supposed Democratic debacle, candidates may have more control over their destinies than they think." Coming from the team that advised the only Democrat since FDR to win two consecutive Presidential elections -- as well as advocated the strategy that helped Dems hold the line in '98 midterms -- their advice merits serious consideration from Democratic candidates and campaigns.

BROWARD COMMISSIONERS REACH AGREEMENT ON FY 2011 BUDGET

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners has reached an agreement and finalized the Fiscal Year 2011 budget. The property tax millage rate is set at 5.553.

For the majority of Broward County homeowners (65%) that means a reduction in the county portion of the property tax bill of approximately $147. The average homeowner with the Save Our Home Differential (35%) will see an increase in the county portion of their property tax bill of about $40 total for the year. Since 2007 Broward Commissioners have made more than $220 million in budget cuts. For more than a decade the property tax millage rate in Broward County has been reduced or remained the same.

Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler changed her vote and broke the deadlock that had stalled passage of the FY 2011 budget, but only after building consensus for additional budget cuts that she had brought forward totaling just under $6 million. Commissioners were previously deadlocked with a 4-4 vote that prevented the final passage of a budget.

The reductions included an additional cut of 4% from the Broward County Commission’s budget, bringing the total cuts in the Commission budget to 9.5%. Reductions were also made in funding for hospital district primary health contracts and health department contracts. Children’s services for mental health care contracts were reduced. The additional cuts will also slow work to synchronize traffic signals and to install mast arms to harden traffic lights in the event of adverse weather such as a hurricane. The Broward County Historical Commission will be reorganized for additional savings. Altogether, Commissioners cut more than $85-million dollars from the property tax supported general fund budget.

“The responsible thing to do is to set a millage rate tonight and finalize a budget and that is what we did,” said Commissioner Wexler. “I proposed additional budget cuts that I thought would further reduce the millage rate, but not deeply harm all county agencies and services. We all have to share the pain.”

“It took compromise in order for the majority of Commissioners to reach an agreement as to how far we were willing to cut Broward County services and jobs. We have to realize that there are quality of life issues here,” said Commissioner Kristin Jacobs. “These cuts minimize the overall adverse impact on taxpayers and county services. The vast majority of homeowners will see a decrease in their county property taxes. Next year we know we face even more economic challenges.”

Commissioners Lois Wexler, Kristin Jacobs, Ilene Lieberman, Albert C. Jones and Vice-Mayor Sue Gunzburger voted in favor of the finalized budget, which increased the property millage rate by approximately 3% from the year before. Mayor Ken Keechl voted against an increase in property taxes along with Commissioner John Rodstrom. Commissioner Stacy Ritter was not present, but had consistently voted against a millage rate increase throughout the budget process. The Broward County Charter mandates that at least five Commissioners must agree on a finalized budget.

One outstanding issue that remains an additional $3.5 million dollars to finance salary increases for some Broward County Sheriff’s deputies that a majority of Commissioners previously approved. (Mayor Ken Keechl and Commissioner John Rodstrom voted against those increases.) Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry agreed to work out those outstanding budget issues with the Broward Sheriff’s Department.

# # #

Mayor Gary Resnick Endorsed By Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick is pleased to announce that he has received the endorsement and support of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for his re-election. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz stated: "Mayor Resnick has been a strong, effective advocate for Wilton Manors and is most equipped to represent the City's residents on federal issues and to obtain federal grants. I have worked personally with Gary for years to obtain federal grants for the new City Hall, road improvements, public safety, and most recently and importantly to increase police resources to fight crime." Mayor Resnick stated that he has made increasing resources to fight crime a top priority. "Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has been working with me for months to obtain $218,000 in Homeland Security funds to increase the City's police resources to fight crime," stated Mayor Resnick.

Mayor Gary Resnick is honored and humbled to represent the residents of Wilton Manors and to have the support of our members of Congress for his re-election. Gary asks for YOUR support and vote for his re-election.

Gary, has also Been endorsed by Congressman Alcee Hastings, State Senator Chris Smith, Equality Florida PAC, and recomended by the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and endorsed by The Dolphin Democrats.

It Gets Better - Youth Pride Chorus

Former Commissioner Jule Carson received endorsements from PBA & FOP

Former Commissioner Jule Carson received the endorsement of the Broward County Police Benevolent Association and Lodge 47 of the Fraternal Order of Police. Carson Said " I am so honored to have the support of these groups including the Men and Women of the Wilton Manors Police Department" The Wilton Manors election is on November 2nd , 2010.


PBA and FOP Joins, Equality Florida , Oakland Park Vice Mayor Suzzanne Boisvenue , State Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, Broward Property Appraiser Lori Parrish, Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl, Coral Springs Commissioner Roy Gold and Broward "Gay Straight Alliance" in endorsing Julie Carson.

For more information visit: http://JulieCarson.net

5 LGBT-related suicide in a week and the fifth teenage LGBT suicide in three weeks

"To help stop the cycle that leads young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people to feel they are alone, connect them to The Trevor Project. There is a place that's free of bullying and judgment online, where young LGBTQ people, their friends and allies ages 13-24 can connect safely and be themselves. More than 13,000 young people already belong to TrevorSpace.org, and more youth join every day. If you or someone you care about shows warning signs for suicide, please do not hesitate to call The Trevor Lifeline at: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). The call is free and confidential.

A survey of more than 5,000 college students, faculty members and staff members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender published last month by the advocacy group Campus Pride found that nearly one in four reported harassment, almost all related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

This month, as part of Cyndi Lauper's "Give A Damn" campaign, socially-conscious personalities Lily Tomlin, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mae Whitman and Judith Light speak out against teenagers who commit suicide.

In September, there were four gay teen suicides as a result of school bullying:

Tyler Clementi

Friends of the Rutgers University freshman who leaped to his death after his roommate allegedly secretly filmed him during a "sexual encounter" in his dorm room and posted it live on the Internet are mourning the loss of Tyler Clementi who they say was an outstanding violinist with a big heart.

Clementi posted a goodbye message on his Facebook page just moments before jumping off the George Washington Bridge last week, an act that left friends such as Christina Guentert in shock and heartbroken.

"I am just devastated that this happened, especially to such an amazing person," Guentert wrote to ABC News in an e-mail. "Tyler was a remarkable person in many ways; he was always kind, generous, sweet, and loyal."

"He always had a smile on his face, and would joke around with me during class even on bad days," wrote Guentert, who went to school with Clementi for seven years in Ridgewood, N.J. "Tyler came off as innocent and sweet; the kind of person that you could rely on and go to for anything."

• Seth Walsh, the Bakersfield, CA 13-year-old who hanged himself from a tree in his back yard after years of being bullied, died Tuesday afternoon after nine days on life support. Police investigators interviewed some of the young people who taunted Seth the day he hanged himself. “Several of the kids that we talked to broke down into tears,” Police Chief Jeff Kermode said. “They had never expected an outcome such as this.”

• Asher Brown, 13, an eighth-grader killed himself last week. He shot himself in the head after enduring what his mother and stepfather say was constant harassment from four other students at Hamilton Middle School in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston Texas. Brown, his family said, was “bullied to death” — picked on for his small size, his religion and because he did not wear designer clothes and shoes. Kids also accused him of being gay, some of them performing mock gay acts on him in his physical education class, his mother and stepfather said.

• Billy (William) Lucas, 15, a student at Greensburg Community High School in Greensburg, IN, was found dead in a barn at his grandmother’s home Thursday evening — he had hanged himself. Friends say that he had been tormented for years. “He was threatened to get beat up every day,” friend and classmate Nick Hughes said. “Sometimes in classes, kids would act like they were going to punch him and stuff and push him. Some people at school called him names,” Hughes said, saying most of those names questioned Lucas’ sexual orientation.

This insanity must stop and all school districts must commit to making school safe for GLBT students.

UPDATE

Second college LGBT-related suicide in a week and the fifth teenage LGBT suicide in three weeks

Campus Pride Demands National Action to address LGBT Youth Bullying, Harassment & Suicide

In the wake of two college suicides Tyler Clementi of Rutgers University & Raymond Chase of Johnson & Wales, Campus Pride reissues findings and recommendations from the "2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People" released last week at a U.S. congressional briefing on Capitol Hill

(Providence, RI) Campus Pride, the nation’s leading non-profit organization working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college and university students, offers its condolences and support to the family of Raymond Chase who reportedly hung himself in his residence hall room this past Wednesday, September 29, 2010 on the campus of Johnson & Wales in Providence, RI.

“The loss of Raymond this week is the second college LGBT-related suicide in a week and the fifth teenage LGBT suicide in three weeks. The suicide of this openly gay young man is for reasons currently unknown; however, the recent pattern of LGBT youth suicides is cause for grave concern,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director and founder of Campus Pride. “Campus Pride demands national action be taken to address youth bullying, harassment and the need for safety and inclusion for LGBT youth at colleges and universities across the country. We must not let these tragic deaths go unnoticed. Together we must act decisively to curb anti-LGBT bias incidents, harassment and acts of violence.”

Through its Q Research Institute for Higher Education, Campus Pride released last week its "2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People." The in-depth research study is the most comprehensive national LGBT higher education study of its kind. Campus Pride surveyed more than 5,000 LGBT students, faculty and staff for the report. Findings demonstrate that these recent suicides and incidents of harassment are neither rare nor fleeting-- they are REAL.

Among the findings in the report:

-One quarter (23%) of LGBQ staff, faculty, and students reported experiencing harassment (defined as any conduct that has interfered with your ability to work or learn). Almost all identified sexual identity as the basis of the harassment (83%). An even greater percentage of transgender students, faculty, & staff reported experiencing harassment (39%) with 87% identifying their gender identity/expression as the basis for the harassment. The form of the harassment experiences by transgender people was more overt and blatant.

-One-third of LGBQ (33%) and transgender (38%) students, faculty, and staff have seriously considered leaving their institution due to the challenging climate.

-More than half of all faculty, students, & staff hide their sexual identity (43%) or gender identity (63%) to avoid intimidation.

-More than a third of all transgender students, faculty, & staff(43%) and13% of LGBQ respondents feared for their physical safety.This finding was more salient for LGBQ students and for LGBQ and/or Transgender People of Color.

For more information about Campus Pride's "2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People" report, visit www.campuspride.org/research.

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/10/campus-pride-openly-gay-johnson-wales-student-raymond-chase-commits-suicide.html#ixzz116gUffg1

Source: ABC News and Truth Wins Out

UPDATE

Stop the suicides: Help put an end to bullying in schools!

In just the last few weeks since school started again, too many teenagers have taken their own lives following bullying and harassment because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

How many more young lives will be lost before schools act?

Ask Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Include gender identity and sexual orientation in anti-bullying programs.

Dear Secretary Duncan:

I know you are as shocked and saddened as I am about the recent rash of teen suicides following bullying and harassment based on anti-LGBT bias.

We are counting on you to speak out immediately before more lives are lost.

Every school in America should include sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-bullying programs. It will save lives – and saving lives shouldn’t be up for political debate.

You must act to end this tragedy

Sign The Petition HERE