The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today recognized Officer Megan Malicoat as its 2017 Boating Officer of the Year during the Commission meeting in Gainesville.
The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel in the field of boating, boating safety, BUI enforcement and fisheries conservation. Officer Malicoat’s 1,850 hours of vessel patrol in 2016 illustrate her dedication to this integral aspect of the FWC’s mission. She has protected the safety of Florida boaters with six search-and-rescue operations, seven boating accident investigations, and is very active in resource and boating safety enforcement.
Officer Malicoat is a coastal officer assigned to Volusia County in the FWC’s Northeast Region. Her extensive knowledge of boating safety and fisheries regulations as well as her efforts to establish and maintain close working relationships with partner agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard and Volusia County Sherrif’s Office, have made her an outstanding FWC officer.
One of Officer Malicoat’s greatest strengths is her continuing commitment to teamwork. She is an active and engaged member of her squad, but also volunteers to assist whenever another officer or team needs backup. She has assisted the crew of the offshore patrol vessel Osprey on numerous offshore details, and works with FWC K-9 units on training and deployment operations. She developed targeted enforcement details for regulated vessel speed zones, shorebird protection, offshore resource enforcement, marine sanitation device compliance and public safety. She has demonstrated great teamwork by supporting her neighboring squads with alligator and waterfowl hunting details in both Volusia and Brevard counties. She has worked with the squad and local municipalities in documenting and posting at-risk and derelict vessels along the Volusia County coast.
“Officer Malicoat’s exemplary efforts on the water make her an ideal choice for Boating Officer of the Year,” said Maj. Rob Rowe, FWC’s Boating and Waterways section leader. “Her commitment to public safety is outstanding, and she is a great ambassador for FWC on the water. I’m proud to have her representing our agency as FWC’s Boating Officer of the Year.”
Gov. Rick Scott Recognizes Agreement Between University of Miami and Israeli Trauma Society
As part of his ongoing trade mission in Israel, Governor Rick Scott recognized the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday between the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the Israeli Trauma Society. This agreement continues the partnership between the Israeli Trauma Society and the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital which has provided training to approximately 90 percent of Israel trauma surgeons. To view the agreement, click HERE.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s world-class education leaders are helping to train Israeli trauma surgeons and save lives, and I am proud to recognize the continued collaboration between the University of Miami and the Israeli Trauma Society today. I had the honor of witnessing the expansion of this program during my trip to Israel in 2011 and I look forward to many more years of success through this partnership.”
Governor Scott is currently leading a delegation of nearly 70 Florida business and education leaders on a trade mission in Israel to continue to build on Florida and Israel’s strong relationship. Florida’s economic development and trading partnership with Israel exceeds $286 million a year.
Century Village Receives PSC’s Triple E Award
With three retirement communities in southeast Florida, Century Village recently updated energy efficiencies to improve facilities for its active residents. The energy upgrades provide a savings of $79,000 annually, earning Century Village the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) November Triple E Award for its energy efficiency efforts.
“Century Village should be commended for investing in its utility’s energy savings programs, which have significantly lowered its energy costs for the benefit of all of its residents,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown.
Century Village earned incentives through Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Business Custom Incentive Program to install variable frequency-drive (VFD) pool pumps, and high-efficiency, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Using more efficient technologies, Century Village communities have reduced energy, maintenance, and chemical costs; lowered energy use by more than 459,000 kilowatt hours (kWh); and saved $41,000 annually.
Century Village is also using 80 percent less energy by converting its lighting from traditional incandescent bulbs to LEDs in community clubhouses. The new lights operate on occupancy sensors and are expected to save $38,000 annually.
“Our energy saving achievements are due to the cooperation, dedication, and collective efforts of the site administrators at our three villages—Anita Pearce, Eva Rachesky, and George Beckhart,” said Dan Cruz, Century Village Vice President and Regional Facilities Manager. “Their work with FPL helped provide a good return on our energy efficiency investment, which, in turn, greatly benefits our residents.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Century Village to help them meet their goals to improve energy efficiency while lowering their operating costs,” said Wayne Besley, FPL Director of Demand Side Management Programs. “FPL’s DSM Energy Efficiency programs are designed to help all customers – business and residential – understand their energy use and work towards energy efficiency.”
Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each month the PSC presents its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency. Look for past Triple E Award recipients under Hot Topics on the PSC’s homepage, floridapsc.com. The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.
Gary Ellis, Highlands County ASA, honored as FWC Prosecutor of the Year
During the Dec. 5-7 Commission meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) honored Highlands County Assistant State Attorney Gary Ellis with the agency’s Prosecutor of the Year Award. Ellis is a prior recipient of this award, earning the recognition three years ago for his work with the FWC.
Gary Ellis is an Assistant State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit in Highlands County. Ellis is a distinguished professional who is always eager to assist and provide case preparation guidance with complex and long-term investigations. During a recent case involving nonnative hoofstock at an unlicensed commercial game farm in Highlands County, he assisted local officers with drafting two search warrants for the game farm. During the execution of the search warrants, Ellis traveled to the scene and provided invaluable expert guidance throughout the entire process.
He acted as the liaison with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services veterinary staff and FWC legal counsel concerning the quarantine of the hoofstock, and worked tirelessly through the complexity of this case to coordinate the administrative functions of both agencies. This case, which spanned almost a calendar year to the day and concluded with the defendant being adjudicated guilty on all charges, was the largest unlawful captive wildlife case in FWC history.
“Gary’s dedication to his work and the assistance he gives to FWC in this region have been extraordinary. His exceptional work on this recent case supported law-abiding captive wildlife facilities and conservation of our native species and we wanted to let him know how valuable his efforts are to the state of Florida,” said Maj. Roger Young, FWC Regional Commander.
“I feel blessed to have had the privilege to work with such a fine group of men and women,” said Ellis. “I’m pleased to continue to work with the FWC to ensure that our state’s natural resources are there for generations to come.”
Without Assistant State Attorney Ellis’ tremendous legal support, expert coordination and committed dedication, a case of this magnitude, which will serve as a system-wide example for prosecuting similar wildlife cases, would not have ended so successfully.
“We are thrilled to honor Gary with this well-deserved award,” FWC Division Director Col. Curtis Brown said. “He has been a steadfast ally to the FWC in our mission to protect the people of Florida and conserve our natural resources.”
Panhandle Man Wins 2018 Winnebago Motorhome in Florida Lottery’s GameDay Cash Promotion
The Florida Lottery is proud to announce that James Bocchini, of Miramar Beach, is the Grand Prize winner of a 2018 Winnebago Motorhome. The motorhome, provided by Lazydays RV, was part of the Lottery’s GameDay Cash Promotion, which gave players the chance to win cash and prizes while supporting their favorite Florida college team all season long. All FLORIDA LOTTO®, FANTASY 5® and Fast Play (CORNHOLE CASH™) tickets purchased by November 27, 2017, could be entered to win. Participating universities included Florida State University®, University of Central Florida™, University of Florida®, University of Miami® and University of South Florida™.
The RV Grand Prize drawing was held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017. A frequent FANTASY 5®player, Bocchini said he was shocked and excited to win such a life-changing prize. “My daughter lives in Alberta, Canada, and my wife and I are already planning our first trip in the new motorhome to go and visit her this spring,” he shared.
Players who purchased qualifying tickets from September 1, through November 27, 2017, collected symbols to earn entries by downloading the free GameDay Cash App on their smartphone or tablet which they used to scan the barcode on their ticket. Players could also enter their ticket numbers on the Lottery’s website. Each time a player entered a ticket in the promotion, they had a chance to be selected for a bonus game to win $25 cash or Florida Lottery coupons. In addition to the RV Grand Prize drawing, each team had four Fan Experience drawings and a Grand Prize drawing, with prizes including season tickets, team merchandise and free Florida Lottery Scratch-Off tickets.
Panhandle Man Wins 2018 Winnebago Motorhome in Florida Lottery's GameDay Cash Promotion
The Florida Lottery is proud to announce that James Bocchini, of Miramar Beach, is the Grand Prize winner of a 2018 Winnebago Motorhome. The motorhome, provided by Lazydays RV, was part of the Lottery’s GameDay Cash Promotion, which gave players the chance to win cash and prizes while supporting their favorite Florida college team all season long. All FLORIDA LOTTO®, FANTASY 5® and Fast Play (CORNHOLE CASH™) tickets purchased by November 27, 2017, could be entered to win. Participating universities included Florida State University®, University of Central Florida™, University of Florida®, University of Miami® and University of South Florida™.
The RV Grand Prize drawing was held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017. A frequent FANTASY 5®player, Bocchini said he was shocked and excited to win such a life-changing prize. “My daughter lives in Alberta, Canada, and my wife and I are already planning our first trip in the new motorhome to go and visit her this spring,” he shared.
Players who purchased qualifying tickets from September 1, through November 27, 2017, collected symbols to earn entries by downloading the free GameDay Cash App on their smartphone or tablet which they used to scan the barcode on their ticket. Players could also enter their ticket numbers on the Lottery’s website. Each time a player entered a ticket in the promotion, they had a chance to be selected for a bonus game to win $25 cash or Florida Lottery coupons. In addition to the RV Grand Prize drawing, each team had four Fan Experience drawings and a Grand Prize drawing, with prizes including season tickets, team merchandise and free Florida Lottery Scratch-Off tickets.
FWC Lt. James Yetter awarded agency’s Medal of Valor with Lifesaving for actions during Hurricane Harvey
During the Dec. 5-7 Commission meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) honored Lt. James Yetter with the agency’s Medal of Valor with Lifesaving for his actions during Hurricane Harvey response in Texas.
On Aug. 31, Lt. James Yetter and Officer Michael Graves were conducting waterborne rescue operations in Rose City, Texas after Hurricane Harvey. While traveling in flooded waters alongside Interstate 10, their boat engine failed, leaving them at the mercy of the strong current. The boat was quickly washed under the I-10 bridge toward a wooded area where it became pinned against trees and swiftly capsized. Yetter was successful in rapidly shedding his gun belt and waders; but Graves was already in waist-deep water, still wearing all his gear. Graves clung to a tree as the weight of his gun belt and heavy water-filled waders pulled at him in the current. People in another vessel attempted to rescue Graves, but the line broke and he was washed from the tree he was holding to another tree farther downcurrent. Graves continued fighting to keep his head above water as he grasped the tree.
Yetter recognized that Graves’ life was in danger. Without hesitation, he left the safety of the tree he was holding and fought his way to Graves’ location. Yetter grabbed Graves and helped him get to the upstream side of the tree, where he could establish a better grip. Yetter stayed with Graves, and helped him hang on until a Texas National Guard Helicopter Rescue Team arrived and pulled them both to safety.
Even though his actions risked his own life, Lt. Yetter did not stand idly by while his partner’s life was in danger.
“James’ actions that day were truly heroic. Had it not been for his quick thinking and courageous action, there may have been a much different outcome to the situation,” said Col. Curtis Brown, Director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “We are proud to honor his actions today with this award.”
Patient Ambassadors Enhance Veteran Experience
Patient Ambassador Volunteers and employees involved in the Bay Pines VAHC’s Ready, Informed, Dedicated Employees (RIDE) program pose for a photo on November 29
during a Patient Ambassador Day event at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
By Melanie L. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist, Bay Pines VAHCS
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) is focused on providing a positive first impression by demonstrating a culture of care, and making the Veteran experience one where individualized personal assistance and information is readily available. One way the organization is achieving this is through its new Patient Ambassador initiative.
The initiative is a volunteer-led activity concentrated on improving service through patient greeting and navigation. More simply, the volunteers, donned in red vests, greet and guide Veterans and their loved ones who may need assistance with things like finding the location of a scheduled appointment or another area of the facility. The volunteers are also equipped to answer general questions and direct Veterans to various resources.
Patient ambassadors are currently available at both the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center located in Bay Pines and the Lee County Healthcare Center located in Cape Coral.
“We want to support each Veteran so that they can succeed in meeting their health care goals,” said Teresa Kumar, Associate Director, Patient Care Services.
“The Patient Ambassador Initiative is one small step towards making that happen. As we continue to gain Veteran feedback through our interactions, we hope to develop and understand more about how we can improve the quality of care we deliver,” she said.
Kumar explained that the Patient Ambassador initiative builds on existing programs developed by the healthcare system’s Patient Centered Care Council – the Patient Navigator/Greeter program and Ready Informed Dedicated Employees (RIDE) program. Both existing programs are similar in nature, and aim to improve customer satisfaction.
The Patient Navigator/Greeter program was developed to create a welcoming environment and provide wayfinding support. Also led by volunteers, the program is intended to enhance experience by lending a helping hand or welcoming smile, while connecting Veterans and visitors with resources at information desks, or with the volunteer escort program.
The RIDE program is employee-led and increases opportunities for employees to engage with Veterans outside their normal work space. The goal of the program is to enhance the Veteran’s level of satisfaction by delivering a seamless, integrated and responsive health care experience utilizing trained staff.
“All of our Veteran-centric programs are designed to make a positive difference in the lives of the men and women we serve,” explained Nathan Witt, Chief, Voluntary Service.
“While some of our newer customer service initiatives are in their infancy, we are certainly seeing some early success. At the end of the day, our goal is to not only delivery of the best care our nation has to offer, but to also provide a five star customer experience. The Veterans we serve deserve nothing less,” he said.
For more information about the Patient Ambassador program, or to become a volunteer, please contact the Bay Pines VAHCS Voluntary Service office at 727-398-9394 or email at [email protected].
Additional information about volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved can be found by visiting: baypines.va.gov/giving.
Gov. Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
As part of their ongoing trade mission in Israel, today Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the importance of continuing the strong relationship between Florida and Israel.
Governor Scott is currently leading a delegation of nearly 70 Florida business and education leaders on a trade mission in Israel to continue to build on Florida and Israel’s strong relationship. Florida’s economic development and trading partnership with Israel exceeds $286 million a year.
Palm Beach County poised to become first in Florida to ban discredited LGBTQ “conversion therapy”
Following today’s 6-1 vote by county commissioners, Palm Beach County is poised to become the first county in Florida to enact an ordinance to prohibit conversion therapy for minors. Commissioner Hal Valeche cast the sole vote against moving forward with the ordinance. A final vote is required later this month before the ban may take effect.
Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy or sexual orientation change efforts, encompasses a range of discredited counseling practices by which health care providers or counselors seek to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression through aversion treatment.
The ban, which covers the county’s 39 municipalities and unincorporated areas, applies to doctors, osteopaths, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage or family therapists and counselors licensed by the State of Florida. It also extends to people who perform counseling as part of the person’s professional training.
The ban does not apply to members of the clergy unless they are also licensed — or in training to become — mental health professionals.
Last year, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC), the county’s most effective civil rights organization, asked county commissioners to enact the ban. Over the past 29 years, the independent non-profit organization has succeeded in having public officials enact more than 120 laws and policies providing equal rights, benefits and protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) community.
Retired judge Rand Hoch, PBCHRC President and Founder, recognized the need to protect children from practitioners of conversion therapy.
“Children are almost always forced into conversion therapy by parents who find it impossible to accept the fact that their children identify as gay or lesbian,” said Hoch. “Instilling self-hatred in children through psychological torture is not therapy.”
PBCHRC is partnering with the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Both organizations have been successful in their efforts to protect minors from being subjected to the harms caused by conversion therapy.
Last May, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) published a comprehensive report entitled “Quacks: ‘Conversion Therapists,’ the Anti-LGBT Right, and the Demonization of Homosexuality.”
“Conversion therapy is an extremely dangerous and fraudulent practice that claims to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Scott McCoy, SPLC’s senior policy counsel. “This bogus practice is premised on the lie that LGBTQ individuals have a ‘condition’ that needs to be cured. Today, the Palm Beach County Commission took a step in the right direction by approving this ordinance to ban this harmful practice on minors. The county commission has sent a message to LGBTQ youth: ‘You are perfect the way you are and do not need to be ‘fixed.'”
Dr. Rachel Needle, a local psychologist, told county commissioners that the practice of conversion therapy is based on two false premises.
“First, it is based on the falsehood that being gay, lesbian or transgender is a mental disorder or defect that needs to be cured,” said Needle. “And second, it is based on the presumption that being LGBTQ is something that can actually be changed through therapy.”
Needle, who is also an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University, stated that the potential risks of conversion therapy on children include shame, guilt, depression, decreased self-esteem, increased self-hatred, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends, social withdrawal, problems in sexual and emotional intimacy, hostility and blame towards parents, high risk behaviors, confusion, self-harm, substance abuse and suicidal ideation.
“Any ethical mental health practitioner should not attempt to cure or repair gender identity or sexual orientation through these scientifically invalid techniques,” said Needle. “Attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity can have a devastating impact on a child or teen.”
“As a county commissioner, it is my duty to work to ensure the safety of our residents — especially our children,” said Mary Lou Berger, who brought the ordinance forward on behalf of PBCHRC. “Conversion therapy has been rejected by virtually every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades. No child in Palm Beach County should be subjected to this so-called treatment.”
Leading the opposition to banning conversion therapy was Dr. Julie Harren Hamilton, a local psychologist who treats patients for what she refers to as “unwanted same-sex attraction.
Hamilton served as president of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), an organization that has advocated anti-LGBTQ therapy for children as young a three years old and has encouraged parents to have their children marginalize and ridicule their LGBTQ classmates.
Hamilton has repeatedly tried to persuade elected officials to allow therapists to continue to attempt to change children’s sexual orientation or gender identity through sexual orientation change efforts. However her campaign has failed in all eight of the cities cities in Palm Beach County which have considered — and have enacted — bans on conversion therapy for minors.
Local children’s rights advocates have long been in the forefront of the opposition to conversion therapy.
In November, 2009, more than 100 demonstrators turned out to protest Hamilton’s NARTH conference in West Palm Beach at which conference organizers held workshops to train therapists how to convert LGBTQ individuals to become heterosexuals.
Nearly every major medical and psychological association in the country has come out in opposition to conversion therapy. These include the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American College of Physicians, the American Counseling Association, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the American School Health Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, the Pan American Health Organization, the Regional Office of the World Health Organization and the World Psychiatric Association.
“The American Psychological Association has linked conversion therapy to depression, substance abuse and even suicide, and these risks are particularly acute for youth,” said Carolyn Reyes, Youth Policy Counsel and Coordinator of NCLR’s BornPerfect Campaign to end conversion therapy “We applaud the efforts by the county commissioners to ensure that the children of Palm Beach County are protected from these harms, and that their families aren’t duped by trusted professionals to whom they turn for support during a vulnerable time.”
Conversion therapy has also been rejected by the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the American School Counselor Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Education Association and the School Social Work Association of America.
Across the nation, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, the District of Columbia, Pima County (AZ), Cincinnati (OH), Seattle (WA), Pittsburgh (PA), Toledo (OH), Columbus (OH), Allentown (PA), Dayton (OH) and Athens (OH) have enacted laws preventing licensed mental health providers from offering conversion therapy to minors. (New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has promulgated regulations which bar public and private healthcare insurers from covering conversion therapy.)
Last week, the New York City Council approved a bill that prohibits conversion therapy not only for minors, but also for adults. The bill must be signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio before it can go into effect.
Sixteen Florida municipalities — West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Riviera Beach, Miami, Wilton Manors, Miami Beach, Bay Harbor Islands, El Portal, Key West, Wellington, Tampa, Greenacres, Boca Raton and Oakland Park — have enacted conversion therapy bans for minors. Broward County is expected to enact a conversion therapy ban early in 2018.
According to an Orlando Political Observer-Gravis Marketing poll of 1,243 Florida voters conducted last April, 71% think conversion therapy should be illegal for minors in Florida, 18% were uncertain and only 11% thought conversion therapy should be legal. The poll has a margin of error of 2.8%.
Every court challenge to the constitutionality of banning conversion therapy has failed and U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly declined to consider cases which have been filed to overturn conversion therapy bans.
Legislation to ban conversion therapy has been introduced in Congress and in the Florida Legislature for several years; however, no action has been taken on any of the bills.
“While legislative leaders in Washington and Tallahassee refuse to act, we are going to do all we can do locally to protect the LGBTQ youth of Palm Beach County,” said Berger.