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Stetson University Hosts The Business Case for Sustainability Seminar, Sept. 22

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Business, environmental science experts provide
practical approaches to sustainable business practices

As Central Florida’s population continues to grow rapidly, increasing strain is being placed on the region’s delicate ecosystems. A one-day seminar will provide community and business leaders with innovative ways to enjoy the economic benefits of population growth while protecting the area’s natural resources. The Business Case for Sustainability seminar will be held at Stetson University’s historic DeLand campus on Sept. 22 and will provide a practical, in-depth approach to sustainable business practices.
Sustainability makes a difference to the ecosystem, consumers and profitability. Participants in this seminar will learn from top experts in Florida ecosystems, sustainability management and green building, as well as how to lead, manage and transform current business practices into a more sustainable operation while also considering financial profitability.
“Many businesses have demonstrated that implementing sustainability efforts not only minimizes environmental impact and increases good will among customers, but also increases profits through both operational savings and expansion of market share,” said Wendy Anderson, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Studies at Stetson University. “We are excited to bring together faculty experts and community leaders to provide businesses with ideas and incentives for embracing sustainability.”
With topics ranging from “Financing Sustainability” to “Green Marketing and Consumer Choice,” the seminar will provide a framework for sustainability management with a focus on real-world application. Participants will learn to find win-win opportunities for sustainable changes with a positive impact on the bottom line, justify sustainability goals to organizational decision makers and gain competitive advantage while satisfying customer needs through green marketing.
“Companies need to examine the impacts of their marketing strategies on society and the environment,” said Deborah Goldring, Ph.D., professor of marketing at Stetson University. “This means re-evaluating their product and service portfolios and the way these offerings are created, produced, and promoted.This seminar will help managers reflect on these difficult and complex issues.”
Experts include from Stetson University: Goldring, Anderson, John Tichenor, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of management, and Clay Henderson, J.D., executive director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, as well as Chris Castro, director of sustainability for the City of Orlando and Ken LaRoe, CEO of First GREEN Bank.
The Business Case for Sustainability is Sept. 22, at Lynn Business Center, 345 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32723 on the Stetson University campus. The cost for attendance for the one-day seminar is $199 with registration available online.

Gov. Scott Thanks Florida Volunteers Responding to Harvey

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Also Encourages Florida Businesses with
Resources to Help Families Impacted by Storm

Governor Rick Scott today thanked Florida volunteer organizations responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. Members of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention have dedicated resources to help families impacted by the storm. Volunteer Florida is working collaboratively with officials in Texas to coordinate volunteer efforts from Florida.
Governor Scott said, “Following a disaster like Hurricane Harvey, the response of volunteer organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention are so important to supporting impacted families. We’re proud of all of the volunteers from Florida responding to this disaster and helping families during this terribly difficult time. I encourage Florida businesses and families who would like to donate to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to contact reputable charitable organizations helping those in need. We will remain in contact with emergency management officials in Texas and do all we can to support the ongoing recovery and response efforts.”
Current Florida-based volunteer efforts from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention are as follows:

  • The American Red Cross has deployed 16 staff to impacted areas;
  • Volunteers with the Salvation Army have two shower trailers, two bunkhouses, one generator and 12 staff staged in Baton Rouge; and
  • Volunteers from Florida Baptist Convention have feeding and chainsaw teams on stand-by for deployment to Texas.

UT Announces 2017-2018 Sykes Chapel Concert Artist Series

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The University of Tampa has announced its 2017-2018 Sykes Chapel Concert Artist Series. This series of free, public concerts has become one of UT’s most anticipated and well-attended events on campus.
“We are delighted to, again, be able to bring artists of such caliber to Tampa Bay, and to reassert our commitment to the power of the musical arts to uplift, enrich, provoke and restore,” said Haig Mardirosian, artistic director of the Sykes Chapel Concert Artist Series. “We strive to bring artists who are not only excellent, but have the knack of communicating deeply with our audiences.”
This year’s series includes performances by award-winning organist Mateusz Rzewuski, who is embarking on his first U.S. tour; Grammy-winning organist Paul Jacobs, who is chair of the organ department at The Juilliard School; cellist Nancy Jo Snider, an innovative soloist and collaborative musician; and The Philadelphia Brass, who have been called “one of the gems of Philadelphia’s cultural life.”
The concert dates follow. Seating is limited, and doors open 30 minutes before the concerts.

  • American Debut Tour: Mateusz Rzewuski, Organist, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m. This concert artist from Warsaw, Poland, embarks on his first tour of the U.S. A specialist in the repertoire of the French 20th century, his program will include works of Saint-Saëns, Dupré, Messiaen, Karalow and Vierne.
  • Four Concertos by J.S. Bach, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m. Soloists Nancy Chang, violin; Barbara Prescott, flute; and Grigorios Zamparas and Duncan MacMillan, harpsichords, join a chamber orchestra of the region’s premiere players in a delightful afternoon of music by Bach. Mardirosian will conduct.
  • Let Heaven and Nature Sing: The University of Tampa Holiday Concert, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 and 4 p.m. A great Tampa institution and a joyful opening to the holiday season with traditional and new music sung by the student voices of the UT Chamber Singers and Camerata.
  • Paul Jacobs, Organist, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m. Jacobs has been called “one of the great living virtuosos” by the Washington Post. He is chair of the organ department at The Juilliard School in New York City, the nation’s best-recognized music conservatory, and is the only organist to ever have won a Grammy Award.
  • An Afternoon of Chamber Music, Sunday, March 4, 2 p.m. Cellist Nancy Jo Snider, an innovative soloist, collaborative musician, sound designer and arts administrator, collaborates with Yuri Namkung, violin; David Yang, viola; and Griorios Zamparas, piano, in Ludwig van Beethoven’s C minor Trio, Joaquin Turina’s Piano Quartet in A minor and Andrew Norman’s Sabina.
  • The Philadelphia Brass, Sunday, April 8, 2 p.m. Founded in 1988, NPR has called them “one of the gems of Philadelphia’s cultural life.” The program includes J.S. Bach, André Previn, Jennifer Higdon, Cole Porter, Frank Loesser and others.

For more information, contact [email protected] or go to www.ut.edu/sykeschapel.

Certification of State House District 44 Special Primary Election

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections announces the following meeting of the Elections Canvassing Commission.
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, August 29, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Cabinet Meeting Room, LL03, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida
SUBJECT: Certification of State House District 44 Special Primary Election
PARTICIPANTS: Members of the State Elections Canvassing Commission will include Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. All will be participating via phone.

Senator Denise Grimsley Announces September Mobile Office Hours

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Senator Denise Grimsley’s (R-Sebring) staff will hold “mobile office hours” during the month of September to assist constituents with state agency concerns and to gather public input on legislative issues.
“Our office is back on the road in an effort to conveniently provide help. This is an opportunity to meet with my professional staff,” said Senator Grimsley.
The following are September mobile office hours for Senate District 26:
DeSoto County Mobile Office Hours:
Tuesday, September 12th, 2017
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
County Administration Building
2nd Floor, Conference Room
201 East Oak Street
Arcadia, FL 34266
Glades County Mobile Office Hours:
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Glades County Courthouse
1st Floor, Conference Room
55 Avenue J, SW
Moore Haven, FL 33471
Hardee County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Hardee County Chamber of Commerce
135 E. Main Street
Wauchula, FL 33873
Lee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The Shell Factory
Chamber of Commerce Office
2787 North Tamiami Trail
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
Okeechobee County Mobile Office Hours:
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
55 South Parrott Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Polk County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mulberry Library
1st Floor, Civic Center
905 NE 5th Street
Mulberry, FL 33860
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Bartow Public Library
2150 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Fort Meade Community Center
10 SW 3rd Street
Fort Meade, FL 33841
Senator Denise Grimsley represents Senate District 26, which consists of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and parts of Charlotte, Lee, and Polk counties. Senator Grimsley served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2004-2012 and elected to the Florida Senate in 2012.

Tampa woman wins $1,000 a Week for Life playing CASH4LIFE Draw game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Cheryl Rodgers, 55, of Tampa, claimed a $1,000 a Week for Life prize in the multi-state Draw game CASH4LIFE®. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump sum payment of $1,000,000.
Rodgers purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 16041 Tampa Palms Boulevard West in Tampa. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning CASH4LIFE ticket.
The Lottery added CASH4LIFE to its portfolio of games in February. This popular multi-state game offers two lifetime prizes, with the chance to win $1,000 a Day for Life or $1,000 a Week for Life. Florida is the ninth state to join CASH4LIFE. Game sales are expected to raise millions of additional dollars for education in Florida and increase commissions to the Lottery’s more than 13,000 retailers.
The next CASH4LIFE drawing will be held tonight, August 28, 2017, at 9:00 p.m., ET at the New Jersey Lottery Headquarters studio. Live drawings may be viewed on www.livestream.com/CASH4LIFE, and at flalottery.com. CASH4LIFE winning numbers are also available at www.flalottery.com, at Florida Lottery retailers statewide, and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY. Also, you may register here to receive CASH4LIFE winning numbers and other Lottery information by email or text message.
 

Gov. Rick Scott to Announce New Jobs at Belcan Corporation in West Palm Beach

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Tomorrow, August 29th, Governor Rick Scott will announce new jobs at Belcan Corporation in West Palm Beach. Recently, Governor Scott announced that Florida’s economy has created more than 1.4 million private sector jobs since December 2010.
WHAT: Jobs Announcement
WHEN: 3:00 PM
WHERE: Belcan, LLC
2410 Metrocentre Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Commissioner Adam Putnam Supports 2017 National Trade Policy Agenda

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means, voicing his support of the 2017 National Trade Policy Agenda. This agenda will help create a more even playing field for America’s farmers, ranchers and businesses.
The following is an excerpt from the letter:
“I applaud the Trump Administration’s National Trade Policy Agenda for 2017 and its clear intention to strictly enforce U.S. trade laws and insure a fair and level playing field exists for America’s farmers, ranchers, and businesses. As the U.S. moves into the second round of NAFTA negotiations on September 1, it is imperative that the Administration’s goal to seek a provision to address the plight of the producers of perishable and seasonal commodities be included in any agreement.”
The letter can be accessed by clicking here.

Marsy’s Law for All Announces Florida Campaign to Provide Equal Rights for Crime Victims

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Victims’ Rights Advocates Introduce Ballot Initiative for
Consideration by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission

Marsy’s Law for Florida, a crime victims’ group working to amend the state constitution to provide equal rights for crime victims, announced they will bring language before the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) to place equal rights for crime victims on the 2018 ballot. The proposed amendment, once passed by the CRC and approved by the voters, brings assurance that victims of crime and their families are provided with enforceable constitutional protections, the same level that is afforded to those accused and convicted, nothing more and nothing less.
Pasco County Sheriff and CRC Commissioner Chris Nocco, along with Florida State Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) announced their support for Marsy’s Law through a video announcement that will be seen on social media and digital advertising. Sheriff Nocco and Senator Book will introduce the language to the CRC.


“My first priority as Sheriff of Pasco County is to prevent crime and keep our citizens safe,” said Sheriff Nocco. “When a crime is committed, the rights of the victim should be equal to the rights of the accused. This seems like common sense, but in Florida today, victims’ rights are not guaranteed. I’m bringing this language before the CRC because I believe my fellow commissioners and the citizens of Florida agree that victims of crimes should be treated fairly, with dignity, and the same Constitutional rights as the accused.”
Senator Book, a victim of sexual abuse as a child, founded Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit whose mission is to prevent sexual abuse through education and awareness and to support survivors as they heal.
“I’ve spent my life advocating for victims’ rights and I’m proud to support Marsy’s Law,” said Senator Book. “The pain a victim suffers in the aftermath of a crime is hard enough without being revictimized by the criminal justice system. Whether or not the system honors and protects the rights of a victim can be the difference between that victim achieving justice, healing, and survivorship, or feeling lost and let down – or even worse, completely ignored. Marsy’s Law will give each victim the promise of having their voice heard.”
Background on the Constitution Revision Commission
Florida’s Constitution is unique in that it allows a 37-member revision commission to meet every 20 years for the purpose of holding public hearings, reviewing the current constitution and proposing changes to the constitution for voters’ consideration. Its make-up consists of the Attorney General, 15 appointees from the Governor, nine appointees from the Florida Senate President, nine appointees from the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and three appointees from the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Any amendments approved by the CRC will be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot and will require 60 percent approval by the voters for passage. Any amendment passed will be added to the Florida Constitution.
Background on Marsy’s Law for Florida
While most states provide crime victims with constitutional-level protections, Florida remains one of only 15 that does not. Once adopted by the voters, Marsy’s Law will grant constitutional rights to crime victims on par with those provided to the accused and convicted, including:
Marsy’s Law Rights
Marsy’s Law will guarantee that victims receive certain rights in a number of important ways including:

  •      informing victims and their families about their rights and the services available to them,
  •      giving them the right to receive notification of proceedings and major developments in a criminal case,
  •      protecting their safety by notifying them in a timely manner regarding changes to the offender’s custodial status,
  •      allowing victims and their families to exercise their right to be present – and heard – at court proceedings,
  •      providing input to the prosecutor before a plea agreement is finalized; and
  •      establishing the right to restitution from the convicted.

About Marsy’s Law
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail.  In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, has made it his mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights.  He formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.
Since California’s passage of the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008, Marsy’s Law legislation has also succeeded in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Illinois.
For more information on the Marsy’s Law initiative, please visit https://marsyslaw.us, and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Additional Information
More information is available online at https://marsyslaw.us/marsys-law-state-efforts/florida/.

Appointments by Governor Rick Scott for Monday, August 28, 2017

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Gov. Scott Appoints Three to Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority

Governor Rick Scott today announced two reappointments and one appointment to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority
Danny Alvarez, 43, of Seffner, is a managing member at The Alvarez Legal Group. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, his master’s degree from Troy State University, and his juris doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. He is reappointed for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2020.
Vincent J. Cassidy, 58, of Tampa, is the Chief Executive Officer of Majesty Title Services, LLC. He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and graduated from the University of Virginia’s Graduate School of Banking with honors. He is reappointed for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2021.
Shaun Oxtal, 30, of Tampa, is the director of Capright. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. Oxtal is appointed to a vacant seat for a term beginning August 28, 2017, and ending July 1, 2018.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
 

Gov. Scott Appoints Four to Clay County Development Authority

Governor Rick Scott today announced four appointments to the Clay County Development Authority.
Keith R. Ward, 56, of Orange Park, is the president of Thomas May Construction Company. He succeeds Matthew Carlton for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2021.
Bruce Butler, Jr., 37, of Green Cove Springs, is a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida A & M University. He succeeds Ernest Dobson for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2021.
Tom Morris, 62, of Middleburg, is the executive director of Clay County Utility Authority. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree from the University of North Florida. He succeeds William Randall for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2021.
Amy Pope Wells, 46, of Green Cove Springs, is the owner of Link Staffing Services and president of Tire Diva, Inc. She received her associate’s degree from the ACC school of nursing. She fills a vacant seat for a term beginning August 28, 2017 and ending July 1, 2019.