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Florida League of Cities Announces Winners of 2017 Youth Council Community Service & Photography Competitions

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Dade City, First Place: Cinco De Mayo Parade, by Reyes Figueroa

The Florida League of Cities announced the following youth councils as winners of its inaugural Community Service and Photography Municipal Youth Council Competitions.
Community Service

  • First Place – City of Niceville’s Youth Advisory Council—Niceville City Cleanup
  • Second Place – City of West Palm Beach’s Mayor’s Youth Council—Grassy Waters Everglades Preserve
  • Third Place – City of St. Petersburg’s Mayor’s Youth Congress—Scrubbin’ Da Burg 

Photography

  • First Place – City of Dade City’s Youth Council: Cinco De Mayo Parade, by Reyes Figueroa
  • Second Place – City of Port Orange’s Youth Advisory Board: City Center Road in Black & White, by Emma Dominguez
  • Third Place – City of Gulfport’s Teen Council: Clymer Park, by Cameron Althaus

Links to photos and summary of winning projects are available online here.
“The League’s new youth council contests are a great way to showcase the benefits of engaging the next generation in local government activities,” said Susan Haynie, president of the Florida League of Cities and mayor of the City of Boca Raton. “I believe it is important to expose young people to civic education at an early age so they can understand the scope of municipal services and can become more engaged citizens in the future. It is wonderful to see our cities’ youth councils already working hard to better their communities.”
The photography contest encouraged youth council members to take a picture of something that tells the story of why they love their city. Each photo had to be the applicant’s original work and accompanied by a brief statement of how that photo depicts the reason they love their city.
The community service or volunteer contest focused on a youth council project for a specific single citywide effort to successfully address a local need. In 500 words or less, applicants described their project in detail and told how it was timely, innovative, effective, successful, cost-effective, and adaptable. The applicant could also include five pages of supportive materials, such as news articles, letters of support, and more.
Winners will receive a trophy, monetary award, and recognition at the League of Cities Annual Conference. They will also be featured in the League’s statewide publication, Quality Cities (QC) magazine, and will have their win presented on the League’s website and Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Youth councils are organizations composed of students, and may also serve as an advisory board to a city commission/council. Many times, these students are selected to serve based on their leadership potential or their desire to learn more about their community and give back through volunteer service.
For additional information on youth councils, visit the League’s Youth Council Resources page at http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/resources/youth-councils.

FWC discusses sheepshead, tripletail and cobia management

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At its July meeting in Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed several draft changes to the management of sheepshead, tripletail and cobia. The Commission did not take action on draft changes to sheepshead and tripletail in order to give staff time to gather more input from commercial and recreational stakeholders on potential changes. These two fisheries will be brought back as a draft proposal at a future Commission meeting.
Cobia draft changes were approved and will be brought back before the Commission at the September meeting for a final public hearing. These changes are based on species biology, input from stakeholders, and will promote the continued sustainable management of this fishery.
Cobia
Draft rule changes for cobia to be brought back before the Commission in September for a final public hearing include:

  • Creating a Gulf/Atlantic management boundary defining all state waters north of the Monroe-Collier county line as “Gulf state waters” for purposes of managing cobia.
  • Increasing the minimum size limit in Gulf state waters from 33 to 38 inches fork length.
  • Making the recreational and commercial bag limits in Gulf state waters the same by reducing the commercial trip limit from two to one fish per person.
  • Reducing the recreational and commercial vessel limit in Gulf state waters from six to two per vessel per day.

To comment on these proposals, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or email [email protected].
For more information on these discussions or to view the presentations given at the Commission meeting, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings” then click on the link below “Next Meeting.”

Gov. Scott: Leopoldo López and all Venezuelan Political Prisoners Must be Completely Freed

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Governor Rick Scott today hosted a Venezuelan Freedom Rally at El Arepazo 2 where he was joined by hundreds of Venezuelan and Latin America Floridians to support freedom and democracy in Venezuela. The Governor called on the complete freedom of Leopoldo Lopez, a political prisoner currently on house arrest, and all those wrongly imprisoned by Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
Governor Scott said, “I was honored to rally with the Venezuelan people today against the brutal Maduro regime and once again demand freedom and democracy for Venezuela. Today, as hundreds of people rallied together, a clear message was sent to Maduro and his gang of thugs: the movement will not be silenced – freedom and democracy will thrive in Venezuela.
“Over the weekend, we were glad to see Leopoldo Lopez released from his illegal imprisonment. While this is great news, it is not enough and Leopoldo remains on house arrest. Florida stands with the Venezuelan people in demanding total freedom for Leopoldo and all political prisoners and the immediate end of the oppressive and brutal Maduro dictatorship to make way for free and fair elections and true democracy. The Venezuelan people deserve free and fair elections – not the masquerade that is being planned by Maduro’s dictatorship at the end of the month.
“Just days ago, Maduro showed his true colors once again when his henchmen violently disrupted a meeting of the Venezuelan National Assembly. This unacceptable oppression and political violence will not be tolerated and is exactly why I am proposing that the State of Florida be prohibited from doing business with any organization that supports this dictatorship. Florida will continue to be a voice for freedom and democracy in Venezuela and rally behind those fighting to end Maduro’s brutal reign.”
Last week, on Venezuelan Independence Day, Governor Scott announced he will bring forward a proposal that would prohibit the State of Florida from doing business with any organization that supports the Maduro regime. More details of the Governor’s proposal will be made available prior to the August 16, 2017 Cabinet Meeting.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Names Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts as 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts has been named the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Dr. Roberts dedicated 35 years of service to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where she championed policy changes for the advancement of Florida’s agriculture industry, trade and production practices. The award, now in its 33rd year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.

Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts

“I’m honored to name Dr. Roberts the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “During her tenure with the department, Dr. Roberts advanced Florida agriculture.”
Dr. Roberts was born in Oxford, Mississippi, and later moved to Gainesville, Georgia, where she attended Blue Ridge High School and participated in the 4-H Club. Roberts graduated summa cum laude from North Georgia College, and she continued her studies at the University of Georgia, where she earned her master’s degree in bacteriology, a Ph.D. in microbiology and public health postdoctoral studies.
Dr. Roberts joined the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Food Safety in 1968 as a Microbiologist/Chemist. She was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture in 1984, and was the first woman in the United States to hold this position. From 1991 to 2003, Dr. Roberts served as the department’s Deputy Commissioner and played a pinnacle role in shaping agricultural policies to improve practices in each stage of production. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Roberts served 13 years as Director of Industry Relations and then as Special Assistant for Government Affairs for the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Throughout her career, Dr. Roberts served in leadership capacities for numerous organizations, including: President of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, Chairman of the Conference for Food Protection, the FDA Food Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, the University of Florida International Trade and Policy Center Board of Directors, the Farm Foundation, Food Foresight and Chair of the Feeding Tomorrow Foundation. She has served on the Board of the Center for Produce Safety since its inception in 2007, and currently serves as a consultant with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture on FSMA implementation with the FDA.
Dr. Roberts has received numerous awards from the FDA, USDA and industry associations. In recognition of her lasting contributions to the agriculture industry, Dr. Roberts was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2003. She continues to support Florida agriculture as a scientific authority, industry counselor and advocate.
The Woman of the Year in Agriculture award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair Authority, and the award will be presented to the recipient during the 2018 Florida State Fair in Tampa.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Gov. Scott Highlights Law Enforcement and State Employee Pay Raise in Fort Myers

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Governor Rick Scott today highlighted pay raises in the Fighting for Florida’s Future budget for Florida’s sworn state law enforcement officers, correctional officers and state employees.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to highlight the raises that our hard working state employees and law enforcements officers will receive in our Fighting for Florida’s Future budget. With a 46-year low in crime, Florida’s law enforcement officers and state employees help make our state the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family. I am proud of all they have accomplished for Florida families.”

Marion County Official Reappointed to Technology Commission

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The Florida Supreme Court has reappointed Marion County Clerk of the Court David Ellspermann to the Florida Courts Technology Commission (FCTC) which oversees, manages and directs the development and use of technology within the judicial branch.

David Ellspermann

“I’m honored to be reappointed and look forward to working with the other members of the Commission to identify new opportunities in which technology may enhance the accessibility and functions of our court systems statewide,” Clerk Ellspermann commented.

Other FCTC members representing Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) include Karen E. Rushing (Sarasota County) and Sharon R. Bock, Esq. (Palm Beach County), who are currently serving staggered terms on the 25-member commission.

Clerk Ellspermann was one of eight members appointed or reappointed and will serve on the FCTC until June 30, 2020.

Established in 1969, the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) is a statewide, nonprofit member association composed of the Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. FCCC provides local government support services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities for all members of the association. For more information, visit www.flclerks.com.

UT Receives National Science Foundation Funding to Support Conference

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Conference focuses on high impact teaching and learning practices for molecular sciences

The National Science Foundation has granted The University of Tampa $31,625 to support a conference on transforming undergraduate education in the molecular life sciences.
Michael Carastro, associate professor of biochemistry and a conference organizer, applied for and received the funding. The funding will support 10 community college faculty members and 25 graduate students/postdoctoral fellows to attend the conference.
Carastro said he is pleased to have received the grant as “National Science Foundation funding is extremely competitive, and this is the first direct funding that UT has received from NSF in more than five years.”
The conference is being held at UT July 20–23 and is affiliated with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The meeting will focus on high-impact teaching and learning practices and mechanisms to facilitate student transitions from two-year colleges to four-year colleges and universities.
The conference will be in the Vaughn Center at UT, and media is welcome to attend all sessions. For more information about the conference, click here.

Orlando woman claims first top prize in new $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Barbara Snelling, 57, of Orlando, claimed a top prize in the $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $815,000.00.
Snelling purchased her winning ticket from Speedway Gas Station, located at 2655 South Kirkman Road in Orlando. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The new $2 Scratch-Off game, $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched on July 3 and features more than 10 million winning tickets, including eight top prizes of $1,000 a week for life! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.43.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.

New Stetson University Building Wins State Award for Sustainability

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Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center recognized for conservation features

The Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center on the Stetson University campus was named the 2017 Outstanding Sustainability Project in the state by the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) last month. To earn the award the building competed against five others in the Sustainability category and was ultimately selected for its many features that conserve energy and water, make efficient use of land, and help recharge ground water supplies.
When Stetson University decided to build a welcome center on campus more than five years ago, university officials promised to build “an iconic, sustainable building” that would last for years to come. This award recognizes the successful completion of that goal.
“The thing that distinguished [the Rinker Welcome Center] the best was how they actually designed the building itself to fit into the environment to conserve and reduce energy,” said Helen LaValley, incoming FPZA state president, who oversaw the contest for the state planning awards. “The building incorporated the most design features out of all the projects.”
The Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center features glass walls that reduce the need for artificial lighting, a 50-year metal roof that reflects heat and helps keep the building cool, LED lighting inside requiring 75 percent less energy than traditional lighting, solar-powered lights in the parking area, and a system that directs rain water into chambers providing time for the water to percolate into and help replenish the Floridan Aquifer. It also uses reclaimed water for irrigation and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
Prior to winning the state award, the Rinker Welcome Center was recognized with the Outstanding Sustainability Initiative Award from the planning group’s local Surfcoast Chapter in December 2016. The building also received Green Globes Certification before it opened last fall.
John Rinker, president of the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation, provided the lead gift to fund the construction of the building named in his parents’ honor.
“When we met with Mr. John Rinker, we made a commitment to him that we would build an iconic, sustainable building that would last 100 years,” recalled Al Allen, associate vice president for Facilities Management at Stetson. “This award certifies that we did everything that we shared with Mr. Rinker.”
Allen traveled to Naples in June to receive the award along with Stetson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bob Huth; Bob Lipscomb, CEO of the Williams Company, the general contractor; and Rob Gleason, Principle of Ro Jo Architecture, the firm that provided the design and engineering services.
The three-story Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center houses Admissions and Enrollment Management; a “one-stop” service area for students with the Registrar, Bursar and Financial Planning; meeting rooms; and Career and Professional Development for students and alumni.

Staying Healthy in the Heat

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With the hot summer sun beating down, it’s tempting to stay indoors and out of the heat. But don’t let your health suffer because of the temperature. Rather than lounging around on the couch all summer wishing you could be at the beach, become a great indoors enthusiast with these tips to stay active inside:

Dr. David Jones

  • Join a gym. Gym membership not in your budget? Check out the local YMCA or similar community center, or find free workout tutorials on YouTube.com.
  • Find places to walk indoors. Give yourself a few extra minutes when you go shopping and walk around the perimeter of the store. Go up and down different aisles you might not normally visit. Park further from the store entrance to add a few extra steps (every bit helps).
  • Get cleaning. Tackle those chores you’ve been putting off — things like washing the windows, cleaning out that “junk” closet, and cleaning the baseboards. You’ll get to check them off your to-do list while also staying active.
  • Go dancing. Instead of going to a movie, where you sit the whole time, check out a local dance venue or a restaurant that has a dance floor. You and your friends will enjoy the change of pace, and you’ll get a little exercise while you’re at it!

While sometimes it is too hot to be outdoors, it’s important to try to get outside for at least a little bit each day to get the benefits of natural air and sunlight. However, before you head outside (or instead choose to stay inside), consider these factors:

  • Humidity. Check the humidity, heat index, and other important weather stats on your local weather station or a weather app on your phone. If it’s warmer than 80 degrees and the humidity is higher than 60%, you might want to reconsider what outdoor activities you were planning.
  • Electrolytes. Before you go outside, make sure you are properly hydrated. If it’s particularly hot, or if the activity is significantly strenuous, bring along a sports drink with electrolytes to replenish your potassium and sodium levels and prevent dehydration.
  • Time of Day. Avoid outdoor activities, especially intense exercise, during the peak heat hours of the afternoon. Use that time to catch up on indoor housework, or relax while reading a book or watching a movie. Instead, go on morning or evening walks to enjoy the outdoors, without getting overheated or sunburned.
  • Wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15), a hat that blocks the sun from your face, and sunglasses with UVA protection. Light colored clothing can also help in deterring the sun. For pesky mosquitos, use insect repellant with 10% picaridin, 30% DEET, or eucalyptus oil.

So, whether you are indoors or out, make sure to enjoy an active summer. For more information about cool summer activities, visit Capital Health Plan’s Healthwise® Knowledgebase at capitalhealth.com.
David Jones, MD, is a Pediatric physician at Capital Health Plan and serves on the board of directors for Get Outdoors Florida!