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FMEA assists with resources necessary to restore power to public power customers

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FMEA Assists with Resources Necessary to Restore Power to
Public Power Customers Affected by Severe Storms in Florida

As severe thunderstorms brought high winds, hail and significant rainfall to parts of Florida Saturday and Sunday, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) assembled mutual aid crews from across the state to assist with power restoration in impacted areas.
Hardest hit was the City of Tallahassee, which experienced a peak outage of 30,000 municipal electric utility customers. Crews and service trucks from public power partners Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA), Ocala Electric Utility, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach) and JEA were immediately sent to Tallahassee to assist with power restoration efforts. As of 1 p.m. today, approximately 6,300 City of Tallahassee electric utility consumers remain without power and power restoration efforts continue.
Other Florida municipal electric utilities affected by the weekend’s severe weather include:

  • Ocala Electric Utility
  • Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU)
  • City of Leesburg
  • City of New Smyrna Beach
  • Town of Havana
  • Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
  • JEA
  • Lakeland Electric
  • City of Starke
  • Keys Energy Services
  • City of Blountstown
  • City of Lake Worth

Overall, approximately 50,600 municipal electric utility customers experienced a power outage at some point over the weekend. All have been restored with the exception of the remaining 6,300 City of Tallahassee electric utility customers (as of 1 p.m. on Monday, January 23).
As crews continue to quickly and safely restore power, it is important for residents to remember that there is still danger even after a storm has moved out of the area. Downed power lines and trees pose the most significant threats. The FMEA reminds residents of these important safety precautions:

  • Never, ever touch a downed power line or go near one. Always assume the power line is live.
  • Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line or other equipment.
  • If a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle and call for help.
  • Do not pull tree limbs off power lines. Leave those for utility crews to safely handle.
  • Avoid areas with debris and downed trees. There could be live power lines hidden inside.
  • Also avoid chain link fences and puddles that could have become electrified by downed power lines.

During emergency situations, members of FMEA partner through a Mutual Aid Agreement that enables member utilities to call on each other for emergency workers and supplies. Florida’s public power utilities benefit from this strong network of partners within Florida and across the country through the American Public Power Association. These dependable connections have created a reliable system where member utilities both request and offer assistance.
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.

Mast Joins Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus

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U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus:
“Our community has felt the social and economic consequences of environmental disaster firsthand. The water issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee exemplify why it’s absolutely critical that we work together to strengthen conservation programs, promote public health, defend our environment, keep our air clean and protect our waterways. I’m dedicated to supporting bipartisan initiatives and ensuring a continued dialogue in Congress on ways to protect our air, water and other natural resources. Together, we can find a path forward to protect our planet for future generations.”
The mission of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which is composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, is to educate Members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and to explore bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes and challenges of our changing climate. The caucus has 20 members and is co-chaired by Congressmen Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Ted Deutch (FL-22).
Rep. Mast received a minor in Environmental Studies from the Harvard Extension School.

Gov. Scott highlights 145 jobs at Best Home Services in Naples

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Governor Rick Scott announced today that Best Home Services, an air conditioning, electrical and plumbing company headquartered in Naples, has created 145 jobs with plans to create an additional 80 jobs this year.
Governor Scott said, “In Florida, we understand how important companies like Best Home Services are to creating new opportunities for our families. It is great to see so many people pursuing the American Dream in Southwest Florida thanks to the job they have with this great company. Just like Florida, Best Home Services is a true melting pot and has employees from nine countries, including Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico. I look forward to seeing Best Homes Services’ continued success right here in Florida.”
Keegan and Chadd Hodges, owners of Best Home Services said, “We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Governor Rick Scott and the State of Florida. Our family owned company is proud to be a leading home service provider in Southwest Florida. We are excited to grow our company even more in the next year and are truly blessed to have such a great team to help us achieve that goal.”
Best Home Services is a family owned and operated air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and drains company headquartered in Naples. It has been voted one of the best in customer service in southwest Florida by several publications, including Angie’s List. Best Home Services also gives back to the community by investing in charitable organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.

FDLE investigation uncovers real estate scheme, leads to charge

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An investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Clearwater Police Department, has identified Kervin Moreno as the perpetrator of an involved real estate scheme to defraud.
Moreno was arrested Friday in Wayne County, MI, and will face a charge of Organized Scheme to Defraud.
Agents found from April 2012 through June 2014, Moreno placed ads on Craigslist and other websites to advertise homes for sale or rent. But he neither owned the homes nor had authority to sell them. Moreno collected down payments or deposits on eight homes throughout Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties without providing anything of value. The monetary loss to victims is estimated at nearly $50,000.00.
The victims only became aware of the scam after moving into a home and receiving foreclosure notices or visits from lender representatives.
Moreno has several aliases, including Kervin Moreno Mojica, Kervin Moreno Mujica and Kevin M. Moreno.
He will be transported from Michigan to Pasco County to face charges. The Office of Statewide Prosecution will handle the case.

Daytona State highlights Black History Month with film series

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Daytona State College will commemorate Black History Month in February with a variety of activities, highlighted by a series of rare films featuring African-American filmmakers to be shown in the Southeast Museum of Photography’s Madorsky Theater on the Daytona Beach Campus, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. dsc 1.23.2017
First Fight. Then Fiddle. Black Identity in American Cinema 1920 -2016 showcases films from the new collection Pioneers of African-American Cinema, a series of works by black filmmakers focusing on race issues that went unaddressed by Hollywood for decades. The series will continue with new showings through mid-April.
First Fight. Then Fiddle was curated by DSC photography professor Eric Breitenbach, who noted, “These films are rare and remarkable. Very few people are aware that they even exist, and our spring series marks the first time they will be screened in the Central Florida area.”
Each film in the series will be introduced by a Daytona State faculty member, and be followed by a question-and-answer session. All films begin at 6 p.m. and are closed captioned whenever possible. Admission is free and open to the public.
The series line-up is as follows:

  • Feb. 1 – 13th A documentary (100 minutes); directed by Ava DuVernay, 2016
  • Feb. 15 – Screen Snapshots (1 minute); Within Our Gates (79 minutes); directed by Oscar Micheaux, 1920, silent
  • Feb. 22 – Two Knights of Vaudeville (11 minutes); Ten Nights in a Bar Room (64 minutes); directed by Ray Calnek, 1926, silent
  • March 1 – Rev. S.S. Jones Home Movies (16 minutes); Symbol of the Unconquered – A Story of the Ku Klux Klan (59 minutes); directed by Oscar Micheaux, 1920, silent
  • March 8 – The Scar of Shame (86 minutes); directed by Frank Perugini,1929
  • March 22 – Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (195 minutes); directed by Stanley Nelson
  • March 29 – Selma (127 minutes); directed by Ava DuVernay, 2015
  • April 5 – 4 Little Girls (102 minutes); directed by Spike Lee, 1997
  • April 12 – Welcome to Pine Hill (81 minutes); directed by Keith Miller, 2012
  • April 19 – Bamboozled (135 minutes); directed by Spike Lee, 2000

For more information on the films, contact Breitenbach, (386) 506-3542, or museum director James Pearson, (386) 506-3350.
In addition, the public is invited to a free Black History Day event hosted by DSC’s Co-Curricular Activities Department on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Student Landing on the Daytona Beach Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature music and presentations on African-American history and culture.
Also, the college’s African-American Student Union is planning one commemorative event a week during February. Details will be posted on the college’s website, DaytonaState.edu.

Women’s March on Tallahassee coincides with national effort

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Other marches take place across Florida and U.S.

While the Women’s March on Washington was happening Saturday, Floridians joined the Women’s March on Tallahassee. The grassroots effort culminated in a rally with speakers including civic leaders, women’s advocates and others at the FAMU recreation center.
“These marches in Tallahassee, in Washington and around our state and nation are sending a bold message to the new administration and Congress in Washington, to Florida Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature, and to the world – that women’s rights are human rights,” said Lillian Tamayo, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida.
The Women’s March on Tallahassee was a show of solidarity with women and families across the state for the protection of women’s rights, health and safety. The event was inclusive with all genders, races, ages, religions and sexual orientations invited to participate.
“We envision a future where each of us will be treated with dignity, respect and compassion,” said Tamayo. “In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us means defending all of us.”
“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us, including immigrants, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, LGBT Americans, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, and survivors of sexual assault,” said Barbara Zdravecky, President and CEO for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. “We will not tolerate hatred, racism and sexism and we will fight for respect, dignity and justice for all,” she added.
In addition to the March on Tallahassee, Floridians gathered in solidarity for sister marches in Key West, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Naples, West Palm Beach and Miami.

Please visit www.fappa.org for more information.

FDLE arrests Santa Rosa County man for child pornography

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested Thurston Rivers, 46, of 4710 Keyser Lane in Milton, Florida, for three counts of Possession of Material Including Sexual Conduct by a Child. Also arrested at the address was David Dezman, 51, for Possession of a Firearm & Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.

FDLE special agents, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, executed a search warrant at the residence on January 20, 2017, and the investigation determined that Rivers had downloaded and uploaded child pornography images.

Rivers and Dezman were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit.

Please visit the Secure Florida website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at: http://secureflorida.org/staying_safe/best_practices_for_parents/.

Okeechobee man wins top prize playing $2,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLIER Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Sammy Samuels, 28, of Okeechobee, claimed a top prize in the $2,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLIER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Samuels chose to receive his winnings in annual payments of $80,000.00 for the next 25 years. He purchased his winning ticket from Murphy USA, located at 2109 South Parrott Avenue in Okeechobee. The retailer will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $10 game, $2,000,000 FLAMINGO MULTIPLIER, offers more than $164 million in prizes and more than 6.3 million winning tickets. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.46.
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.

Florida National Guard Supports 58th Presidential Inauguration

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Approximately 340 Soldiers and Airmen from the Florida National Guard supported the 58th Presidential Inauguration this week in Washington, D.C.

Florida National Guardsmen led Task Force Crowd, comprised of eight states’ National Guard forces, in assisting the local and federal civilian agencies in Washington, D.C.  

“We are the eyes and ears of the U.S. Park Police and civil authorities that are out there,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Edson Kline, Joint Task Force Florida/Task Force Crowd Commander and 779th Engineer Battalion Commander.

Florida Guardsmen also played a significant role in Task Force Cyber, protecting the various communications networks from cyber threats.  

“Cyber security is an ever growing concern within the military services, as well as our government. Cyber warfare is a very real threat and we must be ready to meet that threat and safeguard our democracy,” said DCO Team Chief, Maj. Jennifer Hunt. “The Florida Army National Guard is honored to play a role in the Presidential Inauguration and for the opportunity to serve on the forefront of cyber defense operations for our nation.”  

In total, more than 7,500 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 44 states, three territories and the District of Columbia will serve with the specially created Joint Task Force – District of Columbia. The District of Columbia National Guard created JTF – DC in response to requests for assistance from local and federal agencies in the National Capital Region. As a whole, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will augment the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police forces on a range of support, including traffic control, crowd management, logistics and communication.

National Guard support to presidential inaugurations dates to April 30, 1789, when local militia members (today’s National Guard) joined the U.S. Army and revolutionary war veterans to form an honor detail and escort Gen. George Washington to his inauguration ceremony in New York City from Mount Vernon, Va. Over the years, National Guard involvement has grown and is designated to honor the commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the military, and celebrate democracy.

Sen. Stewart, House Democratic Leader Cruz and Rep. Berman Propose Bill to Eliminate Gender Pay Gap

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State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) today filed Senate Bill 410 and House Bill 319, jointly named the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act, aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Florida.
The bills seek to close the pervasive gender pay gap by updating and clarifying Florida’s current law to ban employers from paying workers differently based on sex or gender identity. On average, women in Florida take home only 87 cents for every dollar earned by men.
“It is unconscionable that in America today women continue to be paid less for the same amount of work as men,” declared House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz. “Our nation was founded on the ideal that all of us are created equal and that ought to hold in all facets of our lives. Paying people fairly for the work they do shouldn’t depend on their gender, but rather on the quality of their work.”
Additionally, SB 410 and HB 319 delineates which reasons employers can use to pay employees differently – things like education, skill-set, and experience. By clarifying these reasons, employers can avoid costly litigation and be clear about which attributes are valued. Moreover, the bills would prohibit “mommy tracking,” ensuring that women (and men) are not forced into lower tracks of employment based on assumptions. It would bar employers from inquiring about or screening employees based on their prior salary history – a practice we know can introduce unintended discrimination into the hiring process. It would also increase civil penalties for a violation, thus motivating employers to do the right thing.
“I’m honored to be a part of this fight. Reducing an entire group of Floridians take home pay not only hurts their families, but it hurts Florida’s economy as a whole. Those groups most affected by this – the single mother; a family stricken by illness or unemployment or tragedy that relies on a female breadwinner; those Floridians whose gender identity isn’t even recognized anywhere in our state laws; they deserve policies and protections that reflect the reality of their everyday existence. That’s why we need this bill. That’s why we were elected to serve,” proclaimed Senator Linda Stewart.
Efforts to close the gender pay gap are both popular and necessary. Despite having federal legislation on the books since 1963, the gender wage gap persists. According to the The American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Florida, over a lifetime of work (47 years), the total estimated loss of earnings of women compared with men is $700,000 for a high school graduate, $1.2 million for a college graduate and $2 million for a professional school graduate.
“I am proud and honored to file this legislation along with Senator Stewart and Democratic Leader Cruz. Leader Cruz has championed this bill for 5 years and I have always supported her efforts. While I feel this legislation should be unnecessary, the reality is that in 2017 women are still not earning the same pay as men in the same position. Paying women equally is good for the economy and good for business. It is simply a no-brainer and I invite my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to write this into statute once and for all,” said Representative Lori Berman.
On Tuesday, January 24th, 2017 at 11:30am in front of the Senate Chambers, all three Members will be hosting a press conference announcing this legislation. They invite their colleagues to join them.