Gov. Scott touts tourism, jobs at PCB stop
Panama City News Herald
John Henderson
February 14, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott told local business and tourism officials Tuesday a proposal to eliminate the state’s tourism marketing and economic development agencies could devastate the local economy.
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The roundtable attracted a standing-room-only crowd at Capt. Anderson’s, with a wide range of local officials — including business owners, economic development leaders, tourism leaders and city and county elected officials — saying they supported Scott’s effort to keep the agencies.
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Scott said Enterprise Florida, which provides incentive payments for new companies to locate here or expand, has gotten a great return on the state’s investment.
Dan Rowe, executive director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council and a member of the Visit Florida Board of Directors, said the area already is seeing that return. He said the $30 million he secured for marketing this area after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was invaluable in helping the area recover and demonstrated “the power of destination marketing.”
Jorge Gonzalez, president of The St. Joe Co. who also is on the board of Enterprise Florida, also spoke in favor of the agencies.
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Former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense re-emphasized both agencies are working and creating jobs.
“In this particular case, if we do away with Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, it would be the worst catastrophe to hit the state of Florida,” Bense said.
Jennifer Adams, the executive director of the Gulf County Tourist Development Council, said tourism is an integral part of Gulf County’s economy, as well.
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State Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said he supports Scott’s position.
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“Tourism drives the economy of our coastal communities in Northwest Florida and offering economic incentives to businesses looking to relocate to our state is what helps create new jobs,” Gainer said in an afternoon news release. “Eliminating funding for these two vital programs is (short-sighted) and another example of some of the bad ideas that come out of Tallahassee.”
Bill Dozier, chairman of the Bay County Commission, praised Scott for his economic development efforts.
“We appreciate what you are doing for jobs in Florida,” he said. “You have been able to lay the groundwork to bring so many jobs here. And for us to be competitive throughout the United States, to be able to attract jobs here. We need all the incentives that are going on. We don’t need to abolish it.”
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Seminole State students’ research recognized at national conference in Washington, D.C.
Four student-leaders from Seminole State College of Florida’s Environmental Initiative Clubs that presented research projects at The National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) 17th National Conference & Global Forum on Science, Policy, and the Environment. (L-R) Rodrigo Alcalá, Michael Barton, Caitlin McCormick and Laura Mendez-Castro.
Four student-leaders from Seminole State College of Florida’s Environmental Initiative Clubs presented research projects at The National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) 17th National Conference & Global Forum on Science, Policy, and the Environment in Washington, D.C., Jan. 23-26.
Each students’ project focused on the conference theme, “Integrating Environment & Health”:
- Michael Barton: His project, “Plant Growth and Responsiveness as a Tool in Sustainability Education,” reported on his implementation of a lesson plan in carnivorous plants at Seminole Science STEM Charter School.
- Caitlin McCormick: She presented “Breaking Down the Practice of Composting,” which analyzed the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of implementing a composting program at Seminole State.
- Laura Mendez-Castro and Rodrigo Alcalá: Their project, “Help for the Health of the Hands that Feed Us,” examined correlations between lupus symptoms and pesticide exposure among farmworkers.
The Capitol Building serves as the backdrop for this photo from the students’
visit to Washington, D.C., for the NCSE 17th National Conference in January.
The EMERGE Program for Sustainability & Renewable Energy sponsored the trip, including travel and printing costs for the students to present their projects at the conference. Dr. Debra Socci, professor of biology at Seminole State who serves as faculty advisor for the Environmental Initiative Clubs, guided the students’ research and provided feedback on their progress.
“I was so happy to participate in this year’s NCSE annual meeting to showcase the wonderful ecological citizenship efforts of our Environmental Initiative Clubs’ student-leaders,” says Socci. “The students’ projects, poster presentations, networking experiences and exposure to the work of high-level scientists and government agencies represent the best form of experiential learning!”
As part of the conference, Senior Scientist and former Executive Director of the NCSE, Dr. David Blockstein, announced the top four graduate and undergraduate posters. Barton’s STEM outreach program poster and Mendez-Castro and Alcalá’s poster made the list among students from University of Central Florida, Duke University, Perdue University, Pennsylvania State University and others from around the globe.
The Poster Session allows research scientists, university faculty, students, and others to share their work with over 1,000 conference attendees. Posters highlight research, innovations and initiatives relevant to improving the health and well-being of people, the planet and its ecosystems.
“It improved my presenting skills and allowed for me to step out of my comfort zone by meeting new people,” says Mendez-Castro. “The conference was amazing! I received many tips for applying to medical school and networking opportunities.”
The conference also included the 2017 Winter Meeting of the Community College Alliance for Sustainability Education, where the students heard key discussions on the future of the organization.
To learn more about the conference, please visit the NCSE conference website.
The Seminole State Environmental Initiative Club meets on the Sanford/Lake Mary and the Oviedo campuses. For more information, contact Dr. Debra Socci at 407.971.5077.
EMERGE Program: The EMERGE Program for Sustainability and Renewable Energy is a three-year, $900,000 grant program funded by the National Science Foundation. The program, which began in 2015, aims to strengthen employability for graduates, add courses and provide certifications in STEM areas, offer a program for dual-enrolled students and increase interest in sustainability and STEM programs among non-science majors.
President Negron Announces Appointments to Florida's Constitution Revision Commission
Nine Senate appointees represent diverse cross-section of Florida
Florida Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) today appointed nine members of Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). Pursuant to Article XI, Section 2 of Florida’s Constitution, the 37-member commission is established every 20 years to propose amendments to the state constitution for voter consideration.
“I am very grateful to the many talented Floridians who applied to serve as Senate appointees to the CRC. Florida is fortunate to have so many private citizens willing to take time away from their families and careers to serve the public in this important capacity,” said President Negron. “My goal in selecting the nine Senate appointees was to choose individuals who represent a diverse cross-section of our state in terms of their personal, professional, and political life experiences. The most serious and important issue for me, and a common thread among our Senate appointees, is a fervent commitment to individual liberty and personal freedom guaranteed by our state and federal constitutions. The Senate appointees are all women and men of good judgment.”
The Constitution Revision Commission meets for approximately one year. Commissioners travel the state to receive public testimony, identify issues, perform research, and recommend ballot language to the Secretary of State. Fifteen members are appointed by the Governor, nine by the Senate President, nine by the Speaker of the House, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The Attorney General also serves on the commission.
“These nine individuals each possess a tireless work ethic and zeal for public service that has propelled them to the highest levels of success in the private sector, as well as state and local elected office,” continued President Negron. “Another common trait is dedication to young people. The appointees are strong advocates for school choice opportunities that celebrate the power of the parents to determine what form of education is best for their child. They are also active in community-led programs that support vulnerable and at-risk children on their path to adulthood. These affiliations and convictions demonstrate to me that these nine individuals are committed to confining government to its proper, limited role. I am also confident they will ardently safeguard the supremacy of the individual.”
Don Gaetz
For more than 30 years, former Senate President Gaetz dedicated his life to expanding Floridians’ access to quality health care services as a hospital administrator and co-founder of a successful hospice care business. After tremendous success in the private sector, he devoted his talents and time to public service. As a school board member and later as superintendent, he led Okaloosa County to become the highest performing public school system in Florida, winning numerous national awards for academic excellence. President Gaetz has an undergraduate degree from Concordia College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University.
Known for a relentless commitment to reform, and the ability to collaborate across party lines, in 2012 he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve a two-year term as President of the Florida Senate. President Gaetz used his time leading the Senate to champion expanding economic opportunities through education, increasing government accountability through major ethics reforms, and making Florida the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation.
Anna Marie Hernandez Gamez
Ms. Hernandez Gamez focuses her Miami-based law practice on complex real estate and commercial litigation. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Ms. Hernandez Gamez is the past president of the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA). Her work at CABA has focused on its core missions of increasing diversity in the judiciary and legal community, fostering respect for the law, and providing equal access to and adequate representation of all minorities before the courts.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Hernandez Gamez has been an active supporter of several charitable organizations in the Miami area and served as a Take Stock in Children mentor. Ms. Hernandez Gamez earned her undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Florida International University and a juris doctor with honors from University of Miami School of Law.
Patricia Levesque
As chief executive officer of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) and executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, Ms. Levesque has worked with federal and state leaders, teachers, parents, and students to advance education systems that maximize every student’s potential for learning.
Prior to her education non-profit work, Ms. Levesque served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Jeb Bush. In that capacity she oversaw state agencies responsible for education, general government services, business and professional regulation, elder affairs, veterans affairs, workforce, lottery, and juvenile justice. She also served as staff in the Florida Legislature for six years, working in the Office of the Speaker and as staff director over education policy. Ms. Levesque was a member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission in 2007-08.
Sherry Plymale
Ms. Plymale has served as chair of the State Board of Community Colleges, as chief of staff to Commissioner Frank Brogan in the Florida of the Department of Education, as a trustee of Florida Atlantic University and St. Leo University, and as a board member of the Martin County School Readiness Coalition. She has also served as the chair of the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees.
Ms. Plymale has dedicated much of her time to work with the YMCA, the Children’s Home Society of Florida, and the Healthy Kids Corporation. She is also a member of the Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Ms. Plymale earned an undergraduate degree from St. Leo University.
William “Bill” Schifino, Jr.
Mr. Schifino currently serves as president of The Florida Bar for the 2016-2017 term, and previously served as president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. In addition, Mr. Schifino recently concluded eight years of service as a member of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, serving as its chair. Both Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist appointed him to this critical position.
Mr. Schifino has also dedicated significant time to the Florida Guardian ad Litem Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Tampa, Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, Inc., and the Tampa Bay Little League, Inc. He earned his undergraduate degree from Tulane University and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law, where he serves on the Board of Trustees of the UF Law Center Association. Mr. Schifino is board certified in the area of business litigation.
Chris Smith
Former Senator Smith has been an active member of the Ft. Lauderdale community throughout his legal career. He served as president of the Fort Lauderdale Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council and was later appointed to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Planning and Zoning Board, where he served as the youngest member.
Senator Smith went on to serve nearly two decades in the Florida Legislature while maintaining a private law practice in South Florida. He served as the Democratic Leader in both the House and the Senate during the same time periods that President Negron served as the Appropriations Chair in the House and Senate. Senator Smith earned his undergraduate degree from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, North Carolina, and his law degree from Florida State University College of Law.
Bob Solari
After a successful private sector career in citrus, real estate, and financial planning, Commissioner Solari turned to serve his community of more than 35 years. As a former City of Vero Beach Council member and now Indian River County Commissioner, he has been a strong advocate for Indian River County taxpayers and a zealous defender of individual rights.
Commissioner Solari is a graduate of the University of Denver and Fordham University School of Law. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
A former teacher with years of classroom experience instructing middle and high school students, Ms. Thurlow-Lippisch most recently served as a city commissioner and as mayor for the town of Sewall’s Point. Her time on the Commission included appointments to various state and local boards that focused on environmental issues facing her area.
Ms. Thurlow-Lippisch has dedicated considerable time to informing the residents of Florida about environmental damage to the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. Her service on several local boards and her support of organizations like River Kidz has helped promote efforts to find solutions to the damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of West Florida.
Carolyn Timmann
Clerk Timmann is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Martin County. She has served the State of Florida in each branch of government. Clerk Timmann served in the Legislative Branch as a legislative assistant to State Representative Tom Warner and later in the Executive Branch as executive deputy chief of staff to the Governor, overseeing military and veterans’ affairs, gubernatorial councils and commissions, and statewide consumer and technology projects. She served as a division director in the Executive Office of the Governor, managing public records and projects to provide statewide electronic information. Clerk Timmann also served in the Judicial Branch as a judicial assistant in the Nineteenth Circuit and Special Assistant to Florida’s Solicitor General.
In addition to her duties with the court, Clerk Timmann serves on the Board of Directors of Helping People Succeed and is a member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. She also assists other organizations such as the Elliott Museum and the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She attended the University of Georgia, Indian River State College, and Florida State University, earning both Associate and Bachelor Degrees.
Gov. Scott Announces GKN Aerospace to Open First Florida Location in Bay County
New Manufacturing Facility Will Create 170 New Jobs
Governor Rick Scott announced today that GKN Aerospace will be opening their first location in Florida. The company will be expanding their U.S. operations by locating a new manufacturing facility in Bay County which will create 170 new jobs and invest more than $50 million in the local community. Governor Scott previously met with GKN Aerospace officials during a trade mission to the Farnborough International Air Show in London with Enterprise Florida last summer. The company is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the international aviation industry.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that GKN Aerospace has chosen Florida to open their new manufacturing facility. GKN is a global company, and I was proud to meet with them during the Farnborough International Air Show last summer to encourage the company to grow in Florida. Thanks to our efforts to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations, combined with the hard work of Enterprise Florida and local economic development organizations, GKN will be creating 170 new jobs for families in Bay County. I look forward to seeing their future success in Florida.”
The new facility will be located at VentureCrossings near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. With over 100 years of experience, GKN Aerospace uses advanced manufacturing technologies to supply high-value, integrated assemblies in both metallic and composite materials to the aviation industry. GKN Aerospace employs approximately 17,000 people in more than 60 locations across three continents.
Mike Grunza, CEO of GKN Aerospace’s Aerostructures North America business said, “This investment emphasizes our commitment to manufacturing in North America, as this new world-class facility will create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future. The excellent support we have received from Bay County EDA, Governor Rick Scott’s office, higher educational partners and The St. Joe Company made Florida an ideal location for GKN.”
Senator George Gainer said, “This project is an excellent example of how our focused economic development recruitment efforts are helping to create good jobs for the citizens of Bay County and the entire Northwest Florida region.”
Chris Hart IV, CEO and President of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “Thanks to global leaders like GKN Aerospace, Florida continues to be the world’s premier gateway to space. GKN is a perfect fit for Bay County and the highly skilled aerospace and manufacturing workforce there. More than 85,000 Floridians work in the aviation and aerospace industries statewide and the state’s universities are among the nation’s top producers of STEM graduates. We thank GKN for choosing Florida and look forward to watching them grow here.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “GKN Aerospace’s expansion in Northwest Florida highlights our state’s growing aerospace manufacturing industry, which provides thousands of high-skill, high-wage opportunities for Floridians. Because of Governor Scott’s commitment to tax cuts, Florida is a competitive place for manufacturers like GKN to succeed.”
This project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the University of West Florida, Bay County Economic Development Alliance, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bay County Board of County Commissioners, CareerSource Florida, CareerSource Gulf Coast and Gulf Coast State College.
“We are ecstatic to welcome GKN Aerospace to Bay County, Florida! The creation of 170 new jobs along with a capital investment of more than $50 million will have a legacy impact in our local economy said Clint Mizell 2016 Chairman of the Bay Economic Development Alliance. “Our community came together as a team to land this “game changing” project. We cannot say enough thanks to the many individuals and organizations that helped and supported our efforts.”
“We congratulate GKN Aerospace Aerostructures on today’s announcement, and would like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the State of Florida,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We applaud Bay Economic Development Alliance’s partnership with GKN Aerospace Aerostructures, as it provides valued expansion of advanced manufacturing for our aerospace industry, high-wage job creation and capital investment to Florida’s Panhandle. Space Florida looks forward to working with the company through its many stages of growth.”
The company will receive a $2 million grant from the Industry Recruitment, Retention & Expansion Fund (IRREF) Grant Program, which is administered by the University of West Florida. The IRREF program was designed to spur research and development, commercialization of research, economic diversification and job creation in Northwest Florida.
“The University is proud to provide key support for GKN Aerospace’s expansion, which will help strengthen, grow and diversify the region’s economy,” said Brice Harris, assistant vice president for research and economic opportunity at UWF. “This project and others supported by the Industry Recruitment, Retention and Expansion Fund demonstrate our commitment to attracting high-paying jobs to Northwest Florida.”
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies– for use in aircraft ranging from helicopters and business jets to the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world. Light weight composites, additive manufacturing, innovative engine systems and smart transparencies help to reduce emissions and weight on the aircraft and enhance passenger comfort. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures, engine systems, transparencies and wiring systems and operates in 15 countries at 60 locations employing approximately 17,000 people.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.
FHCA: Legislators Should Act Carefully on Changes Affecting Care Options for Frail Elders
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today provided legislators with invaluable information and insights to help shape crucial policy discussions affecting the care of Florida’s most frail residents. In presentations to two House panels, the association detailed why nursing centers should be removed from any repeal of the Certificate of Need process and offered recommendations on the state’s proposal for a Prospective Payment System for nursing center reimbursement.
FHCA, Florida’s largest advocacy organization representing 82% of Florida nursing centers and the elderly they serve, told House members that both the quality of care for the state’s seniors and the health of the nursing centers that care for them could be significantly impacted by proposals under consideration. The association is advocating for an exemption from any proposal that eliminates the Certificate of Need (CON) process and supports efforts to move to a Prospective Payment System (PPS) for delivery of nursing center care.
“Repealing nursing home Certificate of Need will most certainly result in unmanaged growth, low occupancy rates, inefficiencies in how buildings operate and a reduction in the value of our state’s nursing centers. All of this will greatly impact how quality care is provided to our state’s seniors,” Emmett Reed, FHCA’s executive director, told members of the House Health Innovations Subcommittee.
CON repeal has affected elder care in other states, Reed noted. For example, Texas operates twice as many nursing centers as Florida but is plagued by facilities that have beds that remain empty and deliver a poor quality of care. Indiana was forced to impose a moratorium on building nursing centers due to unmanaged growth 16 years after it repealed it CON process.
FHCA speakers also noted that by promoting an environment in which new nursing centers must lure elders to fill costly beds, repeal of CON for nursing centers would run contrary to Florida’s long-standing commitment to enabling elders to remain in their homes or in community-based care for as long as possible.
“Florida has attained a system that strikes the right balance. Those who can be cared for in a home and community-based setting are receiving it there – and those who come to my nursing center and others around the state do so because that is the only place they can safely receive the more specialized care they need,” said Ari Hollander, CFO of small nursing center operator Stirling Long Term Care.
The House Heath Care Appropriations Subcommittee received a report on the Navigant model for a Prospective Payment System for nursing center reimbursement, developed for the Agency for Health Care Administration. FHCA representatives supported the concept of a PPS approach to foster higher quality with reasonable Medicaid reimbursement rates, but offered recommended changes to that approach to avoid placing undue financial burdens on nursing centers as they transition to the new system.
“The current cost-based system is antiquated. It involves multiple audits, with some of those audits looking at books dating back several years and resulting in underpayments with no ability to financially recoup those monies paid out to cover resident care costs. We support a prospective payment system, where we will know the amount of our payment to cover the cost of care – and the state will have budget predictability, as well,” said Andy Weisman, president of NuVision Management which operates six nursing centers in Florida.
James Aschenbeck of Signature HealthCARE, who is chair of FHCA’s Reimbursement Committee, warned that any transition to a PPS system should include a three-year transition period and additional funding to pay for the nursing staff who provide hands-on care. “We believe any reimbursement system must take into consideration the current financial landscape of nursing center care in order to achieve its goals and become the payment norm of the future,” he said.
Jamey Richardson, president of Gulf Coast Health Care which operates 33 nursing centers in Florida, shared how their support of the Navigant model will come at a cost of Medicaid rate reductions amounting to $6.7 million once the PPS is fully implemented. “Despite this short-term revenue loss, we support the Navigant model because it recognizes and rewards both efficiency and high-quality outcomes…and we know we will be able to adjust to remain successful in how we deliver quality care to our residents with the recommendations put forth by Florida Health Care Association.”
More information on how the Certificate of Need issue may affect the care of Floridians in skilled nursing centers can be found at http://cqrcengage.com/ahcafl/CONProcess. To learn more about the Prospective Payment System and FHCA’s recommended changes to the Navigant PPS model, visit http://cqrcengage.com/ahcafl/SupportPPS.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation that serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living, and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development, and financial stability of its members. As Florida’s first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit www.fhca.org.
Stetson University Presents Comic Opera Albert Herring
Stetson Opera Theatre and Orchestra perform together
Stetson University Opera Theatre and Orchestra will perform the Benjamin Britten comic opera, Albert Herring, at DeLand High School Theater Center. Two performances are scheduled: Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m.
Albert Herring is set in the imaginary East Suffolk, England, town of Loxford at the turn of the 20th century. The townsfolk, unable to find a suitably chaste May Queen, turn instead to find a May King, and settle on Albert – blameless son of a widowed shopkeeper. Albert tries unsuccessfully to refuse the honor, and a series of humorous events begins at the ceremony after butcher’s assistant Sid laces Albert’s lemonade with rum. Later, armed with his prize money, Albert sets off to find adventure and celebrate his new-found independence.
“Albert Herring is one of the great ensemble operas, requiring strong vocal and musical skills from every member of the cast,” said Craig W. Maddox, Ph.D., associate professor of voice at Stetson University. “From the singers’ point of view, I think this is the most ambitious opera Stetson has presented… I don’t know of another purely undergraduate music program that would even attempt this show,” Maddox said, noting that Stetson will use two completely different casts for each performance because of “the depth of our talent pool” currently at Stetson.
“That is one of the reasons why this show was chosen,” Maddox explained. “It offers wonderful and challenging roles to 20-plus singers. The title character, tenor Albert Herring, is certainly the largest and most challenging role. However, this is an ensemble opera with many scenes involving nearly all of the cast. I’ve jokingly compared this opera’s cast to a football team: Albert is the quarterback, but it takes every player to make this team run effectively.”
This is Britten’s second chamber opera, composed in 1947, and is in keeping with the composer’s favorite subject, the loss of innocence.
“The score contains some of Britten’s wittiest musical invention and his gifts for parody and caricature, already evident in Peter Grimes, are given full reign,” according to the Britten-Pears Library.
Two performances are scheduled: Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m., both at DeLand High School Theater Center, 800 N. Hill Ave., DeLand, FL 32724. Tickets are $10 for Adults; $8, Seniors (62 and older); $5 students; no charge for 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Stetson.edu/music-tickets.
State Senator Daphne Campbell files legislation to ban red-light cameras in the state of Florida
State Senator Daphne Campbell (D-Miami) announced today that she has filed legislation, SB 630, to finally end the installation and use of red light cameras in Florida.
“In too many communities, including my own, local governments have deployed back-door tax policies such as red-light cameras as money-making ventures,” said Sen. Campbell. “This isn’t about safety, this is about improving the bottom line, and I intend to continue the fight to stop the profiteering at the expense of my constituents.”
Implemented in 2010, red-light cameras were intended to bring more safety to the roads of Florida. However, throughout the five years of their operation, the data shows that this is not the case. According to a survey from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, red light cameras have resulted in a 15 percent increase in total crashes, 29 percent increase in incapacitating injuries, 17 percent increase in crashes involving non-motorists and a 10 percent increase in rear-end crashes. Arkansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are thirteen states that have already banned red light cameras.
SB 630 would abolish red light cameras commencing July 1, 2020, as well as the need for specialized traffic enforcement officers. It would also eliminate the hefty fines previously levied on unsuspecting motorists.
“Florida should join the list of states that bans these cameras,” said Senator Campbell. “We should pass good policy in Tallahassee that helps the residents and the tourists who visit us, not policy that does more harm than good.”
Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation Launches Online Employer Coverage Assistance Program
To assist Florida business owners with obtaining workers’ compensation coverage to protect their employees from the detrimental impacts of on-the-job injuries, the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation has launched an online insurance company database called the Coverage Assistance Program (CAP). This new database allows employers to easily search for insurance companies that are actively offering workers’ compensation policies for their industry type.
“Ensuring that Florida businesses have proper workers’ compensation coverage is crucial to the success of the entire workers’ compensation system,” said Tanner Holloman, Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. “Employers can use the information provided in the CAP to inform conversations with their insurance agents and to help facilitate a smoother, faster policy purchasing process.”
The Division of Workers’ Compensation works to ensure that injured workers have adequate access to timely medical care, that claims are adjusted and reimbursed timely, and that health care providers are compensated fairly for electing to participate as a workers’ compensation care provider. The Division also aims to provide the resources necessary to help all participants in the process remain in compliance with Florida workers’ compensation laws.
To access the Coverage Assistance Program, click HERE. To learn more about Florida’s workers’ compensation program, click HERE.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services, serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal, and is a member of the Florida Cabinet. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in spending. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).
Join the photo contest celebrating 75 years of Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas!
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today is launching its 75 Years Wild photo contest encouraging people to explore the natural beauty of Florida’s Wildlife Management Area system.
Across the state, the nearly 6-million acre WMA system is conserving fish and wildlife populations and offering outdoor recreation for the public, including fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. On the WMAs, the public also has access to nationally recognized trails for paddling, hiking and bird watching.
Join the WMAs’ 75th anniversary celebration and discover these areas’ diversity of wildlife and habitats while taking WMA photos for the 75 Years Wild photo contest. Just remember to respect wildlife by not getting too close to or disturbing birds or other animals you encounter.
The photo contest has four themes, based on the seasons. To enter, visit the FWC’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MyFWC, look for a photo contest Facebook post and then post your photo in the Comments section. Photos also can be entered via an Instagram account by tagging #WMAzing. For those who don’t use social media, send an email to [email protected]. The photo contest grand-prize winner will receive a GoPro camera, and other prizes will be awarded to semi-finalists.
For complete WMA photo contest rules, go to MyFWC.com/WMA 75. There you also will find more on the WMA 75th anniversary celebration, including the calendar of upcoming events and “how to find a WMA near you.”
Intensive five-day animal control officer course starts March 6
The School of Emergency Services at Daytona State College announces a 40-hour certification course beginning March 6 for people who love animals and want to become animal control officers.
The course, approved by the Florida Animal Control Association, emphasizes protection, care and humane law enforcement, and promotes the peaceful co-existence between animals and Florida residents.
Classes meet daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, at Daytona State’s Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd. The course fee is $425 and includes all class materials and books, as well as a state licensing examination fee.
To register or for more information, contact Robin Davis, (386) 506-4141 or [email protected].
