Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club

From the President’s Desk - November 2010

Rich Piper

To say that I am disappointed by the results of the November 2 elections is an understatement.  Both here in Pinellas County and at the state and national levels, I am saddened to see many outstanding candidates go down to defeat at the hands of Repuglicans who lack the qualifications, temperament and policy commitments to serve effectively in public office. 

Of course, we should note that there are some bright spots in a rather bleak landscape, even here in Florida.  In our own neighborhoods where we worked hardest, Democratic turnout was up significantly over the levels in the last mid-term elections in 2006.  In precinct 345 (Ridgecrest), where we made the biggest effort of all, turnout rose from 28% in 2006 to 39% this year.  In the three Greenwood precincts (500, 501, 526) where we made our next greatest efforts, turnout rose between 3% and 7% over 2006.  All four of these precincts voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic candidates.  Alex Sink carried Pinellas County by 17,000 votes, and Rick Kriseman won a triumphant re-election to the Florida House.  In New York and California, Democrats won particularly impressive victories in both gubernatorial and senatorial elections; and Democrats retained a majority in the U.S. Senate. 

Nevertheless, we and Democrats at all levels right up to the White House need to assess carefully what needs to be done to achieve positive results in future elections.  We’ll begin this process with our discussion of 2010 and future elections at our November 15 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Thirsty Marlin, 351 West Bay Drive, Largo.  Please bring your ideas and the spirit that proclaims again:  “Yes, we can!” 

 

 

Times recommends Bob Hackworth

Quotes from an email from Bob Hackworth!

Greetings!,


When I said I was going to be "the best county commissioner money can't buy" every political pundit and advisor said it couldn't be done.  Many have doubted my fundraising pledge and said there was no way I could beat the ten-year incumbent without the help of special interest funding.  Susan Latvala has raised more than $120.000, mostly from special interests.

But with your help I've stuck to my principled self-imposed campaign-finance reform stand of limiting my campaign contributions to $100 or less and I have not accepted a single dime from lobbyists, developers, or special interests with business before the County Commission.

And guess what, with just over three weeks to go my campaign is poised to do something that hasn't happened in more than 18 years in Pinellas County - defeat an incumbent County Commissioner running for re-election.

Yesterday, the St. Petersburg Times made its recommendation in my race saying:

"One of the most-watched local races is former Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth's challenge of longtime County Commissioner Susan Latvala... Latvala is probably the most powerful member of the County Commission, backed by some of the county's most prominent individuals and well-known corporations."

"Hackworth possesses an appealing combination of government experience and fresh perspective on county issues.  For District 4, the Times recommends Bob Hackworth."

Make no mistake about it, this election is winnable.  With your support, I can continue my aggressive voter contact program that will result in an historic victory on November 2nd!

 

So I am asking for your help one last time.  Please contribute $25, $50, or $100.  (If you contributed in the primary election cycle you may make a general election contribution now of $100 or less.)

My victory will be your victory and a victory for good government in Pinellas County. 

Bob

Congratulations, Bob!  Let's help him win this one! We need him on the PC Commission!

Setting Out to Canvas for Charlie Justice

The candidate and club volunteers pose in front of our fabulous new banner at the home of secretary Lois Fries.  Then they were off to lit drop for our congressional candidate Charlie Justice.  If you have any time to help,  there will be phone banking, lit dropping or door knocking most days until Nov. 2.  Contact President Rich Piper at 727-588-0891 for details.
 Photo by Heidi Sanchez
Here's what Charlie had to say about his campaign and what he wants to accomplish for Pinellas County and Florida:  
 

 "I want to bring real solutions to the problems facing our community and country. Creating jobs, improving education, securing access to health care, and solidifying our economy are all goals that I have.

"I want to ensure that our local economy and natural resources are not destroyed by short sighted politicians. I want to bring a positive focus to America that will help lead us into the next era of greatness.

"I have shown time and time again that I am willing to stand up for what I believe is right, despite tremendous political and professional pressure. I have taken the tough votes and sponsored strong legislation. I am proud of my terms in the State Legislature. I think voters are ready to make a change from the way of thinking that we have had for the last 40 years. Inside deals and questionable earmarks should not be the priority of our representative.

"In my first race for the State House, the St. Petersburg Times called me 'thoughtful and progressive.' It is still very true today. With your support, we can work to bring our community together and lead us to future successes.

LARGO DEMS HOST OLD-FASHIONED CAMPAIGN PICNIC

Area Democrats will have an opportunity to meet many candidates and office-holders at the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club’s “Old-Fashioned Campaign Picnic” on Oct. 2 at Sand Key Park.

The classic political event will feature meeting and greeting, some rousing stump speeches (promised to be just 3-5 minutes each), live music and good eats, including hot dogs, chili dogs, covered dishes and cold drinks.

Invited candidates include ticket headers Alex Sink, Kendrick Meek, Dan Gelber, Loranne Ausley and Charlie Justice. Pinellas hopefuls include incumbents Bill Heller, Darryl Rouson and Calvin Harris; Nina Hayden, Bob Hackworth, Tom McKone, Shelley Leonard and Mary Russell.

The red, white and blue festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gulf Boulevard beach park’s picnic pavilion. Tickets are just $5 and are on sale now from club members or by contacting President Rich Piper at 727-588-0891. Visit the club’s website at www.largodemcrats.com for more information.
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Rep. Janet Long and OFA Coordinator Connor Davis to Speak at Aug 16 meeting

Representative Janet Long of House District 51 and Connor Davis, regional coordinator of Organizing for America (OFA), are scheduled to speak to the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club at 7 p.m., Monday, August 16, at 301 Crestwood Lane, Largo.

Long will discuss the record of the Florida legislature this year and her own campaign for re-election to the House.

Davis will focus on the continuing activities of OFA for the 2010 elections, particularly here in Pinellas County. Both will also answer questions from the audience.

 

From the President’s Desk - August 2010

Since the mail voting for the Florida primary has already begun, with early voting set for August 9-22 and the actual Election Day on August 24, I’m going to devote most of this column to the primary. Our club is barred from endorsing candidates in competitive Democratic primaries and would not endorse without a vote of the membership in any event. Therefore, all of the comments below are purely my own assessments and not those of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club.

The Democratic primary contest for Governor pits Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink against perennial candidate Brian Moore, both of them from the Tampa Bay region (Sink, from Thonotosassa; Moore, from Spring Hill). Sink, who is stressing her plans to renew Florida’s economy, enhance governmental accountability, make BP pay for the damage that it has caused and prevent oil drilling off our shores, is a moderate Democrat who appears to me to be the only viable choice here and stands a good chance of winning the general election against either of the two truly terrible Republican gubernatorial candidates. Moore has run for many offices, as a Socialist, as a Non-Party candidate and as a Democrat, but has never made a significant impact and is unlikely to do so this year.

Pinellas County Judicial Candidates - a helpful site with links and info

My absentee ballot arrived this past week and included several Judicial primaries.  I don't really know that much about the judges running, although I do recognize several names from previous years.

In previous years Ed and Adrienne Helm have prepared an analysis and recommendations of judicial candidates.  If they do so this year, and we see a copy we will definitely share. 

In the meantime, Beth Fountain posted a link to Pinskipolitics.com with the party affilications of all the Judicial Candidates and links to their websites (see snip above).   The blog is open for comments, so please, if you have any knowledge of any of the judges, please post comments.  Please visit Pinskipolitics.com for more info and to access the links.

Posted by - Wanda Schwerer Club Member

Save the Date - Oct 2!

cll Rich for tickets or email info@largodemocrats.com....
 

From the President’s Desk - July 2010

By Rich Piper

As we look toward the mid-term elections of 2010, the air waves and print media are littered with predictions of major Republican gains, perhaps even Republican control of both houses of Congress in 2011-12. However, I can think of few, if any, times in history when a political party has been so deserving of defeat as the Republican Party of 2010. It is not too late to reverse current trends and give the Republicans the thrashing that they deserve, both nationally and here in Florida.

In Washington, the Republicans who voted like automatons to support the Bush Administration’s tax giveaways to the rich, its kowtowing to Wall Street and insurance companies and oil behemoths, and its reckless plunge into the Iraq War, now tell us about how concerned they are to reduce the deficits which they did so much to create. The Senate Republicans have just once again employed the filibuster (already used by them more often than EVER in history) to block extension of unemployment insurance to those whom they drove into unemployment with their unfair, unjust, unwise economic policies. The Republicans claim to favor balancing the budget, and use that as the excuse for their latest filibuster. However, their record shows that their budget-balancing pose is phony; and almost all economists agree that attempting to balance the budget now, just when recovery is getting under way, would be disastrous for the economy. In the wake of the catastrophic Gulf oil spill, let’s also remember that the Republicans in Washington turned the Minerals Management Service into a tool of BP and the other big oil companies and cried “drill, baby, drill” in the run-up to the current disaster. Illustrative of the Republicans’ misplaced priorities and distorted values, Joe Barton, the ranking Republican on the House Energy Committee, actually apologized to BP for President Obama’s alleged “shakedown” of their company to pay for the damage that they have done. This man will become chair of the Energy Committee if the Republicans win in November!

June 21 meeting adds speaker on Fair Districts amendments

In addition to the conference call with Rep. Kendrick Meek and Bob Hackworth, Marti Folwell, President of the North Pinellas League of Women Voters will discuss Amendments 5 and 6 at the June 21 club meeting.

The amendments, which got onto the ballot via a petition drive conducted by the bipartisan group Fair Districts Florida, would force lawmakers to follow strict redistricting standards instead of the current practice of redrawing districts to favor either incumbents or the party in power. If they pass – which requires 60 percent of the vote - district boundaries would follow existing geographic and political boundaries wherever possible.

GOP lawmakers, scrambling to hold onto their current absolute control of the redistricting process, put Amendment 7 onto the ballot in an attempt to confuse voters and defeat Amendments 5 and 6. The Republicans claim their "poison pill" is actually to protect minority districts and merely "clarifies" the other two amendments.

However, the language of Amendment 7 clearly abolishes the competing proposals by stating that its passage would place it "without subordination to any other provision." Folks, that means that if all three pass, only Amendment 7 will count.

Last month, the Florida League of Women Voters, the Florida NAACP and Democracia Ahora filed suit to have Amendment 7 removed because of its misleading language. They called it "a brazen attempt by those in power to continue their absolute control of the redistricting process."

Should be an interesting discussion. 

Bob Hackworth to Speak at June 21st Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club Meeting

Bob Hackworth will be speaking to us at our June 21^st meeting. Many of you remember Bob from his distinguished service as Mayor of Dunedin and from his campaign for Congress against Bill Young in 2008. A registered Republican for years because of his family heritage, but long oriented in a progressive direction, Bob served very capably as a nonpartisan official in local government. His record on such issues as equal rights has been impeccable. He switched his registration to the Democratic Party and actively supported the Obama campaign for President . 

Bob is now running for the Pinellas County Commission in District 4 (northern Pinellas County). He has limited his campaign contributions to only $100 each and is campaigning on the theme that he is the “best candidate money can’t buy.” Bob’s Republican opponent will likely be the incumbent Susan Latvala, a darling of the big developers, though Latvala faces several opponents in the Republican primary.  Please come out to hear Bob Hackworth’s message, ask questions, and support his campaign.  

The meeting will start with a conference call with Congressman Kendrick Meek, candidate for US Senate, so don't be late!  Marti Folwell of the North Pinellas League of Women Voters will be speaking on the Fair Districts Florida amendmentsthat will be on November ballot.   The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m., at 301 Crestwood Lane, Largo.

Kendrick Meek Reception Photos

The crowd that turned out for Saturday's reception of U. S. Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek was enthusiactic and ready to work.  Congressman Meek spoke for 20 minutes or so, then talked with attendees and posed for photos.    St. Petersburg City Councilman Wengay "Newt" Newton was the Master of Ceremonies.  Many of our Pinellas County elected officals and candidates for office were in attendance.  The Pinellas County Democratic Clubs had tables to promote their clubs and activities.

Click here to visit the photo gallery and download your favorite photos. 

Shown here:  Congressman Meek with Rich Piper and Heidi Sanchez.

Don't Miss the April 19th Meeting!

Belleair City Commissioner Stephanie Oddo will speak against Amendment 4 - the Hometown Democracy initiative - at the April 19th meeting of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm at the home of Rich Piper, 301 Crestwood Lane, Largo. 

Ms. Oddo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University.  She was a public relations and web services consultant for government, nonprofits and business in the metro Washington, DC area before moving to Belleair in 2005.  Elected to the Belleair City Commission in 2007, and re-elected in 2009, Ms. Oddo's other community service includes board membership on the Pinellas Planning Council, Belleair Civic Association Board, Belleair Historic Preservation Board, Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board, Florida League of Cities Finance and Tax Policy Council and Home Rule Policy Council. She is also a member of Clearwater Rotary, Leadership Pinellas and Suncoast Tiger Bay Club.

Last month George Niermann spoke in favor of Amendment 4.  These two meetings will provide a comprehensive overview of the pros and cons, setting the stage for some lively debates between now and November.  The goal is to make us more informed voters.

Please remember to bring donations of non-perishable items for the local food pantries.

Come meet Kendrick Meek - April 17th at Tucson's

(Download invitation)

  

St. Pete Times: 5 questions: Rich Piper, former professor and political activist

5 questions: Rich Piper, former professor and political activist   By Piper Castillo, Times Staff Writer

The March 24th Largo Times section of the St. Petersburg Times ran this 5 Questions interview with Rich.   

In the interview, Castillo asks Rich about the photo with then-Candidate Barack Obama (included here courtesy of Rich Piper); how he got interested in politics; what would make a good Republican; his belief in the 2-party system; and the political awareness of the citizens of Largo.

In 2008, after a 32-year career as a professor of government and world affairs at the University of Tampa, with 12 years spent as director of the honors program, Piper took early retirement to work full time as a volunteer in the Obama campaign. He has no regrets. "I loved teaching, but the Obama campaign was the experience of a lifetime. It gave me the chance to promote the kinds of change that I believe America needs,'' he said. Because of his efforts, which also include helping to start the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club in February 2009, Piper received the Chiles-Graham Award for Grassroots Leadership at the Pinellas County Democrats' annual Kennedy-King Dinner on Feb. 27.

From the President's Desk - April

In this month's column, Rich talks about the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Kendrick Meek's support of this historic reform as well as his overall support of President Obama's agenda, and the work the Club has been doing on behalf of the Meek campaign.

Speaking of which, Kendrick Meek will be here for a special rally/fundraiser on Saturday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., at Tucson’s, 13563 Icot Blvd. just off Ulmerton Rd. East of U.S. 19, Clearwater.  The admission is $20.10 to meet the candidate.  Please make your reservations now at http://www.kendrickmeek.com/PinellasDems. Read more about it!

Congratulations to Joe Barkley!

Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club club member Joe Barkley came in first in the three-way race for the Belleair Bluffs Commission in Tuesday's election.  Thanks to all club members for your superb efforts to assist Joe's campaign, whether making phone calls or addressing, stuffing and stamping envelopes!  Congratulations to Joe on a victory well-deserved! 

A word from Joe:

Dear Friends:
 
I want to sincerely thank all of you for your kind assistance in helping me win reelection to a new two year term as Commissioner in Belleair Bluffs. Your hard work, dedication, and encouragement helped me to achieve my goal of continuing to serve my fellow citizens and to keep our city moving forward even in these tough economic times.
 
The citizens of Belleair Bluffs may not know the significance of the assistance I received from the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club, but I do, and I greatly appreciate your help.
 
Please accept my thanks for a job well done!
 
Best wishes.
 
Joe Barkley
Belleair Bluffs Commissioner At Large
joebarkley.bbcommissioner@yahoo.com

PC DEC Kennedy-King Dinner - Feb 27, 2010

Two Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club Members Win Leadership Awards .  At the Pinellas County Democrats' Kennedy-King Dinner Saturday, February 27, two of our club members were among the three individuals who won leadership awards. 

Jack Killingsworth received the John F. Kennedy/Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award for a lifetime of commitment to the Democratic Party that has included running for Supervisor of Elections and School Board, heading the St. Petersburg Democratic Club, raising funds and giving advice to an array of Democratic candidates and causes and helping this club and many others to get started. 

Our club President, Rich Piper, received the Lawton Chiles-Bob Graham Award for Grassroots Leadership, in recognition of his efforts on behalf of Democratic candidates and causes since moving to Pinellas County a few years ago. 

Betty Morgenstein of St. Pete Beach was the other recipient of an honor, winning the Fannie Lou Hamer/Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award.  She and her husband Harvey have been the leaders and major moving forces of the Greater Pinellas Democratic Club for several decades. 

Rich is shown here with Florida CFO and Gubernatorial candidate, Alex Sink, who was the keynote speaker at the dinner.   For more photos of the evening, click here. 

From the President's Desk - February 2010

Rich offers some serious thoughts on the effects of the Supreme Court ruling in the Citizens United v FEC and a call to action!  (This is, after all, what the Democratic Clubs are all about!)   Click here to read his full column.  

As Rich notes, January was an eventful month for Democratic politics, from the special election in Massachusetts, to the President's State of the Union, Town Hall in Tampa and Q&A at the GOP Retreat in Baltimore.  Locally, our club had a record turnout to hear Sen. Charlie Justice and other great candidates explain their positions, respond to questions, and tell us how we can help. In our districts and around Pinellas County, we have some excellent candidates who need your help.  At the PC DEC meeting we heard from still more impressive candidates.  Please make some time to get involved and help elect Democrats.  The November election will give us an unprecedented oppotunity to elect Democrats to the top State Executive offices including Governor and Attorney General; we have great candidates for the US Senate and US House of Representatives; and we have many qualited and dynamic candidates running in municipal and county-wide races.  To get more involved with the Democratic Party and our candidates, email chair08@pinellasdemocrats.com  or President@largodemocrats.com.   

February is Black History Month and our February 15th meeting will include a history of Largo's Ridgecrest neighborhood, and other special speakers to be announced.  Watch your email and this site for further details.

 

Rep. Alan Grayson - "Save our Democracy" petition

from an email from Rep. Alan Grayson:

This morning, I watched five Supreme Court Justices stab at the heart of democracy, our electoral system.

They overturned over 100 years of statute and precedent, and declared that corporations can spend all the money that they want to buy elections. In fact, these five men in robes declared that they have a constitutional right to do so.

I was there. I saw it. And one seat away was Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who could barely contain his glee.

If you signed our petition, you were there, too. Right in the courtroom. Because your petitions were with me, and I delivered them to the Supreme Court. If you signed our petition, you were one of almost 15,000 people who told these judges that "we cannot have a government that is bought and paid for by huge multinational corporations."

And now, we have to fight. We have introduced six bills to prevent the sale of our government to the highest bidder. The "Save Our Democracy" package must pass. As Lincoln said in his first inaugural address, the war is forced upon us. And if we fail, then as I said yesterday, "you can kiss your country goodbye."

Forward this message to your friends now. Tell them to sign the petition at SaveDemocracy.net to support the "Save Our Democracy" package now.

Regards,

Alan Grayson
Member of Congress

Charlie Justice Addresses Largo Democrats, Pledges to Represent the People of Pinellas County, not the Special Interests

Portraying himself as a candidate with strong local roots, and a consistent commitment to representing the average citizens of Pinellas County, Senator Charlie Justice addressed an enthusiastic overflow crowd of more than fifty cheering participants Monday, January 18 at the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club.

Senator Justice urged the audience to support his candidacy for the U. S. Congress in the 2010 elections. He began by describing his lifetime of local experience in the Pinellas County public schools, St. Petersburg College, USF (where he earned his college degree, long served as an academic adviser and currently serves as Assistant Director of Leadership Programs for USF St. Petersburg), and a wide array of local community service projects, beginning with his youthful efforts in the Sertoma Club. Sen. Justice also discussed his public service as a state senator (2007-present) and state representative (2001-07) and emphasized his record of representing children on family services and toy safety concerns, students and their parents on education issues, the public at large on consumer protection matters, and the general public good on campaign finance and ethics showed the kind of commitment to the public interest that he now hoped to take to Washington.

Looking to the future, Justice pledged to work always to serve the people of Pinellas County, not the special interests that so often try to dominate policy-making in Washington. He specifically pledged to work to promote more and better jobs, a clean environment, effective protection of consumers and improved public safety. In answer to a question, he stressed his strong and consistent opposition to oil-drilling off the shores of Florida and explained how he had fought effectively against such drilling during his years in the Florida legislature. After his address, audience members crowded around Senator Justice with further questions, eagerly made donations to his campaign and signed up to gather petitions to help him get on the ballot.

Wanda Schwerer of Belleair Beach echoed the sentiments of most attendees when she emphasized: “Charlie Justice is really the candidate whom we need to represent us in Washington. I’m tired of having a Congress member who gives lip service to the public interest while doing the bidding of special interest groups on the issues that most concern me.” “What especially impresses me about Charlie Justice is his authenticity,” remarked Carlos Leyva, a visitor to the meeting. He and his wife, Debbie, were so enthusiastic that they volunteered to help the campaign free of charge with their Internet expertise.

From the President's Desk - New Article

Happy Holidays, Democrats!   What a year it has been.  The Christmas-Eve Senate vote to pass the Senate Health Care Reform bill was a nice finish to a difficult legislative year. 

Please take a few minutes to read this month's column from our President, in which he introduces candidates for upcoming Municipal elections.  Some are Club members or good Democrats who deserve our support.  

Don't forget our January 18th meeting at Rich's house.  Charlie Justice, our Democratic candidate for US House District 10, will speak.  Please bring a friend and your checkbook.  This seat has belonged to Rep. Bill Young for close to 40 years, and Charlie will need all the help we can give to win this seat for the Democrats.

Please remember that the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club donates to our local Food Pantries, so bring non-perishable items to each meeting.  We also collect cash donations at each meeting, some of which goes to one of the Food Pantries, some to local candidates.   Pictured is Club President, Rich Piper, delivering some of the December donations of food and gifts to Liz Green at the Greene Chapel Food Pantry in Largo.

 

From the President's Desk - new article

We have a new article from our club President, Rich Piper.  Each month he writes a feature article for the newsletter and we post it on the "From the President's Desk" page (see the link at the top of this page).  This month he addresses the movement on Health Care Reform (the Senate voted on November 21 to begin debate on their version of the bill), the financial crisis on Wall Street and some of the bills before the House and Senate to address the issue, and the 2010 race to replace our 10th District Congressman C. W. (Bill) Young - the longest serving Republican member of congress.  Charlie Justice, currently the FL State Senator for District 16, is challenging Young and will speak at our January meeting.  Please come out to hear Charlie tell us how we can help him turn both Pinellas County and the US House of Representatives a little bit BLUER. 

Rep. Janet Long addresses October meeting

On Oct 19, Rep. Janet Long (FL HD-51) spoke to the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Democratic Club.  In her second term, Rep. Long is the ranking member on the House Military & Local Affairs Policy Committee and  serves on the Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council,  General Government Policy Council,   Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee and the Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee .

Rep. Long spoke of lessons learned during her campaigns for office, how she has worked with the Pinellas County delegation on legislation and her accomplishments.   She spoke of upcoming legislative battles, including how the initiatives to get off-shore drilling through the legislature are being positioned, efforts to increase use of renewable energy (solar and wind), and the upcoming 2010 elections, where for the first time in decades all of the top elected positions in Florida will have no incumbents running.

She responded to many questions ranging from redistricting efforts,  how we can recruit and elect more Democrats, and her position and votes on school vouchers.   It was quite a lively discussion and we look forward to hearing from Rep. Long again in the coming months.