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Legislators In The Community 01
Flags in the Classroom
After the Legislature enacted the "Flags in the Classrooms" mandate, many members, frequently in collaboration with community and civic groups, raised money to provide the flags. Rep. Ed Homan, House District 60, is shown making one of his deliveries, this one to Dr. Richard Bartels, principal of Freedom High School. Rep. Homan, the Temple Terrace Kiwanis Club, the Tampa East Sertoma Club, and the New Tampa Rotary Club stepped up to the plate to provide flags to every school in his district (except three who had found other sponsors) and eight additional schools where the majority of children qualify for free lunch.
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Rep. Homan Honored
The Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities hosted a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at County Center in August. Rep. Ed Homan was honored by The FL Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology (FAAST) for his sponsoriship and efforts in passing assistive technology legislation in the 2005 session. Brian Sterner, Director of the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center in Tampa presented the award to Rep. Homan. Also pictured is Sophia Brenner who received the Tom Ulvenes Award from the Alliance for her community advocacy on improved public transportation in eastern Hillsborough County.
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PTC Studied by Legislators
Senator Jim Sebesta chaired an ad hoc committee composed of legislators from surrounding counties to study the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission which was created by special act of the Legislature. Pictured with Sen. Sebesta are Rep. Bob Henriquez and, from Pinellas County, Rep. Leslie Waters. A possible amendment to the PTC legislation is pending.
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PTC Ad Hoc Committee Members
Rep. Rich Glorioso, House District 62, also sat on the PTC Ad Hoc Committee as did Rep. Dennis Ross, House District 63. A "special act" is one which affects a limited geographic area while a "general act' has statewide impact. The PTC regulates various "for hire" vehicles in Hillsborough County, and its governing body is composed of seven elected officials from the four local governments.
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Sen. Sebesta's Staff
Sen. Sebesta's staff takes a moment from their duties at the PTC ad hoc committee meeting which was held in the Tampa Port Authority's board room. Pictured are Cheri Engala, David Winialski, and Sue Berfield; they have worked with Sen. Sebesta since he was elected to the Senate in 1998. The Tampa Port Authority was also created by special act of the Legislature six decades ago (1945).
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Site Visit to HCC Brandon Campus
Candace Hundley, director of the Office of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, always tries to make a site visit before scheduling a Delegation meeting. Here she is meeting with Dr. Carlos Soto, HCC Brandon Campus President, and looking at what will be the Administrative Conference Center. The Delegation's January 7 meeting will be at the Center which is slated for completion by November 1.
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HCC Brandon Conference Center
Denise Muth, Senior Project Manager for SkanskaUSA Building Inc. talks with Dr. Soto and Pat Dix about the completion of the conference center. Ms. Dix, an attorney, is assistant to HCC President Gwen Stephenson, and wears two hats - she is legislative advocate and EEO officer for HCC. The conference center will also be available on a rental basis when completed.
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Rep. Henriquez Moderates Panel
Rep. Bob Henriquez, House District 58, was asked to moderate the Hillsborough School District Health Care Advisory Committee meeting which met recently in the West Shore area to discuss 2005 legislative achievements and to talk about issues upcoming in 2006.
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School District Health Care Advisory Panelists
Sen. Les Miller, Rep. Rich Glorioso, Rep. Faye Culp and Rep. Ed Homan met with the School District Health Care Advisory Committee to discuss achievements of the 2005 legislative session and to talk about pending issues for the upcoming session which begins in March. In the center of the photo is Rep. Kim Berfield who represents Pinellas County but has been at various functions in Hillsborough County learning more about our community.
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MPO Advisory Council
Rep. Rich Glorioso attended the MPO Advisory Council's meeting in Tampa as the group worked on next year's legislative initiative affecing the MPO's responsibility for federal transportation spending in urban areas. Also attending the meeting were MPO Executive Director Lucie Ayer and John McAuliffe, a House Transportation Economic Development Appropritions Analyst in the FL House.
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Tampa Hosts Reception Honoring Area Legislators
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio warmly greeted Rep. Ed Homan, chair of the Hillsborough Delegation, as the City of Tampa honored Hillsborough legislators for successes and sometimes thwarted efforts during the 2005 legislative session.
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Tampa Reception, II
Rep. Frank Peterman, House District 55, is greeted by Rep.Ed Homan, House District 60, and Rep. Kevin Ambler, House District 47, at the Tampa Reception. The Hillsborough Delegation works as a team in striving to meet local needs and goals in the Legislature.
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A Subtle Reminder of "Flavors"?
Tampa City Councilwoman Mary Alvarez and Rep. Faye Culp, District 57, surely had "Flavors of Hillsborough" in mind as they selected Flavors trademark raspberry for their attire at the Tampa Reception. In the background is Tampa City Attorney David Smith--he must not have gotten the memo!
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Flavors of Hillsborough
Did anyone really think there would be an online photo album of Hillsborough Legislators without a mention of "Flavors of Hillsborough"? The event has rapidly become the place to be--and next year this third-time event will again be on the Senate Portico beginning at 11:30 on April 20. It is a celebration of All Things Hillsborough. Folks interested in having a table or tables at the event should contact Candace Hundley at hundleyc@hillsboroughcounty.org.
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Strategic Planning for Delegation Meetings
Rep. Ed Homan, chair of the Delegation, meets with Delegation Director Candace Hundley to plan local meetings of the Delegation. Rep. Homan bifurcated the agenda this year and has slated two meetings: Dec. 16 will include roundtable discussions with specifically invited individuals and Jan. 7 is reserved for the election of Delegation officers, the public hearing and workshop on any local bills that are filed for consideration, and the public hearing on appropriations and other issues. More information is available at the Delegation's Website, www.hillsboroughcounty.org/legislativedelegation and then go to "Current Events."
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Rep. Homan, TPD Officer King Honored
Tampa Police Dept. Office Gene King brought an idea for legislation to Rep. Ed Homan during the 2005 legislative session which evolved into the "Tourist Safety Act of 2005" (chapter 2005-183, Laws of Florida). Tampa City Council commended them for their work at its August 23 meeting. Pictured with Office King and Rep. Homan are Tampa City Councilwoman Rose Ferlita and City of Tampa, Intergovernmental Relations director, Jeanette Fenton. The Mayor recently announced that Ms. Fenton has been selected to lead the redevelopment and economic development efforts in West Tampa and Drew Park, leaving behind her post in Intergovernmental Relations.
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Rep. Joyner Appointed to BOA Selection Committee
Rep. Arthenia Joyner, House District 59, was asked to serve on the Bank of America Neighborhodd Excellence Selection Committee which awarded grants totaling $500,000 in a competitive selection process. Also involved in the decision making process were Mark Huey, Economic Development Administrator, City of Tampa, Don Wallace, well-known activitist in Tampa's civic, cultural, and charitable communities, and Erica Wallace, also well-known for her contributions in the same areas.
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BOA Neighborhood Excellence II
Also sitting with Rep. Joyner on the Bank of America panel were Erica Wallace, Bob Martinez, and Patrick Sobers. In the backtround is Christine Ruiz, a Vice President of the Bank of America with responsibility for managing the program.
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Rep. Glorioso Greets Edith Stewart
Rep. Rich Glorioso, House District 62, was recently in County Center as a member of the House Future of Florida Families Committee and was greeted by Edith Stewart, Public Affairs Officer for Hillsborough County. The Committe is holding hearings statewide to learn more about child abuse and how to better prevent same.
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District Staff Are Team Players
The House Future of Florida Families Committee needed local staff to help register folks attending its hearing and to operate the timer during the public testimony portion of the hearing. Volunteering were John McCaughey, district assistant to Rep. Glorioso, and Bethany Friedman, district assistant to Rep. Kevin Ambler.
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Legislators Listening to Testimony
Also traveling to Hillsborough for the FL Families committee meeting were Rep. Mike Davis (Pembroke Pines), Hilsborough's Rep. Rich Glorioso, Rep. Aaron Bean (Fernandina Beach), Lucretia Shaw-Collins, staff diector of the Committee, and Rep. Bill Galvano, chair of the committee who also represents a portion of Hillsborough County from his House District 68.
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Discussion of Testimony Heard
Rep. Bean, Rep. Galvano, and Rep. Glorioso talk after the Future of FL Families hearing which produced graphic testimony about the condition of many children who are rescued, the effects over time of child abuse, and solutions to preventing same as well as to enabling those who have been abused to lead full lives and free themselves of the frequently domino effect of child abuse.
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Judge Cook Continues to Make Her Point
Following the meeting, Judge Martha Cook of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, continued to speak of her concerns with committee chair, Rep. Bill Galvano. Also seen are Rep. Susan Bucher (Palm Beach) and Rep. Will Kendrick (Carrabelle) who is also a seventh generation Floridian.
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The End of an Era
Marie Martinez, senior administrative assistant in the Office of the Hillsborough Delegation, has announced she will retire on December 9. She has been with the Delegation office for 13 years and worked as a district assistant to a former state representative for 7 years prior to that. She is the "first responder" in the Delegation office and is well-known for her courtesy to callers and the services available to them. She plans to enjoy time with her family and to do some traveling. She will be missed by all who know her through her work with the Delegation.
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