Tavares, FL Nov. 27, 2014
Lake County, FL has five FL legislators who are on the Lake County Legislators Delegation, and they are having their annual open public hearing in Leesburg, FL on Dec. 2 at Lake Sumter State College in the Fine Arts Auditorium at 1-5pm (NOT the Magnolia room).
If you can, I encourage you to attend the meeting to see your local FL legislators and how they react to the issues proposed by public input speakers. Except for campaign forums, this may be the only time you see some of them. They are"
Rep. Larry Metz, Chair and organizer of this delegation meeting
Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (just elected)
Rep. Marlene O'Toole (Villages area)
Sen. Alan Hays
Sen. Dorothy Hukill
Historically, these annual meetings were normally held during the day to hear a parade of local government agencies plea for funds or legislation. In recent years, other citizens have shown up to get 3 minutes of public input time before the delegation to make a pitch about an issue, or support another speaker.
Here is an earlier Delegation forum on Jan 4, 2013 chaired by Alan Hays.
I will video the meeting and upload the video to the same "FiscalRangersFlorida" channel on YouTube within 3-5 days after the meeting.
I am on the Dec. 2 agenda with probably 25 or more groups or people who will get 3-minutes to speak to Lake County Florida state legislators. The deadline has expired to get on the agenda, and speakers had to provide any supporting documents or transcripts to the Delegation Chair, FL Rep. Larry Metz, over a week ago.
I will be posting a detailed article about my public input, Florida transparency and oversight, on this coming Sunday.
If time exists at the end of the Dec. 2, meeting, more public input may be allowed, but don't count on it.
Reasons to go:
- See all the issues that local agencies discuss with the delegation. (I will video it for my YouTube Channel "FiscalRangersFlorida")
- Support a group or person talking. I expect a number there to provide public input AGAINST Common Core because FL Rep. Marlene O'Tools is head of the House Education Committe.
Attached is the press release from Rep. Larry Metz's office for the event.
Download Save the Date - Legislative Delegation
I encourage you to be there to see what is NOT reported by the press - they will be there but rarely describe alternative actions proposed by public speakers. That is why I have made video tapes for the last five years.
Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers.com
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Here is a statement from Lory Hilbish Baxley on the Facebook page "lake county against Common Core" - they have been encouraging Common Core opponents to attend the Legislative Delegation on Dec 2nd.
"I am praying that these words will reach everyone tonight (Nov. 27).
This meeting next Tuesday is a unique situation-Five of our legislative representatives all in the same room. This is an enormous opportunity for our cause.
The only way to make an impact is through numbers. They must see how important this issue is to us. I know it is being held at an inconvenient time, there is a reason behind this. If a large number of people are willing to go the extra mile to show up, it reflects the true passion of the cause. If only 10 of us show, it will not make a dent.
You see, Marlene O'Toole is the head of the House Education committee. This committee blocked the Common Core "pause" bill last year. If we don't show Ms. O'Toole that we are serious, there is no hope of getting a bill out of Committee to even be voted on.
I am not asking for you to speak, I'm asking you to show up, wear red, and show support. Education issues are second to be addressed on the agenda. This should be around 1:30. If there is any way, please try to attend. Take a late lunch, ask your boss, check your kids out early and bring them, make childcare arrangements.
I promise everyone in this group that I will continue this fight this school year, but I need you! Our kids need you!
We have a REAL chance to get these standards and ridiculous testing out of Florida, but it won't happen if people don't show up.
It's at Lake Sumter State College, Tuesday, December 2nd. It starts at 1:00, but we won't be on until at least 1:30. Thank you all and Happy Thanksgiving"
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