Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: Jan 24-30, 2022

Democrats and Visitors Take Part in MLK Jr Day Parade

On Sunday, January 16, Polk DEC Membership and Precinct Organization Committee Becky Wynkoop and State Committeewoman Karen Welzel participated in Dundee's 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day Parade. "We had a Polk DEC banner on the front of the car, and we attached red, white, and blue ribbons all over ... it really looked nice," Karen said.

Becky brought three international teachers, who work at McLaughlin Middle School and live in Lake Wales. They had never seen an MLK parade before and they were excited to take part.

"When we arrived, Polk County School Board member Sarah Fortney was there, planning to walk the parade route with a teacher from Dundee Elementary. Sarah knew the other teachers and invited them to walk with her. We were able to get a photo of them as they were preparing to follow the parade," Karen added. "It was a nice day, although it was cold. We met some friendly people and we really enjoyed participating in the town of Dundee parade. We hope to be invited again next year."

Two New Volunteer Positions Filled

At its meeting this month, the Polk County DEC announced that John Hill has volunteered to become our Virtual Phone Banking Coordinator and Darren Oh our Robodial Coordinator. They are welcomed assets to the Data and Information Technology Committee, chaired by Veysel Dokur. The committee still needs a Mailchimp Expert, or someone willing to learn and manage this important tool we use to communicate with members. Anyone interested can contact Veysel at vcpolkdec@gmail.com

Action Alert: The Democratic Women's Club of Florida is calling on supporters of 'Miya’s Law' to contact Senators in the Community Affairs Committee before Tuesday and ask them to VOTE YES on this good bill. SB 898 (Stewart) Tenant Safety would make apartment dwellers safer from predatory or violent apartment building employees with master keys by requiring:

Extensive criminal background checks on such employees using a consumer reporting agency accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association that screens criminal history records and sexual predator and sexual offender registries of all 50 states and the District of Columbia;
That tenants are given at least 24-hour notice of entry to their apartments for purpose of repairs between the hours of 7:30 am to 8 pm;
That landlords maintain a log of all keys for each apartment unit and establish a policy and procedure for issuance, storage, and access to the keys.

Attention Mulberry Democrats: Candidates Needed

A general election for Mulberry City Council seats will be held April 5, 2022. The Polk County DEC encourages Mulberry residents eligible to run for Seats #2 and #4, or Mayor-at-Large, to seriously consider becoming a candidate to help turn Polk Blue in '22, at all levels of government.

The qualifying period runs from February 7-22. For further details and materials needed to file for candidacy, visit the City of Mulberry website.

Residents eligible to vote for the Mulberry election, and not yet registered, can do so by March 7, on line via the Florida Online Voter Registration System. Voters can also request to vote by mail via the Polk County Supervisor of Elections website, where you can also make any changes to your name or address.

Related news: Red-county blues: Democratic candidates are scarce in Polk heading into election year with comments from Polk County DEC Chair Catherine Price.

Call to Action: Voter Registration

Weekly Lakeland Curb Market
Can you spare 1-2 hours or more between the hours of 9 am - 2 pm on a Saturday, each week or once a month? If so, please sign up! We are not allowed to set up a table, so you will be standing on a corner with your clipboard.
Please note that bilingual (especially Spanish/English) volunteers are needed for all voter registration events!

Become a Volunteer Donate Become a Member

Important Dates and Meetings

Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings

The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 7.

The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held from 6.30 pm on Monday, February 21 - please note the change from the regular meeting day.

Clubs and Caucuses

Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland - Monday, January 24, at 6 pm

Polk County Progressive Democratic Caucus - Friday, January 28, at 7 pm

Upcoming Polk County DEC Mobilize Events

Keep us up to date: If you would like to feature what your club or caucus is doing or introduce a new president, other office holder or person of interest, please send information to polkdemwd@gmail.com

Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links

Name \ Website	Facebook
Democratic Party of Polk County	https://www.facebook.com/PolkCountyFLDemocrats
Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Polk Co	https://www.facebook.com/Polk-County-Chapter-Democratic-Hispanic-Caucus-of-Florida-340664722737576/
Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland	https://www.facebook.com/groups/DWCLakeland
Democratic Women's Club of E Polk Ridge
Greater Winter Haven Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/102229486585792
Lake Ashton Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/446482912365417
Lake Wales Area Democratic Club
Lakeland Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/groups/LakelandDemClub/
North East Polk Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/NEPolkDemClub/
Polk Co. Black Caucus Polk Co. Disability Caucus Polk Co. Environmental Caucus Polk Co. Jewish Caucus Polk Co. Progressive Democratic Caucus Polk Co. Young Democrats	https://www.facebook.com/PolkDemDisabilityCaucus/ https://www.facebook.com/Polk-Democratic-Environmental-Caucus-101289152221143/ https://www.facebook.com/PolkProgressives https://www.facebook.com/PolkYoungDems
Rainbow Ridge LGTBA Caucus	https://www.facebook.com/Polklgbta
Solivita Democratic Club	https://www.facebook.com/solivitademocraticclub

Mailing Address:

Due to the pandemic the Democratic Party of Polk County has closed the office in Lakeland.

The mailing address is the following:

The Democratic Party of Polk County, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884

The telephone number remains the same: (863) 668-7199
Email: PolkCountyDemocrats@gmail.com
Weekly Digest Coordinator: Michelle Bradley
For submissions, email: PolkDemWD@gmail.com

Become a Volunteer Donate Become a Member

You are receiving this email because you are either affiliated with Polk Democrats or attended one of our events.
Telephone number: (863) 668-7199
Our new mailing address is:

Polk County Democrats

6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328

Winter Haven, Florida 33884

Add us to your address book

Unsubscribe ronaldmckie@gmail.com from this list.

Thank You!
Polk DEC 913-1