Earth Day, April 22
Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: April 18-24, 2022
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Celebration of Life for Janice Stapleton
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A celebration of life for active Solivita Democrat Janice Stapleton will be held Thursday, April 21 at 10 am in Solivita.
Janice moved to Solivita, in Polk County, in 2016 and wasted no time in getting involved in Democratic politics. That was an election year and she was involved in registering voters and canvassing.
In January 2017, when she learned of the Polk County Progressive Democratic Caucus, she immediately joined. The mission of PCPDC was in line with her life-long commitment to working for social justice. She stepped up to be a board member when asked, and when there was a need for a treasurer of PCPDC, Janice readily stepped up to take on this task.
Janice was always ready to do what was needed, which included being a precinct captain, and attending the DEC monthly meetings.
Any time Janice was invited to a rally or a protest, she was right there ready to include her voice, her signs, and her ideas. She also took charge of organizing volunteers to register voters at the local library.
Janice's history included being a Peace Corps volunteer twice: as a young woman in Liberia and after she retired in Lesotho. She had also taught on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona.
Janice leaves to mourn her, besides her many friends, her sons Kurt and John, and a young grandson.
For those who would like to attend the celebration of life for Janice, please call Dorothy Schwartz on 732-207-3358, for further details.
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In the news
DeSantis Latest Congressional map divides Polk County info 4 districts
For months, the Florida Legislature signaled that it would create a new congressional district covering all of Polk County. Now that the Legislature has given Gov. Ron DeSantis full control of the redistricting process, it appears Polk County will be split into four congressional districts — with the boundary between two slicing through the center of Lakeland. North Lakeland would be represented by three different representatives.
- From the Lakeland Ledger
See also: Florida Democratic Party Statement on DeSantis' Congressional Map
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With uproar canceling Disney gathering, Florida Democrats reset Leadership Blue Gala in Tampa
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Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland members gather for Banned Book Club
In light of recent reports of far-right groups trying to ban books in local schools, members of the Democratic Women's Club of Lakeland have pushed back - #IReadBannedBooks - by forming a Banned Book Club. Organized by DWCL member Jasime Lane, the women held an inaugural gathering on Saturday, to discuss The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
The book was identified by the American Library Association as one of the top 10 books targeted for censorship in 2021. The book tells the story of a teenage black girl's struggle with family, community and attending a predominantly white school after witnessing a childhood friend - a black boy - shot to death by police during a traffic stop. Reasons the book was banned and challenged: profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda.
The Banned Book Club will next meet May 21 to discuss the award-winning Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. It was challenged because of its depiction of a school shooting. If you would like to join the club, please send a message via the DWCL FaceBook site.
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Polk Democrats Asked to Support Ukrainian Refugees with Local Connection
Lakeland Democratic Club President Brian Jorgesen is asking fellow local Democrats to assist Ukrainian refugees whom his youngest daughter-in-law - a former Ukrainian with continued family ties to the war-torn country - is helping assist in California.
With an aunt who escaped Ukraine, and a grandmother who continues to live there, Brian's daughter-in-law has learned of a family who escaped to Sacramento, CA.
The family consists of a grandmother, three daughters and four children - two boys, ages 7 and 9, and two girls, ages 11 and 16 girls. All the related men stayed behind to fight the war against Russia invasion. Brian reports that the family left with nothing more than the clothes on their back, and his son donated them an old SUV.
The couple are now asking for donations to help the family survive in the United States. To assist, there is a gift registry on Amazon, with items the family would like for their basic needs and to entertain the children.
Be sure to click on the address for Tatiana in Sacramento. You don't want it shipped to your home and have to mail it to CA. For all those on Amazon Prime, the shipping is free, usually.
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Important Dates and Meetings
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Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next DEC Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, May 2 at 6:30 pm.
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held via Zoom and in person from Monday, May 9 at 6:30 pm.
Club and Caucus Meetings This Week
Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus - Tuesday, April 19, 6.30-8.30 pm at Jensen's Corner Bar, 100 3rd St SW, Winter Haven.
Polk County Progressive Democratic Caucus - Friday, April 22, 7-8.30 pm, via Zoom. |
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Future 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
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Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
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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
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