Crawfordville, Florida -- The Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee announced the 2011 Golden Democrat Honorees to be honored at the annual Capital City Democratic Women's Club Lunch. On Thursday, August 4th, at 12 noon, Wakulla Democrats will join Democrats from around the capital region to honor Mrs. Joan Hendrix and Sheriff David Harvey. A press release about the Wakulla honorees is forthcoming.

The Capital City Democratic Women's Club has released the following information about the event:

The Capital City Democratic Women’s Club is sponsoring our 7th Annual Golden Democrat Luncheon on August 4, 2011 at 12 noon at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. This event is being held as an annual fundraiser for the Club where Democrats from the surrounding counties in the Big Bend are honored for 30+ years of service to their communities and the Democratic cause. Proceeds from this event will be used to provide campaign support to candidates, scholarships for college bound students and other programs of the Club. Honorees will include, Barbara Hobbs, Tom Rollins, Bishop Holifield, Karen Woodall, Imogene Roach, Alma Gonzales and Steve Beasley from Leon; Jeanette Wynn from Gadsden; Joan Hendrix, David Harvey from Wakulla; Judy Mount, Carolyn Munroe-West from Jackson; Shirley Washington from Jefferson; Elesta Pritchett and Jayne Scott from Madison; and others yet to be confirmed. Past honorees will also be recognized. The keynote speaker for the luncheon is DeeDee Smith, wife of the Florida Democratic Party Chair, Rod Smith of Alachua County, Florida. Tickets for this event are $40 per person and tables may be purchased for $300 each. For more information, please email capitalcitydemocraticwomen@gmail.com or contact Dianne Williams-Cox, President at 850.556.0627.

Redistricting Hearing are scheduled to take place Monday, June 20th, in Room 412 of the Knott Building. Fair Districts will have a pre-event before each hearing (i.e., standing out in public waving signs before the hearings). The location to be decided, possibly in front of the Old Capitol at the intersection of Monroe Street and Apalachee Parkway. http://www.fairdistrictsnow.org/home/

Time: Tuesday, June 14, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: The WorksCo-working Cafe, Crawfordville, FL

The Wakulla County Democratic Executive Committee and the Wakulla Democratic Women's Club will hold a Meet and Greet with State Representative Leonard Bembry. Representative Bembry represents District 10 which includes Wakulla.

Committee Memberships:
Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee
Economic Development Policy Committee
Natural Resources Appropriations Committee
State & Community Colleges & Workforce Policy Committee

City of Residence: Greenville

Occupation: Retired General Manager/retail; Farmer/timber

Coffee and pastries will be available for purchase. Come out and meet your state representative!

The Florida Democratic 2011 State Convention will be held October 28-30, 2011 at the Disney Contemporary Resort, 4600 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.

County DEC's will be holding meetings to elect Delegates between July 5 and July 31, 2011. They must file with their County Chair, Vice Chair, State Committeewoman or Committeeman between April 16 and June 23, 2011.

All registered Democrats may run for a Delegate position in the county where they are registered to vote. Delegates must submit a registration form, a non-refundable $35.00 for registration and a $15.00 surcharge per delegate to defray local expenses related to the Convention. This surcharge should be included with the registrtion fee.

Non-delegates may attend all workshops for 50.00.

For more informormation, contact the Wakulla DEC

Crawfordville, Florida — On Thursday May 26th, 2011, the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee hosted the first "Lunch and Learn" event at the Wakulla Senior Center in Crawfordville, Florida. Members of the Wakulla and Leon legislative delegation were invited to discuss "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and How it Will Impact Wakulla" in a panel format. Panel speakers included Representative Alan Williams, Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Ben Wilcox from the League of Women Voters, and Barbara DeVane from the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans. Wakulla County Commissioner Alan Brock served as panel facilitator.

Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee Chair Rachel Pienta noted that Representative Marti Coley, who was scheduled to attend, sent her regrets – citing the announced closure of the Dozier School for Boys and the 185 workers in Marianna who would be losing their jobs. Earlier Thursday morning, the state's Department of Juvenile Justice broke the news to employees that the Dozier School for Boys will close June 30th.

The panel highlighted several positive outcomes for Wakulla in the wake of what all agreed was a challenging legislative session in 2011. Representative Alan Williams noted that Wakulla fared well in retaining funding for several critical road improvement projects.

Wakulla County Commissioner Alan Brock heralded the county's recent designation as a "rural area of critical economic concern" (RACEC). In early May, Wakulla County was added to Florida’s Northwest Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) which includes neighboring counties Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Holmes, Liberty and Washington, as well as, the area within the City of Freeport also known as "Opportunity Florida".

Florida's RACECs are regions comprised of rural communities that have been adversely affected by severe or chronic economic distress, extraordinary economic events, or natural disasters. The designation provides additional tools for Wakulla County to be proactive in economic development such as greater grant opportunities, lower grant match requirements, and priority eligibility for certain transportation programs. The designation further solidifies the regional partnership with the coastal counties while simultaneously furthering job creation.

Ben Wilcox from the League of Women Voters explained how recent changes to voting laws will impact how Floridians will cast votes in 2012.

Retired educator Barbara DeVane spoke about her advocacy for seniors with the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans.

Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda discussed how the budget, as passed during the 2011 session and further amended by Governor Scott’s veto pen, will impact the Big Bend region in the coming year.

Crawfordville, Florida – The Wakulla County Democratic Executive Committee announced today that the first program in the new “Lunch and Learn” series will be launched on May 26th with a recap of the 2011 Legislative Session. Members of the Wakulla and Leon legislative delegation will discuss “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and How it Will Impact Wakulla” in a panel format with question and answer session to follow. This month begins the "Lunch and Learn" Series at the Wakulla County Senior Citizen's Center located at 33 Michael Drive in Crawfordville. Wakulla DEC Chair Rachel Pienta said that, "The Lunch and Learn series is organized by the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee as an informational Community Outreach program and the events will be held bi-monthly, on the 4th Thursday of the month." May -- The Florida 2011 Legislative Session Review -- impact on Wakulla -- Panel of speakers from the Wakulla and Leon legislative delegations.

July -- The Big Bend Anti- Bullying Task Force -- "Bullying - Beyond the Playground, How it Impacts Our Community" -- a panel of speakers from the task force will be featured for July's program.

September -- "Voting in the 21st Century - Redistricting, Vote By Mail, and Voters' Rights in Rural Communities" - A panel of experts on voting rights will discuss recent developments and what voters can expect at the polls in 2012. The program is free and open to the public. Lunch is available for purchase ($7) and will be served at Noon, presentation(s) start at 12:20 p.m. and the luncheon ends at 1:00 p.m. Please RSVP to the Senior Center by the Tuesday prior to the Thursday luncheons. Their phone number is 926-7145.