League of Women Voters of Manatee County

Videos

The LWVMC has collected videos from our Hot Topics and special events. In support of an informed voter, we are also posting candidate forums and videos on voting issues. In addition, advocacy videos are below which relate to those issues that are important to the League of Women Votes and our democracy. Any additional video suggestions to those we have posted are welcome. Email info@lwvmanatee.org

INTRODUCTION TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

LWV – Creating a more perfect democracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD3hNEI1a9I
We are the League of Women Voters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=undHUR0ckQs

Vote411.org – League of Women Voters voting information system –

Hot Topics and LWV of Manatee Presentations
(about 1 hour each)

Building a Multilingual Community in Public Schools, January 10, 2022 The challenge of providing an excellent education for Manatee students, when they speak no English, or English is not their first language is daunting. 13% of our students fit this category and, although Spanish is the most frequent first language, Manatee students have 95 different languages as their first language. Our speakers help us understand the nature of these members of our community and the current and proposed programs in Manatee County schools, their challenges and successes.

  • Cintia Elenstar, ESL Certified, MNM candidate, Program Director of UnidosNow, who provided an overview, historical and current, of the varied demographics of Spanish speakers in Manatee County and their needs and resources.
     
  • Debra Estes, M.A., Director ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages), Migrant, Federal Programs, who shared the Manatee School District’s efforts to support achievement of ELL (English Language Learners) students.
     
  • Ruby Zickafoose, Ph.D., MSA Charter, who described their proposed PreK through Grade 5 Arts-infused Dual Language (Two-Way Developmental Bilingual Education) program, as an example of innovative efforts to improve literacy.

 

Gun Safety, November 8, 2021 – Historically, gun sales increase with an election or a mass shooting.  Now, with the pandemic, George Floyd protests and the assault on the Capitol, gun sales have soared.  Hear the experts talk about the scope of this problem, in general and also specifically in Manatee County and common sense solutions to reduce gun violence risks. It could save a life.

We are pleased to have as our speakers:

  • Carol Rescigno, President of Sarasota Manatee Brady United Against Gun Violence
  • Manatee County Sheriff  Rick Wells
  • Barbara Markely, LWV Broward County, Lock It Up! Program
  • Katie Hathaway, Jacksonville Moms Demand Action, Be SMART

Water Water Everywhere. Will we have enough safe water to drink? October 11, 2021 Manatee County experienced a 24% increase in population between 2010 and 2020. We expect a 50% growth in our population in the next 25 years. Manatee and Sarasota are the 10th fastest growing regions in the United States. The pressures this will put on our infrastructure and the availability of potable water will be immense. Learn what we are doing in Manatee county to deal with this issue today and into the future. Hear from experts on the water distribution as well as water usage. Panelists are: Dennis Ragosta, Government Affairs Regional Manager; Southwest Florida Water Management District Katie Gilmore; Water Division Manager, Manatee County Utilities Department; Jack Merriam, Retired Environmental Scientist To view the Water, Water Everywhere presentation Click Here

Clerk of Court and Comptroller Angel Colonesso, April 24, 2021 Angel shares a little of her journey, and introduced the incredible range of duties and services of the Clerk of Court and Comptroller office, give a few pointers on accessing their services and even covered historic properties that are under this office. Angel guarantees you will not be bored.  To view presentation on Clerk of Court click here

Implicit Bias Workshop with Dr. Lorie Fridell – March 31, 2021
This training is for everyone. To view on YouTube, click Here. Dr. Fridell’s workshop will help answer:

  • What is implicit bias?
  • How might it manifest in our lives?
  • What are the skills we can use to reduce and manage bias?

Dr. Fridell is a Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida and a nationally recognized expert on biased policing.  Dr. Fridell can be reached at lfridell@usf.edu.

Recommended Books:

  • The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars, and Save Our Lives, by Shankar Vedantam
  • Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives, by Howard Ross
  • Biased:  Uncovering the hidden prejudice that shapes what we see, think and do, by Jennifer Eberhardt PhD

Returning Citizens 2020 Election and Beyond – March 8, 2021
Until 2020, anyone convicted of a felony was barred from voting in Florida for life unless given clemency. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (of which the Florida League was a primary partner) lead a citizen’s initiative that enabled many returning citizens were able to vote for the first time in many years. Hear about the 2020 election and future steps needed to secure the vote for felons who have completed their sentence.  
Speakers are:
Cecile Scoon – a civil rights lawyer and First Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Florida and chair of the state League’s efforts for the restoration of voting rights.
Neil Volz is the Deputy Director and co-founder of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and a returning citizen whose vote was restored in 2020. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is the organization that is dedicated to securing voting rights for returning citizens.
To View the Returning Citizen presentation Click Here
Returning citizens seeking legal clarity can call the League’s hotline dedicated to this program at 407-710-5496 or email CanIVote@LWVFL.org.
For information on two Florida Bar-approved webinars, eligible for up to 4 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit, go to http://lwvfl.org/cle/

Dark Money in Manatee County – February 8, 2021 Learn how dark money (special interest money where donor is unknown) has it affected local Manatee County elections and influenced the decisions of our County Commission. What, if anything, can be done. Speakers are Cathy Antunes, researcher and commentator and Joe McClash, prior County Commissioner and publisher.  To View the Dark Money Presentation Click Here
Additional Information
Article on Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizen’s United
E-Book Local Dark Money by Cathy Antunes
Instructions on How to Use the Florida Campaign Finance Database
Florida Campaign Finance Database

2020 Election Recap with Manatee Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett – January 26, 2021 Mike Bennett gives thoughts on the 2020 election process and answers many questions by the audience. Click Here

Plastics – Recycling is Not Enough – January 11, 2021
Learn the disturbing truth about plastics and local recycling management. What needs to happen to strengthen our regulation on waste disposal, plastic use and recycling. Learn what you can do to reduce your waste footprint. Get practical suggestions. Speakers are Mary DeJesus, Recycling Program Coordinator, Manatee County and Jana Hoefling and Cat Dillard, Co-Founders of Rethinking Plastics
Additional Information
Manatee County Recycling Information Click Here
Recycling Do’s and Don’ts from Manatee County Click Here
PDF of Presentation by Rethinking Plastics Click Here
Summary of Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 Click Here
550 Groups Ask Biden to Solve Plastic Pollution Crisis with 8 Executive Actions (English/Español) Click Here
Planet Money Wasteland Podcast Click Here

The New World of Health Care and A Business Case for Universal Health Care – December 12, 2020 The first speaker is Wendell Potter, an American advocate for health insurance payment reform, New York Times bestselling author, and former health insurance industry communications director. The second speaker is Ray Fusco is a retired healthcare administrator with over 40 years of experience managing for profit and not for profit healthcare entities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFd7_qA6SZ0

Innovative Solutions for Attainable Housing – November 9, 2020
The moderator is Diana Shoemaker, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Manatee County. The speakers are Bethany Snyder, Built for Zero (data driven approach to ending homelessness), Frank Wells, Chief Impact Officer of Bright House Community Trust, Geri Lopez, Manatee County Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Director. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEicFNUkAHY

Voting Security and Vote by Mail – May 18, 2020 Supervisor of Elections Michael Bennett talks about voting security measures, the ERIC system and answers voting questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilNbpv3jN0Q
Additional Information is below in “Voting Issues”

Charter Schools Accountability for Finances and Success – February 20,2020 A panel discussion. Shirley Brown, Sarasota County School Board, Mitchell Teitelbaum, Manatee School District General Council, Frank Pistella, Director of District Support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RBjfUi1HPI

Phosphate Mining in Manatee – Feb 11, 2019 Speakers from Suncoast Waterkeeper/Sarasota Sierra, The Mosaic Company and Manatee County Natural Resources. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8QHV34r8Kg

Manatee County’s Addiction Crisis – March 11, 2019 Manatee County was considered the opioid capitol of Florida. This program tells you about this crisis and explores what is being done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quslf7ETSSI

VOTING ISSUES

ERIC – Florida has joined ERIC, a shared database created by the PEW Foundation to help maintain voter records by providing information so that that those who have died can be deleted from the voting population and individuals have moved away can be removed and those moved in can be encouraged to register. This 2-minute introductory video gives a good overview. Introduction to Electronic Registration Information Center

An older video with much more detail and provides an even better understanding. The Future of Voter Registration is Here | Pew

Article on voter fraud recommended by Mike Bennett, Manatee Supervisor of Elections Lets Put the Vote-by-Mail Fraud Myth to Rest/

ADVOCACY

Juvenile Justice – Pinellas public defender Patrice Moore and public-interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson share their experiences working with the juvenile justice system. https://www.pbs.org/video/pov-15-life-juvenile-justice-and-rehabilitation/

EVENTS

The 100 Year Birthday Celebration for the League of Women Voters. Speakers included our founder, Carrie Chapman Catt (played by Kathryn Chesley) and the President of the League of Women Voters of Florida, Patti Bingham. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCJsDjXCUT0