Tallahassee Reports June 2020

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Tallahassee Reports June 20, 2020

TallahasseeReports.com

The Double Murder Shocks Tallahassee Suspect Released on Bond Days Before Victims Disappeared Reports -

-

Vol. 8 No. 6

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, during a radio interview, defended police officers amid protests focused on police brutality.

Page 1 A TR analysis of the latest COVID-19 cases in Leon County estimates there are approximately 100 active cases.

Page 2 A citizen created website provides detailed sewage spill information for Florida counties.

Page 3 Amid calls for action, the City Commission approved the specifics of an ordinance that will create a citizens police review board.

Page 5 Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey released a statement on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Page 1

By Karen Murphy & Steve Stewart Tallahassee Reports

she and others without permanent residences frequented. A missing person flier was widely disseminated, Amid a pandemic and protests about garnering national attention. A team of racial justice, Tallahasseans awoke on more than a dozen TPD investigators Sunday June 14th to find headlines worked to find Salau. detailing a double homicide.

As public attention related to the case The Tallahassee Police Department grew, misinformation spread, including reported that at approximately 9:15 false tip line numbers. During this pm on Saturday night, June 13th, time, a second woman – Victoria investigators arrived in the 2100 block Sims – was reported missing by her of Monday Road in the course of a family. Responding officers found that follow up investigation in a missing her residence had been ransacked person case. During the course of the and burglarized and her vehicle was investigation, two deceased people were missing. Information obtained during located in the area.

Investigators identified the victims as missing persons Oluwatoyin Salau, 19, and Victoria Sims, 75. Salau was part of the protests in Tallahassee with Movement 850 and Sims served the elderly with AARP. Salau first contacted TPD on June 6 to report a possible sexual battery that occurred the previous evening. Soon after, as officers followed up on her case, Salau’s family reported her missing.

TPD intensified its efforts to locate Salau. Outreach was initiated to her known associates and victim advocate Victim,Oluwatoyin Salau, 19 groups to which she had been referred.

Additionally, officers checked locations

State Releases Plan to Reopen Schools

A landmark ruling by US Supreme Court fuels call for state LGBTQ protections.

Page 8

By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida

Mayor John Dailey: “Today I Say Unequivocally that Black Lives Matter” Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey recently released a statement addressing the events that have taken place over the last few weeks. Listed below is the statement.

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey: Over the past few weeks, I have heard the protestors, read thousands of emails, and taken hundreds of phone calls. I am inspired to see so many in our community make their voices heard and express their commitment to equality and justice.

Victim, Victoria Sims, 75 MURDER, Page 4

TR profiles the four candidates running for City Commission Seat One. Page 6,7

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship is accepting applications Get details.

Page 12

that investigation lead TPD to a home on Monday Road.

The resident of the Monday Road home, Aaron Glee Jr., fled to Orlando on a bus prior to TPD’s arrival. At the request of TPD, the Orlando Police Department was able to intercept Glee and take him into custody. TPD immediately sent investigators to Orlando to further the investigation.

Based upon evidence recovered at the scene and information gleaned in Orlando, Glee was charged with murder and kidnapping.

by the coronavirus, are simple. The plan advises students to avoid sharing textbooks and toys. Children and TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron school workers should wash their DeSantis and state education offihands often and thoroughly. And cials on Thursday released a plan to schools should encourage children reopen public schools at full capacity and workers to stay home if they feel in August, saying that vulnerable kids sick. and Floridians need the return to inBut schools are also being asked to person instruction. consider more complicated efforts, “While there may be challenges such as adding a secondary clinic to regionally, Florida’s workforce and exclusively treat individuals who show students with the greatest needs are symptoms of a respiratory illness. counting on schools to fight to stay Creating isolation rooms for sick indiopen,” the Florida Department of viduals and crafting plans for kids and Education states in the 143-page plan workers who are medically vulnerable issued Thursday. are also among the recommendations.

The department put forth a series of “Schools could consider accomrecommendations aimed at protectmodations on a case-by-case basis, ing students and school employees as and consider clustering these students well as easing parents’ concerns, after away from other students, in smaller the coronavirus pandemic prompted settings, with a teacher who is wearschool shutdowns around the world. ing a cloth covering,” the plan states, Reopening plans will be finalized by adding that at-risk staff also should local school officials. have access to flexible leave policies.

“We have a great opportunity to Students may also bid a temporary get back on good footing,” DeSantis, farewell to cafeterias. accompanied by Education ComThe state recommends schools missioner Richard Corcoran, told should allow kids to eat in the classreporters at a press conference in room to maintain social distance from Melbourne. “Getting back on our feet other students. in the school year is going to be really, Because being outdoors is considreally important to the well-being of ered to lower the risk of contracting our kids but also for our parents, who COVID-19, the education department have been juggling an awful lot.” is also asking schools to consider Some of the state’s recommendaholding classes in outdoor spaces. tions to avoid the spread of COIf outdoor classes aren’t possible, VID-19, the respiratory illness caused schools should consider holding

BLM, Page 5

REOPENING, Page 8

Sheriff Walt McNeil Defends Local Police Officers

By Steve Stewart Tallahassee Reports On the Morning Show with Preston Scott last week, Tallahassee Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil addressed current events and specifically addressed a national narrative that white police officers are indiscriminately killing black citizens.

On the protests, McNeil confirmed statements made by Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell earlier in the week related to agitators among protestors and the placement of material around town that could be used for violent purposes.

McNeil said that his officers did find materials “squirreled away” McNeil was also complementary of leaders of the protests which diverted attempts to turn the protests violent.

Scott asked McNeil about the ongoing narrative that white cops are singling out black citizens for brutality.

Scott stated, “I’m going ask you a very direct question….do you believe that white law enforcement officers in Leon County and Tallahassee single out blacks to harass or to target for brutality or to target to kill?”

Sheriff McNeil said, “No, no absolutely not…That is absurd.”

MCNEIL, Page 4

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TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

FIVE DAY FORECAST SATURDAY

91/72

SUNDAY

90/73

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

89/74

86/74

86/74

Tracking Leon County COVID Cases and Recoveries 483

CUMULATIVE CASES 438

400 377 306

300 266 219

200

158

154

106

100

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6/17

6/10

6/3

5/27

5/20

5/13

5/6

4/29

0

68

4/22

The testing numbers as of June 17th, show that there have been 21,132 negative tests in Leon County.

This translates to a 2.2% positive test rate. The state-wide positive test rate is 5.6%.

CASES MINUS RECOVERIES (ACTIVE CASES)

500

4/15

Testing

Leon County COVID-19 Case Analysis 600

4/8

average, 21 days. Using this metric, the bars in the chart below estimates the number of current active cases in Leon County.

This approach shows that active cases in Leon County peaked at 166 on April 25th, decreased to 68 cases, and then reached approximately 160 in early June. Since then, the number of current cases have declined to 106 as of June 17th.

COVID-19 CASES

TR has been tracking the COVID-19 pandemic by providing raw numbers for Leon County and Florida. We have also published trend charts which provided a different perspective.

None of these approaches take into account those people who tested positive for COVID-19 and then recovered.

The chart to the right takes the next step in tracking the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating an estimate of recoveries with the daily updates of new cases. The chart compares the cumulative cases – represented by a line – in Leon County with the cumulative cases minus the number of recoveries – represented by bars.

Most experts indicate that recoveries from COVID-19 take, on

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020 Page 3

Community

Capital Regional Remains Ready to Serve the Big Bend

By Dr. Chris Tidwell, Capital Regional Medical Center, Medical Director of Emergency Services

to seek medical attention.

We offer provider expertise and because our hospital caregivers deal with communicable diseases on a While the global spread of daily basis, we know how to identify COVID-19 has made a tremendous and treat infectious illnesses while impact on how hospitals and minimizing risk to caregivers, just physicians conduct patient care, as we have done in cases such as what will never change is Capital the seasonal flu or tuberculosis.

Regional’s commitment to the safety While there may be alternative of every patient and care facility. ways to handle routine medical Access to emergency services situations, emergency concerns remains available to all, and patients should still be considered critical. with urgent health concerns, Our Emergency Departments are whether COVID-19 related or staffed with experienced clinicians not, should not put off medical who are at the ready to assist attention. If you are experiencing patients with emergency concerns, emergency symptoms of any kind, whether COVID-19 related or such as those of a heart attack or not. Red flag symptoms such as stroke, it is both safe and necessary

chest pain, sudden dizziness, weakness or numbness in limbs should be taken seriously, now as ever.

Our Emergency Departments have strong protocols in place and follow guidelines set forth Capital Regional Medical Center, Tallahassee. by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Gadsden Counties, continue to be a We are following four pillars of safe place to seek medical attention, enhanced safety – access control, no matter what your health safe distancing, infection prevention concern. We are here for you today and designated care paths. Our for a healthier tomorrow. emergency departments in Leon &

New Website Provides Sewage Spill Information for Florida Counties

By Lexie Pitzen Tallahassee Reports

gallons spilled per capita. The generated report also lists the date and volume of each recorded spill.

As sewage spills become According to the website, Leon increasingly common across County had 23 spills in 2019, Florida, a new website, multi-fin. totaling around 237,000 gallons and com, allows users to access spill 0.81 gallons per capita. data for their county and compare Nearby Wakulla County had it to other Florida counties. The five spills in 2019, totaling 17,000 Tallahassee Sewage Advocacy gallons and 0.52 gallons per capita.

Group released the website in May. Jefferson County had one The website uses Florida 1,000-gallon spill, calculated at 0.07 Department of Environmental gallons per capita.

Protection data on spills throughout In recent years, Leon County Florida from 2000 to 2020. Users has seen many large sewage spills, can input their county to calculate

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prompting concerns over problems with the City’s sewage collection system, particularly the system’s outdated vitreous clay piping. Most large spills have occurred during storms and heavy rainfall.

In 2016, during Hurricane Hermine, power outages caused over 1.6 million gallons of sewage to spill in Tallahassee, according to a previous Tallahassee Reports article.

In 2018, a 25,000-gallon spill near Tallahassee Community College was able to be contained in a parking lot. According to reports,

the spill was caused by heavy rain.

In 2019, 10,000 gallons of wastewater spilled near Tom Brown Park. Only 2,400 gallons were recovered, according to reports.

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TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

Local News

Double Murder Shocks Tallahassee MURDER, From Front Page

Suspect Released on Bond Days Before Victims Disappeared Records indicate that Glee was arrested twice at the end of May and released on bond from Leon County jail just days before it is believed these victims went missing.

On June 1, Judge Robert Plaines released Aaron Glee Jr., 49, on a $2,500 bond for his alleged aggravated assault on a woman May 29, 2020 at 4:44 p.m., according to court records. Glee secured the bond by putting up 10% of the amount, or $250. His reported address, according to the Arrest/Probable Cause Affidavit, was 2110 Monday Rd., Tallahassee.

According to the affidavit, Glee was arrested on May 29 for an alleged aggravated assault that

occurred earlier in the afternoon at the intersection of S. Blair Stone Rd and Kay Ave. According to the affidavit, when police arrived on the scene at 4:44 p.m. Glee was standing over a female, kicking her in the abdomen as she lay on her side on the S. Blair Stone Rd. sidewalk.

According to the affidavit, the alleged victim told police Glee asked her for a sexual favor and when she refused, he became angry, shoved her to the ground and began kicking her.

Glee told police he “helps the homeless” and brought the alleged victim food and drinks in the past. Glee told officers the woman offered Glee sexual favors and he purchased liquor to give her.

He said she changed her mind about the sex act. He

Sheriff Walt McNeil Defends Local Police Officers McNeil continued, “the fact of the matter is when you get bad cops they come in all races and colors and genders. Its the individual its not any group. I have been doing this for forty years I have seen some great cops of all types and again Preston this a profession I dedicated my life to..if that was the case I would not be in the profession I am in…..No its absurd, I don’t know who makes those kind of accusations. Its absolutely uncalled for and not backed up by any data or any research that would support that.”

McNeil said "I tell people all the time, I offer citizens to come and look at our use of force policy .....but I have not been taken up by anybody ..You

will find we do not have choke holds, we do not have situations where we are indiscriminately shooting people none of that is in our policies and none of our people, I can’t say none, but in a global sense, only a fraction of our people are involved in that kind of behavior. What I hope happens is that we truely have a dialogue moving forward talking about how we police our community" Since becoming Sheriff, McNeil has implemented an "All-In" program which brings community partners together to address crime issues in Leon County.

Reported Incidents, Arrests Begin to Increase Information provided by the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) and the Leon County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) shows that the number of incidents and arrests are on the rise after declining during the implementation of mitigation efforts to address COVID-19.

Weekly incidents reported by TPD reached yearly highs of 105 and 96 during the weeks of May 31 and June 14 after experiencing lows of 44 and 45 during previous weeks.

Weekly arrests are also up in recent weeks, but have not reached the levels experienced during the weeks before the COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Recent weekly arrest numbers are approximately 100. In the weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic weekly arrests averaged approximately 200 from January through early March.

TPD Incidents by Week 120

105

96

100

Incidents

76

80

76

81

77

63

60

80 70

71 45

70

69

60

58

44

40

50 50

66

53

5-Jan 12-Jan 19-Jan 26-Jan 2-Feb 9-Feb 16-Feb 23-Feb 1-Mar 8-Mar 15-Mar 22-Mar 29-Mar 5-Apr 12-Apr 19-Apr 26-Apr 3-May 10-May 17-May 24-May 31-May 7-Jun 14-Jun 212

Wednesday, July 8 City Commission Workshop | 1 PM | City Commission Chambers - City Hall | 300 South Adams Street

Thursday, July 9 Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency – Budget Workshop | 1 PM | City Commission Chambers - City Hall | 300 South Adams Street

210 201 185

Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency – Board Meeting | 3 PM | City Commission Chambers - City Hall | 300 South Adams Street

118 97 73 69 65 58

89

105

97 92 90 103

5-Jan 12-Jan 19-Jan 26-Jan 2-Feb 9-Feb 16-Feb 23-Feb 1-Mar 8-Mar 15-Mar 22-Mar 29-Mar 5-Apr 12-Apr 19-Apr 26-Apr 3-May 10-May 17-May 24-May 31-May 7-Jun 14-Jun

Arrests

169

234 213 201 195

July 2020

City Commission Meeting | 4 PM | City Commission Chambers - City Hall | 300 South Adams Street

150

0

The Tallahassee Police Department was called to the area of Conner Boulevard and Lone Feather Driver at approximately 4:25 pm on Saturday, June 13, regarding a battery. Officers located the victim, who had been hit with a bat.

TPD and emergency responders immediately provided medical attention to the victim, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The victim had been exercising near the soccer field at Lincoln High School when an adult male approached her asking for assistance with his car. While providing assistance to the suspect, the victim was hit several times with a bat.

The incident was determined to be a random act.

TPD officers conducted an on-scene investigation and were able to arrest Preston Aldridge, 29, for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. Aldridge was transported to the Leon County Detention Facility.

Please note meetings listed may be virtual due to COVID-19

250

50

Arrest Made for Aggravated Battery Near Conner Boulevard

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CALENDAR

Leon County Arrests by Week

100

On the Morning Show with Preston Scott last week, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell addressed the recent protests in Tallahassee, the presence of out of town “agitators”, and the staging of bricks for non-peaceful means.

On the protests, Revell stated for the most part “our community has done an exceptional job of making sure that their protests are peaceful…I give our community and I give our police officers tremendous credit for working together to do that.”

Revell also said that “we do know there are agitators within the crowds… we’ve seen them, we are watching them closely….we believe they are from out of town for the most part.”

Preston Scott also addressed the rumors that protestors or agitators staged bricks around town. Scott asked Chief Revell, “I have been told that there have been deposits of bricks in various locations that have been found by your officers and other law enforcement officers…can you tell us yes or no whether in fact that has happened?”

In response, Chief Revell said, “yes that’s true, that is absolutely true. I don’t mind talking about that at all.”

61

Week Ending

200

State Attorney Jack Campbell made the decision not to charge the driver of a red truck that was involved in an altercation with protesters in downtown Tallahassee on May 30.

Campbell called the action by the driver a “reasonable use of force” and stated that a protester was punching someone in the truck before the truck moved through the protesters. Protestors had surrounded the vehicle on Monroe Street.

In addition, Campbell said that a protestor involved in incident stated he did not believe the driver intended to hit him. Campbell also wrote, “In assessing whether the force [the driver] used was reasonable, there is no evidence that [the driver] specifically aimed the truck at persons or intended to harm anyone. To the contrary, he navigated the crowd in such a way that very few minor injuries were sustained.”

Initial reports of the incident were based on a video that seemed to indicate the driver deliberately drove through a crowd of protestors without provocation. However, other videos, showed a protester punching through the passenger side window of the truck before the truck began moving forward.

72

20 0

LAW BRIEFS

Police Chief Revell Addresses Protests, “Agitators”, and Bricks

WEEKLY CRIME TRACKER

77

Aaron Glee, Jr, murder suspect

No Charges in Downtown Incident Involving Truck and Protesters

MCNEIL, From Front Page

80

denied kicking or hurting her.

Glee was also arrested on May 28 for allegedly punching a man after an argument “regarding racial differences” at a bus stop on the corner of S. Magnolia Dr. and Governor’s Square Blvd.

He was charged with battery touch or strike.

Week Ending

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Tuesday, July 14 Board of County Commissioners- Budget Workshop | 9 AM | County Courthouse, 5th Floor Commission Chambers 301 S. Monroe Street Board of County Commissioners- Regular Meeting | 3 PM | County Courthouse, 5th Floor Commission Chambers 301 S. Monroe Street Leon County School Board | 6 PM | Aquilina C. Howell Center | Instructional Service Center 3955 W. Pensacola Street Tuesday, July 21 Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) | 1:30 PM | City Commission Chambers - City Hall | 300 South Adams Street Leon County School Board - Budget | 6 PM | Aquilina C. Howell Center | Instructional Service Center 3955 W. Pensacola Street Tuesday, July 28 Leon County School Board - Budget | 6 PM | Aquilina C. Howell Center | Instructional Service Center 3955 W. Pensacola Street

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020 Page 5

Local News

City Commissioners Approve Creation of Police Citizen Review Board

By Lexie Pitzen Tallahassee Reports

including Tony McDade last week. The incidents are currently being reviewed by a grand jury.

The purpose of the PCRB will be to enable Tallahassee citizens to oversee policing practices and review events like officer-involved shootings.

Tallahassee City Attorney Cassandra Jackson recommended the following components of a PCRB based on a review of Florida review boards. The PCRB may:

TPD citizen academy and participate in a police ride-a-long; 3. Have authority to review and proAt the June 17 meeting, the Tallavide recommendations on completed hassee City Commission voted 5-0 to internal affairs investigations, after accept a recommendation from City any grand jury proceeding, involving Attorney Cassandra Jackson related the use of alleged excessive force and to establishing a police citizen review deadly force and review and provide board (PCRB). Two weeks ago, the recommendations on police policy City Commissioners unanimously at the request of the City Manager or voted to move forward with creating a Chief of Police or when a matter is PCRB by providing direction to staff. brought to the attention of the Board; The creation of the citizen review and board is in response to citizen requests.

1. Be composed of 9 members ap4. Prepare an annual report to the The City Commission preferred the pointed by the City Commission, five City Commission, the City Manager PCRB be created by ordinance rather appointed at large, and four appointed and the Chief of Police regarding than resolution or policy to ensure from social or civic community orgaPCRB’s reviews over the preceding permanence. This also means there will nizations; year, to include statistics and summabe public hearings.

2. Have members who serve nonries of citizen complaints, a compariThe action comes after nationwide compensated, staggered terms of three son of board findings and conclusions protests in response to police brutality years, must not be a relative of any City with actions taken by the Chief of allegations. Tallahassee has seen three employee, receive training on TPD Police, and recommendations related officer-involved shootings this year, policies and procedures, attend the to changes in policies and procedures.

County Commissioners Approve Policy Change for Recruiting County Administrator and County Attorney

By Lexie Pitzen Tallahassee Reports The Leon County Commissioners adopted a new policy for recruiting the County Administrator and County Attorney at their June 16 meeting.

The County Commissioners are responsible for selecting a County Administrator and a County Attorney under the Leon County Home Rule Charter and the Leon County Code of Laws, but the recruitment process for the positions is not specified.

Staff reports that the Board has made only three hires for either position in the last 30 years. The Board appointed Herbert W.A. Thiele as County Attorney in 1990, Vincent S. Long as County Administrator in 2011, and Chasity O’Steen as County Attorney in 2019.

At the July 9, 2019 County Commission meeting, the Commissioners directed staff to prepare a policy revision for future recruiting. Staff reports

that the proposed policy would require future recruitments to be open to both internal and external candidates.

According to the meeting agenda, staff could not identify another local government with a policy requiring a public search for either position.

Staff reports that a policy requiring a formal external search would remove a local government’s flexibility to recruit in a manner that best fits its needs.

“It is not always clear whether an existing employee or an external candidate may be the best fit, and a prescriptive policy requiring a formal external search would remove a local elected body’s discretion to determine whether an internal candidate meets the criteria to succeed in the position,” staff reports.

With the adoption, the County still has the flexibility to appoint an internal candidate or conduct a formal external search if it chooses, staff reports.

The recommendation by the Tallahassee City Attorney noted: "To be effective, the review board cannot be political. Each member must genuinely represent the community or the fundamental objective of the board will be lost."

"Board members are only a small segment of a community – they should clearly represent a constituency in order to be influential and supported by the population. Because board members volunteer their time, efforts must be made to ensure that the board does not become dominated by partisan members or overpopulated with participants who have the economic means to donate time. The advisory board should be culturally diverse and have broad geographical representation."

City Commission Votes to Establish an Office of Inspector General At the June 17th meeting, the City Commission voted 5-0 to introduce a proposed ordinance necessary to establish an Office of Inspector General under the authority of the City Auditor.

The first and only public hearing for the ordinance is scheduled for July 8, 2020.

During the December 4, 2019, City Commission meeting the Commission directed the City Auditor to bring information back to the City Commission for consideration.

Key points related to the establishment of an Office of Inspector General addressed in the ordinance include: • The Inspector General is authorized to audit, investigate, inspect and evaluate the activities, records and individuals with contracts, procurements, grants, agreements and other financial arrangements undertaken by the City and any other function, activity, process or operation conducted by the City.

• The Inspector General is considered the “appropriate local official” of the City under Section 112.3187(6), Florida Statutes, for purposes of

•

•

•

whistleblower protection and filing a whistleblower complaint pursuant to Sections 112.3187(7) and 112.3188(1), Florida Statutes.

The Inspector General will establish, maintain and operate a fraud hotline to receive complaints of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct from either anonymous or identified persons.

The Inspector General has no authority over the Ethics Board, its members and employees or the performance of the Board’s duties and responsibilities.

The Inspector General has the authority to subpoena City employees, officers, officials, vendors, contractors or others doing business with the City and members of City boards, commissions, or committees as witnesses, administer oaths or affirmations, take testimony and compel the production of such books, papers, records and documents, including electronic data as is deemed to be relevant to any inquiry or investigation.

Mayor John Dailey: “Today I Say Unequivocally that Black Lives Matter” BLM, From Front Page

The past few weeks have been traumatic for our nation and our Tallahassee community. I know our community is hurting, but I also know that some in our community are hurting more than others as they uniquely bear the weight and trauma of this moment.

I also know it is important for our entire community to hear their leaders say Black Lives Matter. Today I say unequivocally that Black Lives Matter.

But I know words are not enough.

At our last meeting, the City Commission unanimously expressed our support for a Citizens Review Board to review

officer-involved shootings. We have already implemented Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait” policies and I’ve joined mayors across the country in signing former President Barack Obama’s pledge to review and, where necessary, reform police use of force in our community. We’ve come a long way but I know we have more to do and we can’t do it alone.

We need more voices at the table that truly represent our entire community because we can only learn to better serve everyone in Tallahassee if we hear everyone’s story. I am proud to serve on the first majority-minority City Com-

mission since Reconstruction and on the first Tallahassee City Commission with two black women.

We need you, the public, to join us as we review things like our use of force policy. But we also need you to help us diversify our police force so it better reflects our community.

We need to pass the Children’s Services Council in Leon County this November, which will provide a dedicated funding source for the needs of our community’s children and families.

In my faith tradition we are called to do justice. We do justice by making

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey addresses BLM movement. other people’s problems our problems.

When we really make other people’s problems our problems; when black lives don’t just matter in Tallahassee but are valued, respected, and honored; when one’s skin color is no longer viewed as a threat — then, and only then, will we truly be Tallahassee Strong.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS the mayor and approved by the City Commission. Sherall Jackson, Seat 1, and Stephen “Scott” Dick, Seat 4, are eligible for reappointment. Their Tallahassee City Com- new terms will expire on May At the June 17th meeting, Tallahassee City Commission- mission Votes on Com- 31, 2023. mittee Appointments Sherall Jackson currently ers approved the use of $2 works as operations manager million for an electric vehicle On June 17th the City Comat Plaza Tower Condominium charging station pilot project. mission voted on reappointin Downtown Tallahassee.

The initiative supports the ments to the Tallahassee-Leon City’s Clean Energy Plan reso- County Planning Commission Scott Dick is the president and CEO of SKD Consulting lution which aims to transition and the Downtown ImproveGroup. He has over 27 years the City to 100% renewable ment Authority. energy by 2050.

The Planning Commission is of lobbying experience.

The pilot project will include made up of members appoint- School Board Approves the installation of up to four ed by the Leon County Compublic electric vehicle charging mission, the City Commission, $11 Million Plan for One-to-One Technology stations throughout Tallahasand the Leon County School Access see. The stations would be Board. Members serve threeowned and operated by the year terms. Martha Chauncey, The Leon County School City. The City would determine the School Board’s appointee Board recently approved the the charging rates. to the Planning Commission, first step in a plan to provide The $2 million in initial fund- was appointed in 2018. Her a device to every student in ing for the pilot project would new term would expire on the district. The Board authocome from the Electric UnJune 30, 2023. rized negotiating the terms of designated RR&I Fund. The Chauncey currently works a four-year lease agreement charging equipment would be as a Capital Outlay Program with American Capital Finanpurchased from Novacharge, specialist for Leon County cial Services for the purchase and installation work will be Schools. She has also worked of an extensive technology completed by existing City for St. Luke’s Anglican Church package. contractors. and owned a photography The lease agreement will Locations for the charging business. be broken into four annual stations that are being considThe Downtown Improvepayments for a maximum total ered include the police headment Authority is responsible of $11 million. Funding will quarters on North Monroe for promoting the development come from capital outlay, Street, Lake Anita, Tom Brown of Downtown Tallahassee. general revenue, and categoriPark, and Cascades Park.

Members are appointed by cal funds. The agreement will The charging station pilot

City Commissioners Approve $2 Million in Funding for Electric Vehicle Pilot Program

project launch would also include a marketing campaign to promote the City as a leader in renewable energy initiatives.

cover 32,500 Chromebooks, as well as cases, warranties, and licenses.

Additionally, the agreement covers 900 charging stations—one for each elementary homeroom class in order to allow elementary students to leave their devices on campus during the school day.

The agreement also covers setup and repair services from Technology Integration Group and Google tenant management services.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna said families may be able to purchase device insurance for $25 per year. Hanna said approving the initiative is a historical moment for the Leon County School system.

“It’s risky, and there’s probably a reason why Leon County Schools didn’t go down this path for years now, but it is absolutely the right time,” Hanna said.

The staff plans to deliver devices to students by Aug. 1, 2020.

for two lawsuits filed by LCS employees.

The first is a $13,000 settlement between Shannon Haire and Leon County Schools. Ms. Haire alleged that she was subjected to sexual harassment and assault by her supervisor while employed at John G. Riley Elementary School and retaliation for reporting the incident.

The complaint was served in June 2019, and the Board filed its answer denying the allegations in July 2019. Following mediation, a settlement of $35,000 plus payment of mediation costs was reached.

Staff reports that the Board is responsible for $13,000 of the settlement. The remainder will be paid by AIG, the school district’s insurance company.

The second is a $17,500 settlement between Debra Clayton and Leon County Schools. Ms. Clayton, who is a 61-year-old African-American, claimed that while an employee she was subjected to discriminatory treatment in the School Board Approves form of reduction of her work hours on the basis of her age.

Two Settlements Clayton’s complaint was filed in July 2018, and the answer At the June 2nd meeting, was filed in October 2018. Folthe Leon County School Board lowing mediation, a $17,500 voted to approve settlements settlement was reached.

Page 6

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

2020 Campaign Coverage City Commission Candidate Profile: Jacqueline (“Jack”) Porter

City Commission Candidate Profile: Elaine Bryant

City Commissioner Elaine Bryant announced her run for Seat One in September 2019. William Moore, Jermaine Miller, and Jacqueline Porter are also running for the Seat One position.

Bryant was appointed City Commissioner in December 2018 to replace Scott Maddox. She is currently the CEO of EW Bryant Associates, a consulting training firm. She has also worked for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and she has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a master’s degree in Psychology. Main focuses of Bryant’s campaign are economic development and public safety.

Questions What motivated you to run for local office?

“I have always had a passion for service to our community. Tallahassee is a special place with great potential to optimize its assets for the good of its citizenry and make us all Tallahassee Proud! When I was afforded the opportunity to apply for Seat One, I felt strongly that I could bring my commitment to service and utilize my gifts to be a blessing to our community.”

What unique perspective would you bring to the position?

“As the current Commissioner for Seat One, my unique perspective has been shaped by my integral involvement in the development of the strategic plan and my commitment to ensuring accountability for goal attainment. I strongly believe in community involvement which has been evident in our outreach during our strategic planning process and I am extremely proud to listen and include their voices and recommendations in the decision-making process.”

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Tallahassee?

“Economic Development, Poverty, Enhance Public Safety.”

What is your plan to address these challenges?

“My plan to address these challenges is the implementation of our Strategic Plan that was developed and approved by the Commission during last year. We have refined our mission and vision statements for the City of Tallahassee and developed

seven priority areas with goals and objectives accompanied by targets for performance.

Economic Development, which advances the City as a competitive, innovative and sustainable regional economic hub, will hopefully make us attractive to various industries and businesses that will help us recruit and retain talent and provide jobs for people at all income strata in our community. When we increase our economic base, there should be a positive Impact on Poverty. Citizens at work will create an environment for a safer, more inclusive community.

Our TEMPO Program targets disconnected youth to get a GED, earn a living wage and other programs that meet the needs of persons who may otherwise never reach their potential.

This is just one example of what is currently described in our Strategic Plan for which I plan to ensure accountability.

Developing and implementing community-based solutions to Enhance Public Safety is also one of my top three priorities. Our objectives focus on crime prevention, public awareness campaigns, training, state of the art technology and community engagement for a safer Tallahassee.

This is just a snapshot of some of our challenges and how I plan to continue to serve as your Commissioner for Seat One.” ___________________ Responsibilities of the City Commissioner position include setting City policies and setting tax rates. It has a four-year term length and annual salary of $39,588.00. The primary election date is August 18 and the general election date is November 3.

Website: www.elainebryanttlh.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ElaineBryantTLH/ Ahead of the 2020 local election season, Tallahassee Reports has asked all local candidates to answer basic questions about their candidacy. The answers to the questions are in the candidates own words.The goal is to get as much information out to voters as possible. More focused questions will be addressed as the election draws nearer.

In November 2019, Jacqueline (“Jack”) Porter filed to run for City Commission Seat 1. Incumbent Elaine Bryant is also running for the position, as well as William Moore and Jermaine Miller.

Porter graduated from Florida State University with a degree in philosophy and religious studies. Currently, she is a graduate student at Florida State University in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Administration and Policy. Porter has also worked as a legal assistant, a graduate research assistant, and a Commissioner on the Tallahassee/ Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is also a Gubernatorial Fellow with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Main focuses of her campaign include local economic development, growth management, and historical and environmental preservation.

Questions What motivated you to run for local office?

‘I’m running because I’m not satisfied with the status quo of dysfunction and corruption in City Hall. Our city simply isn’t working for everyday people. It’s not working for our neighborhoods that feel we don’t have a say in how our city grows, it’s not working for residents sick of wasteful spending, and it’s not working for our most vulnerable neighbors who continue to see taxpayer resources squandered, with false promises that help is on the way. I’m running because I don’t think we need another Commissioner propped up by insiders, government vendors, and consultants —we need more Commissioners who are going to listen to the entire city and act in the best interest of all of us.”

What unique perspective would you bring to the position?

“I’ll bring the perspective of a political outsider, unbought and unbossed by ties to the power brokers and big-money donors that have corruptly influenced City Hall at the expense of the quality of life of our neighborhoods and residents.”

“I also bring significant experience in municipal governance, as well as expertise in regional and urban planning and public administration from my graduate studies. I have also gained practical knowledge of our local institutions as someone who has worked and served in City and County organizations and advisory boards for several years.”

“I want Tallahassee to be the best it can be because it is my home; it is where I want to build a family and a community where everyone can live, work, and flourish with dignity.

There’s a lot of room for improvement but I’m confident that with fresh, independent leadership committed to change we can get where we want to be as a city.”

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Tallahassee?

“There are many specific challenges we face in terms of growth management, economic development, environmental preservation and the future of our public assets. But they all come down to the essential question of how we elect our City?s leadership.”

“Do we want a small group of political and economic elites running the show as they so often have in Tallahassee? Or do we want our leaders to have broad support from neighborhoods and people of all persuasions to work together and reform the longstanding problems we face? Do we want more of the same old network of insiders continuing to govern our City, or are we ready to make a bold change to enact real reforms? That's the basic challenge we face in this election.”

What is your plan to address these challenges?

“Our campaign will be releasing policy proposals on a number of local issues but generally: I will address these challenges by leveraging my experience in local government, and by making certain that big donors and special interests don’t drown out the voices of Tallahassee residents and working people. “ “Let’s be clear—many of the challenges we face as a city are a result of compromised leadership and neglect and will continue unless we take decisive action to break away from the status quo that got us here in the first place.

I plan to give the people of Tallahassee an honest choice. “ ___________________ Responsibilities of the City Commissioner position include setting City policies and setting tax rates. It has a four-year term length and annual salary of $39,588.00. The primary election date is August 18 and the general election date is November 3.

Website: www.jackfortallahassee.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/JackForTallahassee/ .

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TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020 Page 7

2020 Campaign Coverage City Commission Candidate Profile: William Moore

In October 2019, William Moore filed to run for City Commission Seat 1.

Incumbent Elaine Bryant is also running for the position, as well as Jacqueline Porter and Jermaine Miller.

Moore graduated from Leon High School in 2019 and now attends Florida State University as a neuroscience major. He has worked for Scriberr News, and he wrote and published Mankind’s Greatest Challenges, a book about his ideas for addressing major problems in society.

Questions What motivated you to run for local office?

“My family has lived in Tallahassee for generations, so I was distraught when the FBI investigation found corruption in our local government which is what eventually motivated me to run for office.”

What unique perspective would you bring to the position?

“First of all, special interests have had no impact on any of my policy ideas; I will make my decisions based on what’s best for the people and our communities, not the rich and powerful. Also, I think it’ll be good for a young face to be in office. I have a lot of different perspectives and beliefs than the other Commissioners and Candidates simply because I was born in a completely different generation.”

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Tallahassee?

“Tallahassee’s biggest problems are our environment, homeless crisis, crime rates and lack of attention towards our youth.”

What is your plan to address these challenges?

“I have a great tax plan for harmful single-use items that will be a moderate step towards eventually abolishing all environmentally harmful products in Tallahassee. The tax would charge businesses who use these harmful

items which would fund benefits for those who use alternatives; therefore, the more people who keep using harmful products, the more benefits there will be for those who use ecofriendly alternatives.”

“Also, I’d like to intertwine our city with more nature. Humans are the hardest animals to live among. If you go downtown, you won’t see any other species besides ourselves. Much like the city of Singapore, I’d like to combine human creations with the natural beauty of nature. Therefore, when companies destroy nature to construct a building, they should have to find a way to intertwine nature with their project instead of simply planting trees in a remote location.”

“In order to fix our homeless crisis we really need to change the curriculum of our rehabilitation programs. We need to start trying to fix the root of these people’s problems instead of just merely keeping them alive. However, our homeless crisis and crime rates would not be such humongous problems if we could effectively help our troubled youth, which our schools have clearly not done a good job at.” ___________________ Responsibilities of the City Commissioner position include setting City policies and setting tax rates. It has a four-year term length and annual salary of $39,588.00. The primary election date is August 18 and the general election date is November 3.

Website: www.williammoore2020. com

City Commission Candidate Profile: Jermaine Miller

Jermaine Miller filed to run for City Commission Seat 1 in November 2019. Jacqueline Porter, William Moore, and incumbent Elaine Bryant are also running for the position.

Miller is a community activist and homelessness advocate. He graduated from East Gadsden High School and worked in catering at Florida State University. He has also worked with Gadsden G-Stars, and he canvassed for Hillary Clinton in 2013. According to Miller, unique features of his campaign include mentoring programs and affordable housing.

Questions What motivated you to run for local office?

“What motivates me to run for office is that Tallahassee needs some changes, and I’ve been asking the City Commissioners to change some stuff that will help the City. What motivates me to run for office is that I work with kids a lot, and during winter break the recreation center is always closed. Some kids want to hang with their friends. Some kids would like to meet other kids. Also what motivates me to run for office is that we need affordable housing for the homeless, for the low-income people, and jobs and businesses.”

What unique perspective would you bring to the position?

“I will bring jobs. I will bring after school programs for kids during the winter breaks and affordable housing

and businesses.”

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Tallahassee?

“My biggest challenge is that we have to get money from the state and federal government. We have to work hard.”

What is your plan to address these challenges?

“I would advocate and lobby for programs that we need, and I’ll show a chart of how much we need in Tallahassee to the City Commission.” ___________________ Responsibilities of the City Commissioner position include setting City policies and setting tax rates. It has a four-year term length and annual salary of $39,588.00. The primary election date is August 18 and the general election date is November 3.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/peoplechoice121/ Ahead of the 2020 local election season, Tallahassee Reports has asked all local candidates to answer basic questions about their candidacy. The answers to the questions are in the candidates own words.The goal is to get as much information out to voters as possible. More focused questions will be addressed as the election draws nearer.

Ahead of the 2020 local election season, Tallahassee Reports has asked all local candidates to answer basic questions about their candidacy. The answers to the questions are in the candidates own words.The goal is to get as much information out to voters as possible. More focused questions will be addressed as the election draws nearer.

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CITY

Mayor - John Dailey - john.dailey@talgov.com Jeremy Matlow - jeremy.matlow@talgov.com Elaine Bryant - elaine.bryant@talgov.com Curtis Richardson - curtis.richardson@talgov.com Dianne Williams-Cox - dianne.williams-cox@talgov.com COUNTY District 1 - Bill Proctor - proctorb@leoncountyFL.gov District 2 - Jimbo Jackson - jacksonj@leoncountyFL.gov District 3 - Rick Minor - minorr@leoncountyFL.gov District 4 - Bryan Desloge - deslogeb@leoncountyFL.gov District 5 - Kristin Dozier - dozierk@leoncountyFL.gov At-Large - Mary Ann Lindley - lindleym@leoncountyFL.gov At-Large - Nick Maddox - maddoxn@leoncountyFL.gov SCHOOL BOARD: District 1- Alva Striplin - striplina@LeonSchools.net District 2- Roseanne Wood - woodr@LeonSchools.net District 3-Darrel Jones - jonesd8@leonschools.net District 4- Dee Dee Rasmussen - rasmussend@leonschools.net District 5- Joy Bowen -jbowen91@comcast.net Superintendent - Rocky Hanna - hannar@leonschools.net

Page 8

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

State News

Questions Remain About Opening State Offices

By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — More than a month after Gov. Ron DeSantis began restarting Florida’s economy, his administration has not issued guidance for how state agencies should reopen offices to workers and the public.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many state workers have been working from home and have been following telework and sick leave policies issued in March by the Department of Management Services, an executive agency that oversees state personnel matters.

But the department had not outlined return-to-work protocols as of Tuesday, nearly two weeks after DeSantis moved into the second phase of the state’s economic reopening plan, which includes allowing expanded operations at restaurants and reopening bars and gyms. The first phase started in early May. “Discussions are ongoing as to the reopening of state buildings. The work from the state agencies has been ongoing with some employees working from the office or teleworking,” Helen Aguirre Ferre, a spokeswoman for the governor, told The News Service of Florida in an email Monday.

Ferre did not answer repeated questions about the administration’s plan to reopen state offices or why DeSantis’ timeline for reopening has been different for businesses.

Meanwhile, some state agencies are operating under the months-old guidance for telework until told otherwise.

“FDOT (the Florida Department of Transportation) continues to follow the previous guidance issued from DMS (the Department of Management Services) at this time,” Beth Frady, a spokeswoman for the transportation agency, told the News Service in an email Monday.

At least one DeSantis administration agency, the Department of Health, has put in place an internal reopening plan.

On June 8, department officials sent an email to employees noting that “phase 2 of the Return from Telework Plan” had officially kicked off, according to a copy of the email obtained by the News Service.

The second phase of the plan allows 50 percent of department employees to return to the office and reopens department buildings and offices to the public with social distancing measures, the email said.

“The division director or other designated authority has complete discretion in selecting which employees will return to work under phase two,” the email said.

When Department of Health employees arrive at work, they will be “encouraged” but not required to wear face masks in the office, according to department guidelines.

“Employees may wear masks at their discretion. The department will have masks available upon request,” department officials said in the email.

The use of cloth face coverings is recommended in all business areas by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unless a person

has trouble breathing, is unable to tolerate wearing it or is unable to remove it without assistance.

Other guidelines from the Department of Health include cleaning hightouch and high-traffic areas in offices “at least daily,” asking employees to avoid handshakes and close quarters and screening visitors for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering buildings.

Alberto Moscoso, a spokesman for the Department of Health, did not respond to repeated requests for information about whether the department would open offices across the state or if it would exclude offices in counties where COVID-19 is more concentrated.

Attorney General Ashley Moody and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who operate their offices independently from the DeSantis administration, have been considering countylevel data as they move forward with reopening plans.

Moody’s office crafted a reopening plan with the help of medical professionals at the University of Florida that began to allow up to 25 percent of department employees to return to the office on a voluntary basis on June 2.

“High-risk individuals will continue to work from home. Our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach are excluded at this time,” Lauren Cassidy, a spokeswoman for Moody’s office, said at the time. “Additionally, masks will be required and provided in communal spaces.”

Southeast Florida has had by far the most COVID-19 cases in the state.

The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, headed

by Fried, has drafted a reopening plan that will require employees to use face masks in workplaces and will allow vulnerable employees, such as those who are over age 65 or who have underlying medical conditions, to continue working from home.

The draft plan, obtained by the News Service, notes that desks and cubicles will be placed six feet apart, in-person meetings will be limited to 10 people, and visitors will be required to make appointments for in-office services.

Seating will be barred from waiting rooms. Break rooms and other common areas will be temporarily shut down. Inspectors will be required to use face masks at all times when checking food establishments, supermarkets or other private businesses.

Fried has repeatedly bashed the governor’s handling of the pandemic and slammed him for keeping her off a task force that looked at reopening the state’s economy.

In some instances, her office’s safety guidelines could be stricter than those put forth by the DeSantis administration in absence of Department of Management Services return-to-work guidelines.

“Employees in a private or DMSleased facility must adhere to any safety guidelines provided by the facility unless our guidelines were stricter and then should be followed,” Fried’s office noted in its plan.

Landmark Ruling Fuels Call for State LGBTQ Protections

By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida

The Supreme Court ruling — which came during what’s known as Pride Month — may have broader TALLAHASSEE — LGBTQ advoimplications, but the decision was cates are hailing Monday’s landmark focused solely on workforce rights.

U.S. Supreme Court decision that gay, Florida is one of more than two lesbian and transgender workers are dozen states that do not have laws covered by federal anti-discriminabanning discrimination based on tion laws, but they say Florida needs gender, and Republican legislative to do more. leaders during the past several years The court’s 6-3 opinion, authored have thwarted efforts to pass such

by Justice Neil Gorsuch, found that measures. the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which proA legislative proposal, known as the hibits sex discrimination, applies to “Florida Competitive Workforce Act,” workers’ gender identity and sexual would ban discrimination in housing orientation. and public accommodations as well.

“An employer who fires an individ“It really comes down to a small ual for being homosexual or transhandful of people that are blockgender fires that person for traits or ing progress. And it’s our hope that actions it would not have questioned today’s ruling will be part of the in members of a different sex. Sex momentum to stop that, and allow plays a necessary and undisguisable these protections to become codified role in the decision, exactly what comprehensively,” Smith said.

Title VII (of the Civil Rights Act) forWhile many local governments in bids,” Gorsuch, who was appointed Florida have approved protections for

by President Donald Trump, wrote.

LGBTQ workers and residents, “that’s Chief Justice John Roberts and the not enough,” Smith said. court’s four liberal-leaning justices “It’s got to cover everyone. We made up the rest of the majority, should not have to look at our zip with dissents from justices Samuel code or what city limits we are in or Alito, Brent Kavanaugh and Clarence county we are occupying to know Thomas. that we will be protected just like In a hastily arranged video confer- everyone else,” she added. ence with reporters Monday afterThe legislative effort, backed by a noon, Florida LGBTQ leaders lauded coalition of businesses throughout the decision. the state, has garnered support of “Without a doubt, this has been members from both parties in Florian amazing, watershed moment. It da, and “that’s what’s part of changing comes at a time when our country that environment,” Smith said. needs some bright lights,” Equality She pointed to social changes Florida Executive Director Nadine quickly adopted in reaction to the Smith said.

COVID-19 pandemic, as well as But, she added, “We want people citizens’ demands to address police to understand that this does not in brutality and racial injustice followany way reduce the need for the state ing the death of George Floyd. Floyd, Legislature and the governor to act.” a 46-year-old black man, died after

DeSantis Receives E-Verify Proposal A bill that would require all government employers to use a federal electronic system to check the immigration status of new workers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. The measure (SB 664) would require all public employers — such as local schools, public universities and state agencies — and their contractors to use the electronic system, known as E-Verify.

Private employers who do not do business with the state government would not be mandated to use EVerify. Businesses that receive state-funded economic incentives, however, would be required to use the verification system. Also, government contractors would be required to use it.

Private employers who decide not to use E-Verify would be required to keep a three-year record of the documents used by workers to complete an “I-9” form, which federal law already requires businesses to use.

Until this spring, years of attempts to pass an EVerify bill failed in the Republican-led Legislature. But the push for the verification plan this year got a political boost from the governor. DeSantis, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made a crackdown on illegal immigration a cornerstone of his 2018 gubernatorial campaign. The E-Verify bill sent to the governor on Tuesday, however, does not go as far as DeSantis initially wanted. The Republican governor had promised a mandate for both private and public employers, but lawmakers settled on an E-Verify requirement for government employers and their contractors. DeSantis has until July 1 to act on the measure.

being pinned to the ground under the knee of a white former Minneapolis police officer on May 25.

“I think that there’s a recognition that equity and justice are at the forefront of people’s thinking right now,” Smith said. “That work has a moment that we have not experienced before.”

Many Florida lawmakers, however, historically have bristled at passing pro-LGBTQ measures.

For example, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state bans on samesex marriage are unconstitutional, the Republican-controlled Legislature refused to strip a ban from Florida laws.

Monday’s high-court decision offers an opportunity for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close ally of Trump, “to send a clear message, which is that Florida is a welcoming state that won’t tolerate discrimination against anyone, including LGBTQ Floridians,” state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat who is gay, told The News Service of Florida.

“The governor can take action now, today,” Smith said.

The Republican governor could use his authority to codify workplace protections in the decision and extend those rights to all state agencies and anti-discrimination laws, he said.

“This ruling is as strong a ruling as could be to give the governor the ammunition he needs to sign an executive order saying the state of Florida recognizes that anti-LGBTQ discrimination is sex discrimination, as declared unequivocally in this ruling, and, therefore, all state laws that prohibit sex discrimination will equally apply to prohibit anti-LGBTQ discrimination,” he added.

State Agriculture Commissioner

Nikki Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, adopted workplacediscrimination protections related to sexual orientation and gender identity after she took office last year.

“The very essence of our state and country is that all people are created equal — and now, our nation’s highest court has affirmed that our LGBTQ community is equal before the law,” Fried said in a prepared statement after Monday’s Supreme ruling Whether the decision applies to federal laws covering education, housing, credit and health care “will have to be litigated,” said Jon Davidson, chief counsel for Washington, D.C.-based Freedom for All Americans.

“No one should have to fight in court over that or labor under any uncertainty about it. That’s why we need Congress and the states without express sexual orientation and gender nonidentity discrimination protections to act and pass explicit protections,” he said.

The LGBTQ community and advocates rallied around Monday’s decision as an instrument to galvanize support for broader protections.

“It’s definitely a day to celebrate but we know that this is a little blip in our path for full equality,” Orlando Gonzales, executive director of the organization Safeguarding American Values for Everyone, or SAVE, said during Monday’s Zoom news conference. “I’m hoping that this is looked at as not just a moment of ruling on employment, but really ruling on something a little bit higher, which is that what was considered here was the Civil Rights Act.”

State Releases Plan to Reopen Schools REOPENING, From Front Page

classes in auditoriums, gyms or cafeterias, according to the plan.

State officials are not requiring the use of face masks in schools, but are suggesting that it would be a good idea to have children and adults cover their faces in certain enclosed areas, including buses and clinics.

“While cloth face coverings are not mandated, schools should explore strategies to utilize them to the extent feasible,” the state plan says. “At a minimum, schools should be supportive of students, teachers and staff who voluntarily wear cloth face coverings.”

The plan notes that the goal is to get students on campus “every day,” and leaves it up to school districts to explore staggered schedules and different start and end times to limit crowds at schools.

DeSantis and Corcoran noted that parents need to have their children back in school so they can return to work.

School closures have likely widened the learning gap, they said.

A main goal for the state will be closing achievement gaps among groups of students who fell behind while distance-learning during the spring, the leaders said.

“The message should be loud and clear. We want schools fully open in the fall because there is no better way to educate our kids than to have that

great teacher in front of that child,” Corcoran told reporters.

DeSantis said the state plans to invest millions of dollars to address achievement disparaties. The money will come from nearly $1 billion the state received as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act approved in March.

The state plans to inject $64 million into intensive summer programs to combat learning gaps and will spend $15 million on teams of reading coaches to bolster literacy instruction across the state.

“We have to attack, like no other state has done before, the achievement gap,” Corcoran said. “We have to get in there, grab hold of these kids, and end the achievement gap.”

DeSantis also said he wants to pump $30 million from the CARES Act into the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program to keep providing scholarships to low-income students to attend private schools. He also plans to provide $15 million in relief to private schools who accept the scholarships.

“This will protect funding for traditional K-12 schools by preventing large increases in enrollments if students were to lose their current scholarships,” the governor said.

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020 Page 9

Employment has increased 17 quarters in a row, comparing the same quarter of the prior year. For the first time since Q3 2011, MSA 3-month average Unemployment Rate was not lower than the same quarter of the previous year. MSA Initial Claims for Unemployment Compensation in Q1 2020 were the most for any quarter since Q3 2011. Mortgage Foreclosures in Leon Co. decreased almost 35% compared to Q1 2019, and were 44% below the Q1 average of 138 during 2015-2019.

Indicator* – Most Recent Quarter

189,104 (1st

qtr. 2020)

What Does This Mean?

Since Last Year

+0.3%

Up 1,577 from Q1 2019

Employment was down 1.4% from Q4 2019 while year-overyear employment levels have increased 17 quarters in a row.

Employment—Where Are We?: Not much contrast yet compared to 2019; January and February mitigated a lackluster March. January

employment was up 1.8% over Jan. 2019, and February was up 1.5% over Feb. 2019, while March was -0.7% compared to Mar. 2019. Depending on data revisions made to March and preliminary April numbers, there will likely be two consecutive months of deteriorating employment, which would show more obvious contrast compared to 2019.

3,751 (1st qtr. 2020)

+218%

2,573 more than in Q1 2019

MSA Initial Claims for Unemployment Compensation in Q1 2020 were the most for any quarter since Q3 2011 and 2.6 times higher than the Q1 average of 1,436 over the past five years.

Unemployment Claims—Where Are We?: There were 2,978 claims made in March in the Tallahassee MSA, compared to 307 in February and 406 in January. The March total was about the same as the previous eight months combined—an order of magnitude difference in one month. State level data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) likewise show a major surge in unemployment claims statewide.

During the six weeks from mid-March to late April, according to BLS, there were nearly 1.6 million initial claims for unemployment insurance in Florida, about the same as the combined total of the prior 219 weeks (1/2/2016 to 3/7/2020). As of the week ending April 18, 2020, continued claims for unemployment statewide totaled 540,554, the highest weekly amount in BLS data going back to 1987. Continued claims data is not available at the local level.

(1st qtr. 2020)

+2.5%

4 more than in Q1 2019

Single-Family Construction Permits in Leon Co. increased 1.9% from Q4 2019, and were 5.4% lower than the Q1 average of 173 during 2015 to 2019.

$231,950 (4th qtr. 2019)

+8.1%

Up $17,450 from Q4 2018

Median Sales Price was up 1.3% from Q3 2019, has risen in 11 of the past 20 quarters in the MSA, and has been lower than the statewide median sales price since Q4 2013.

487,000

-14.0%

Total Visitors in Leon Co. decreased 7.8% from Q4 FY 2019.

Q1 FY 2020 was 7.7% lower than the Q1 average of 528,404 during FY 2015 to FY 2019.

164

(Q1 FY 2020)

Down 79,545 from Q1 FY 2019

Total Visitors—Where Are We?: The -14% dip in visitors compared to last year was for Q1 of FY 2020, October to December 2019, well before pandemic and quarantine affected local conditions. Visitor totals were only down 7.8% from the prior quarter. Direct expenditures of visitors were down just 6.2% compared to Q1 FY 2019, and only down 1.5% from the prior quarter.

179,022 (1st qtr. 2019)

-10.4%

20,794 fewer than in Q1 2019

TLH Passengers in Q1 2020 were down 23.1% from Q4 2019, but still 2% higher than Q1 average of 176,008 during 2015-2019.

TLH Passengers—Where Are We?: Lowest quarter since Q3 2017, but still higher than comparable quarter of Q1 in 2017. A good January and February somewhat offset a flat March. January was up 11% compared to Jan. 2019 and February was up 12% compared to Feb. 2019.

3.4%

(1st qtr. 2020)

SAME

Unchanged from Q1 2019

For the first time since Q3 2011, MSA 3-month average Unemployment Rate was not lower than the same quarter of the previous year.

*Leading: May signal future changes; Lagging: May confirm pattern already in progress; Coincident: Occurs in real-time and clarifies condition of economy.

QED

May 2020 Edition

Indicator* – Most Recent Quarter

$875

Since Last Year

What Does This Mean?

+4.2%

(3rd qtr. 2019)

$35 more than in Q3 2018

MSA Average Weekly Wage 4-quarter moving average has increased in all but 1 quarter since 2014, comparing same quarter of the prior year.

77

(1st qtr. 2020)

-34.7%

41 fewer than in Q1 2019

Mortgage Foreclosures in Leon Co. decreased 9% from Q4 2019, and were 44% below the Q1 average of 138 during 2015-2019.

5.7%

+1.7 pts.

(1st qtr. 2020)

Up from 4.0% in Q1 of 2019

Office Vacancy fell 1.0 points from 6.7% in Q4 2019, but was the highest for any Q1 since 2016, when it was 6.6%.

3.4%

+0.4 pts.

(1st qtr. 2020)

Up from 3.0% in Q1 of 2019

195,859 (1st qtr. 2020)

+0.9%

Up 1,675 from Q1 2019

MSA avg. monthly Labor Force was down 0.7% from Q4 2019. Labor Force has grown 16 consecutive quarters, comparing same quarter of the prior year.

$1.34 B

-0.4%

MSA Taxable Sales were down 0.6% from Q3 2019 and 10% higher than Q3 2018, and have gone up in 13 of the past 20 quarters, comparing sales to the same quarter of the previous year.

(4th qtr. 2019)

Down $5.1 M from Q4 2018

Industrial Vacancy rose 1.0 points from 2.4% in Q4 2019, and was the highest for any Q1 since 2017, when it was 5.0%.

*Leading: May signal future changes; Lagging: May confirm pattern already in progress; Coincident: Occurs in real-time and clarifies condition of economy.

Sources: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Information, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS); Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW); Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Reemployment Assistance Data; Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research; City of Tallahassee Growth Management Department and Leon County Department of Development Support & Environmental Management; Leon County Clerk of Courts; Tallahassee Board of Realtors; Visit Tallahassee; Tallahassee International Airport; CoStar Property.

Where Are We? Summary We’re seeing deterioration of economic conditions expressed in some of the leading indicators (e.g., Initial Claims for Unemployment), while the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine have not been occurring long enough yet to adversely affect the lagging indicators (e.g., Office Vacancy Rate).

The relationship between leading and lagging indicators is apparent. Unemployment claims have increased immediately. Employment showed mediocre growth. While the unemployment rate does not show a precipitous rise, it does lag initial claims by almost a month.

Outlook If the labor market continues to deteriorate, we are likely to see more leading indicators worsen and as those conditions persist, the lagging indicators will confirm the trend. This could eventually result in higher rates of foreclosure, wage stagnation, increased vacancy rates, and a higher sustained unemployment rate. Taxable Sales data will very likely confirm reduced revenue projections.

We don’t know how much the Tallahassee metro area will mirror the State’s condition of the past few weeks. Past performance tells us the local labor market does not peak as high nor dip as low as the State, and local labor market conditions generally lag the State trend by a month or two.

Expect a downward trend in the local economy in the near future, but it’s too soon to tell how long it will last, or how significant it will be.

OEVforbusiness.org

Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality

Page 10

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

Business News

Home Sales Down 33% in May, Still Up in 2020

Annual Rate Ave. Price

2600 2400

MAY

FEB

APR

JAN

MAR

DEC

OCT

NOV

JUL

SEP

JUN

AUG

MAY

FEB

APR

JAN

MAR

DEC

OCT

NOV

JUL

SEP

JUN

AUG

MAY

FEB

APR

JAN

MAR

DEC

OCT

NOV

JUL

SEP

JUN

2000

AUG

2200

Three Year Single-Family Average Sales Price Source: Real Estate N Data Services

$280,000 $260,000

May-20 229 $ 267,189 3,153 $ 271,476

$240,000

Chg -115 $ 2,646 128 $ 8,274

%Chg -33.4% 1.0% 4.2% 3.1%

Budget Eyed for Cuts as Virus Hit Revenues

TALLAHASSEE — Florida TaxWatch wants more than $136 million in projects cut from the proposed state budget, but the fiscal-watchdog group acknowledges that might be far less than what is needed because of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on state revenues.

TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro said he expects Gov. Ron DeSantis to use his line-item veto power to go beyond the 180 projects that TaxWatch has identified as “turkeys” in the proposed $93.2 billion budget that lawmakers passed in March.

The nonprofit TaxWatch’s turkey list recommends vetoes mostly because of the way projects were put into the budget, rather than based on the projects’ merits. The group, for example, targets projects that received a lack of public review.

But DeSantis could look to veto large amounts of spending to conserve cash, as tax revenues have plummeted during the pandemic.

Also, Florida Chamber Foundation Chief Economist Jerry Parrish warned that leisure and hospitality jobs may struggle to return through the end of the year.

A late May report from the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research said revenue collections in April were more than $878 million below estimates, with a large chunk of the drop due to the decline in tourism.

2800

Concerns have been raised that DeSantis might have to cut planned increases in teacher salaries or trim spending on programs such as Florida Forever. DeSantis has made a priority of teacher pay hikes and spending on environmental issues.

Rather than making such cuts, Calabro suggested lawmakers require the collection of sales taxes on all goods purchased online by Floridians. Also, he called for reaching a new gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Lawmakers have repeatedly considered — and rejected — proposals aimed at boosting the collection of sales taxes on goods purchased online.

While businesses with physical presences in Florida collect and remit such taxes, out-of-state retailers often do not.

Collecting the taxes has long been backed by groups such as Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation, which say Florida retailers are put at a disadvantage when out-of-state businesses don’t collect sales taxes on online purchases.

The state Revenue Estimating Conference projected in January that such legislation would generate $479 million a year in currently uncollected revenue for the state and another $132.9 million a year for local governments.

12-Mnth Ave 3-Mnth Ave.

$220,000 $200,000 $180,000 $160,000

Airport Traffic Down in May The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on air travel.

The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows passenger traffic decreased 88.4% in May when compared to traffic one year ago.

The number of passengers was down from 76,694 during May 2019 to 8,908 this year.

In April month-over-month traffic was down 95.7%.

The Passenger Traffic Report shows passenger counts May Passenger Traffic Report decreased for the three major carriers. American was down 96.9%, the Delta Group was May-19 May-20 Chg %Chg down 94.0% and Silver AirDelta Group 36,402 2,197 -34,205 -94.0% ways was down 82.0%.

Silver Airways 36,591 6,595 -29,996 -82.0% The graph below shows American 3,701 116 -3,585 -96.9% the annualized number of passengers for the last Totals 76,694 8,908 -67,786 -88.4% 24-months. The annual rate of passengers at TIA in May was 711,814. Due to the major Annual Rate of TIA Passengers decline in April and May, the 900,000 annualized rate is 14.18% below the annual rate reported during 850,000 this month last year. The annualized number of passengers 800,000 is calculated by summing the previous 12 months of traffic.

750,000 The annualized passenger traffic before the Great Reces700,000 sion was approximately 947,000 in 2007.

650,000 Source: Talgov.com, 24-Months

PASSENGERS

Ave. Price

3000

JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

SFR Resales

3200

The chart below shows the annual rate of single family sales in Leon county over the last 36 months.

The average price of homes sold over the last twelve months in Leon county was $271,476. This is 3.1% above the average sales price of $263,202 reported one year ago.

The average sales price chart below shows the 12-month and 3-month average sales price of single-family homes in Leon county over the last three years.

SFR Sales Report

May-19 344 $ 264,543 3,025 $ 263,202

Source:Tallahassee Real Estate N Data Services, Leon County

3400

Homes Sold

Sales of existing single-family homes in Leon county were down 33.4% when compared to numbers sold in the same month one year ago. There were 344 single-family home resales in May 2019 and 229 resales in May 2020. Last month there were 268 existing single-family homes sold.

The average sales price in May 2020 increased 1.0% from $264,543 to $267,189 one year ago.

Annual trends show that single-family home sales came in at an annual rate of 3,153 in May. The May annual rate of sales is 3.1% above the annual rate of 3,025 reported one year ago. The annual rate of sales last months was 3,268.

Annual Rate of SF Home Sales, Three Year Trend

MAY

JUL

SEP

NOV

JAN

MAR

MAY

JUL

SEP

NOV

JAN

MAR

MONTH

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TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020 Page 11

Business News

The Villas at Killearn Lakes Maintains Care Model Through COVID-19 Restrictions

By Lexie Pitzen Tallahassee Reports As nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 crisis, a local longterm care facility, the Villas at Killearn Lakes, is committed to both protecting residents and enriching their lives during this time.

The Villas at Killearn Lakes is a community of long-term care homes located in northeast Tallahassee. Each villa has twelve individual suites, where residents, or “elders,” live. The care model of the Villas emphasizes forming individual relationships with elders and providing them with respect and choice.

Bobbie Massey, licensed clinical social worker at the Villas, said staff at

the Villas have implemented several precautions to protect residents and staff against COVID-19. These include rigorous daily cleaning procedures as well as frequent COVID-19 screenings.

Staff are screened and have their temperatures taken at the beginning of each shift. Visitors, which are limited to only essential medical personnel, also have their temperatures taken.

Staff and visitors are required to wear masks.

Additionally, new residents moving into the Villas from another facility or a hospital must provide negative COVID-19 tests.

Massey said both staff and residents have appreciated the precautions, but there have been downfalls.

“Verbal communication can be a challenge with masks and talking to others who are hard of hearing or have limited cognitive functioning,” she said. “Elders have expressed missing The Villas at Killearn Lakes seeing their family members.” compassionate care throughout the The Villas is currently using video pandemic. chat to help connect residents to their “We have found people are attracted families, and they are allowing winto living in an environment which dow visits. Massey said visitors will essentially poses less health risk than be allowed again when authorized a large institutional setting,” she said. by the United States government and “Our goal is to continue to enrich the the Centers for Disease Control and lives of the Elders who live here as we Prevention. face the challenges of COVID restricMassey said staff at the Villas are tions. ” committed to maintaining quality and

Recent Single-Family Home Sales in Ox Bottom Crest Average $343,607

Leon County’s Top Mortgage Lenders By Dollar Volume (April 2020)

LENDER

1 Leon County Housing Finance Auth

TOTAL DOLLAR

MARKET SHARE %

11,760,000

12.61

2 University Lending Group LLC

7,530,300

8.07

3 Prime Meridian Bank

6,586,600

7.06

4 Movement Mortgage LLC

5,439,000

5.83

5 Truist Bank

4,692,300

5.03

6 TC Federal Bank

3,511,000

3.76

7 LoanDepot.Com LLC

3,479,500

3.73

8 Crosscountry Mortgage Inc

3,036,900

3.26

9 Navy Federal Credit Union

2,292,600

2.46

10 Synovus Bank

2,283,200

2.45

11 Ameris Bank

1,872,800

2.01

12 Quicken Loans Inc

1,541,900

1.65

13 Capital City Bank

1,479,600

1.59

14 Sierra Pacific Mortgage Co Inc 15 The First NA

1,468,500 1,365,900

1.57 1.46

Sale Date May-20 May-20 Apr-20 Apr-20 Apr-20 Mar-20 Jan-20 Jan-20 Dec-19 Nov-19 Oct-19 Oct-19 Sep-19 Aug-19 Jul-19

Reprint by permission. Metro Market Trends. Subscription info at www.mmtinfo.com or sales@mmtinfo.com.

Where The Living Is EASY

Address BIRD NEST TRL HOLLY FERN TRCE CARACARA DR BURNSIDE CIR BIRD NEST TRL BIRD NEST TRL HOLLY FERN TRCE CAPSTONE DR CAPSTONE DR HOLLY FERN TRCE CARACARA DR HOLLY FERN TRCE HOLLY FERN TRCE CAPSTONE DR CAPSTONE DR

Year Built

Sq. Feet

Sale Price

$/Sq.Ft.

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2016 2018 2017 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

1,970 1,745 1,664 1,495 1,495 2,590 1,867 2,088 1,495 1,688 1,849 1,664 1,664 1,664 1,970

372,400 339,000 335,000 299,500 298,500 463,000 349,500 405,000 285,100 340,000 336,500 325,000 325,000 315,000 365,600

189.0 194.3 201.3 200.3 199.7 178.8 187.2 194.0 190.7 201.4 182.0 195.3 195.3 189.3 185.6

1,794

343,607

192.3

Average

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The table above lists recent single family home sales in the Ox Bottom Crest neighborhood. The sales information is from the last 12 months.

Ox Bottom Crest is a new construction neighborhood located approximately 3 miles north of I-10. Most homes in the neighborhood were built after 2017.

The chart list 15 transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $315,000 to a high of $463,000. The average sales price for these transactions was calculated to be $343,607.

Reviewing another popular measure of home value, the dollar per square foot ($/SqFt), shows a range starting with a low of 182.0 $/SqFt to a high of 201.4 $/SqFt. The average $Sq/Ft was calculated to be 192.3 $/SqFt. Current homes listed for sale in Ox Bottom Crest range from $324,000 to $449,000.

For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com.

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VOTE

ELAINE BRYANT FOR CITY COMMISSION ON AUGUST 18

As a resident of Northeast Tallahassee, I’m running to be YOUR voice on the City Commission.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Elaine Bryant for Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 1.

Page 12

TALLAHASSEE REPORTS

June 20, 2020

Higher Education

Applications Open for Tallahassee Small Business Executive Program Tallahassee, Fla. — The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, in Florida State University’s College of Business, is accepting applications for its Small Business Executive Program (SBEP) Class XIII in Tallahassee. Application deadline is July 31. To apply, please click here.

“Operating a small business has become even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mike Campbell, director of North Florida Operations at the Jim Moran Institute.

“Speakers will cover planning and strategic resources focused on COVID-19 related issues, and additional tools to help businesses grow and sustain their operations during this period of uncertainty.”

The SBEP designed helps for-profit business leaders work on their business while accommodating their busy schedule. Participants learn the Business Model Canvas and are given other tools to emerge as stronger leaders ready to capitalize on business

opportunities. They also are exposed to industry experts in marketing, exit strategy, financial analysis and more.

A total of 24 participants from noncompeting businesses will be accepted into the four-month program. Sessions are four hours each and take place one afternoon a month. The first session starts Aug. 18 and the program runs through Nov. 17.

Offered at no cost to participants, the program is funded by The Jim Moran Foundation and Jim and Jan Moran.

CEOs and small business owners operating for three years or more and with five or more employees are eligible to apply. Dates and the structure of the programs are subject to change as the Jim Moran Institute continues to monitor the current COVID-19 guidelines from public health officials.

For more information about the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship’s North Florida Operations, including other programs and events, contact Campbell at mscampbell@jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu.

About the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship cultivates, trains and inspires entrepreneurial leaders through world-class executive education, applied training, public recognition and leading-edge research. Jim Moran was an automotive pioneer and an entrepreneur at heart, who at the age of 7, sold soda pop at sandlot baseball diamonds in Chicago. With a career that spanned more than six decades, he built an amazing chronicle of achievements in the automobile industry. His vision for the Jim Moran Institute was to provide opportunities that would help others become more successful business owners. A 1995 contribution from Jim and Jan Moran and JM Family Enterprises established the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at the Florida State University College of Business. Since 2011, further enhancements to the Jim Moran Institute and its outreach have been made possible by Jan Moran and

The Jim Moran Foundation. For more information, visit jimmoraninstitute. fsu.edu.

About the North Florida Operations The Jim Moran Institute’s North Florida Operations serves established entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders in the North Florida community through multiple programs designed to take advantage of local resources. Providing executive education and leveraging the resources of the Jim Moran Institute, the North Florida Operations helps its clients’ businesses – and the region’s economy – grow and prosper. Based in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, the North Florida Operations’ services are provided to for-profit and nonprofit businesses and are geared toward CEOs, entrepreneurs, business owners and presidents of small businesses whose companies have been established for at least three years with five or more employees. Services are provided for little to no cost..

FSU Medical Fraternity Takes Home Honors

By Kathleen Haughney, FSU News

cultural, philanthropic and medically related events. Chapters also must The Florida State University chapter raise a minimum of $2,000 to support of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Frahospitals affiliated with the Children’s ternity has won the Chapter Excellence Miracle Network.

Award for universities in the southeast.

The FSU chapter formed in March “This was an amazing feat by the 2018 and was officially installed as a undergraduate students,” said Profeschapter Dec. 8, 2018. sor of Exercise Science Chester Ray, Kyler Strange, the chapter president, the group’s adviser. “This group has said the group started with 43 students only been in existence for less than two and now has 72 active members. They years.” started the FSU organization to build The distinction recognizes chapters community among students who were that surpass standards of excellence in engaging in the grueling course work operations and in the programming required to apply for medical school areas of academics, service, social, while also providing opportunities for

education and philanthropy.

The organization received the Chapter Excellence Award this past February.

“This award serves not only as an indication of our member‘’s incredible dedication to the fraternity but also to our members’ commitment to becoming future physicians of integrity,” Strange said. “From the beginning, the FL Zeta chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon has striven above all else to create an environment that feels like home to our members.

While receiving the Chapter of Excel-

lence Award serves as validation that we have achieved this goal, we will continue to grow as a chapter and accomplish more with each semester.”

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