Upcoming events

  • Wednesday, November 06, 2024
    TBD
  • Friday, November 08, 2024
    TBD
  • Sunday, November 10, 2024 2:00 PM
    Colony Cottage Rec Center - 510 Colony Blvd
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024
    TBD
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024 9:00 AM
    Panera Bread - Lake Sumter Landing

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The Villages Democratic Club

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Let's make history!

ELECT Kamala Harris as the first woman and woman of color to be president.
REJECT Donald Trump and MAGA hatred.
HOLD the U.S. Senate by electing Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
PROTECT women's rights to make health care choices.
SAVE Social Security and Medicare.
PRESERVE democracy.

VOTE!


Hundreds in The Villages joined thousands nationally marching Saturday for women's rights

Several speakers inspired the crowd in Lake Sumter Landing's town square before the short march.

Watch Video

Watch Slideshow


As you prepare to vote, consider guidance in this newsletter.

Barbie Harden Hall

U.S. House of Representatives, District 11

Marilyn Holleran

Florida Senate, District 11


Ash Marwah
Florida House, District 52

Gloria Hayward

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

Attention Lake and Marion County Villagers: You might see one or more of these candidates on your ballots. Jackie Arndt's district includes some of Lake County in The Villages; James Stockton and Sylvain Dore' are seeking votes in the Marion County portion.

Jackie Arndt

Florida House District 26


James Stockton III
U.S. House of Representatives, District 6

Sylvain Dore'
Florida Senate, District 9

Multiple speakers set for our monthly membership meeting, Saturday, Nov. 9

BARBIE HARDEN HALL

Our "Mom on A Mission" Congressional candidate says win or lose she will continue to fight for our causes. She launched her inspiring campaign at our Club meeting and wants to talk about the future.

VILLAGER JIM BODENNER

A retired attorney, Jim volunteers counseling people about Medicare and long-term care issues, and is president of The Villages Chapter of the National Retiree Legislative Network.
He will addres
s:

Differences between Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements **Three Questions to Ask**, legislative changes that affect drug costs for seniors, and the Smiles for Veterans Dental Program .

CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH

Unchallenged  in this election, he will join the Florida Legislature as a state Senator. When he spoke to the Club as he began his run he vowed, "No more Mr. Nice Gay." We're awaiting confirmation that he will be able to join us.

The meeting will take place at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. The doors open at 9 a.m. for socializing, dropping off food pantry donations, joining the 50/50 drawing, visiting organization tables, and enjoying coffee and muffins.
New members can join the Club and current members can renew.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m.



Take Back Florida website

Florida Democratic Party recommendations on the six ballot measures on the November ballot



OPINION: ASH MARWAH

Florida's insurance market remains a disaster, thanks to Republicans

(NOTE: Ash Marwah, a Club director and candidate for the Florida House of Representatives to represent our area, closely monitors insurance issues.)

The Republican super-majority in the Florida Legislature passed two laws in 2022 they said would improve the situation in the insurance market.

We were assured the results would be obvious in 12-18 months. Now, two years later, we are nowhere near a solution. Insurance premiums keep rising, including car insurance premiums, because they have a hurricane surcharge. Housing costs are going up, resulting in rising rents. 

These two laws -- sponsored by a state senator who is an insurance agent -- have taken away homeowners' rights to sue insurers, in a subtle way. If a homeowner agrees to assignment of benefits with a contractor, the attorney for the contractor cannot get paid.

Further, these laws have reduced pay for attorney fees. The result is that attorneys are not willing to take cases unless the claims are in excess of $100,000 -- and the homeowner is willing to pay the attorney up front. First, the homeowner has suffered loss and next he/she is expected to pay attorney fees for an unknown result.

Most people don't carry flood insurance and if the hurricane flooded their house the insurer is going to simply deny the claim. There are some policies that don't cover "wind-driven rain," either. Not knowing the fine print in these insurance policies, people end up buying cheap but worthless insurance policies.

There are reports of insurers simply reducing the adjuster's estimate of loss and offering a far reduced payout to homeowners, while hoping the homeowner won't sue the insurer.

Most major carriers have left Florida or cut back their exposure. The result is that most people have coverage from small insurance companies facing bankruptcy because of the back-to-back hurricanes, so they have an incentive to deny claims and hope their customers cannot afford to challenge them.

(closing statement of how this must change and why voters need to elect Democrats to end the super-majority)

Democrats have offered solutions to solve this prickly problem by creating a nonprofit insurance program to cover hurricane losses. Other insurance companies then provide fire and theft insurance only. This will make our insurance premiums to fall like a rock.

Twenty-twoyears of Republican policies have brought us to this stage. Elect Democrats statewide to bring a CHANGE in Florida for the good of all Floridians.



If you applied to vote by mail in August, you're good for November. If you haven't applied to vote by mail, you can do so in time for November.

KEY ELECTION DATES

NOVEMBER GENERAL

Nov. 5: Election Day. You must vote at your assigned precinct polling place.


Enjoying the Club's many programs, events and activities? Join the board and lead the way forward

We've seen so much enthusiasm among Club members the past few months. We hope that your experiences at Club organized and sponsored events have some of you thinking: Hey, I'd like to get more involved.

Here's your chance. Today, we're opening the annual process for members interested in joining the Club's board of directors.

All board positions are open for this election and all candidates will be interviewed over the next two months by a five-person Nominating Committee of other Club members.

Here are the current board positions:

President, Vice president, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Director/Programming, Director/Membership, Director/Hospitality, Director/Technology, Director-at-large (3). Total: 12.

NOTE: One member of the board also serves as editor of The Neighborhood Buzz.

Descriptions will be provided for each job as performed by the current member in that position. You can express interest in more than one position.

Once all candidates have been interviewed, the Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates at the Jan. 11, 2025, membership meeting. Nominations also can be made from the floor at that meeting.The membership will vote at the March 8 meeting.

The board year begins April 1.


Until the Nominating Committee is formed, if you have questions or wish to express interest. email Buzz editor Dennis Foley: mailto:dfdf4242@att.net

Thank you.


FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT

Thank you for all your support. We'll miss you

Life-changing events often seem to come out of nowhere. That's what happened to Dennis and me on a recent trip to Michigan to visit his family and friends, who also have become mine.

Driving down a small-town street lined with trees whose leaves were changing colors, we spotted a house for sale by owner. I called and within days we made the commitment.

Early next year, we'll be putting our Villages home up for sale and our time in this terrific Club will end.

We are grateful for everyone we have met at any Club event, from the largest golf cart caravans, marches and rallies to one-on-one chats, Blue Crews, lunches and breakfasts.

We are grateful to our board members, whose ideas and work make things happen, and to so many volunteers helping in innumerable ways.

Folks at the Democratic Neighbors Orientations love the still-warm cookies, Sharron. We hope you will continue baking them. We hope all of you will continue what you are doing.

You make this Club the biggest -- and the best -- in Florida. We're sure you'll keep it that way.

Thanks for having us.

Diane & Dennis



View Club director at-large Bill Knudson's analysis of economic data and policies

Economics in Perspective


While you're on our Supervisor of Elections site, check your voter registration information to ensure that your mailing address is correct - and that you are registered in the correct party

Prior applications expired after the 2022 elections, so everybody must sign up again for 2023-24.
Links to the Lake, Marion and Sumter elections office application forms appear below.

     


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Paid political advertisement paid for by the Villages Democratic Club 300 S Main Street, Wildwood, FL 34785

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