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Our
year ends with pizzazz...the next begins with new challenges Shifting gears from our election mode last
year, we went from the frantic pace of voter education to two outstanding
events. One was something we’ve never done before—a Meet and Greet for the newly elected
and reelected public officials. We noted that after the election there was
no general, local event to recognize the new officials. Our Meet and Greet gave them and their
constituents the chance to meet each other, and share viewpoints and ideas.
Ezra
Café
put out a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres and desserts. We were very pleased with the turnout
and the positive feedback from attendees. Among the officials at the celebration
were: Manatee County Commission: Betsy Benac, Larry
Bustle, John Chappie, and Carol Whitmore; City of
Bradenton: Mayor Wayne Poston, Commissioner Gene Brown; Holmes Beach: Mayor
Carmel Monti, Commissioner Marvin Grossman; School
Board: Julie Aranibar,
Karen Carpenter, Bob Gause and David Miner; Sheriff
Brad Steube; State Senate: Bill Galvano;
Supervisor of Elections: Mike
Bennett. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan was represented by Gary Tibbetts.
Indeed, it went so well we are considering
doing this again after each general election. Special thanks go to our sponsors Anna
Maria Oyster Bar and University of South Florida, and partners Tiger Bay,
American Association of University Women, Bradenton Herald, Bradenton
Woman’s Club, Children’s Movement, Family Partnership Center and the
Women’s Resource Center. A
huge in-house “attagirl” goes to board
member Lee Pflueger, who superbly organized this event. We ended the year with camaraderie, food,
wine and reflection at our members’ holiday party. This year Kay Levy hosted it at her
lovely condo. We talked about
what brought us to the League—our experiences, and our belief that one
person can make a difference.
It’s the things that connect us with others that make it so
meaningful. We started our new year with renewed
energy, new ideas for projects and programs, finding new ways we can serve
the community and its citizens. We call on all our members to join us in active
commitment. It’s part of our
responsibility, and our reward is knowing we leave our communities a better
place than we found them..
Any
questions? Feel free to contact me
at shaffer_us@yahoo.com,
729-9248
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League
of Women Voters of Manatee County Updated
February 10, 2013 |
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