May 18, 2010
Today’s Program Drilling for Oil off of Florida’s Beaches
Today’s Speaker Representative Rick Kriseman
Rick Kriseman was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Aug. 2, 1962. At age nine his family moved to St. Petersburg, where Rick attended public school at Pasadena Elementary, Azalea Middle, and Boca Ciega High School.
In 1980, Rick entered the University of Florida and earned a B.S. in broadcasting before returning to Pinellas County to attend the Stetson University College of Law. Rick was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and is a member of the St. Petersburg and American Bar Associations and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Rick practiced law with Englander & Fischer, P.A. and is currently with Saunders & Walker, P.A.
Rick has never been afraid to tackle a controversial issue. Shortly after being elected to council, he cast the deciding vote on the sale of city-owned property in Hernando County. As a result of Rick's vote, the property was permanently dedicated by the State of Florida as preservation land, and the city was able to set up an endowment fund from the sale proceeds, which have been used to build five dog parks and two skateboard parks at no expense to taxpayers.
Perhaps Rick's proudest moment came on his very last day on council, when he was joined by the mayor on the steps of city hall to announce a public-private partnership called EcoZones. EcoZone is the flagship brand of EcoMedia, the world's premier environmental media company dedicated to pioneering marketing and media programs that generate funds to address critical environmental challenges right here in our community. St. Petersburg's ecosystem is already benefitting from this program, at no expense to taxpayers. Rick's record of accomplishments during a tenure marked by civility and professionalism prompted him to seek a position in the Florida House of Representatives as a way of expanding his role as a public servant.
In November 2006, he cruised to victory with more than 60 percent of the District 53 vote. Councilmember Kriseman became Representative Kriseman. Soon after taking office, Rick was named the Ranking Democrat on the Committee on Energy and was appointed to both the Environment and Natural Resources Council and the Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Rick is married to Kerry, a St. Petersburg native, and they have a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Samuel.
What’s Happening
More Scholarship Letters
We received the following letter from Danyel H, a Seventh Grader at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental.
Dear Mr. Byelick,
My favorite subject in school is science, because I like to experiment with different objects and things, also because I learn a lot about the environment and how to protect Earth.
In school one of my electives is chorus which I really enjoy. I want to go to University of Florida for college so I can pursue my career. When I graduate from college I want to become a criminal and justice lawyer to help people stay out of jail and live their lives.
I would like to thank you for giving me an opportunity like this. When a graduate l will have plans for the future and know what I want to do.
Sincerely,
Danyel H.
Division 13 Council Meeting
Division 13 Council meeting will be held on May 27 at Pinellas Park Kiwanis club meeting at 12:15 p.m.
Club Leadership Education
Club Leadership Education is all about club leaders for our next Kiwanis year. It’s about taking time now – with other club leaders – to better prepare for success during the coming term of service. It’s about sharing in a Kiwanis moment and participating in leadership concepts. It’s about having fun, and it’s about growth.
This year’s CLE Training will be held Saturday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, located at 7820 – 38th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710. A light breakfast will be served. The registration fee is being paid by Division 13.
Come prepared with ideas and an open mind. The responsibility for having fun in organized community service is a role we all voluntarily share. CLE focuses on preparing for the role of Club President and Club Secretary, but all interested Kiwanis leaders are welcome at the session. Please let Ray Watson (rwatso5@tampabay.rr.com – (727) 430-1301) or Markus Mittermayr know that you will be attending by May 31.
New Member Round-Up
Membership Chairman Ron Braun is launching a get-out-and-find-a-new-member-campaign. Kick off starts on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 as Skip Holtz, USF’s new football coach, speaks to our club that day. Programs like this provide excellent exposure for our club.
Fischer / Carr Fundraising Event
Last Saturday the Fischer/Carr Bash hosted well over 100 Kiwanians and their guests. Mayors Baker and Foster spoke glowingly of our efforts towards the success of the Doorways Scholarship Program. This year over $31,000 was raised with more money on the way.
Kiwanians, swell your chest with pride for another fine volunteer performance. A more detailed report with pictures will appear in next week’s newsletter.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Last week our club awarded the Al Muter Scholarship to
Rachel Bozich, a senior at St. Petersburg High School. Rachel
is our first International Baccalaureate student to win the
award, totaling $12,000.00.
Always a difficult decision by the committee, the judging
compiles the following categories to determine the winner: a 250
word essay, extracurricular activities, financial need, GPA, and
the work requirement.
This year’s runners-up will receive a $1000 scholarship:
- Riasat Ali, St. Petersburg High School, attending the University
of Florida, Gainesville
- Jasmine Cohen, Shorecrest Preparatory School, attending
Rollins College, Winter Park
- Amber Heddleson, Keswick Christian School, attending the
University of South Florida
- Mark Pitts, Boca Ciega High School, attending the University
of South Florida.
After the Scholarships were awarded, J. C. Russell introduced our speaker for the day, Gary Shelton, staff columnist for the St. Petersburg Times. Recently, Gary received “Sports Columnist of the Year” from the Associated Press.
A year ago when Gary spoke to us about his sports writing career, he was impressed with our club’s scholarship efforts. He remembers fondly the $300.00 scholarship he received as a Georgia high school student which paved the way for his college education.
Thus, it was an easy sell to coax him to return for an encore visit. He gushed about the bios of the Al Muter recipients and encouraged them to “grab the ring” and hold on.
Gary thanks for placing an exclamation point on a day that is special to Kiwanians, the scholarship recipients and their families.
Attendance Last Week
We had 47 members and 21 guests.
Roy Juarez of Abilene, Texas
Mike Springman, guest of Steve Cunningham
Jake Holehouse, son and guest of Ron Holehouse
Earl Francis, father and guest of Jeff Francis of Midtown Kiwanis
This Week’s Quiz
- In 1989 Brett Favre, as a junior at Southern Mississippi, beat which school from Florida? Which NFL team drafted Brett Favre?
- The Exxon Valdez oil spill prompted what action concerning ship design?
- In what states is medical marijuana legalized?
- What is the speed limit on the Autobahn in Germany?
- Which President pioneered the Interstate system in the United States? What was his inspiration?
Last Week’s Quiz
- The peanut plant is thought to have originated in Brazil or Peru. Portuguese explorers transplanted it to Africa, and from there it was brought to America as an inexpensive, high-protein staple, later to be consumed by soldiers during the Civil War. India and China are world leaders in producing peanuts but account for only 4% of the international peanut trade.
- The Rays minor league teams are located in: AAA - Durham Bulls, Durham, North Carolina; AA - Montgomery Biscuits, Montgomery, Alabama; A Advance- Charlotte Stone Crabs, Port Charlotte, Florida; A - Bowling Green Hot Rods, Bowling Green, Kentucky; A -Hudson Valley Renegades, Fishkill, New York; Rookie League - Princeton Rays, Princeton, West Virginia.
- The Capital of Australia is Canberra.
- The Maritime provinces, also called the Maritimes or the Canadian Maritimes, is a region of Eastern Canada consisting of three provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
- Mel Gibson and Danny Glover starred in the Lethal Weapons movies.
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