August 31, 2010
Today’s Program: Florida: State of Dreams or Ponzi State
Today’s Speaker: Gary R. Mormino, Ph.D.
Gary R. Mormino, Ph.D. is the Co-Director of the Florida Studies Program and a Frank E. Duckwell Professor of History at USF St. Petersburg.
His topic of specialization includes Florida and the American urban experience, immigration, and World War II. The courses he teaches include American History, History of World War II, United States and Florida in the 1930’s and 1940’s and Modern Florida.
Books Professor Mormino has authored are:
- Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida (University Press of Florida)
- Immigrants on the Hill: Italian-Americans in St. Louis, 1882-1982 (University of Missouri Press)
- The Immigrant World of Ybor City: Italians and Their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885-1985 (University Press of Florida)
Professor Mormino’s degrees:
- Ph.D. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- M.A. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- B.A. Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois
More about the Florida Studies Program: For everyone who lives, works, or studies in Florida, the best way to understand our state and the issues we face is to put them in the context of our history and distinctive regional culture. The Florida Studies Program brings together faculty from History, economics, geography, political science, anthropology, and other disciplines to create an integrated, in-depth exploration of our state's changing identity as a part of the American South as well as a bridge to the Caribbean Basin.
From environmental policy and resource management to political challenges and immigration reform, Florida presents distinctive issues that merit close attention. Students from any discipline can benefit from Florida Studies courses as they prepare for careers ranging from urban planning to social work, from historic preservation to international business. For anyone who is interested in how our state fits into matters of regional and global significance, this program presents the ideal opportunity to use the State of Florida as a teaching and research laboratory
Students take graduate classes toward pursuit of a Master of Liberal Arts in Florida Studies. Florida Studies, an interdisciplinary program with opportunities to explore the regional history, culture, politics, and ecology of Florida, does offer limited graduate assistantships to both new and continuing students.
What’s Happening
New Member Welcomed
Welcome Lee Allen to the Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg. Thanks to sponsor Biff Baker for introducing Lee to us.
Update for The “Bernie” Directory
Please send in updated information to Al for the 2010-2011 Kiwanis Directory.
There’s Something about Harry
Way to go, Harry Eisnaugle. Congratulations for fifty-four years of marriage to devoted wife Peggy.
Community Service Committee Wants You
Join Pat Biscotti and Melissa Hongo as they host a Community Service committee meeting at Panera Bread, 1908 4th St. N, Tuesday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m. Pat says this is a “hands on” committee and their mission is new ideas for the coming year. Any member can suggest a service project.
Exit, Mr. Piplitz
You won’t want to miss Bob’s last luncheon meeting as President on Tuesday, September 28.
Enter, Mr. Braun
The Installation Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening, October 5, at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. See Ron Braun sworn in as our new President.
Keep on Smiling
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 30 as the Kiwanis Club and Dr. Ron O’Neal host the annual Project-Save-A-Smile. Please contact Kathy Condon or Ron Scoggins to volunteer for this most worthy project.
Looking Good in the Neighborhood
Two weeks ago the Program Committee met at Ron’s Creek Clubhouse and enjoyed a seafood medley of shrimp, tuna, and salmon. After dinner the group sauntered over to the Trop to see the Rays run roughshod over the Rangers.
Thank You Note from Civitan Club
I am pleased to present this small donation (a check for $200.00) to Youth Investment Shares, Inc. in appreciation for the efforts of three Kiwanis leaders: Cathy Swanson, Scott Boyle and Charles Stuart. These three people generously gave up a Saturday to judge our Florida District Civitan awards. Each year, we ask members from another service organization to tackle this difficult task because groups like Kiwanis would best understand the work involved in staging a community service project.
My deepest thanks to Cathy, Scott and Charles for volunteering for this effort! We presented the awards last weekend and all Civitans were most appreciative of the work involved in selecting the winners.
Sincerely,
Lori Clapp
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Markus Mittermayr, introduced Kathleen Peters, Mayor of South Pasadena, here to discuss Amendment 4 slated for the November 2nd voting ballot.
Amendment 4 reads as follows:
Article II, Section 7. Natural resources and scenic beauty of the Florida Constitution is amended to add the following subsection:
Public participation in local government comprehensive land use planning benefits the conservation and protection of Florida's natural resources and scenic beauty, and the long-term quality of life of Floridians. Therefore, before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, such proposed plan or plan amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body as provided by general law, and notice thereof in a local newspaper of general circulation. Notice and referendum will be as provided by general law. This amendment shall become effective immediately upon approval by the electors of Florida.
For purposes of this subsection:
- "Local government" means a county or municipality.
- "Local government comprehensive land use plan" means a plan to guide and control future land development in an area under the jurisdiction of a local government.
- "Local planning agency" means the agency of a local government that is responsible for the preparation of a comprehensive land use plan and plan amendments after public notice and hearings and for making recommendations to the governing body of the local government regarding the adoption or amendment of a comprehensive land use plan.
- "Governing body" means the board of county commissioners of a county, the commission or council of a municipality, or the chief elected governing body of a county or municipality, however designated.
Huh? According to Kathleen, the language you have read is “too broad” and this will cost millions of dollars to the citizens due to election costs.
Kathleen repeatedly used St. Pete Beach as an example as to what happens when voters have too much control over their elected officials. St. Pete Beach has spent countless sums of money on elections and lawsuits and lost developmental opportunities.
Additionally, Kathleen feels special interests with “Big Money” are shaping communities to their advantage. To her, the proponent of Amendment 4, Leslie Blackner of the Sierra Club, has turned the cause into an environmental issue. But the good news for Amendment 4 is found in the newspapers of the thirteen Florida papers with editorial boards all opposing the measure.
And, a big picture concern of Kathleen’s is the feasibility of high speed rail in Florida. Imagine the sheer madness of each jurisdiction having the voters approve the rail system.
Kathleen, thanks for informing us about a critical issue for Florida’s future. It will be interesting to see what today’s speaker has to say about Florida’s development.
Attendance Last Week
We had 45 members and 2 guests.
Lee Allen, guest of Biff Baker
Eunice Harris, guest from Cambria Heights, New York
This Week’s Quiz
- Evan Longoria played college baseball for what school? Name his college teammate who plays shortstop in the majors.
- Name the NBA player Eva Longoria married. In which city does he play?
- New Hampshire and Vermont are divided by what river?
- Beavis and Butthead consider what city home? The director, Mike Judge, went to college where?
- What is the nickname of University of California Santa Cruz? What actor wore the shirt of that University in which Academy Award winning movie?
Last Week’s Quiz
- Melissa Hongo’s second child is a girl.
- A catcher's balk occurs when the catcher steps outside of the catchers box (the box behind home plate) before the pitch is delivered--runners advance.
- An adult should have 32 teeth with 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars which include the four wisdom teeth.
- The musical group “Creedence Clearwater Revival” hails from the state of California.
- Ireland declared their independence from Great Britain.
Correction
August 17th speaker, Susan Aungst, apologizes for this mistake. It was former Governor Bob Graham, not Reuben Askew, who helped form the Save-A-Manatee Club (SMC).
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