HURRICANE SEASON LOOMS

Hello Jim,

Hurricane season is only days away. But the Florida legislature has done next to nothing to solve the insurance crisis. Pleas for a special session to address the issue have fallen on Gov. DeSantis' deaf ears.

The Jim Blue campaign for House District 76 attended the Hurricane Expo to hear citizens' concerns.

Scroll down for that and more events from our busy week.

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STORM

Thousands attended the Hurricane Expo this past weekend in Punta Gorda to hear presentations from experts on what to expect during the coming season. The consensus: It's expected to be bad!

Jim talked with exhibitors and attendees about their concerns.

Kay and I shared our own experiences during Hurricane Ian in Sept. 2022. We only recently restored our home to its pre-Ian status. Here we are standing next to WINK-TV's display on storm surge.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

On Saturday we attended the annual Mental Health Awareness Walk at Laishley Park. This year, the theme was “Mental Health Warriors.”

The impacts of hurricanes Ian and Idalia plus the Covid pandemic took heavy tolls on the mental health of many local people. But Charlotte Behavioral Health Care joined with other agencies and organizations to offer information on mental health services.

Before the Mental Health Walk began, Nathan Shipley, the driver of the Virginia B. Andes Mobile Medical Clinic, gave me a tour of this state-of-the art vehicle and its two treatment rooms. The clinic has scheduled services at locations throughout Charlotte County. Details can be found here.

DRINKING LIBERALLY AT THE ICE HOUSE

The monthly "Drinking Liberally" can now be found in air-conditioned comfort at Punta Gorda's Ice House Pub on the 3rd Thursday of the month. I'm not singing karaoke in the shot with Jane Merriam. We're preparing to shoot video for a campaign ad soon to be released.

Many people wonder why Florida observes Emancipation Day on May 20th, in addition to Juneteenth, the national observance of the abolition of slavery.

Florida Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee on May 20, 1865, 11 days after the end of the Civil War, and two years after the Proclamation first issued by President Abraham Lincoln freed those enslaved in Southern states.

Kay and I listened while Rev. Mike Ford (above) of Punta Gorda's Congregational United Church of Christ helped re-enact the reading of the 1865 proclamation with Anthony Williams and many others at the Blanchard House Museum.

Sadly, the Museum is still closed due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Many of the exhibits are stored elsewhere.

Donations to Blanchard House will help speed the restoration. Please Give if you can!

On Monday, The Charlotte County Democratic Women's Club hosted a presentation by CARE, the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Inc. which runs the Victim Services Center in Punta Gorda.

CARE Chief Advancement Officer Linda Lusk shared heartbreaking and inspirational stories about those served by the Center.

The Charlotte County Democratic Women's Club honored their 2024 Betty Gissendanner Scholar, Madeleine Googins (second left), at a May 20 Reception. Madeleine is a graduate of Lemon Bay High School. Also pictured (left to right), Cindy Googins, Madeleine's mother; Kay Blue, DWC Scholarship Chair; and Dawn Mann, DWC President.

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