HAAB Minutes 04/24/2008
April 24, 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD
Naples, Florida, April 24, 2008
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs
Advisory Conunittee in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION at
Administrative Building "F", 3rd Floor, Collier County Government Center,
Naples, Florida with the following members present:
Chairman: James Van Fleet
Vice Chairman: David Correa
Raymond Cabral
Renato F. Fernandez
Manuel Gonzalez
Valaree D. Maxwell
Cosme Perez
Ernesto Velasquez
Luis Alejandro Bernal (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT:
Mike Sheffield, County Mangers Office
Collier County Government
Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board
Meeting Agenda
April 24, 2008
6:00 P.M.
I. Introduction
A. Call to Order/Objectives of tonight's meeting-Dr. James A. Van Fleet, Chairman
B. Approval of the March 19, 2008 HAAS Meeting minutes
II. Old Business
Guest Speakers: Jenifer Edwards, Collier County Elections Supervisor
Chris Straton, Collier County League of Women Voters
Carla Dean, Chair, Collier County Republican Party
Chuck Mohlke, Chair, Collier County Democratic Party
III. New Business
IV. Comments/Announcements
V. Public Comment
VI. Adiourn- (Next meeting date: May 22, 2008)
April 24, 2008
I. Introduction
A. Call to OrderlWelcome - James Van Fleet, Chairman
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman James Van Fleet.
He announced the Meeting Topic which is of concern for the HAAB is Voter
Registration and participation from the Hispanic Community of Collier
County. He noted for prior Elections there has been a lower % of Hispanics
compared to other minority groups.
B. Approval of the March 19, 2008 HAAB Meeting Minutes
Renato F. Fernandez moved to approve the Minutes of March 19,2008 as
submitted. Second by Manuel Gonzalez. Motion carried unanimously
6-0.
II. Old Business
Guest Speakers
Jennifer Edwards, Collier County Elections Supervisor gave the following
overview on the Board of Elections efforts with the Hispanic Community and
reviewed Statistics on the number of registered voters in comparison to total
number of registered voters, and past turn out for Collier County.
Particivation
I. State wide Task Force Program organized by State Supervisors of Elections
designed to recruit Hispanic Poll workers as interpretation is needed
2. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
3. The Council of Hispanic Business Professional participation in the Adopt a
Precinct Program comprised of Churches and Civic Organizations
4. Orientation Programs
5. TV Programs
6. Currently 43 Bilingual Precinct Poll Workers
Statistics
~ Effective April 1, 2008 there were 194,439 Registered voters
~ 14,074 are Hispanic
~ 7.2 % of the Voter population is Hispanic
~ Education is needed. Noted the 2006 General Election turn out was higher
than the 2006 Primary Election
She proposed that the HAAB and the Board of Elections combine efforts to
develop programs that will educate and encourage the Hispanic Community to
vote after registering.
The Committee commended Jennifer Edwards for her efforts. The reasoning
for lack of Registration and Voter turn out was questioned.
Jennifer Edwards responded the most important component is educating the
Hispanic Community based on the low turn out % for the Primary Election.
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April 24, 2008
Cosme Perez announced the newly formed Casa Hispana Organization has
initiated a campaign to educate and register the Hispanic Community effective
April 26, 2008 to October 13,2008. A booth will be at the 4th Annual
Hispanic Family Festival on April 26, 2008 from 12-6 pm at the Golden Gate
Community Center. He requested Hispanic materials from the Board of
Elections for distribution.
Valaree Maxwell arrived 6:21 p.m.
Jennifer Edwards will have the materials available for distribution.
Valaree Maxwell questioned the pre-registering process for students turning
the age of 18.
Jennifer Edwards replied they must be 18 on or by Election Day. She noted
that students can pre-register when obtaining a drivers license starting at the
age of 16. She added that pre-registration is also being conducted at the High
Schools.
Chris Stratton, Collier County League of Women Voters reported over 65% of
children in Collier County Schools use Spanish or Creole as their first language.
She announced the School Board has two vacancies, and noted the importance of
the upcoming School Board Election. She requested assistance from the HAAB
for various services.
Carla Dean, Chair, Collier County Republican Party thauked the Committee
for the privilege to attend the meeting. She noted the HAAB "are the Leaders for
the Community." She reported that Republican Party has chartered the Collier
County National Hispanic Assembly which is the only recognized and authorized
Republican Hispanic Organization within Collier County. She reviewed the
outreach efforts of the Republican Party to education and encourage voter
registration. She stated that the Republican Party will assist the HAAS.
Alci Maldonado, Chairman, Republican National Hispanic Assembly offered
assistance to the HAAB. She noted there is a local Chapter in Collier County and
encouraged HAAB participation.
Carla Dean introduced Juan Benueck, Hispanic Coalition Outreach Co-Chairman
Chuck Mohlke, Chair, Collier County Democratic Party introduced Liza
McClenaghan, State Committee Woman and Dr. Kathy Ryan, Vice Chair. He
reported that Collier County was named a "Covered Jurisdiction" under the 1965
Voting Rights Act, stating this presents a prime opportunity to the Hispanic,
African American and Creole speaking Communities to act as representatives. He
reviewed Census statistics and noted there are 86,000 Hispanics residing in
Collier County in comparison to the 48,000 in the 2000. He noted the ability to
attract from the Hispanic, Creole speaking, and African American Communities
to run for Political Office could be increased if the County Commission and
School Board Districts are appropriately arranged based on District Boundaries.
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April 24, 2008
He recommended obtaining a proper census count on the rapidly expanding
Community. He reported an 80% growth in the Hispanic Community for an 8
years period based on the latest Census count. He reviewed the Pew Foundation
Research on Voters citing that Age Demographics are the concern. He reported
the following median ages:
o lmmokalee 25.4 years
o Golden Gate City 30 years. Noted 26% of the adults over 18 and are not
naturalized
He additionally recommended reaching out to the Communities through the
School Systems and Churches.
Ernesto Velasquez requested participation from the Board of Elections, Women
League of Voters, Republican Party, and Democratic Party at the 20-25 scheduled
events in Collier County.
Chris Stratton requested HAAB Member and Spanish Media contact
information for all Guest Speakers.
Mike Sheffield will email the information.
III. New Business - None
IV. Comments / Announcements - None
III. Public Comments - None
*****
Being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by
order of the Chairman at 7:52 P.M.
COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
James Van Fleet, Chairman
These Minutes approved by the Board/Committee on
as presented or as amended
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