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HAAB Minutes 07/26/2001 Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board Minutes July 26, 2001 HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING of July 26, 2001 PRESENT: ABSENT: David Correa, HAAB Member Elvin Santiago, HAAB Member Frank Loney, HAAB Member Sofia Pagan, HAAB Member Robert Pina, HAAB Member Yolanda Cisneros, HAAB Member Susan Calkins, HAAB Member Eugene Greener, HAAB Member Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Also Present: Victor Valdes, Editor, Las Naciones News Jennifer Edwards The July 26, 2001 meeting of the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) took place at the Collier County Commission meeting room and began at approximately 7:10 P.M. A quorum of six (6)) members was present. Chairman David Correa welcomed new member Mr. Eugene Greener to the Board. Mr. Greener expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community. DISCUSSION WITH JENNIFER EDWARDS, ELECTIONS SUPERVISOR, REGARDING PROMOTING VOTING IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY Elections Supervisor Jennifer Edwards made a presentation to the Board regarding Hispanics and voting in Collier County. Jennifer thanked the Board members for the invitation to make the presentation. She indicated that the Elections Office had generated a new database for registered voters and that they can also produce maps based on the data. She said that this information would serve as a tool in the redistricting process. She displayed a map showing concentrations of Hispanic citizens in the County based on the 2000 census. She stated that approximately 20% of the total population is Hispanic. She showed a map indicating the locations of Hispanic populations which are already registered to vote. Jennifer then passed out a Voter Registration Compared to Ethnic Background Information Sheet. (Attached). She stated that the data indicated that 60% of registered Hispanic voters voted in the November, 2000 election. She also described areas of Hispanic population concentration and commented about the numbers of registered Hispanic voters versus total population in several areas of the County. In Naples Park, she stated that there was only 190 registered Hispanic voters compared to 1,100 total Hispanic population. In Immokalee, the numbers were 1,000 registered out of 15,500 Hispanic residents. In Golden Gate Estates, 900 registered Hispanics versus 4,800 Hispanic residents. In Golden Gate City, only 750 Hispanics registered to vote. In East Naples, 864 registered Hispanics out of 7,700 total. On Marco Island, 170 registered Hispanic voters out of a population of 600 Hispanics. Susan Calkins asked whether the population figures were for all ages or just for those over 18. Jennifer indicated that it was a total population figure. Sofia Pagan asked whether the figures reflected the numbers of citizens of the United States. Jennifer answered no. Mr. Greener inquired whether Black citizens have utilized special voting registration efforts since they seem to have a higher voter registration rate. Jennifer acknowledged that there was a higher voter registration rate for the Black community, but she was not aware if there were specific voter registration drives. Mr. Pin a observed that Blacks had been residents in the area for a longer time and do have organized voter registration efforts. Jennifer stressed the need to recruit leaders in the Hispanic pockets of population to develop voter registration efforts. Mr. Pina asked if perhaps there should be special. Hispanic precinct workers to assist Hispanics with the voting process. Jennifer responded that her office places special election staff in minority population areas for that purpose. However, they do need temporary Hispanic poll workers. David Correa inquired whether Jennifer has a budget for a liaison to the minority community. Jennifer stated that she did not have that position in hcr budget. She does have an outreach coordinator countywide. She said she is making a plea to the Hispanic Board to identify leaders of the Hispanic Community in the Hispanic population areas to work with the voter registration efforts of the Elections Supervisor. Mr. Greener inquired as to how far in advance of an election one must register. Jennifer stated that the minimum period was 29 days. She said that she passes out voter registration forms in Spanish and English. There is also funding for a voter education program. David Correa stated that there was definitely a need for education in the community regarding the benefits of voting. Jennifer statcd that the challcnge is to effectively reach thc Hispanic population with the voting message. She said that there has traditionally been distrust and a lack of knowledge by new citizcns. She asked for the Hispanic Board's advice on how and where to reach Hispanics. She stated that trust could be created in the community by introducing public officials and making sure that everyone understands the eligibility requirements to vote. David Correa agreed that there was a need to remove the fcar factor of new residents regarding voter registration. Jennifer welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Hispanic Board in voter registration efforts. David Correa stated that he believed that the census overlooked large numbers of minorities living in Collier County. Mr. Greener inquired whether there is available a list of Hispanic United States citizens. Jennifer said that perhaps the Immigration Department could send information packets to the new citizens. Yolanda Cisneros asked about inviting citizens to precincts for introduction to the registration process. She 2 mentioned as an example such activities at Immokalee Community Park. Jennifer stated that this was an intriguing idea and could be part of any plan. Jennifer also stated that a new voting system would be coming on-line next year and that there would be a need for education of the population as to the new system. David Correa asked how working people can have more convenient voting. Jennifer commented that absentee ballots may be an answer as well as educating employers. She mentioned the partnership that has been undertaken with the Chamber of Commerce called "Adopt a Precinct" program to encourage employers to provide employees to work at the precincts and still be paid. David Correa inquired whether voting facilities could be set up at the site of larger employers? Jennifer stated that the law requires that votes must occur at a proper precinct or through absentee voting. In the future, there will be voting at the elections office. She said that the law only allows voting away from precincts at very specific sites such as assisted living facilities. Susan Calkins stated that they could still register and provide voter education at the work sites of large employers. Mr. Greener thought the issue was one of organizing and having known leaders in voting areas. Jennifer responded that that would be a great beginning. She thought it would be great to send leaders into the community to provide information. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich mentioned that two distinguished citizens were in the audience and wished to speak with regard to elections related issues. These individuals were Chuck Mohlke, Chairman of the Collier County Democratic Party and Steve Grogoza, local criminal defense attorney. Mr. Mohlke stated that he was appearing as a chair of the Democratic Party and as part of a political action committee regarding redistricting. He said that he had recently had contact with a representative of the United States Department of Justice regarding election law reforms in Florida. He said that the Justice Department invites contacts with comments, particularly from minorities, regarding the electoral system and reforms in Florida. He mentioned that Collier County is dealing with the County and School Board redistricting issues as well as state legislative redistricting. This will occur over the next six months. Mr. Mohlke said that the law requires that voting districts include areas of common interests that should not be divided. There must be an effort to avoid dilution of the voting power of minorities. He mcntioned that Mike Carr and Fred Hardt of the Collier County Republican Party have joined thc Democratic Party in a non-partisan manner to assure appropriate legal redistricting. He promised to keep the Board members updated. David Correa stated that the County should not allow East Coast legislators to divide the voters of this area through the redistricting process. Chuck Mohlke agreed commenting that there should be no "slicing and dicing" of Collier County in the redistricting process. Instead, compact and contiguous districts that fairly represent the voters are required. David Correa thought that local leaders should be loyal and responsive to minority voters who are vocal and assist in the redistricting process. Mr. Mohlke added that the Democratic Party is recruiting minorities for involvement in the Democratic Executive Committee. .1 Attorney Stephen Grogoza mentioned that he has spent ten years in Naples and works as a criminal defense attorney. He says he has represented many minorities and that he has practiced in Immokalee. He mentioned that he had spent the last two months researching why there are not many minorities on Collier County Jury Panels. He mentioned that the Clerk gets jury pool information from the Motor Vehicles Department and sends summonses. He said that it is estimated that 60% of the Black and Hispanics are ignoring the summonses. He thought that only 25% of the White population was ignoring the summonses. Stephen said that there was no data to indicate the number of Hispanics that are U.S. citizens. He said that he could not tell if the department is a good source or not for a cross section of the community to serve on juries. Perhaps there was some educational effort that could be made for the minorities as to the benefits of minorities participating on juries. He realized that this is not a paid service but he believes that minorities will attend if the importance of the cause is communicated to them. He thinks that there is a need to educate the minority population as to the importance of voting and of jury duty. If there were greater participation by minorities in the criminal justice system, there would be a significant impact on the quality of justice. He reminded everyone that with the benefits of democracy comes the responsibility of jury duty. David Correa observed that lack of pay is a great determent to jury service. The length of a case can also be a hardship to those providing the service. Mr. Grogoza clarified that long trials are a rarity in Collier County. He said that most of the trials last a single day. Jennifer Edwards asked what is the consequence for not showing up for jury duty. Mr. Grogoza responded that the Clerk would typically send a warning letter and that there are statutory penalties, but they are rarely imposed. Yolanda Cisneros inquired whether the Motor Vehicles Department was correctly compiling and sending juror information to the Clerk. Mr. Grogoza stated that since the data is lacking as to how many Hispanic United States' citizens there are, it is difficult to know if Motor Vehicles is sending over a fair cross-sec'tion of community potential jurors to the Clerk's office. DISCUSSION REGARDING CIVIL RIGHTS FORM Victor Valdes introduced himself as a Civil Rights Activist for 18 years in Collier County and as the Editor of Las Naciones News. He reported a civil rights forum was scheduled to be held on August 9 and 10. He mentioned that there were a number of Black and Hispanic organizations that had planned to be in attendance. He added that the City of Naples had recognized by proclamation (copy attached) this event and that prominent City leaders were scheduled to attend and/or participate. He thought that Sheriff Hunter was going to be sending representatives also. Mr. Valdes invited the HAAB members to attend the Forum to receive community input from the minority community. He said that the panel, not Mr. Valdes, will formulate decisions and opinions. Mr. Valdes passed out a formal invitation to the HAAB members. David Correa warned the members that if they should attend they should, as always, comply with the Sunshine Law. DISCUSSION REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Liaison Ramiro Manalich informed the HAAB of an upcoming Board of County Commissioners agenda item regarding the establishment of a Human Rights Commission 4 (HRC) in Collier County. Mr. Valdes stated that he had been part of this effort along with others, including the NAACP, the Riverpark Coalition and others. He encouraged everyone to support the HRC. Liaison Ramiro Mafialich mentioned that the HRC item would be before the County Commission on July 31. Ramiro then read from the proposed Executive Summary for the item. Eugene Greener said the Board could send a message of support for the concept but that he could not comment on the details or on the specific question about whether the HAAB and the BAB should be abolished. Mr. Valdes stated that he had been at the meetings where the HRC was discussed and he is opposed to abolishing the HAAB and the BAB. His reasoning was that the HRC would serve a separate function. He suggested that the HAAB send a representative to the County Commission meeting to advocate against the abolishment of the minority boards. Mr. Greener agreed with Mr. Valdes that the concept should be supported but the abolishment of the minority boards should be opposed. He mentioned that additional details are needed. Susan Calkins made a motion to support the creation of the HRC and to oppose abolishing the BAB or the HAAB. The motion was seconded by Eugene Greener. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. MISCELLANEOUS Sofia Pagan volunteered for participation in a Diversity Program to be filmed by the County. The June 2001 minutes were approved upon motion by Mr. Pina and seconded by Mr. Greener. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. Mr. Greener explained to the group that he planned to be absent in August prior to being appointed to the HAAB. He asked that his absence in August be excused. The consensus was to excuse the absence. The meeting of the HAAB adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m. Prepared by: Ramiro Mafialich, Chief Assistant County Attorney and HAAB Staff Liaison Approved by the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board on this,;! '7 day of /rflf1-1 2001. u ,. / C C _ " ../1 1 tJ /'J, } };c~ / / I LC c{/ David Correa, Chairman *Not attached to these Minutes is Section B, May 2001, No. II issue of Las Naciones News and Section B, June 2001, No. 12 issue of Las Naciones News which were submitted and accepted for the records. Said documents are kept in the main meeting file in the office of the County Attorney. HlRM/HAAB/Minutes 5