HAAB Minutes 09/27/2012 September 27,2012
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD
Naples, Florida, September 27, 2012
BY:.................... ..
LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory
Board, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on
this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F," 3rd floor, of the
Government Complex, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present:
Chairman: Manuel Gonzalez
Ileana Ramos
Fiala 1/
Hiller Valaree D. Maxwell
Henning
Coyle Albert Batista (excused)
Colette -----
Zetty Y. Rivera (excused)
C_-rr .
ALSO PRESENT: Evy Ybaceta, Staff Liaison gate:_ a\ors,
Item#: LI 241
Copies to:
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September 27,2012
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Manny Gonzalez at 6:13 pm and a quorum was
established.
II. Approve the Meeting Agenda:
Ileana moved to approve the Agenda, second by Valaree. Carried unanimously, 3-0.
III. Approval of Minutes from the Meeting of August 23, 2012:
Ileana motioned to approve the minutes, Valaree seconded. Carried unanimously, 3-0.
A suggestion was made to allow the guest speakers to make their presentations before other
business was conducted.
IV. Guest Speaker:
No guest speakers were on the agenda, but it was decided to allow two guests invited by
Valaree speak at this time:
A. Jane Molbert and Karen Tarnow: Volunteers for a group called Organizing for
America. This is a group that helps voters to get registered and get to the polls for the
election.
Manny asked that by looking at her t-shirt she is registered democrat. Ms. Molbert
stated that they are both registered democrat but the organization registers anyone.
Manny asked what happens when you encounter voters that are not in accordance
with your shirt. Ms. Molbert stated that they have not encountered that many people
yet. They have been primarily visiting Golden Gate area. The final deadline to
register to vote is October 9`". After that date they will be concentrating on calling
voters to make sure they register and go to vote and provide transportation for the
voters that don't have means to get to the voting places. They are encouraging voting
my mail, because that way the Democratic Party would know how many people voted
and avoid any problems for the voters when they go to vote in person.
Manny asked how the voters go about getting around the ID requirement. Ms.
Molbert stated that they make sure they provide the voters the ID requirements and
make sure the ID matches their address. If they vote my mail they can go ahead and
vote without presenting and ID, but as I understand, they made me called to present
an ID at any time. She stated that there is not 100% verification, but that they might
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do some type of spot checking. Her understanding is that registering to vote is very
simple. They can take their Florida drivers license and the last four digits of their
social security number and register them to vote. She is under the assumption that the
requirements to obtain a Florida drivers license is very rigid, with a lot of original
documents required.
Manny stated that in California they would accept his birth certificate and passport
and his badge as a form of ID.
Valaree stated that when she got divorced, she had to proof everything to the driver's
license bureau. She had to show her divorce decree, proof of her maiden name, etc.
She stated that she liked that because she thinks is a good idea. That the 911 attack is
what pushed the new driver's license requirements. Valaree also mentioned that she is
interesting to know what their group is doing about transportation. Manny asked if the
group was coordinating with CAT to move people around.
Ms. Molbert stated that she didn't know, but she would ask at her office. She stated
that this group is not only state, but also national and they have upper management
that takes care of organizing these types of things. She was even told that President
Obama talked to all of the volunteers that were present during a recent meeting.
Valaree stated that every time there is elections, she has her students at the corner of
41 and Airport campaigning. That there might be republicans in one side and
democrats on the other side, and that was perfectly find. She makes sure that all her
students that are over 18 years old register to vote. That if she doesn't educate them,
they don't register to vote. She has different signs that read "Latinos for Obama" and
they will be there during the elections.
Manny asked Ms. Molbert if people ask them if they have to vote for Obama.
Ms. Molbert stated that they had people that said that they are not going to vote
because they don't like either candidate. She stated that she gently tells them that it is
important for them to vote. She stated that most people already have their mind set up
and she wears an Obama shirt and the other lady doesn't to avoid any misconception
since people do not like a white person coming to their door with a clipboard.
Valaree offered her help for anything they need; she would like to get involved.
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Ms. Molbert stated that she is afraid that because of the news say that Obama is
ahead, people won't go to vote because they don't think their vote is needed.
Manny stated that every vote does count.
Valaree stated that she wanted to invite them because they are so energetic.
V. Old Business: None
VI. New Business:
A. Approval of New Board Member Application: Letter of rejection from Mr. Jose A.
Caceros to become part of the Hispanic Board due to his commitments pursuing his Law
degree.
B. Law Enforcement Presentation: Manny spoke about packages available for seniors on
information regarding Medicaid. He spoke about scams in regards to phone calls that
Obama will pay for their utilities. Manny spoke about a new scam in regards to
abandoned homes. People are spotting these homes, calling a locksmith, changing the
locks and renting them out. This scam was published in local newspapers.
VII. Member and Staff Comments:
If members don't attend the meetings or call that they can't make the meeting,they
should be dropped after 3 meetings.
VIII. Adjourn
Manny motioned to adjourn, Valaree seconded. Carried unanimously, 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Next Meeting: October 25, 2012.
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Chairman Date
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