2010-Adriane Completed a 165 mile bicycle ride for charity - On January 8 and 9, 2010 she completed an entire course from Miami to Key West raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDs.
Care packages en route to Iraq, Afghanistan
BY ANDREW BA TRAN | South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9:55 PM CDT, June 19, 2008
OAKLAND PARK - A sheriff's cruiser escorted the box truck down West Oakland Park Boulevard toward the Fort Lauderdale Post Office with a special delivery Thursday morning. The cargo: more than 100 care packages full of goodies from cookies to toothpaste to a Christmas piñata destined for Broward military men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's Christmas in July for our service folks," said Fort Lauderdale Postmaster Mike Fortunato.
He said it would take 30 days before the packages reach the intended recipients.
Donors from the Broward Sheriff's Office, local fire-rescue stations, Plantation city employees, churches and local stores gave more than 1,600 pounds of items, said Adriane Reesey, the community involvement specialist for the Sheriff's Office.
Reesey said she did not expect to gather so much within the two months of the program.
Dave Millan, a Fort Lauderdale resident and World War II veteran, stopped by the post office to help the Sheriff's Office employees drop off the boxes.
"I just wish we had the packages sent to us like we're sending to the boys today," he said.
Andrew Ba Tran can be reached at atran@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4543.
Kings Point in Tamarac
Twilight dinner at the Diner with residents
of the Kings Point Condominiums.
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ADRIANE REESEY FOR BROWARD SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
P O Box 1593
Dania Beach, Florida 33004
From Bob Adams
Hello Friends,
We have an excellent candidate for Broward County Supervisor of Elections.Adriane Reesey, current Chair of the Broward County Human Rights Board andCommunity Relations Specialist for the Broward Sheriff's Office, filed todayto run for Supervisor of Elections. She is someone that I believe in verystrongly, and she is truly inspiring!
I first met Adriane when she was appointed to the Human Rights Board byCommissioner Rodstrom in 2005. After only one meeting, it became obvious tome that she was someone who would be a strong leader, and I nominated herfor Vice-Chair the following year. Shortly after that Adriane became thefirst woman to Chair the Board in its thirty year history, and has servedwith distinction.
Adriane is an intelligent, highly motivated achiever who consistently thinks"outside the box" and will bring new ideas and boundless energy to theoffice of Supervisor of Elections!
Challenging an incumbent, Adriane obviously has her work cut out for her.However, she has much to offer to all of the voters of Broward County, andis certainly up to the challenge! I am asking everyone that I know to helpAdriane in any way they can, whether that is by making a monetarycontribution, helping on the campaign, working on election day, placing asign in your yard, distributing literature, calling friends, hosting anevent, or any combination thereof. I will be doing all of the above.
Adriane's campaign kickoff will be at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale onTuesday, February 12, 2008, 5 - 7 pm.
She will face the current Supervisor of Elections in the Democratic Primaryon Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
Warm Regards,
Bob Adams
Ruling ejects public from tally of votes
Florida legal opinion is drawing protests
BY PAIGE ST. JOHN STAFF WRITER
TALLAHASSEE -- A little-known legal opinion issued days before Florida's presidential primary has slammed the door on public oversight of the final vote tally in Florida elections.
The closure comes because of questions posed by Sarasota County Election Supervisor Kathy Dent, whose controversial District 13 congressional race drew national scrutiny in 2006.
Attorneys for the Florida Department of State say county election supervisors can eject outside observers from central computer rooms as they receive and add precinct results.
Their ruling hinges on where votes are actually counted, a process that state law requires be open to observers. They contend that "tabulation" occurs at individual precincts and that computers in the central room are merely "accumulating" those results.
What is more, the opinion states, observers and the public can be excluded from watching the local canvassing boards that must certify those vote counts -- as long as there is alternative access, such as listening over a speaker system.
"Anytime you move something behind the curtain, people are going to get suspicious," said Florida election law expert Mark Herron, who advised the Gore team in 2000.
Election observers date from the days when ballot boxes were cracked open and their contents dumped out and counted.
Though election observers are appointed by political parties to watch for anything that might hurt their candidate, their presence helps protect the integrity of an election.
The opinion is already drawing protests in advance of November's presidential elections, when political parties will post swarms of lawyers at potential hot spots such as Sarasota.
"I am highly inclined right now to recommend a lawsuit to challenge this," said Charles Lichtman, lead counsel to the Florida Democratic Party. "I can promise you, we will have a full dialogue with the state ... that the state comes to its senses and does the right thing."
The legal opinion, quietly issued on Jan. 24 by Secretary of State Kurt Browning's elections division, has already been used by one county to bar an election observer.
"That opinion really changed it for us," said Volusia County Election Supervisor Ann McFall, who said she was never comfortable with the practice of allowing outsiders in her tiny central computer room.
First, there is little space in the room, she said. Second, in addition to the computers running the election, the room contains keys and other security devices. Third, she knows the vendor of equipment in the room does not want competitors to have access to trade secret information.
"The state tells us to increase security and the public wants transparency, and sometimes it doesn't match," McFall said.
After conferring by phone with one of Browning's lawyers and her own attorney on Tuesday night, McFall told elections activist Susan Pynchon her newly minted card as a Green Party observer would not gain her access to Volusia County's computing room.
Pynchon, a member of Black Box Voting who founded the Florida Fair Elections Coalition, was forced to stand outside, peering at the room's computers through a window.
"I couldn't see anything," Pynchon complained.
Secretary of State Browning maintains he is on firm legal ground.
Florida law allows political parties to designate tech-savvy observers who can watch votes being "tabulated." However, another 2001 law requires that votes be tabulated at the precincts where they are cast.
Those totals are then sent to the central computing room, usually by phone line.
"In the situation of a modem transfer, no "counting" of the votes occurs, but merely a tabulation of ballots already counted at the precincts," interim Elections Director Sarah Jane Bradshaw's four-page opinion informed Dent.
"I think when you look at splitting the hairs, the difference between tabulation and accumulation, if you look, the Legislature was very clear in 2001 that they wanted the tabulation at the precinct level," Browning said. "There's no tabulation of precinct results; there is an accumulation of precinct votes, and I stand by that opinion."
It is still adding votes, Lichtman said.
"Whatever the steps are from point A to point Z, that's part of the counting process," he said.
Dent, who endured unwanted national attention over Sarasota's 18,000-vote undercount in the razor-thin 13th District congressional race, expects heavy scrutiny again in November.
She said she did not seek the opinion in the hope of limiting scrutiny.
Rather, she said, she wanted "clarification and edification" to reassure local canvassing board members of the rules.
Though she said she was not required to, Dent on Tuesday opened her computing room to a handful of observers.
"It's at my discretion," she said.
What they witnessed underscores the need for access, said Warren "Skip" Parish, a computer expert frequently tapped as an observer for the Florida Democratic Party as well as an adviser to Pynchon's coalition.
Ten Sarasota County precincts were unable to establish modem connections with the tabulation room, requiring machines to be unplugged and driven to the site for download.
When votes still could not be retrieved electronically from the North Port Precinct 105 tabulating machine, election staff had to enter them into the central computer by hand, Dent said.
Parish witnessed the unorthodox procedure from inside the central computer room. He said he would not have known what was transpiring had he been relegated to watching through a window.
"You can't do that from across the room," Parish said. "You have to see what programs they are pulling up."
Election watchdogs warn that Florida's observer opinion is bound to backfire on a state still struggling to restore faith in its elections.
"Why would you do something to hurt voter confidence now?" asked Reggie Mitchell, the Florida lawyer for People for the American Way, a national public advocacy organization heavily involved in election monitoring.
County Commission Recognizes Member of New BSO Community Action Taskforce
January 9, 2008
The Broward County Commission recognized a member of Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti's newly formed Community Action Taskforce Tuesday.
BSO community involvement specialist Adriane Reesey was among those singled out by commissioners for her work on a local taskforce combating human trafficking in South Florida.
Reesey is one of the members of Sheriff Lamberti's newly created Community Action Taskforce. The taskforce is a grass roots level team of BSO community liaisons assigned throughout the county. Their new role is to be BSO's eyes and ears in neighborhoods and communities across Broward County.
The taskforce is a new way for residents to connect with BSO. Taskforce members will be familiar faces that citizens will know, and can contact with suggestions or concerns. Taskforce members will be part of Sheriff Lamberti's front line when it comes to finding out what specific public safety issues need to be addressed at the neighborhood level. They will also be critical partners in getting important safety messages to residents, community groups and neighborhood associations.
Every neighborhood, every community may have different concerns when it comes to public safety. Our job is to make sure those needs are clearly heard, and quickly addressed, said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti. This new taskforce will allow BSO to serve citizens - our customers - like never before.
The Community Action Taskforce is just one of Sheriff Lamberti's new initiatives intended to fulfill his promise to serve the residents and visitors of Broward County with Pride in Service with Integrity.
3,300 cast ballots on first day of early voting
Posted by Russell Small at 1:50 PM
In what an elections office spokeswoman considered a "decent showing," more than 3,300 Broward residents voted Monday during the first day of early voting for the Jan. 29 primary, Staff Writer Juan Ortega reports.
The number of people who voted Monday became available today after results were tallied by the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office, said spokeswoman Mary Cooney.
Early voting continues through Jan. 27, and the number of voters casting ballots each day is expected to "be bigger and bigger," Cooney said.
Up for vote are the presidential primaries, a property tax amendment and elected positions in six Broward cities, towns and villages.
"We are encouraged that early voting has become so popular," Cooney said.
Cooney visited the early voting site at the Broward County main library in Fort Lauderdale , and "it opened without a hitch," she said, adding she hasn't heard of any mishaps countywide.
Cooney said voting today appeared to be going better than Monday, when volunteer poll workers who misread "U" and "Y" as "V" apparently caused about a dozen Hollywood residents to get ballots for Cooper City and Hallandale Beach.
Challenger seeks to unseat Snipes at elections office
(Adriane Reesey is a member of the Dolphin Democrats)
Anthony Mann, Sun-Sentinel Broward Politics Blog
January 8, 2008
Citing concerns over a lack of community involvement and glitches in some Broward elections, Democratic activist Adriane Reesey is challenging Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes' re-election.
Reesey and Snipes, who plans to seek re-election, will face off in the Aug. 26 Democratic primary.
"My concern is basic. It's not that I want to vilify my opponent. It's not that I wish to take a low road and point out all of the issues that have been encountered in the office, because we're all aware of those," Reesey said.
Instead, she said she wants to concentrate on "the lack of involvement by people in the process. It's the bedrock of our democracy. I know that sounds corny." She said she wants to do something to make people enthusiastic about voting and improve the low level of participation.
"This position is to me an extremely important one because the supervisor can inspire people," she said. "People are disgusted. And they say that I don't want to vote because my vote isn't going to count. That's not true. Everyone's vote does count."
Snipes acknowledged that there have been occasional glitches during her tenure but she said the office has been transformed.
"There are challenges that you're always attempting to overcome. No elections are perfect. It's just like life. Nothing is perfect," she said. "I hope the voters will say Dr. Snipes came in, she's done an outstanding job in bringing stability back to the office, and bringing credibility back to the process, and we'd like to continue that."
Snipes said expanded community outreach is one of her greatest accomplishments as supervisor. "We're writing the book on that. We have done some outstanding things on community outreach, and we're just getting better and better."
Examples:
- High school voter registration drives, including training students in the schools to conduct the drives. "That has caught on really, really well."
- Staying open late into the night on days when voter registration applications are due before elections, to allow as many people to get signed up as possible.
- Operation of the "election connection" mobile unit throughout the county for activities such as voter registration. The election connection had 2,000 public contacts in one year, she said.
Reesey, who's been active in the Dolphin Democrats gay and lesbian political club - she was given the organization's Humanitarian of the Year award in 2007 - had contemplated running for state Legislature. |
July 26, 2008
THE RIDE WITH REESEY ON THE BCT
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On July 26, 2008 at 9:00am, the Broward County Transit system was the site of an event to stimulate social awareness and interest in the upcoming August 26 election. Adriane Reesey, a candidate for Broward County Supervisor of Elections, called for voters to take notice. The Reesey's "Pieces" Campaign Volunteers from across the county converged to ride the BCT, Route 72. They promoted community awareness and involvement in several social activist causes; among them voting and the environment. Volunteers gathered at 9:00am on Oakland Park Blvd and Federal Highway picking up riders along the way to the Sawgrass Mall. They handed out American flags, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Reesey t-shirts, as they rode from east to west and points between on the Broward bus.
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Adriane Reesey at the Sawgrass mall,
climbing for progress.
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Passion for politics
By Shira Poliak
Weinbaum Yeshiva High graduate
Posted May 29 2008
Hundreds of teenagers flocked to the Barack Obama rally at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise last week.
Some wore homemade T-shirts. Others came in school uniforms.
For many, Friday's rally was the first political event they had attended, and all were excited to witness "history in the making," as Ava Peck, an American Heritage of Plantation junior, described the occasion.
This strong teenage presence, as well as student-led political activities in high schools, reflects the youth passion for the 2008 presidential election and a variety of election issues.
Getting rid of special interest groups and having a more transparent government is crucial to Oliver Doren, a Cooper City High sophomore. He said this election is especially important because of upcoming Supreme Court appointments, health care issues and the mortgage crisis.
Marina Korolyova, a Miami Palmetto High senior, is most concerned about rising gas prices, exorbitant college costs and the possibility of a draft. She said America "needs strong diplomacy" and described "being looked down upon" when traveling abroad because of America's "involvement in other country's government affairs."
Some teenagers credit their high school government classes for sparking their interest in the election.
"My American government teacher got me interested," said Taja Thompson, a freshman at Florida State University who graduated from Everglades High last year. "He made us debate and challenge our positions."
She said the war in Iraq is a critical issue to her, and she is concerned about gun control and rising gas prices.
Jeffrey Diaz, a Western High senior originally from the Dominican Republic, registered to vote outside the BankAtlantic Center.
"My classes got me thinking. Before I didn't worry about politics at all," Diaz said. "But I can't just live free
it will affect me later in life."
Others spread their passion for politics in their schools.
Rebecca Mendelsohn, a Pine Crest sophomore, is president of her school's Young Republican club. The club is planning a mock presidential election for the middle and high schools next year, and it is beginning to campaign for Senator McCain on campus.
This summer, Mendelsohn will "wave signs, knock on doors and lick envelopes" for McCain's candidacy with her peers.
Cooper City's Oliver Doren is a member of his school's Obama Club, which he said is his school's only group supporting a particular candidate. While Doren is too young to vote, he broadcasts messages about Obama, upcoming events and voter registration through the group's Facebook group, Cooper City High for Obama 08.
Many teenagers are shaping their political perspectives independent of their parents' viewpoints.
Krista Marti, a Fort Lauderdale High junior who attended the Obama rally wearing a finger-painted Obama T-shirt she drew, describes herself as liberal, though she said her parents are "socially and economically very Republican."
Despite the difference, she said her parents let her believe and nurture her own viewpoints.
The political efforts of teenagers are not passing unnoticed. "It is wonderful to see youth getting involved," Broward County Supervisor of Elections candidate Adriane Reesey said as she surveyed the crowd outside the Bank Atlantic Center.
"I am glad to see them inspired by messages of hope, perseverance and change. We need positive messages in disparaging times," Reesey said. "This is history, the foundation of our democracy and a phenomenal opportunity."
Wilson Inducted in Women's Hall of Fame
Broward County Coalition Honors Board Rep.
By Chris Jenkins
FT. LAUDERDALE Hollywood Board of Directors Rep. Gloria Wilson has worked hard to serve her community for many years. On March 9, her name and reputation were celebrated in Broward County.
As part of their 15th annual ceremony, the Broward County Women's History Coalition inducted Wilson and seven others into their Hall of Fame. The achievement only adds to an already long list, but it also makes her just the second Seminole woman to achieve such an honor. She joins her aunt and Tribal pioneer Betty Mae Jumper, who was honored in 1995.
Friend Allison Osceola presented her with the award, and mother Elsie Bowers and Fort Pierce Liaison S.R. Tommie were present for support.
According to its website, the organization's mission is to honor diverse women for their contributions to society and the advancement of women as well as pursue education for and about women and advocate for the empowerment and equality of women.
Wilson's leadership was evident early on as a former Seminole Princess in 1975 and 1976. Her vision and passion was expressed in her campaign platform when she ran for Hollywood Board representative in 2005.
I believe that to succeed in the representation of the people and as a member of the Board, a leader must possess characteristics important to the responsibilities and duties of the position. Those traits being: integrity, vision and unity, she said. A leader must possess the integrity to do what is morally and ethically right for business. A leader must stand up and support issues or ideals that are most beneficial for everyone; even in opposition to the loudest voice. People who know me well know that I speak up for all concerned, not just for me.
The Snake Clan member lives in Brighton, but said she has always maintained a connection with the Hollywood Tribal community, and it is an honor representing them.
I have always wanted to work hard and do things for them, Wilson said. It has made me feel good; I have always been active in this community.
She said it is also an honor to be in the company of Tribal greats like her aunt Betty Mae Jumper and other accomplished women in Broward County.
I always felt like if she could do it so could I, and [she did it] without all the tools we have today
She made it all real for me, Wilson said.
Wilson, the only woman Board representative, said her time serving has been one of the best experiences of her life.
In addition, she has worked with the United and South Eastern Tribes, Inc. writing policy statements relating to Native Americans for the White House. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girl Club of the Seminole Tribe, all of which is just a part of being a leader for her.
I cannot go with status quo when I see there is the potential for more, Wilson said. My motivation is to be all things for all the people.
She said she was very surprised at her nomination and induction.
When I was told I was nominated and I got the call, I was kind of dumb-founded, she admitted. I am glad that [the committee] think well enough of what I have done.
Other fellow inductees included: Josie Bacallao, president of Hispanic Unity of Florida, Linda Bird, president of the Broward County Democratic Professional Council, Joy Copper, mayor of the city of Hallandale Beach, Carol Maynard, Broward Sheriff's Office major, Adriane Reesey, chairwoman of the Broward County Human Rights Board, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County, and Barbara Ann Weinstein, president and CEO of Family Central.
Janet Reno makes rare political appearance
 Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will headline a fundraiser Saturday for a Democratic activist challenging Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes .
Adriane Reesey of Dania Beach is vice president of the Broward County's Dolphin Democratic Club, the largest gay political club in Florida. She also works at the Broward Sheriff's Office and has followed Reno's career in criminal justice.
"She was always one of my heros,'' said Reesey, who volunteered on Reno's campaign for governor in 2002. "I think she thought I was a stalker for a while because I would go to wherever she was speaking. I was in awe of her abilities and integrity."
Snipes also faces a challenge from non-partisan candidate Ellen Brodsky of Coconut Creek
71 st Annual Orange Blossom Festival
"Celebrating Women...
Their Accomplishments & Dreams"
The mission of the Broward County Women's History Coalition is to honor diverse women for their contributions to society and the advancement of women; the pursuit of education for and about women; and to advocate for the empowerment and equality of women.
Election changes could save money, increase voter turnout
By Lou Ortiz
Consolidating municipal elections or holding them in tandem with countywide races could save some cities tens of thousands of dollars and increase voter turnout.
The conclusions are based on a comprehensive review of the election process in the county by the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, which presented its findings to the commission on Tuesday.
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa called for the study in October. She is now sponsoring a resolution urging municipalities to follow neighboring Broward and Palm Beach counties, where consolidated elections are held.
Under the proposal, municipalities would have three options: share the same election date with other cities; opt to hold municipal elections with countywide races; or keep their stand-alone election process.
The first option would result in all municipalities sharing the cost of the election, while joining with the county would reduce the cost to cities significantly because Miami-Dade would absorb most of the expenses, the report said.
The current stand-alone process requires municipalities to pay for 100% of the costs.
"It will increase voter participation and it will be more efficient," Ms. Sosa said.
County Manager George Burgess agreed. "The consolidation of municipal elections is both feasible and desirable," he said in his report to the county commission. "However, municipal charter amendments will be necessary in order to move election dates, thus cooperation from each municipality will be necessary."
Mr. Burgess noted that the county holds 30 elections each year. "In 2007, July was the only month in which an election did not take place," he said.
"Municipalities can offer Early Voting at no additional cost when held in conjunction with a countywide election," Mr. Burgess said.
"The most mutually beneficial approach is for municipalities to hold consolidated elections in August and November, during odd years, and in conjunction with the Primary and General Elections in even years," he said.
Currently stand-alone elections cost municipalities from $14,863 to $702,321, for expenses incurred by the county for ballot programming, tabulation and equipment delivery, among other things, the report said.
Voter participation in stand-alone elections in 2006 ranged from 4.5% to 30%, according to the report.
"They cost municipalities a lot of money," said Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Lester Sola. "It makes most sense to maximize those dollars."
Mr. Sola said the savings from consolidating elections could be spent by municipalities on other things. But, he said, it's a political decision each city must make.
Mr. Sola added that some municipalities could switch to consolidated election via ordinance, while for others it would take an amendment to their charters.
Municipalities also may have to extend "term limits for certain offices during the transition to the new schedule," the report says.
"But no one is going to be forced to do anything," Ms. Sosa said. "I'm now getting feedback from the municipalities. I will go to each one by one and sit down with everybody. This is one of the main goals we have."
In the report, Mr. Burgess said the City of Aventura has agreed to pass a resolution this year "moving its municipal election to coincide with the Miami-Dade General Election beginning in 2010."
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