DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES PARTY at “BETTER THAN SEX” – KEY WEST AND LOWER KEYS DEMOCRATIC CLUB – Wednesday, September 16th 6-8pm

Meet the Democratic Candidates at the very special BETTER THAN SEX, a desert heaven on Petronia Street in Key West! All Democratic candidates for office will be with us to enjoy chocolate fountains and fine wines at this unique “desert only” restaurant.

Lambda Dems have been working over the past three months to prepare for its hosting duties. Participants will get a reception hosted by GLCC at the home of Campbell Cawood on Friday evening, a Cuban/Caribbean buffet supper at Mangoes following the all-day conference Saturday at Top of La Concha. Aqua is providing discount tickets for its 9 p.m. drag shows over the weekend to conference registrants. Lambda Dems Secretary Mabry Binnicker is hosting a brunch at his home on Sunday and the group will be treated to the Gay Trolley Tour and a tour of the Truman Little White House on Sunday as well. Island House and Pearl’s Rainbow have provided three-day passes to their facilities.

Lambda President Henry Woods wishes to thank all Lambda and KW/Lower Keys Dems club members who have stepped up to volunteer to bartend at the hospitality suite, act as greeters, and to provide transportation to and from the Ft. Myers Ferry for participants coming in by that mode of transportation. Thanks also to those who donated a total of $5,000 to support the Lambdas in hosting this statewide conference, as well as those businesses and individuals who made donations for the goody bags provided to each registrant.

Anyone wishing to register for the conference can do so on the Caucus website at www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org.

The Florida Democratic Party has secured a special rate for State Conference attendees with the Yacht & Beach Club which is $199 per night.

Below is a list of the tentative workshop sessions for the 2009 Florida Democratic Party Conference. All are subject to change.

“21st Century Veterans” A discussion about what President Obama and Democrats are doing to help Florida’s veterans.

“Building A Bench” Training a new generation of Florida Democratic Leaders to run for office or work for campaigns.

“Cambio de Florida” The growth of Florida’s Hispanic community and what it means for Democrats.

“Democrats Who Serve” Building local Democratic clubs and committees through community service projects.

“Florida’s Future Healthcare” How will Florida’s families deal with rising healthcare costs and what Florida Democratic leaders and President Obama are doing to help.

“Green Florida” How President Obama and Democrats are working to end our addiction to foreign oil through by creating green jobs and investing in the technologies of tomorrow.

“Netroots/Blue Journalism” Ways Florida Democrats can use tools like podcasts and blogging to challenge government officials and reach fellow citizens.

“Opportunity For All” With the election of President Barack Obama as a catalyst, how can we create opportunities for success in Florida’s African-American communities?

“Protect Florida Education” A discussion about what Democrats are doing to protect Florida’s schools to give our state’s children all the opportunities they deserve.

“Redistricting” How Democrats can take advantage of the upcoming redistricting.

“Reviving Rural Communities” How President Obama and Democrats’ economic recovery plan is helping Florida’s rural communities attract new families and create jobs.

“State of The State” How Florida Democrats will provide the leadership necessary to create jobs and jumpstart Florida’s economy.

All registered Monroe County Democrats are eligible to be delegates. The Monroe County Delegation has a number vacancies for this Conference. Delegates are responsible for all personal costs, including a $35 registration fee (to be submitted with the application), transportation, lodging (about $400), and meals ($100-300). Hotel rooms and meal packages will be available through the Florida Democratic Party, to be announced later this year.

To apply to become a Monroe County Delegate please download and complete BOTH forms: (a) the Delegate Qualification Form, and (b) the Party Loyalty Oath. Please note that you can choose one of two options to validate your Loyalty Oath (EITHER Option 1 signed by a Notary Public OR Option 2 signed by two witness. Witnesses must be registered Democrats in Monroe County).

Include the check and both forms together in one envelope, and mail to Liz Lustberg at 335C Duval Street, Key west, FL 33040.

Applications must be received by Friday July 31st.

Tom Lavender grew up on a small family farm in South Central Iowa. He attended the local one room country school for 8 years, high school in Des Moines, finishing his education by serving in the United States Air Force, stationed at Wheelus Air Force Base, Tripoli, Libya & Minot Air Force Base, Minot North Dakota.

Following his service discharge he worked in sales and store management for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, moving on after 10 years to a sales position with Yetter Oil Company. He became a partner at Reif Oil Company in 1980 managing the automotive parts division. Concurrently, Tom was a partner of Aqua Sport, a scuba diving training center providing cold Iowans an opportunity to dive in the warmer waters of Florida. Tom retired from Iowa in June of 1998 making the logical move south to Key West.

Tom couldn’t retire and shortly after moving he was hired on by First State Bank of the Florida Keys where he served for the past 10 years as Merchant Services Sales Manager. He retired from First State Bank May 29th 2009. Key West is an ongoing opportunity to participate in the community. He has been active (and/or on the board) of the Key West Chamber of Commerce economic affairs committee, Key West Business Guild, Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Impromptu Concerts, Sunrise Rotary, Anne McKee Artist Fund, Key West Bar & Restaurant Association, Southernmost Runners, Key West Lower Keys Democratic Club, Equality Florida, and assorted other non profit organizations. Tom has been twice recognized as an unsung hero by CFFK, received the Piece of the Rock award from the KW Chamber of Commerce, and Rotarian of the Year for Sunrise Rotary.

Tom, his wife Debbi and cat Beau make their home at Las Salinas Condos. Over the coming months Tom looks forward to meeting and hearing from the residents of District 3, and hopefully, having the honor of representing their interests and concerns on the city commission.

I am seeking this office because I believe I can still make a contribution to the betterment of the community that raised me. Local government should be about improving the quality of life for our residents and creating an environment where our business community can flourish. We have a responsibility to keep this island “livable” for the generations to come. In my previous service as a City Commissioner from 1985-1999 and as Mayor from 1999-2005, I operated from the premise that our city commission should be solution driven, taking the best ideas and making them happen.
I believe I have a track record of being a problem solver – whether it was preserving the Key West Bight, helping to initiate affordable housing projects at Roosevelt Gardens and Douglass School, negotiating the transfer of the Truman Waterfront from the Navy to the City of Key West, negotiating the purchase of Poinciana for social services and housing, starting the Mayor’s affordable housing fund, initiating a Clean and Green initiative, or sponsoring the “One Human Family” resolution.
I hope you will give me the chance once again to be of service. I’d appreciate your vote on October 6th.

Clayton Lopez was born and raised in Key West, a fourth generation Key Wester. Clayton is the eldest of three boys and one girl born to Charles and Rose Lopez. Clayton’s parental grandfather, Roosevelt Sands, was a well known community leader and servant. He was also Clayton’s closest mentor. Clayton was raised in the famous “garden of Roses” house, now located on Whitehead Street, where his mother now lives.

He is step-father to three boys, the father of one girl. He and his wife, Pam are proud grandparents to four girls and one boy. He loves music, plays and collects guitars. Clayton is of Bahamian/Cuban decent. His wife, Pam is of German Decent. Their grandchildren are of Cuban, Italian, Puerto Rican, Haitian, African American, Anglo, Bahamian and German. He jokes with pride of having his own personal United Nations in his family.

He began his community service at the age of 13. That first community involvement was when he helped organize and participate in a march against a segregated skating rink here in Key West. At community action meetings in the seventies, Clayton’s was often the youngest voice heard. By age 17, he was the youngest member of a team that helped secure funding to restore the Community Pool, now named after one of his idols, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was still in High School when he received his first gubernatorial appointment. Governor Ruben Askew appointed him to a committee of community leaders, students and educators that helped end the riots which occurred here in 1972. The following year, he was chosen by the student body to continue in that capacity to prevent future occurrences. While majoring in Sociology at Florida Keys Community Collage, he helped found the first student short term loan fund.

From there, his involvement included membership in the NAACP. In the 1980′s he served as a youth advisor, and in the 1990′s he served as political action chair, and Health advisory committee. In the 1990′s, when some local ministers denied gay participation in the Christmas parade, he was one of several members including his wife who marched in that same Christmas parade in protest of that decision.

He was a member of the Monroe County Fine Arts Counsel. He is a member of several fraternal and civic organizations including Union Lodge 47 Free and Accepted Masons/ PHA, has also been a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he and his wife, are members of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Key West. He is proud to currently be a board member of that organization. In the 1980′s, he was a member of the Filipino American Friendship Society. He has been (and remains) active in his church, Cornish Memorial AME Zion Church, having held several positions there. He is a member of the Blessed Community Gospel Choir.

Clayton is a man of faith, who believes in REAL family values, diversity and respect for those human differences that should be celebrated and learned from, rather than persecuted or exploited. He is an inclusive, self proclaimed man of the people. Discounting nor disenfranchising anyone, he considers himself fiscally conservative and socially liberal.

Many awards recognizing Clayton’s continuing contributions to our community spanning several decades adorn the walls of his home. He was received the Lang B. Millian Community Service Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, awards from churches in the community, as well as honorary memberships to some of them. Most recent and important to him, are the Bahama Village Community Award for a lifetime of service, and the Celebrating Achievement and Pride (CAP) Award from gay organizations citing him as a Community Friend. Clayton has the distinction of having received three different CAP awards in different categories in different years. His commitment to diversity and its celebration is evident.

He truly believes in concepts of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and “One Human Family.” He’s demonstrated these beliefs in the way he lives his life, and in the legacy he wants to leave. If asked, he says “This is the legacy I was handed, it is the legacy I must pass on.”

Mr. Marquardt discovered Key West in 1983 and made it home in 1999. After hearing about the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust in 2000, Mr. Marquardt became an active member volunteering time and resources eventually holding offices on the Board Of Directors of Treasurer and then President. Mr. Marquardt was the second home buyer in the CLT program in 2001. Mr. Marquardt met his life partner here in 2002 and is currently running for the District 6 City Commission seat.

“What makes Key West and the Florida Keys so special are the people and the way of life,” said Marquardt at a recent Hometown PAC event. “We the people are each and every one of you” Marquardt continued, “we must honor our fore fathers and what so many have lost their lives to protect, our power of the voice of the people.”