Our February 11, 2026 meeting featured Dr. BJ Ezell. The topic was DEI.
As usual, Dr. BJ was very well prepared and a dynamic speaker.
The meeting focused on the history and current challenges of DEI programs. The speaker highlighted the importance of DEI in workplaces and communities, discussing how recent federal and state policies have curtailed such initiatives. She explained the concepts and their importance in creating a fair and representative society. She emphasized the need for continued advocacy and support for marginalized groups. Black History Month and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
BJ always prepares interaction with the audience. Everyone was given a cup with coins: a penny, nickel, dime and quarter. At various parts of her speech we were directed to remove a coin, demonstrating what happens when groups of people are excluded.
She also addressed the restrictive state-level environment in Florida, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy. She highlighted positive examples of diversity and inclusion within Citrus County.
You can see the presentation on youtube at:
LWV Citrus Zoom meeting January 14, 2026 Citrus County Roads
The League of Women Voters of Citrus County is dedicated to educating the community and advocating for issues after careful study.
If you have driven on Citrus County roads, you know that many of them are in need of repair. Where I live, in Pine Ridge, the roads are full of potholes. When the potholes are filled there are bumps. I recently rode and took videos of the roads and sent them to the Commissioners on the Citrus County Board.
Do you want your road fixed yesterday? Do you understand what the county is facing regarding road repair? I didn’t understand until I went to a BOCC meeting where there was a presentation from Mott McDonald, the company which has used laser equipment to determine the conditions of all of the 1,800 miles (yes, that is the correct number) of roads in the county.
Attending to clarify and answer questions were: County Commissioner Steve Howard, Public Works Director Carlton Hall, Tech Services Director Walt Eastmond, Engineering Operations Supervisor Charles Leazott, and Senior Project Manager for Mott MacDonald, Katia Delgado.
Katia presented data showing that the county’s roads are in generally poor condition, with a current backlog of approximately $714 million in needed repairs. The county is allocating $16.2 million for road maintenance this year, but experts suggested that maintaining current conditions would require around $30 million annually. The presentation outlined various treatment options, from preservation treatments costing $60,000-80,000 per mile to reconstruction projects at $1.2 million per mile. County officials explained their strategy of focusing on preservation treatments to extend the life of roads before more expensive repairs are needed. The discussion also covered potential funding sources, including a proposed one-cent sales tax for roads, though no decisions were made on new tax initiatives.
This meeting is available for all to see by following this link:
LWV meeting on January 14, 2026, Why Public Schools Matter
A lively discussion on “Why Public Schools Matter” took place at the Citrus League of Women Voters’ public meeting Jan. 14 at the Coastal Region Library. LWVCC Vice President and Education Chair Rosemary Nilles (left, in photo) hosted the speakers Damaris Allen (center) and Ami-Marie Granger Welch of Families for Strong Public Schools, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
After comparing the school-choice options for Florida students, the speakers detailed the impact of the voucher system on public education dollars. They also discussed the controversial charter co-location rules. For more information see their website at strongflschools.com
You can see the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmhoXEkruhU&t=2145s
Superintendent Scott Hebert and Sheriff David Vincent dazzle the crowd at Glory Days on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at our Holiday Luncheon at Glory Days in Lecanto.
For our Holiday luncheon, we wanted to have something festive. You know lately as we look at the news it is a downer. We hit it out of the park with this double-header of speakers: two honest, upbeat, positive, and informative speakers who wowed us all.
I am proud to know both men. I believe in them, and appreciate all that they have done, before and after their election to their respective positions.
I introduced them with a list of their experience and many accomplishments. It’s really stunning to see. (Check the link at the end of this article). When they saw the two microphones they were ready to do a boy band lip synch. Darn! I didn’t have the right music!
The audience responded with much applause, before they even spoke, and interrupting as they made points describing what they have done.
I am going to summarize some of the points for each servant/leader. For our Sheriff:
- Making his employees’ lives better by switching healthcare plans to save them money.
- Creating a positive environment such that former employees are returning to work.
- Purchasing body-cams and the required infrastructure for all the Deputy Sheriffs.
- The body cams provide livestreaming, so command decisions can be made immediately.
- Sponsors deputy sheriff candidates so that they can get paid training
- More applicants for positions
- Obtained COPS grant to employ more deputies
- Initiating a salary study to figure out how to increase staff salaries
- Partnering with the School District to train teenage drivers
- Close partnership with the Superintendent
Superintendent Hebert spoke about:
- Dealing with the deaths of people in the District
- Sheriff Vincent mentoring the current Chief of Police
- 80% of the families in the district choose public schools
- 92% graduation rate
- “B” District
- Career technical opportunities being afforded the students
- Superintendent’s Counsels for community people, business owners, teachers, and support staff
- Taking a group of students to Tallahassee to see how State government works
(Do you know where the term “lobbyist” came from? I didn’t know. You’ll have to watch the video to see).
- Partnering with the College of Central Florida to enable students to take dual enrollment courses on campus.
- Expanding evening courses.
- New logo for the District, which cost the district $0
- Goal of 100% graduation rate
- Working on improved healthcare and higher salaries for staff. (Administrators have not received salary raises)
- Improving use of technology
- Preparing our kids for the future, whatever jobs may exist then
(By the way, I used AI from Zoom to summarize this meeting).
You can view the entire meeting by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/VkSG3258x1A
Our November 12, 2025 meeting was supposed to feature retired Juddge Trish Thomas. Due to a family emergency she was unable to attend. We wish her well and will reschedule her speaking for next year.
Up to the plate came Rosemary Nilles. She has recently volunteered to be Co-Chair for the Florida League of Women Voters Speakers Bureau. Hot off the presses, she presented her recently penned powerpoint on Redistricting.
She explained the history of redistricting in the United States. Then she focused on Floridaand how redistricting now would go against the Florida Constitution. Redistricting is supposed to happen every ten years, after the Census is done.
She explained that redistricting in a time other than every ten years enables the politicians to pick the voters, instead of the voters picking the politicians in a free in fair vote.
The League’s position, quoting League of Women Voters of the United States CEO Celina Stewart, Esq, is that mid-decade redistricting “erodes public trust in democrary, is a disservice to the people, and that the voters deserve fair representation.”
To view the presentation in its entirety, go to https://youtu.be/bRtj3kT2oPU
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 7pm, the League of Women Voters of Citrus County and the League of Women Voters of the Villages held a Zoom meeting with the candidates for Florida State Senator, Ash Marwah and Ralph Massullo.
The following questions were presented to the candidates:
- What would your top two priorities be if you were elected as Senator?
- There is considerable development planned for the Nature Coast in the coming years. What can be done on the State level to ensure that the rights of businesses are balanced with local control to protect the environment?
- Florida is considering redrawing their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections. What is your opinion and its justification on this issue?
- Homeowners insurance rates are skyrocketing in Florida. What would you do to relieve homeowners faced with higher rates?
- Homeowners insurance rates are skyrocketing in Florida. What would you do to relieve homeowners faced with higher rates?
- What are your opinions on immigration and what do you think the legislature should do in the future?
- How should the Florida legislature address the budget shortfalls experienced by local school districts in 2025?
Do you want to know what their answers were? You are in luck! We aim to please! You can watch it on youtube.
Zoom with Board of County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard, October 15, 2015
Commissioner Kinnard spoke to us on a zoom call. He carefully outlined the five major initiatives on which he is working:
- The 1 cent sales tax – for presentation on the 2026 ballot. Considerations, how long it should last, many people want it to be used expressly for road resurfacing.
- Pirates Cove – The County purchased it for $1.176million, $900,000 from Tourist Development Tax and the Duke Special Projects fund.
- Growth in the County – Road widening will continue
- Rewriting the growth plan – it will be updated
- Animal shelter – proposal is now for $16 million
- After the presentation, he answered all of the questions from participants.
If you want to hear all of the details, the link for this zoom is
YaYAS Executive Director, Nichelle Mohre-Cassidy spoke at our October 8 meeting
We have been lucky to have very good speakers at our meetings. You know this if you attend our meetings or watch it on youtube. Nichelle’s presentation was very well done: interesting, informative, entertaining, emotional, and real.
I started her introduction with this quote:
“Some People Make Things Happen,
Some Watch Things Happen,
While Others Wonder What Has Happened.”
In preparation for my introduction, I looked up the author, and it was none other than Eleanor Roosevelt.
The task which Nichelle and the YaYAS tackle is complex. Helping young people, from 16 to 24 years old, who are homeless, is a daunting task.
There are over 800 homeless youth in Citrus County – yes, right here in our own back yard. Some have parents who are encarcerated. Some receive the cruel birthday present of “You’re 18. You’re on your own. Get out.”
Serving this population takes dedication, collaboration, and heart. None of the YaYAS staff take a salary.
The services vary according to each client’s needs. It might be clothing, food, car repair, transportation, a place to show, study, or sleep, or therapy. My bet is that this organization helps youth just by showing that they are important and that someone cares about them.
Presently YaYAS works with other agencies when appropriate to help these youths. The program has big plans for expansion in the future.
Right now the master plan is to have a youth and young adult shelter built in three years. A facility that will house between 40 and 50 16 to 24 year olds.
What do they need and how can you help?
- You can go to their website, org and donate. Large or small donations will all help.
- You can watch the video of Nichelle’s excellent presentation at
https://youtu.be/kN87kTmh8YE and hear the stories of what the needs are.
- If you know someone who likes to fundraise, they can use such a person.
- Nichelle’s cell number is 352 587-5155.
- You can email the YaYAS at executivedirector@yayasofcitruscounty.org
League of Women Voters of Citrus County General Meeting, September 10, 2025
The League was honored to have our Supervisor of Elections, Maureen (Mo) Baird, speak to us about her job and protection of our right to vote. What do you get when Mo is your speaker? The same thing that Citrus County gets when she is at work for us. Preparation with facts, understandable explanations of what she does as our supervisor, and all questions answered.
Mo started working full-time for the Supervisor of Elections Office full-time in 1985. She was elected as Supervisor of Elections in 2020 and again 2024. As a member of the Florida Supervisor of Elections, she mentors other Supervisors in the state. She is now preparing for the special elections: primary on September 30, and election on December 9.
She explained how she keeps the security and integrity of voting in Citrus. This includes making sure that new equipment works, keeping the list of voters accurate, hiring and training 400 poll workers, managing 32 polling places, 5 early voting sights, and working with 10 staff members. In 2024 27,000 voters voted by mail, and 46,000 voted early.
Our Supervisor of Elections is always looking ahead. She budgets carefully and has the backing of the Commissioners. She does outreaches throughout the community to register voters. She goes to the high schools to educate future voters. If the State decides to redistrict, she will be ready.
We are looking forward to next year, when we will arrange a trip to the office to see first hand how things work.
She said exactly what we say at the League: “Your vote matters.
To view her presentation, go to https://youtu.be/p5vXggQf2wo
On Wednesday, August 6, we had our third Zoom meeting. These meetings are designed to provide information to our members regarding local issues. They are at 7:00 PM for those who can’t make it to our meetings during the day. So far we have had Rebecca Bays, Holly Davis, and our latest is Diana Finegan as guests.
Diana is a native of Floral City. She was the youngest director of a domestic violence center in Florida, CASA. She discussed her efforts to manage tax dollars and reduce the budget. Diana expressed her belief in the importance of allowing public input at all budget hearings, and she presented detailed budget information and questions to department heads. She also voted against a 21% budget increase from two years ago and calculated that the proposed budget would result in a $64 million increase in taxes over six years, urging department heads to justify their expenses.
The topics addressed are as follows: challenges with septic to sewer conversion, water management, managing density and growth in the county, homelessness, and water and aquifer concerns.
In addition, Diana walked us through the information available on the BOCC website. There is a tremendous amount of information on the website, and we will be exploring it and sharing what we learned.
You can see this zoom meeting on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLqunB1LkEI&t=2764s
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, our League hosted the Girl Scouts. What does that have to do with the League of Women Voters, you might ask?
As Peg Primeau wrote, “Both groups promote the well-being of girls and women in society. Both groups promote full civic participation for all. Both groups are committed to nonpartisan education about democratic principles and action.”
The Girl Scout/League of Women Voters Collaboration Guide says,
“Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges— whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices.”
I was not a Girl Scout. I admit I didn’t know much about what they do. When the presentation was over I was very sad. I was sad because now I can see what I missed.
The presentation was delivered by Heather Wolfertz and her daughter Jessica. They did an excellent job describing what they do, with a great powerpoint presentation, specific examples, and interesting delivery.
I found the following facts on Citrus County girls below eye-opening. (See slide below)
The program has well defined goals and outcomes:
(See the second slide)
The system of earned badges was explained, including democracy badges.
One slide showed famous American women who were Girl Scouts. (See third slide below)
The video of the presentation is available on youtube at:
Pictured above are 1st President Vicky Iozzia, Superintendent of Citrus County Public Schools Scott Hebert, and Director of Special Academic Programs Darrick Beuttner.
Dr. Scott Hebert, Superintendent of Citrus County Schools, spoke at our June 11 meeting, along with Director of Special Academic Programs Darrick Beuttner.
Superintendent Hebert shared the things that are being planned. He had a transition period of time with retired Superintendent Sam Himmel. and then he began with a 100-school day “listening tour,” where he listened to the community, staff, parents, and students.
Instead of paying for an expensive logo for a new beginning, he charged his staff with designing one. It is “hot off the presses” and shown at the end of this article. Take a minute to read it. It shows a well thought out representation of the plan.
Dr. Hebert’s presentation was direct and easy to understand. His goal is to have one hundred percent of our students graduate from high school. He says, “every student should have pathways, options, or choices.”
He has improved communication with one (less expensive) software implementation that replaces three different ones. Messages can be shared instantaneously with staff, parents, and the community.
He spoke about his experiences as Florida Teacher of the Year in 1999. (Autumn Crabtree, a culinary teacher from our district, is a finalist for this year’s award.)
Mr. Beuttner collected information cards he had handed out to find out what we think the children should know and be able to do when they join the workforce.
Superintendent Hebert said they do not have a budget yet, because the legislature hasn’t passed one. He discussed pre-emption, where the State makes decisions instead of the local districts. He told about the courses and tests he is taking as a new Superintendent to become certified.
To find out about the Summer Rise Program, how he is working to recruit and retain teachers, his ideas on testing, portfolios, vouchers, cursive writing, and critical thinking, leadership, collaboration with businesses, and helping all students with career options, you can view the presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xZ2DQcnD6A
Our May 21 Zoom meeting featured Commissioner Holly Davis from the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners.
She spoke to us on many topics. She said she wanted to know what is on people’s minds. Topics included:
- Resurfacing of roads in the County
- Property Tax and State Tax
- Pre-emption
- Density of population
- Protecting nature while balancing growth in the community
- Homelessness
- Gas tax
- Master plan for growth
- She said that information, such as the master growth plan, is available at the BOCC website.
Do you want to know what else she said? Click this link to view the video:
We want to thank Holly for appearing on our Zoom meeting and talking with us.
Our May 14 meeting at the Coastal Region Library turned out differently than we expected.
When our speaker did not appear, we had to change gears.
What resulted was a wonderful exchange of information and ideas between the Board and our audience of mostly League members.
Thanks to excellent audience participation, we now have a road map of meetings to plan for the coming year.
These are the answers that we received when we asked, “what would you like us to present?”
Autism resources
Taxes – property and sales
Voting rights and access
Civics – engagement about how government works
Due process
Right to petition
Contacting legislators – 5 calls app for cell phones
Healthcare
Education funding
Homelessness
Affordable housing
LGBTQ issues
Environment
Gun violence prevention
We now have a road map for planning meetings. We will be researching to get the best speakers to be at our regular meetings during the day and for evening zooms. If you have any suggestions for speakers, please contact one of us from the website, https://www.lwvcitrus.org/contact-us/
- You can see this meeting on youtube: https://youtu.be/bXKUlLkpVEs
Rachel Newman, Title IX, LWV meeting on April 9, 2025
If you don’t know what Title IX is, or if you think that it is dull and boring, you are quite wrong. Rachel Newman gave us an excellent presentation explaining what it is, how it effects women, and how it has been changed by the Biden and Trump administration.
Her presentation triggered a lively discussion on the trans athletes, women’s rights, and the challenges facing the law now.
To summarize, here are Rachel’s words:
“While Title IX’s history lies in athletics, in contemporary times, Title IX is being practically used as a route of justice and healing for student survivors of gender-based violence. This includes acts such as sexual and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Title IX procedure allows for student survivors to gain access to accommodations that are intended to restore their equal access to education, while simultaneously providing a forum by which respondents may face academic sanctions in light of their actions. This system, complete with due process, keeps educational communities safe and accountable.
Title IX’s practical expansions have created an environment in which more students hold access to protections than ever before. Title IX still faces its challenges, however, with attacks on its policy negatively impacting student survivors. Logistical challenges also continue to harm K-12 institutions, with many parents being unaware of the Title IX protections their children are privy to, as well as a lack of understanding of how many Title IX violations our K-12 students are facing.
As a community, it is our duty to ensure that our institutions are first and foremost compliant with the federal registers. And moving forward, it should be our continued effort to verify that districts are moving toward individual care for students rather than just compliance. We can do this by furthering our education on Title IX issues, sharing this information with our community, communicating our needs with our local educational institutions, and ensuring that the officials we vote for are champions of survivor-oriented Title IX policy.”
We are so happy that Rachel took the time to speak to us. She has also joined our League!
To see her presentation, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7urwNDIuP0&t=1910s
Dr BJ Ezell, here posing with her husband Thurman, has done her presentation about the History of the Black Vote several times in the past two months.
If you want to learn local history, I guarantee you will discover something you did not know in this video.
The video is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvh8jg9Zb8&t=3086s
We are grateful that Commissioner Rebecca Bays spoke at our March 26, 2025 7pm zoom meeting.
She talked about the difficult topic of the one cent proposed sales tax. I say difficult for a couple of reasons: first of all, there is much more to it than meets the eye, and secondly, because the concept is only in the very early stages.
Some things are true: it will cost more than in past years to make repairs and build new roads, the tax would definitely generate money for the county, approximately 27% of the money would come from tourists, and it would need a 50% + 1 vote to pass if it appears on the November ballot. If it passes, it would go into effect in January of 2027.
Since it is only in the early stages, it would be great if citizens go to the BOCC meetings, listen and ask questions, and make a deliberative vote.
The video of the meeting is available for you to see here on youtube:
Our March 12, 2025 meeting featured Sheriff David Vincent.
He spoke about his experiences and plans since becoming Sheriff in January.
He was elected Sheriff of Citrus County in 2024.
He spoke about what he has learned from his experiences and what he is learning from the community and his staff. He said his job is to leave the Sheriff’s Office in a better spot than when he found it, for his successor, whenever that happens. He had “zero” transition from the former Sheriff.
He has hit the ground running to reorganize the office. He created an executive team, and David DeCarlo, who is in charge of the Community Engagement and Transparency, also attended and took copious notes. Sheriff Vincent changed the organizational structure of the Sheriff Office. He works for transparency, is redoing the way the budget is formulated, is working toward forming open community relationships by attending community events and speaking to community members, and believes in community policing.
Referring to his notes from when he was running for office, he said traffic enforcement will result in less people being killed on our roadways. He has transferred the canine deputies to traffic. He does a weekly wrap-up of what the Sheriff Office has done, every week, and it is on Facebook. He is working on better access to data and uniform messaging.
He said that community members should expect a professional looking, professional acting deputy sheriff to help. He expects a high level of customer service, to be the “Publix” of law enforcement, where things work and employees act and dress professionally.
Since becoming Sheriff, he is proud of improving communication and relationships, restructuring, increased traffic stops 23% (because Deputies have been empowered to do their job), and recruiting Deputies. He is sponsoring applicants that are being recruited so that they can go to the Academy, because people cannot afford to quit their jobs to go for training for eight months without pay. The Office gets up to 3,500 calls for service in a week. He will request ten more deputy positions. Instead of two districts, a Central Ridge district is being formed to join the East and West districts to better serve the people.
Deputy Sheriffs will have body cameras and in-car video by June 30. He said it will eliminate false accusations against Deputies and provide the public with the information that they have been asking for.
Instead of hiring more people, he is working on efficiency. Deputies will have their reports written by AI and they will verify the information. It will take three minutes as opposed to a much longer time writing reports.
Volunteer numbers have decreased from 800 to 350, so volunteer recruiting will also be a priority.
Audience members asked about response time of Deputies, gun safety, and Andy Lahera’s progress (he has had infections and Sheriff Vincent ask for prayers for him). One member talked about homeless people in her neighborhood, and received an effective, positive response from the Sheriff Office. Another member asked about a bill to change the age for owning a gun from 21 to 18, and about open carry. He does not support either. He also answered a question about “illegal aliens” with criminal records.
The video of the talk is available on youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fTQm6Xjb_0
The audience was the largest we have ever had for a general meeting.
Photos below:
The audience at Glory Days Restaurent, Sheriff David Vincent speaking, 1st President Vicky Iozzia and the Sheriff, Nora Cloud conducting election of officers.
Our February 12, 2025 meeting at the Coastal Region Library
Dr. BJ Ezell, in ethnic-heritage attire, taught a lively yet serious lesson for Black History Month at the meeting of League of Women Voters of Citrus County on Feb. 12. She presented recent voting statistics for Blacks in Citrus County and reviewed the history of voting rights since 1868. She tested the audience on analogs of notorious Jim Crow-era exams used to disenfranchise voters. Attendees appreciated Thurman Ezell’s fine rendition of “Wade in the Water” to close the talk.
The audience was given a “test” similar to what was given to black people in the South to prevent them from voting. How many jelly beans are in the jar?
Pictures below:
Audience counting, Dr. BJ and Thurman Ezell, Thurman Ezell, and BJ and 1st vp Rosemary Nilles.
On Wednesday, February 5, we had a special zoom meeting. Deb Daniels. She explained how the Florida legislature works.
Her presentation was very well received. Here are a couple of the comments:
“Last week I had the pleasure of attending Citrus County LWV’s voter education webinar “FL Legislature Structure & Process” by Deb Daniels. Thank you for hosting such a fantastic presentation! My LWVFL Clean Energy Team Co-chair, Maxine Connor, invited me, and I’m so glad she did! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a perfect way to get ready for this year’s legislative session; very educational & empowering.
Today I found the webinar recording’s YouTube link on your LWV Citrus FaceBook page as you promised, thank you. I would like to share the recording with my LWV Polk County Voter Services committee. Please let me know if I can share the link with our voter services committee chair, and/or if we can include the link in our monthly LWV-Polk newsletter. Thank you again, Karen
Karen Freedman LWV-Polk Climate Action Chair & Voter Services volunteer LWV-FL Clean Energy Action Team Co-chair
NaturalSolar@lwvpolk.org 863.398.5329 (please text or leave voice mail, thank you!)”
and
“I’d like our Government Action Team to review it to share with our membership. It was a fantastic program. Clear, relevant, timely. Thanks,Merrie Lynn Parker, Chair Education Issues Action Team LWV Manatee County”
If you were unable to attend, or it you want to see it again, here is the link:
We are working on having more of these meetings, in the evenings, for those of you who cannot make our daytime meetings. If you have suggestions for speakers, email Vicky Iozzia vickyiozzia@gmail.com
Our January 8, 2025 General Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Citrus County featured Mary Darling and Teri DeStefano from the Seniors vs Crime Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the Citrus County Sheriff Department.
It can be a very dangerous world for many people, where scammers know how to take advantage of and rob them. Senior citizens can be particularly vulnerable, but Seniors vs Crime is there to help people.
Has someone called you, threatened you, and told you to go to get gift cards to pay for something? Have you paid for work to be done on your property in advance and the work has not been done?
Have you received a phone call that said that one of your relatives is in jail and you have to send money to bail them out? Be suspicious. Be smart. If it sounds wrong, it is wrong.
In Citrus County, be particularly suspicious if you need to have your roof replaced. The Seniors vs Crime office has many complaints, particularly from one company, AAA Roofing.
Keep receipts. Keep paperwork. You cannot tell if you will need it, but you will be happy that you have it.
I am grateful that this government office is there to protect people.
At this meeting our own Maxine Connor, our natural resources chair, spoke about the proposed land swap.
You can watch the video of this important presentation on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWXIuMBjpJA&t=138s
Go to the LWVCC Monthly newsletter for more information.
Our Guest Speaker, Trina Murphy, Publisher of the Citrus County Chronicle, spoke at our December meeting. She had an excellent presentation, after which she took all of the questions that the audience asked.
She spoke about her career at the Chronicle, how newspapers have changed over the years, and what the present-day challenges are.
If you were unable to attend, you can view it with the following link:
Also see the LWVCC Monthly newsletter for photos.
November 14, was our meeting titled, “Next”. What a meeting it was! We sang, we danced, we played kazoos! Devora Stager and Peg Primeau then led the groups to brainstorm what we should be doing in the next year.
What followed was an informed, stimulating, and uplifting discussion. Below is the summary of what we want to consider planning for the next year. The Board is ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work with our members to continue to work to benefit our community.
I was excited and exhausted when we were done. Happy that 29 people came, and many of them want to get involved.
If you want to get involved, don’t stand on the sidelines. We need to work with each other to have any chance of achieving our goals.
See the LWVCC Monthly Newsletter for more details and for photos.
Our October 9, 2024 meeting featured Mo Baird, our Supervisor of Elections, who spoke about Presidential election security. Vicky Iozzia, our President, who spoke about the 6 amendments on the Florida ballot. The video of this meeting is available on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-wf75udTxo&t=1s See the LWVCC Monthly Newseltter for more information.
September 11, 2024 General Meeting
Our September 11 meeting at the Coastal Region Library at 10:00 am featured Vicky Iozzia taking about Misinformation and Disinformation. Candidates were invited for the Meet and Greet, with the following results: in the US House District 12 contest, Gus Bilirakis appeared in a recording. The two candidates for the Citrus County Mosquito Control Board Seat 2, John Cino and Stephanie Adams, appeared in person.
Vicky Iozzia, with her “Madam President” hat and “Vote” earrings, spoke about “Building Resilience to Mis/Disinformation.”
Stephanie Adams and John Cino, candidates for Mosquito Control, spoke.
For those people who read the newsletter, we will be offering the opportunity to answer a question about one of the articles to get a prize. This month’s winners are: Gabrielle Satchel and Karen Rittweger
You can view this meeting on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibg_ITTIRoQ
Our August 14, 2024 meeting featured Attorney Denise Dymond Lyn to speak about the judicial system. If you were foggy on the judges and courts, you were clear when she explained it to our audience.
She explained the types of courts (appellate, trial, county, circuit, and district), the different districts in Florida, the differences between trial and appellate courts, and the various courts’ jurisdiction.
By the time you read this the primary will be over, but here are the candidates who spoke. They each had a maximum time of three minutes to speak. After introductions each participant was at a table space to answer questions and speak to our attendees.
OUR JULY 10, 2024 MEETING
Rosemary Nilles broke down the complicated issue of Preemption vs. Home Rule.
We made a special presentation to Past President Nancy Tomaselli for her dedication and hard work for our League. She received a beautiful collage of photos with her and the Board, and a forever membership to the League.
Thank you, Nancy, for all you have done for us. We truly stand on the shoulders of our sisters.
Photos below: Rosemary presenting, Title or Her presentation, presenting our thanks to Nancy Tomaselli
LWC Citrus County meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024
This meeting featured “Test your Voter IQ” and Meet and Greets for the candidates for the Supervisor of Elections and Florida House of Representatives. Correct answers earned the person an American pin and a piece of chocolate.
Candidates gave presentations, and then they were available to talk to constituents. The video is available on youtube at https://youtu.be/KTEbYKAY_kU
The candidates in the photos above spoke at our meeting. They are: for Supervisor of Elections, Maureen Mo Baird, and Tiffany Long, for Florida Representative Todd Cloud, Judith Vowels, and JJ Grow.
OUR MAY 8, 2024 MEETING INCLUDED ROSEMARY NILLES AS SPEAKER, AND THE CANDIDATES FOR THE CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, our League hosted the Girl Scouts. What does that have to do with the League of Women Voters, you might ask?
As Peg Primeau wrote, “Both groups promote the well-being of girls and women in society. Both groups promote full civic participation for all. Both groups are committed to nonpartisan education about democratic principles and action.”
The Girl Scout/League of Women Voters Collaboration Guide says,
“Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges— whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices.”
I was not a Girl Scout. I admit I didn’t know much about what they do. When the presentation was over I was very sad. I was sad because now I can see what I missed.
The presentation was delivered by Heather Wolfertz and her daughter Jessica. They did an excellent job describing what they do, with a great powerpoint presentation, specific examples, and interesting delivery.
I found the facts on Citrus County girls below eye-opening. (See photo 1 below)
The program has well defined goals and outcomes: (See photo 2 below)
The system of earned badges was explained, including democracy badges: (See photo 3 below)
One slide showed famous American women who were Girl Scouts:
The video of the presentation is available on youtube at:
The May 8, 2024 meeting of the League of Women Voters of Citrus County was another double header. Rosemary Nilles spoke about Partisan School Board s, Amendment 1 on the November ballot.
This was followed by 3-minute presentations by the candidates for the School Board: Sandy Counts, Dale Merrill, Laura Gatling-Wright (on video), Victoria Smith, and Ken Frink. All of the candidates complied with the time limit and gave the reasons why people should vote for them. At the end of the meeting the public had the opportunity to go to the candidates’ tables, speak with the candidates, and take their brochures.
The people who attend out Meet and Greets are happy to be able to be so close to the candidates and to speak to them. You can see the video of the meeting at https://youtu..be/HpP1-217Xyg
OUR APRIL 10, 2024 MEETING WITH TODD HOCKERT, SHERIFF CANDIDATES
What an exciting meeting this was! It started with Todd Hockert from the Citrus County Opioid Task Force, who gave us the numbers of drug deaths here in Citrus County.
All four Sheriff candidates responded to the invitation to speak. They spoke for a maximum of three minutes, and then the audience was invited to ask them questions at their table.
The response was invigorating! We had over 100 people attend, so many that we are outgrowing the room. Later in this newsletter you will see the dates of our next meetings. Please read it carefully because we will be moving after the May meeting.
If you want to see and hear the meeting, here is the link: https://youtu.be/ehWmYVAzGGI
Gerry Mulligan spoke at our March 13, 2024 meeting to a huge crowd at Café Aromas in Lecanto, Florida. Many people came just to hear him speak.
Gerry was the editor of the Citrus County Chronicle for 43 years! He shared his experiences and wisdom for us at the meeting. The video of his presentation will be available with the link in the April newsletter.
He has written a book, titled “Out the window, 43 years on the beat”. It is available on Amazon.
I am including some direct quotes from his presentation:
“Facts are being questioned everyplace. We are not longer debating issues with agreed upon facts.”
“The integrity of the press has been challenged and undermined.”
“Politicians are stronger if they are not questioned.”
“Anybody can put up a website.”
“Thomas Jefferson said that newspapers were one of the most important institutions we have.”
“When you can’t agree on what the basic facts are, we are really in trouble.”
Listen to the rest of his speech by following the link on the April 2024 newsletter.
We want to thank Gerry for taking the time to speak to our group.
You can see his presentation on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jypmYuPhIXU&t=484s
On February 13, 2024, Dr. Lavon Wright Bracy spoke to us about her personal experiences with integration. She was the first person of color to graduate from Gainesville High School. She also signed her books, “The Brave Little Cookie.”
Our January 9, 2024 meeting featured Dr. Jill Lewis-Spector. She spoke about Book Bans. She is the 1st Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. She shared her expertise with the facts about book banning.
Our December 12, 2023 meeting , Guest Speaker Jim Gouvellis, Editor of the Citrus County Chronicle. “The job of the newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”
Our Tuesday, November 2023 meeting
Cregg Dalton, Citrus County Property Appraiser, explained the complicated process used to appraise properties. He made difficult topics easier, and answered any and all questions, inviting the audience to contact him whenever they have a question.
From our October 10, 2023 meeting
At our October 10 meeting Kimberleigh Dinkins spoke to us about those wonderful animals, manatees. She is an employee of the Save the Manatee organization. These gentle animals need our protection. I was inspired to adopt a manatee. If you would like to, here is the link: https://www.savethemanatee.org/how-to-adopt-a-manatee/meet-manatee-betsy
It is only $25
From our September 12, 2023 meeting.
Our September 12 meeting, at Cafe Aromas in Lecanto, featured our guest speaker, Ginger Mundy, Co-Chair of the League of Women Voters of Florida Reproductive Health and Justice Action Team. Her presentation was titled, “Reproductive Health is a Personal Matter.”
She reported on the current law, which makes abortion legal up to 15 weeks. SB 300 was signed into law in April of this year and would make it illegal to have an abortion after 6 weeks gestation. It is currently being argued in the the Florida Supreme Court.
Below are her suggestions on what those who disagree with SB300 can do:
JULY 9, 2022 LWVCC MEETING
GUEST SPEAKER: CITRUS COUNTY LIBRARIES DIRECTOR: ERIC HEAD
May 10, 2020 A Vision for Public Education in Florida, Guest Speaker Rosemary Nilles.
