RandySF
RandySF's JournalFLIPPABLE: Brandon Thomas for TN-HD49
Brandon Thomas is running to represent State House District 49 because he wants to model compassion for his son, and ensure that the needs of everyday Tennesseans are no longer placed on the back burner. Brandon has worked in retail customer service, non-profit work, and on campaigns. Through this work, he has honed the skills of building consensus, and working with people from many different backgrounds, while still not being afraid to stand up for what’s right and speak truth to power.
Brandon believes we need to expand Medicaid in the state of Tennessee. We have the ability to access federal money that’s already been set aside for this purpose, which would help provide healthcare access to over 700,000 of our neighbors and stop the closure of even more rural hospitals. We also need to institute a worker’s bill of rights by introducing a slate of bills related to making sure all Tennesseans have access to a living wage, paid family leave, and a proper work/life balance. And we need to reform our criminal justice system, by ending cash bail and making sure that justice is restorative, not punitive.
Brandon knows his neighbors in district 49 want to help take care of one another, and so he’s ready to fight for a Tennessee that ensures access to healthcare, a family-friendly economy, and equal treatment under the law. Brandon is ready to bring love and compassion back to our legislature, and get to work solving the problems affecting everyday Tennesseans.
Brandon has a history of fighting for working-class people. From his time as Tennessee Equality Project’s State Preemption and LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Coordinator to his advocacy work as a student at MTSU, he has been involved in activism and advocacy for over a decade.
In 2016, he took on a six-year Republican incumbent in a Tennessee State House race and received almost 40% of the vote as a first-time candidate. In 2018, he was elected to represent his State Senate district as its Tennessee Democratic Party executive committeeman.
And in 2020 he plans to win that State House seat.
Brandon lives with his husband Michael and their 2-year-old son, Ezra.
https://votebrandonthomas.com
FLIPPABLE: Virginia Couch for TN-HD16
Growing up on a small farm in rural Kentucky, I know that it takes more than hard work to be successful – it takes access to opportunities. Like the opportunity to attend a quality public school, the opportunity to access affordable healthcare, and the opportunity at a young age to obtain a good job that didn’t require multiple degrees. Today many people don’t have these opportunities. My campaign is about Restoring Opportunity to Tennesseans of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s what I will work toward everyday as your State Representative.
Right now our legislature is suffering from a lack of ability to listen to one another. It seems like even folks who should be on the same side can’t come together to solve our problems. I believe that the cure for this issue is listening and collaborating. As a small business owner, I know that if I don’t listen to our staff and our customers, the business will fail. As an attorney, I have helped many clients buy and sell businesses and real estate, transactions that require listening -- to both sides -- and finding common ground. As your State Representative, I will listen to the issues that are important to you and then work to bring other legislators together to solve our biggest challenges.
I’m in this race because our legislature is not working, and someone has to step up to try to fix it. Like when I invested in a small business during the largest economic downturn in decades, and brought it from the brink of closure to a full-blown success. That’s the kind of leadership needed to take on those intent only on making headlines and dividing us and refocus our legislature on serving all Tennesseans. It will be tough, but I’m ready for the challenge.
https://www.votevirginiacouch.com
FLIPPABLE: Pete Dougherty for WV-SD16
Pete is running because we need a strong effective voice that will address the tough issues our state must address.
My campaign will focus on fixing the present while focusing on the long-term future. I welcome the opportunity to continue my service within our community and would appreciate your support. He is running to:
1. Improve our economy with good paying jobs here.
2. Support true reforms to improve public education.
3. Support efforts to improve health care services.
4. Fix the system that is allowing more than 7,000 to go into foster care and hundreds to go missing.
5. Address the illegal drug crisis with enforcement and treatment.
6. Reform and foster enhanced access to mental health care services.
7. Support business -investing in sustainable business that will grow our economy.
8. Promote travel and tourism both locally and throughout the great state of West Virginia.
9. Work on a comprehensive transportation plan in the Eastern Panhandle to better serve our citizens.
10. Allow greater local control of the decisions affecting our future.
https://peteforwv.com/
FLIPPABLE: Randy Swartzmiller for WV-SD01
Randy Swartzmiller was born and raised in Hancock County, WV. Like many people in the Northern Panhandle he worked in the steel industry for more than 20-years where he was a third generation steelworker. For the past 14-years Randy has been employed at Ergon-WV, Inc. a petrochemical facility located in Newell, WV where his responsibilities include overseeing regulatory security programs and property management.
Randy knows the value and significance of a good education. While working at Weirton Steel Corporation he graduated magna cum laude from West Liberty University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to Mountain State University where he earned his Master of Science degree.
After being out of political office for several years, Randy is running for the WV House of Delegates to represent the citizens and businesses of the 1st District, which includes Hancock County and the northern part of Brooke County. Randy wants to give the citizens an option when it comes time to choose who will represent them in Charleston. Unfortunately West Virginians have all witnessed Washington style politics work its way into Charleston. Randy believes, as many others do, that it has proven to be a very nonproductive and reckless political climate for the citizens of WV.
Swartzmiller, who served the District from 2000-2014, proved to be a very effective legislator during his 14-year tenure representing the Northern Panhandle. He was Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Assistant Majority Whip and rose to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore where he was on the powerful Rules Committee and served on the Education, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees. Swartzmiller was well known for his success in bringing back millions of dollars to Northern Panhandle communities in the First District for city projects, parks, roads, bridges, senior programs and the education system.
Randy has always been a fiscal conservative when it comes to the taxpayers’ dollars. While in office he voted to reduce taxes in WV by over $450 million; helping citizens and businesses keep more of their tax dollars at home and in their pockets. Randy also helped WV build one of the country’s strongest rainy day funds to over $900 million dollars and he stayed focused on the implementation of eliminating debt in programs that had haunted the state for years.
Randy has always been about bringing the right people together to accomplish a common vision. That’s why he worked so hard with business, labor and his colleagues while in office to help over 240 businesses grow their operations or relocate to WV and over $13 billion worth of business investments were made in the state.
During the time when Randy had the privilege to serve the citizens of Hancock & Brooke counties in Charleston he always took a proactive approach to working with everyone regardless of political party affiliation, which is the way it should be. Randy has been around long enough and has the experience to understand that one person will not turn things around by themselves, but when people work together everyone wins.” Swartzmiller will work in leading WV back onto a road of economic recovery. He will work to provide the citizens and businesses of the 1st District with a strong voice in Charleston and work to once again return the taxpayers hard earned tax dollars back to Hancock & Brooke counties.”
Randy and his wife, the former Jeanmarie Skerbetz, have been married for 27-years. They reside in Chester and are the proud parents of two daughters, Taylor and Molly, who both attend West Virginia University.
https://www.randywv.com
FLIPPABLE: Paul Baca for NM-SD29
Paul A. Baca is the son of LeRoy and Sylvia-Sachs Baca. Paul was born and raised in the Mid-Rio Grande Valley, attending St. Mary’s School, Belen Public Schools and Graduating from Belen Schools. After High School Paul attended New Mexico State University where he studied Business Finance. Upon returning from NMSU, Paul began working in his family’s auto business, Baca Auto Sales, Inc. Paul married Loretta Gomez a Belen Native, whom he has been married to for over 30 years. Paul and Loretta have 4 Children, Emilio-24, Alexa-22, Joely-20 and Eli-18. Emilio is a graduate of NMSU, Alexa is a senior at NMSU, Joely is a sophomore at NMSU and Eli is a Senior at Belen High School. Paul and Loretta are strong proponents of Public Education. Loretta was a Kindergarten Teacher in the Belen School system. Paul and Loretta have educated each of their four children in the system. Paul believes that public education builds a good foundation for dealing with the realities of the World.
Paul’s roots and experience in business go back many generations. Paul’s Maternal Grandfather Pilar Sachs founded and ran the local appliance store in Belen, Sachs Appliance. Paul’s Paternal Grandfather, Macedonio Baca began the Baca business in 1939, beginning with one gas pump, $6.00 hard money and borrowed equipment, and through hard work, perseverance and good customer service, he along with his Sons Ruben and LeRoy built the business to include the Original Baca Auto which began in 1955, the Mountain View Motel and Whiteway Café established in 1946, Baca Chevrolet in Mountainair which began in 1968, Baca Pontiac Buick GMC founded in 1981. Paul and Loretta have continued this business legacy, developing their business Long John Silvers, A&W and Young Baca’s Kicks 66 as well as the continued tradition of helping others, providing jobs and giving back to their community. Paul manages the business aspect of things and Loretta manages the daily operations.
After 70 years in business and the retirement of his father in 2009, Baca Auto closed its doors after 70 years in business, the family decided that they had served the community well.
Upon the closing of the Baca Auto Dealership, Paul was offered a job as the Vice-President of Finance and Administration with Valley Improvement Association, just 4 months into his job as VP at VIA, Paul was offered the job as President and CEO at VIA. Through some very troubling times, Paul was able to shore up VIA and return it to a sound state, paying off and cleaning up debt, simplifying the operation and creating a streamlined system. Through this Paul has learned many different legal aspects, and serving as a Quasi-Government Entity, Paul has learned how to deal with Government and at the end of the day, get things done.
Paul has held many leadership positions in the community including: Past Board Member of the First National Bank of Belen, Board member and President of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce, Member and Past President of The Belen Rotary Club, member of the Valencia County Fair Board, Harvey House Board, Founder and past President of the Belen Lodgers Tax Board, Valencia County Literacy Council, New Mexico Workforce Connections, Belen Economic Development Committee Chair, Board member and chairman of Valley Improvement Association, President of The Manzano Conservation Foundation, City of Rio Communities Economic Development Committee, UNM-Valencia Development Board, Belen Railway Employees Credit Union Board as well as numerous boards and committees for the Belen Schools.
Now Paul wants to take his broad range of common-sense knowledge to Santa Fe. He believes that in order to serve properly, you must be able to fully understand the true needs of your community, Paul understands the needs, in fact, He lives it each and every day.
Paul will lead by example in the tradition that his years of community involvement, business experience and leadership roles have prepared him to do. He will not only show up, he will speak up, he will represent the unrepresented. Our representation should be accessible to all, and Paul will do that, he lives, breathes and loves our community, lets let him take that passion for this District to Santa Fe and bring back lasting, positive results.
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https://paul4nm.com/jjj
Millions of cicadas are expected to emerge after 17 years underground because, of course, it's 2020
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about with giant murder hornets invading the US and a global pandemic, millions of 17-year cicadas will emerge from the ground this year.
As many as 1.5 million cicadas per acre may emerge, and people living in Southwest Virginia, parts of North Carolina and West Virginia could witness this unique phenomenon, Virginia Tech says in a news release.
Luckily, cicadas are harmless to humans. At most, the noise they make could become a nuisance.
“Communities and farms with large numbers of cicadas emerging at once may have a substantial noise issue,” said Eric Day, Virginia Cooperative Extension entomologist in Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology.
“Hopefully, any annoyance at the disturbance is tempered by just how infrequent — and amazing — this event is.”
However, they are a danger to orchids, vines and trees due to the egg-laying habits of its females.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/05/22/millions-of-cicadas-are-expected-to-emerge-after-17-years-underground-because-of-course-its-2020/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_content=tw-EastBayTimes
Hertz files for bankruptcy
New York(CNN Business) Hertz filed for bankruptcy Friday night, the latest victim of the sudden economic downturn sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company has been renting cars since 1918, when it set up shop with a dozen Ford Model Ts, and has survived the Great Depression, the virtual halt of US auto production during World War II and numerous oil price shocks. By declaring bankruptcy, Hertz says it intends to stay in business while restructuring its debts and emerging a financially healthier company.
"The impact of Covid-19 on travel demand was sudden and dramatic, causing an abrupt decline in the company's revenue and future bookings," said the company's statement. It said while it too immediate action in response to the crisis. "uncertainty remains as to when revenue will return and when the used-car market will fully re-open for sales, which necessitated today's action."
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/05/22/business/hertz-bankruptcy/index.html
FLIPPABLE: Dulce Kersting-Lark for ID-HD05
ulce Kersting-Lark is a lifelong lover of small towns and an advocate for rural places. She grew up in a close-knit community in central Iowa before being called to Idaho by its beauty and grandeur. Dulce has made the Palouse her home since 2011. She is the current Executive Director of the Latah County Historical Society.
The same basic values guide Dulce’s decision making, be it in her personal, professional, or political life. A commitment to hard work was something she learned from a young age while watching (and helping) her single mother own and operate a successful small business. Dulce logged countless hours cleaning cages, walking dogs, and helping customers at the family veterinary clinic.
Dulce also believes it is important to spend time studying a situation before jumping to a conclusion. Active listening, careful questioning, and thoughtful research are all key skills for her as a historian and also as a good friend, neighbor, and representative. History is essential to our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our future. Without foundational context, we cannot hope to tackle the biggest challenges of today.
Perhaps most importantly, Dulce is guided by the basic principle that a person should do all that they can, for as many as they can, for as long as they can. Service to others, empathy, and kindness have led Dulce to be part of a number of community organizations. Currently she serves as the chair of the Moscow Nonprofit Roundtable, the co-chair of the Moscow Women’s Giving Circle, and the co-chair of the Western Museums Association’s Program Committee. She also sits on the Latah County Parks and Recreation Board and the Gritman Medical Center General Membership Board. Previously she served on the board of directors and held leadership positions with the Idaho Association of Museums, Moscow Central Lions Club, Humane Society of the Palouse, League of Women Voters of Moscow, and League of Women Voters of Idaho.
Dulce shares her Moscow home with her husband Tonda, their two rescue dogs Pace and Rio, and a cat named Zee. She enjoys hiking in the beautiful forests of north Idaho, fly fishing the region’s cold, clear waters, and visiting local breweries and wineries with her friends.
https://dulceforidaho.com
FLIPPABLE: Ann Brancato for NY-AD09
Ann has been a resident of Long Island's South Shore for more than forty years. As a single mother, she raised three children while building an impressive career, which included leadership roles as a healthcare and human services professional, private business owner, educator, and community leader.
She is running to represent the New York State Assembly's 9th District, which is primarily comprised of Massapequa, Massapequa Park, South Farmingdale, Fire Island, West Babylon, Babylon, West Islip, and Brightwaters.
Ann brings a genuine passion for and interest in making a difference in a multitude of settings. She hopes to be able to leverage her vast experience to help her own community.
https://www.annbrancato.com/
FLIPPABLE: Gregeroy Marks for NY-AD20
Born and raised in Hewlett, Gregory Marks is a fourth-generation member of the Five Towns. Gregory’s great grandfather Benjamin Doft, the son of a poor Jewish dairy farmer, emigrated to America in 1921. Upon arriving, Benjamin almost immediately gained entry to NYU, where he would meet his wife Ann. After graduating, Benjamin settled down in what is now Hewlett. With a passion for entrepreneurship, Benjamin and his brother Max founded the Princeton Knitting Mills near Penn Station in Manhattan. An avid supporter of the Jewish people, Benjamin would go on to be involved with the American Jewish community’s efforts to secure the founding of the State of Israel. Benjamin served as a National Vice President and Regional Chairman of the Zionist Organization of America, roles which established him as one of the foremost leaders of the Five Towns Jewish community. Every generation from Benjamin onwards has raised their children in our community. Gregory’s grandmother and father are both graduates of Lawrence High School.
For as long as he can remember, Gregory has always been motivated by working for the people. Be it when he raised money in synagogue for victims of the South Asian Tsunami at age 13 to more local work, like his time volunteering at SIBSPlace in Hewlett with the siblings of local youngsters diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating diseases. Gregory’s desire to be an advocate for the people led him to become the president of his high school class and has guided his involvement in the many communities and societies to which he has belonged over the last decade. Gregory is laser focused on smart, bold, and effective leadership.
https://gregorymarksny.com/
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: Detroit Area, MI
Home country: USA
Current location: San Francisco, CA
Member since: Wed Oct 29, 2008, 02:53 PM
Number of posts: 66,573