With an environmental awareness theme, the GCDEC held their 2nd annual Dems and Dogs picnic at the Trenton Community Center on Saturday, September 30. Three guest speakers elaborated on the importance of climate, conservation and what is of supreme importance for all of us in this area, our water.
Tom Wells, a 2024 candidate for FL District 3, addressed the importance of climate and how forests and their removal can impact land. Divanice, his wife of 19 years and a political voice in her own right, is from Brazil and attested to the deleterious loss of rain forest in her native country. Tom’s education and interests are wide-ranging. Learn more about him and all the issues of his campaign through his website, tomwellsforcongress.com.
Amy Trask, filing as a 2024 candidate for FL District 22, spoke on a wide range of issues, including the environment. As a parent of two children, she’s concerned that we act now to insure the quality of our water for generations to come. Nine-year-old Jake and seven-year-old Ben enthused, “Our mother’s going to be famous!” You can help make that prediction come true through her website, voteamytrask.com or her email, Voteamytrask@gmail.com. Her ActBlue page will soon be up for donations or you can donate now to: Amy Trask POB 357536 Gainesville, FL 32635.
Merrilee Jipson, a renowned springs authority, gave a compelling overview of how our springs are affected by a combination of commercial and recreational use, along with rainfall (or lack of it.) Her message was our springs are the world’s greatest source of fresh water; we must protect them to the greatest extent.
The winners of our voter education fundraiser, the Community Calendar Pet Contest, were announced. Prizes were winners’ choice of gift certificates for Chewy or PetCo. First place was $150, second was $100 and third was $75. And, no, you didn’t have to be present to win!
After the program everyone enjoyed the hotdogs, chips, desserts and camaraderie with our Alachua, Levy and Gilchrist County members and guests. If you missed it this year, we hope to see you at our third annual next fall, if not before!