MAY NEWSLETTER
Moving Forward, Together
From the Desk of Okaloosa Dems Chair Davey Jones
Hello Fellow Okaloosa Democrats!
I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself as the new Chair of the Okaloosa Democratic Executive Committee. Sadly, our previous Chair, Tracey Tapp, moved to South Carolina. Although she is no longer in our county, she is still providing us much assistance with our continuing mission to turn Okaloosa Blue in 22!
Our message is focused on the economic burdens facing citizens in Okaloosa County. From the outrageous rate increases due to the Florida Power & Light takeover of Gulf Power, to increased insurance rates and policy cancellations, to the ever increasing cost of housing and rent, we are all facing a multitude of economic challenges created by Republican leadership in Tallahassee that continues to turn a blind eye to these issues.
We look forward to working with everyone to help us get this message out, and to help support our local candidates in the upcoming election this year. We are currently phone banking to identify NPAs in Okaloosa County who are persuadable to voting for Democratic candidates. We need your help! Please volunteer by calling our office at 850-888-3321, Monday thru Saturday between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A Tribute to Okaloosa Democratic Women Veterans
On April 21, 2022, the Okaloosa Democratic Women’s Club held a tremendously successful event honoring honoring Okaloosa County’s Democratic Women Veterans. The event was held at the new Okaloosa Women’s Veteran Memorial, unveiled last year and featuring 8 bronze statues along a nature trail at Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island. Twenty-four veterans joined the ODWC and other guests, a total of more than 70 attendees, at Okaloosa Women’s Memorial Park and Ross Marler Park for this event. The event began with a walk along the trail of statues tracing the history of women in uniform, beginning with the Revolutionary War and proceeding through Afghanistan. Afterwards everyone enjoyed a picnic dinner from McAlister’s Deli at Marler Park.
The highlight of the event was listening to the veterans speak movingly of their service to our nation, love of country, dedication to duty, and inner strength. On behalf of the DWC, ROTC Cadets presented each veteran a long-stemmed yellow tulip and thanked her for her service.
Okaloosa Dems Participate in Local Debate Competition
Incubate Debate hosts competitive, engaging debate programs at rural and urban middle and high schools throughout Florida. As described on its website, the organization is a non-profit initiative at no cost to students, schools, or families. The goal is to foster public speaking skills, critical thinking, and knowledge on policy issues affecting the nation.
DEC Chair Davey Jones participated in the recent Incubate Debate in Laurel Hill. More than a dozen students competed, and Davey volunteered his time to evaluate the students along with County Commissioner Paul Mixon, County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux, Okaloosa School Board Chairman Tim Bryant, and Sen. Doug Broxson, among others.
