Fight for 15 Protest McDonalds in Ybor City

Sadie Dean

Tim Heberlein and Debbie King

Jodi Cohen

Z

Nina Tatlock

Jason Eames with Debbie

Wayne Schucker and Kelly Benjamin with Tim

Ybor City, Florida

Fight For 15 Florida
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#FightFor15 #metoo

2018 Tampa Activist Of The Year: Ana Lamb

For the hardest working volunteer...Ana Lamb. No question. Al though she is affiliated with LULAC, she works her magic for people without pay. I cannot begin to record all of the difference she has made.....starting with Luis Blanco and his family. She has appeared in attorneys' offices, atHomeland Security, at jails and other institutions dramatically effecting the lives of immigrants and refugees. But there are other things that make her a 
shero in my eyes also. 

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She has included new immigrants in social and political events. She has organized teenagers (!) to begin political work on campaigns and causes. She also performs weddings! She is responsive to the needs of others and offers guidance and support. Ihave no idea where she finds the time while raising four children, but she is a remarkable volunteer, a kind and thoughtful woman, and a truly good friend to many. Thank you, Ana, 
for all that you do.

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Jodi Cohen

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For us....The voluntary time that you devote to covering Tampa is without precedent. And you've done it for, what, fifteen years!!  The Stogie is one place where we get ideas and information about local politics that is not available anywhere else.  It serves as a place to unite us and educate us.  You've stood up to divisive controversy and taken brave stances on issues.  You've taken photos that many of us have used without thanking you appropriately.  Many of those photos are iconic. One of Syd comes immediately to mind.   Tampa is a far better place with you and your work. Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you! Jodi.

The State Of Tampa Politics: Jodi Tripp Perlman Cohen

Going into the new year, I am on the fence about politics in Tampa. Clean energy and juvenile justice are on a good path. Projects like restorative justice, affordable housing, houselessness and mass transit seem stuck in the mud. In addition, public schools are drowning in a quagmire of politics and limited resources.I see hope in the persistent pushing by several progressive organizations to keep human issues in the spotlight and offer up positive solutions. However, our most important goal should be to elect candidates for strategic offices who will fight with a moral compass and undying zeal.

Recent victories featured the election of Pat Kemp and Andrew Warren. There are a number of declared candidates who are focused on our stagnant system and offer supportive ideas to improve the lives of the PEOPLE (not the credit rating) of Tampa. We need to stand behind them and get them into office. As is true in the rest of our nation, contenders outside of The Party have difficulty raising funds to launch and continue their campaigns. If we do nothing else, we should support these folks so that their voices can be heard during the election process. We need to give voters a true choice.....not just a selection of the "least worse."

Jodi Tripp Perlman Cohen