In the charts below look at the disparity between black and white third grade pass rates for the School District of Indian River County's Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) English Language Arts (ELA) testing. In 2015, 66.2% of white students passed compared to 30.7% of black students. In 2019, 70.2% of white students passed compared to … Continue reading Black Lives Matter in Third Grade Too… [Indian River County, FL.]
Florida News
How/If Indian River County, FL Will Schools Reopen?
Let’s hope we can rethink and grow virtual learning into positive outcomes for all Indian River County students. On May 23, 2020 I spoke (as publisher of Vero Communiqué ) with a nice young man I've gotten to know who works at Publix and is a student at Sebastian River High School. He was worried … Continue reading How/If Indian River County, FL Will Schools Reopen?
Sheriff Loar and Major Flowers Missed an Opportunity to Advocate for Community Unity. Indian River County, FL.
Merchon Green speaking third from left. Indian River County, Florida was at its best and worst on Sunday afternoon May 29, 2020 across the street from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. More than 400 people showed up for a rally organized by Merchon Green, founder of Pioneering Change, Inc., against police brutality in the death … Continue reading Sheriff Loar and Major Flowers Missed an Opportunity to Advocate for Community Unity. Indian River County, FL.
Imminent COVID-19 Health Hazard for Indian River County, FL?
On March 27, 2020 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 extending the prohibition of short-term vacation rentals until Thursday, April 29. The Governor issued a subsequent carryover order (Executive Order 20-111) extending the ban until phase one begins on Monday, May 4 and another, 20-112, that carries the order through “phase one.” The March 27 order … Continue reading Imminent COVID-19 Health Hazard for Indian River County, FL?
New York Times Database Recognizes Vero Communiqué.
On page 9 of the Sunday, May 3, 2020 the New York Times dedicated a full page entitled "Support local journalism." "News organizations need your help so they can continue to help you. During this difficult time, staying informed is more important than ever. Yet many local publications we rely on to keep us up … Continue reading New York Times Database Recognizes Vero Communiqué.
Sebastian River High School (FL) Graduate on the Ground in the NYC COVID-19 Epicenter.
Sergio Mota is the LGBTQI+ Development Associate at Metropolitan Community Church of New York Charities (MCCNY), now managing an emergency food delivery service. "It's war here." Hospital morgues in the trucks. Photo by Sergio Mota. MCCNY provides social services through MCCNY Charities, a comprehensive social service provider, working within and beyond the LGBTQI+ community. An independent … Continue reading Sebastian River High School (FL) Graduate on the Ground in the NYC COVID-19 Epicenter.
Letter to FL Dept. of Freight & Multimodal Operations Regarding Brightline Death of Veronica Vorano.
Dear Mr. Fitzgerald: This is in regard to the tragic death of Veronica Vorano when she was hit by a Brightline train on a public grade crossing in Aventura on November 15, 2019. Attached is a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao wherein we outline our concerns with respect to the investigation of this fatality. We … Continue reading Letter to FL Dept. of Freight & Multimodal Operations Regarding Brightline Death of Veronica Vorano.
Florida Office of Inspector General Letter Regarding Death of Verónica Martinez Vorano by a Brightline Train.
The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to promote integrity, accountability and process improvement in the Department of Transportation by providing objective fact-based assessments to the DOT Team. The OIG conducts independent and objective audits, investigations as well as review of agency issues and programs to assist the department in accomplishing its … Continue reading Florida Office of Inspector General Letter Regarding Death of Verónica Martinez Vorano by a Brightline Train.
Indian River Lagoon Seagrass Update, 3/17/2020
"It has been over two months since I have been out to Black Point, in the Indian River Lagoon to check out the seagrass. I was hoping to find more growing than what I have found in years past. I think I am starting to see a pattern." Video by Peter Hinck, Member of Clean … Continue reading Indian River Lagoon Seagrass Update, 3/17/2020
Brightline Fatalities: A Letter to FDOT Secretary Chao.
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL March 4, 2020 Secretary Elaine Chao, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: BRIGHTLINE FATALITIES Dear Secretary Chao: While this is in regard to one specific railroad fatality on the Brightline higher speed rail system, it also concerns other Brightline fatalities and the … Continue reading Brightline Fatalities: A Letter to FDOT Secretary Chao.
Vero Communiqué 