On Thursday, April 11th, 2019 The Village Square concluded their second season of Local Color with a conversation titled Individuality and Identity Politics. The Local Color events are held at the Junction at Monroe, a quirky but inviting space on South Monroe street. Local Color is all about having conversations on tough topics with a panel of people who are both racially and ideologically diverse.

Tallahassee Reports spoke with The Village Square CEO, Liz Joyner, who stressed that the importance of Local Color is to “have a dynamic exchange and respectful conversation between people who disagree.”

Before the conversations took place TR talked with first-time Local Color panelist, Demetrius Minor, a black conservative man, which highlights how Local Color seeks to have a conversation that features many different perspectives. When asked why he decided to be a panelist, Minor stated, “I decided it’s important for people from various backgrounds to be able and to be willing to have tough cultural conversations.”

The panel consisted of five members all bringing something different to the table, and offering their insight and understandings on the subjects of Identity Politics and Intersectionality.

The moderator for the evening was, Jovita Woodrich, who is on The Village Square Board of Directors. Woodrich helped lead the conversation and was able to ask tough, thought-provoking questions. While it was evident that the panelists did differ on some subjects, there was no arguing or disrespect throughout the 90-minute panel. Everyone on the stage and in the audience seemed to uphold that this was a respectful conversation between colleagues, not a debate to change the ideals or values of others.

While Intersectionality and Identity Politics are two controversial subjects in the US today, the panelists listened to each other and, surprisingly, agreed with each other at certain points within the conversation.

Another panelist, Dara Miles Wilson, a black liberal woman, experienced a race-based negative encounter when she first moved to Tallahassee in 2017. However, after volunteering with The Village Square, and participating in Local Color her experience here has drastically changed for the better. She described how The Village Square and Local Color welcomed her like a member of a family and highlights how this event encourages the community to come together to have these conversations.

To view previous Local Color topics and to stay up to date when they resume for their third season in September follow, https://tlh.villagesquare.us/events/local-color/.

Paine recently retired from the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation at the Department of Financial Services.

Mr. Paine told Tallahassee Reports (TR) that he believes his previous experiences will aid in him being an effective board member – citing a long career that had a primary focus on ethics that also provided him with extensive experience in a regulated government environment.

While working in information technology, Mr. Paine worked with information that was subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law. The Sunshine Law “is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to the public records of governmental bodies in Florida.”

Mr. Paine also stated that he was subject to a strict Ethics Code since he was representing the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida.

Mr. Paine, who has been a resident of Tallahassee for over 44 years, feels that the city faces a lot of the same ethical issues that most cities face. He believes in the importance of ensuring that people in government, elected and appointed officials, are held accountable and operate in a transparent manner.

The Trent is a run to honor the life and memory of Trent McElroy, a Roberts elementary student who lost his battle to cancer in 2013 during his fourth grade year.

Leigh Anne McElroy, Trent’s mom, ran the race with her family, as she does every year. She loves seeing the community come out and run, and she says one of her favorite parts of the race is remembering Trent running alongside her.  

“If he could do it, I can too,” McElroy states.

Over 800 people were registered to run The Trent this year, and despite temperatures being in the 30s, the spirits among the runners and by-standers were high. There was constant cheering as racers crossed the finish line, and in celebration of the 10^th year of the race, every runner received a medallion once they finished their run.

Meghan Wilkey has ran the race all 10 years with her daughters Caitlin and Lauren, who both attended Roberts. After all her years of running the race Meghan says it has gotten better each year, and that there is always a great community and family atmosphere present.

Lauren Wilkey, who was good friends with Trent, says she likes to come back and reunite with her teachers and friends. The Wilkey family also talks about how they liked the longer 10K course which was added on in celebration of the anniversary and will continue to be a part of The Trent for years to come.

All of the proceeds raised the race are donated to the Trent’s Touch foundation, which help families battling the expenses of pediatric cancer in Leon and surrounding counties. Since Trent’s Touch started they have helped over 37 families.

The Principal of Roberts Elementary and Co-Race Director, Kim McFarland reflects on The Trent 10k, 5k, and 1M by saying she thought this year’s race was really successful. McFarland and Roberts Elementary greatly appreciate the Gulf Winds Track Club, which provides all of the timing equipment and awards for the race results. Gulf Winds was just one of over 36 sponsors for The Trent.

This year, there was not an official awards ceremony at the end of The Trent, but runners could view their results and collect either their trophies/medals as soon as they were posted.

The Trent Trot was created as a way for the community to remember and honor the life of Trent McElroy, a Roberts elementary student who lost his battle to pediatric cancer in 2013 during his fourth grade year.

Roberts Elementary Principal, Kim McFarland has been a part of the fundraiser since its start, and this year she is serving as one of the race directors.

McFarland told TR that the race began 10 years ago, as a 5K and 1-mile fun run. The proceeds for that fundraiser went to the Relay For Life American Cancer Association. Originally, the race was named the Red Fox Trot, but in 2013 when Trent passed, the race was renamed to the Trent Trot.

According to the Trent’s Touch website the foundation’s mission is “to bring hope to families of children with cancer.” The money raised from the Trent Trot fundraiser goes directly to families facing challenges as a result of a child battling pediatric cancer in Leon and surrounding counties.

Trent’s Touch, through the Trent Trot and the Touching the Stars gala, have raised enough funds to impact the lives of over 37 families in the Tallahassee area.

Last year, the race raised a total of $31,000 for Trent’s Touch.

Trent had a big impact on the Roberts’ school, staff, and teachers and every year the Trent Trot gives the community the opportunity to remember his wish of helping kids like him, and to celebrate his life.

McFarland who is also on the board for Trent’s Touch says that, “it’s amazing how everyone pulls together and looks forward to the event.”

There are many different ways to participate in the Trent Trot fundraiser, and registration is currently available until the morning of the race on Saturday Jan. 26.

Registration links are available on both the Roberts Elementary and Trent’s Touch websites.

If you are unable to race in person, participation as a virtual runner is also an option.

Morning of registration will be held in the Roberts Elementary media center at 7:15 a.m. For families of four (two adults and two students) there is a $50 registration deal.

For more registration information and options, follow the link to the eventbrite page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-trent-10k-5k-1m-2019-tickets-52166659884?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Before his election in 2016, Earley began working in 2008 in the Supervisor’s office as the Voting Systems Manager. He oversaw the acquisition and deployment of Leon County’s state-of-the-art paper ballot voting system.

Mark also played a lead role in the design, testing and deployment of a new post-election audit system.

Earley, who now manages 19 full-time positions, said “we do a lot with a little.”

During this past election cycle, Earley’s office witnessed record turnouts for early voting and on election day. His regular office staff was aided by just under 900 paid poll workers who made sure elections ran as smooth as possible.

Leon County also became a model for the rest of the state by implementing the new Spanish language requirements which ensure there are election materials provided in Spanish.

However, the office faced challenges as well.

Florida had recounts for three statewide positions, governor, senator, and agriculture commissioner- which had never been done before. While Leon County’s recount totals confirmed the election results, the recount process was still a huge endeavor.

Earley mentioned how new recount technology and a more transparent audit system could save time, money and protect ballots.

This technology is approved by the state of Florida and is going to be presented as one of the office’s agenda points for proposed state legislation.

“The regular recount worked,” Earley said. “But it is not the best way [to recount].”

While Leon county did see good voter turnouts for ages 18-25, Earley says the student precincts were 10-20 percent lower than the population at large.

The Tucker Civic Center was available to students for two weeks but a large turnout was not seen until the last three days to vote.

After the citizens passed Amendment 4, which will restore the voting right to felons in Florida, the Leon County Elections Office held an event on January 8th where those who believed they could now register, had the opportunity to do so.

When asked about the vote by mail fraud case in North Carolina where individuals fraudulently cast absentee ballots, Earley said he understands how it happened.

Referring to absentee ballots, Earley said “It is one of the less secure ways [to vote].”

Earley finds that the balance between voter participation/turnout and security is easier to maintain with methods such as early voting and election day voting.