Cruise Line’s Efforts in Dorian Relief

At our December lunch, Anita Mitchell and her daughter Kimberly were on hand to describe the efforts of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to provide relief on Grand Bahama Island following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Dorian, the category five monster that turned much of the Abacos and Grand Bahama into rubble in September, remained over the northern Bahamas for a day while we in South Florida hunkered down for the blow that didn’t come. We “dodged a cannonball” in Anita’s words.

Mitchell, who is the Corporate and Community Relations VP at the cruise line, described how their ship, the Grand Celebration, sailed shortly after the storm’s passage to initially provide evacuation assistance from Grand Bahama during a 12 hour stop. Later, they would ferry needed supplies, equipment and volunteers to the island to assist in the recovery. Other cruise lines were helping too, but their larger ships had to anchor out while the Grand Celebration was able to tie up to the dock, greatly facilitating loading and unloading.

Their ships were also involved in hurricane relief during 2018 in the Virgin Islands.

Kimberly Mitchell, Executive Director of the Everglades Trust and a former WPB Commissioner, spoke about the effort to set up a charitable organization to continue providing relief, described the efforts of the local business community in West Palm Beach, particulalry restaurant owner Rodney Mayo.

The businesses provided supplies and donations as well as loaning their employees to help in the efforts. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Bahamas Relief Cruise (BRC) was created with the help of Gunster and former Senator George LeMieux. Donations are accepted at their website.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operates two cruise ships from the Port of Palm Beach, providing 2 night trips to Grand Bahama and Nassau. Many of the club members have been on these trips and spoke well of the experience. Anita described what the ships have to offer in the way of accommodations, food and entertainment, and brought along two of the on-board performers who gave us a taste.

Vocalist Tamula Browning Helmuth entertained us with a variety of musical selections including Etta James “At Last” and a hearty rendition of John Fogerty and CCR’s “Proud Mary” as rendered by Tina Turner. She was accompanied by saxophonist Rashad “the SAX Man” Reckley.

Reckley, an Abacoan victim of the hurricane himself, performed with his leg in a cast as Helmuth related how he clung to a tree as the hurricane destroyed his home.

Also at the meeting was CD18 candidate Nick Vessio.

Large Field of CD22 Candidates Take the Stage

On December 5, the extremely large field of Republicans looking to retire Ted Deutch in Congressional District 22 took the stage at the South County Civic Center. The event was sponsored by the Republican Party of Palm Beach County.

This D+15 district is comprised of northern Broward County (413K voters, D+18) and a small part of Palm Beach in Boca Raton east of the turnpike (100K voters, equal number of R and D). Whoever emerges from this field will have a tough road as Deutch is sitting on a war chest of $488K while none of the Republicans have posted any funds.

That said, with many Independents and even Democrats strongly opposed to the partisan impeachment farce which Deutch is supporting, this may be the year to turn CD22 red.

Moderated by MaryAnna Mancuso, a moderate Republican strategist who appears on WPTV’s “To the Point”, the forum gave each of the candidates a chance to stretch their political legs and make an impression.

At the left of the stage was Kevin Boyle of Boca Raton. A “law and order” candidate, Kevin would like to close the southern border until it is under control, impose maximum penalties for human trafficking, and curb Iranian aggression through military force if necessary.

Next up was Jessi Melton of Delray Beach who has an interest in health care. She supports health insurance across state lines and reducing the power of the FDA.

Jim Pruden, also from Boca, would push to pass Kate’s Law, reduce the national debt, and support the Trump Administration’s plans for the middle east.

To Jim’s right was Christine Scott of Boynton Beach. She would reduce our trade with China as we “don’t really need them”, applauds the “Right to Try” legislation and allowing drug importation from Canada. Seeking to qualify via petition, Christine has been out and about in the district since August, meeting thousands of voters.

Next was Joe Smith. His interest is criminal justice reform and supporting medical innovation.

To his right was Darlene Swaffer. Darlene is known as the “Medicare Lady” (her registered trademark) and runs a large Insurance agency in Deerfield Beach. She is interested in stopping the Algae Blooms in our waterways and revising Obamacare. Noting the Democrat lean to the district, she has already won the support (including endorsements) of some Independents and Democrats in Broward.

At the end of the stage was Dr. Eddison Walters of Boca Raton, a financial professional who believes that the 2008 real estate bubble was a hoax. His interesting hypothesis is backed up by a paper he wrote for the Journal of International Business and Economics. He believes that concern for the national debt is overblown, and focusing on growth is what we need to do.

With, eight months to go before the August primary, it will be interesting to see how this field shakes out. Besides these candidates and Ted Deutch, there is also an NPA candidate in the race, Omar Reyes, and Imtiaz Ahmad Mohammad is challenging Deutch in the Democrat primary.