Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
For a second, ‘Last Call’ thought it had teleported into a parallel universe, where everything is the same—except that Florida’s governor is “Graf Orlok.”
An elevator certificate seen Wednesday in Tallahassee’s Calhoun Street parking garage clearly listed “Graf Orlok, Governor.” It was in the same font as the rest of the text, stuck behind a piece of clear plastic.
It gets more interesting when one learns who “Graf Orlok” is: The name of the main character, based on Dracula, in the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu.” (“Graf” is German for “Count.”)
For the record, the real governor, Rick Scott, has most often been derisively referred to as “Voldemort,” the bald bad man in the Harry Potter books and movies.
The fake paper led to speculation: Did some prankster really go through all the trouble of removing the plastic barrier and replacing the certificate with a doctored document?
Does the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which issues such certificates, have a wiseacre in its midsts?
And – oooh – are there more of these in town?
Requests for comment are pending with the department and the Governor’s Office.
Republic Parking manages the garage for the city. “I had no idea,” general manager Derrick Dunlavy said. “But we’ll get a new one.”
Evening Reads
“A decade after Great Recession started, Floridians still feel economic pinch” via Susan MacManus for Florida Trend
“Will Florida banish the ghost of Jim Crow” via Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic
“Florida Latinos down big time on Donald Trump, GOP, polling shows” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
“White House walks back Trump’s Puerto Rico comments as Wall Street reels” via Ben White of POLITICO
“Jeb Bush criticizes Trump on Puerto Rico” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Florida tourism destinations examine security in wake of Las Vegas” via Katie Warren of NBC Miami
“After Irma, pummeled Everglades shows signs of resilience” via Maddie Stone of Earther
“Florida to seek death penalty against killer clown suspect” via The Associated Press
“Court overturns state board on charter schools” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida
“Pythons are eating everything in the Everglades, so now mosquitos are forced to feed off diseased rats” via Colin Wolf of Orlando Weekly
Quote of the Day
“And now I’m having the same feedback: ‘Oh, it’s just too early to talk about this.’ It’s not too early. It’s too late.” —Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart of Orlando on Wednesday, on a bill banning sales of semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines in Florida.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is scheduled to visit Florida Thursday through Saturday to review hurricane-related damage in the state’s national parks and get updated on Everglades restoration. A detailed schedule wasn’t available, but includes a Thursday briefing on Lake Okeechobee.
The Education Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol, Tallahassee.
The Florida Retirement System’s Actuarial Assumption Conference will meet at 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol, Tallahassee.
Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, will hold “mobile” office hours in Lee County. That’s at 10:30 a.m., The Shell Factory, Chamber of Commerce office, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
Rep. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat, will hold “mobile” office hours in Leon County. They open at 11 a.m., Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee.
Todd Jones, president and CEO of Publix Super Markets, is set to speak to the Economic Club of Florida. Doors open at 11 a.m., FSU Alumni Center, 1030 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee.
Death Row inmate Cary Michael Lambrix is scheduled to be put to death for the 1983 murders of Aleisha Bryant and Clarence Moore near LaBelle. The execution is set for 6 p.m., Florida State Prison, Raiford.
