Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
There’s a (not so) new clerk in town.
Kristina Samuels has been named the fourth Clerk of Court for Tallahassee’s 1st District Court of Appeal, Chief Judge Brad Thomas announced on the court’s website.
Samuels, staff attorney for the Florida Supreme Court Clerk’s office, starts her new job Nov. 1.
“I am confident that Kristina Samuels brings the expertise, knowledge and ability to serve as an outstanding Clerk of Court and to build upon the successful innovations implemented by the Court to enhance the administration of justice and serve the citizens of the State of Florida,” Thomas said in a statement.
Samuels was admitted to the bar in 2006, after attending the University of Miami School of Law. She also serves on The Florida Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee.
She replaces the retiring Jon S. Wheeler, who served as clerk since 1990. His retirement ceremony is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the courthouse, 2000 Drayton Drive in Tallahassee.
The court was one of the original three state appellate courts created by the Legislature in 1957. Until then, the state Supreme Court handled all appeals.
Samuels has her work cut out.
The 1st DCA is “one of the largest appellate courts in the country both in terms of number of judges (15) and number of cases filed annually (6,011 in 2014-15),” and its “geographical jurisdiction (32 counties in north Florida) is the largest in the state,” its website says.
Evening Reads
“The Harvey Weinsteins of Florida politics are hiding in plain sight” via Florida Politics
“Florida developer with ties to Jared Jushner’s family gives big to Trump” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott declares emergency in Alachua before Richard Spencer’s speech” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Florida’s 2 main political parties could pay hefty fines” via Gary Fineout of the Associated Press
“Florida’s Senate race shaping up as a clash of titans” via Marc Caputo and Edward-Isaac Dovere of POLITICO
“How the Florida Keys are coming back to life” via Nick Madigan of the New York Times
“Miami politician says aliens took her on a spaceship. Now she’s running for Congress” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald
“Former House Page director also facing embezzlement charges” via Karl Etters of the Tallahassee Democrat
“In the shadow of Disney, living life on the margins” via Richard Luscombe of The Guardian
Quote of the Day
“We need to make sure that no child gets left behind. It’s heartbreaking.” —Rep. Bruce Antone, on a bill requiring day care centers to install sensors in vehicles to alert workers if a child was still inside.
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Wake Up Early?
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will take up several matters, including a proposed $5.7 million deal that would help protect more than 2,500 acres of land in Okeechobee County. The meeting starts at 8 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol, Tallahassee.
The Palm Beach County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet in advance of the 2018 session. It’s at 9 a.m., Solid Waste Authority Administration Building, 7501 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach.
Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, a Fort Myers Republican, is scheduled to hold an open house to discuss the legislative session. That’s 9 a.m., Fitzenhagen district office, 2120 Main St., Suite 208, Fort Myers.
The Florida Public Service Commission will host a roundtable discussion about issues related to electric vehicle charging. It’s at 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, will hold “mobile” office hours in Okeechobee and Glades counties. They are at 1 p.m., Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 55 South Parrott Ave., Okeechobee; and 3 p.m., Glades County Courthouse, 55 Avenue J S.W., Moore Haven.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission will meet at 2 p.m. in the Senate chamber, the Capitol, Tallahassee.
Rep. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, is expected to raise money during a reception in Sarasota County. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, 7051 Wireless Court, Sarasota.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, is expected to speak to the Beaches Rotaract Club. Doors open at 6 p.m., Seachasers, 831 First St. North, Jacksonville Beach.
Ashley Moody, a Republican candidate for attorney general, is expected to speak to the NOVA Republican Club. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Nokomis Community Center, 234 Nippino Trail, Nokomis.
Republican Matt Spritz will hold a kickoff event for his 2018 campaign in Palm Beach County’s House District 89. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Biergarten Boca Raton, 309 Via De Palmas, #90, Boca Raton.
Rep. David Silvers, a Lake Clarke Shores Democrat, is expected to speak to the Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Palm Beach County. That’s at 6:45 p.m., Compass GLCC, 201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth.
