Each year hundreds of people die in the USA because of the total lack of rules and regulations in the scuba diving industry. Divers sign waivers that allow scuba dive companies to operate with a total lack of accountability and responsibility. Stephen E. Benavidez (beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend) died when he was sent down with an empty air tank while on vacation in the Florida Keys in April 2014. Within minutes he re-surfaced and called for help and gestured that he was out of air. Steve was only 30 feet away from the boat yet no one went to his aid. In the Florida Keys several people die every month due to the gross negligence of the scuba diving industry. One police officer from South Florida said “My biggest pet peeve about the diving industry is this—first and foremost it’s a money making industry. Diving companies will cut whatever corners they deem necessary if it means they will make money. I have personally seen tragedies that should never have happened. "

The St. Petersburg City council is set to review a new noise ordinance which has been drafted without involvement from local businesses. Furthermore, they have openly admitted in public meetings that they have not conducted any formal financial impact studies but they "feel" that downtown will not be impacted greatly. If this ordinance passes as proposed, it has the potential to have a severe negative impact on the culture and vibrant night life for which the city of St. Petersburg has become known. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WILL BE VOTING ON THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE District 1 Council Member Gerdes Email: [email protected] District 2 Council Member Kennedy Email: [email protected] District 3 Council member Dudley Email: [email protected] District 4 Council Member Rice Email: [email protected] District 5 Council Member Kornell Email: [email protected] District 6 Council Member Nurse Email: [email protected] District 7 Council Member Newton Email: [email protected] District 8 Council Member Foster Email: [email protected] UPDATE 3: Tuesday, May 12th: At the meeting today, which included residents and businesses alike, the main and positive outcome for the opponents to the proposed noise ordinance was that the city council member Karl Nurse, who brought this ordinance to the table, has stated that for the time being he will only be moving forward with the section of the ordinance that allows the city to increase fines for the current noise ordinance incrementally up to $500 max without asking a judge's permission to do so. Of the ideas brought forth by residents and businesses, the only one that really took hold, that both sides could agree with that also would be constitutional, was to look into consulting with an Architectural Acoustic Engineer to see what sort of sound mitigation techniques can be employed by businesses and residents alike to deflect and/or absorb sound away from residents. It was even mentioned that there may be subsidies the city could provide to assist in doing so. Another option that was suggested was to see if we could move to a decibel system. Due to the legal (here in Florida anyway) and technical difficulties of implementing such a system, this idea is not being pursued at this time. Economic impact studies were also mentioned since many residents and businesses had differing opinions of the economic impact of the proposed ordinance. At this time, it is not clear whether the city will be conducting such a study. Overall the meeting was a positive step forward. Much debate and research is still to come if we are to reach a mutually agreeable position for all. UPDATE 2: Excerpt from the Creative Loafing article linked below: "I do not support this ordinance as written and will vote no unless there are some reasonable changes made to the ordinance," said Councilman Steve Kornell in a Facebook post. UPDATE 1: The City Council will receive the draft of the proposed ordinance at the next council meeting on May 7th at 8:30AM for First Reading and will be setting the public hearing date at that time. (PUBLIC DEBATE OVER THE NEW PIER WILL BE THE PRIMARY BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING - I expect that the Noise Ordinance issue will not come up until mid afternoon) Related News Articles: (copy and paste into your browser address bar to view) http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/st-petersburg-noise-ordinance-advances/2226729 http://cltampa.com/politicalanimal/archives/2015/04/28/proposed-noise-ordinance-could-quiet-downtown-st-pete-when-the-partys-just-starting#.VUEfDGZhOG8

Dear Colleagues in Faith, I am the Reverend Kathleen Peters, pastor of the United Church of Chester, United Church of Christ, and the mother of a 31 year old intellectually disabled young adult who lives at home with my husband and me. We and other families of disabled children with the Arc Connecticut have been fighting for just and fair treatment for our loved ones. Over the past thirty years there have been enormous cuts to the Department of Developmental Services, this year being the most profound and far reaching. For the first time, day program funding for 2016-2017 grads has been totally eliminated, vital Voluntary Services programs for Children and Adolescents has been cut 60% and residential/home supports have also been drastically cut. There will be no hope of any residential services until the death of both parents or other profound crisis. Please also urge members of your faith communities to speak out to your legislature about all cuts in services to our most vulnerable citizens. Not only is this a stressful personal situation for our family but it also one of great injustice. The care of our intellectually and developmentally disabled (I/DD) daughters and sons is what some of us have been calling a hidden and under-appreciated moral, social justice, and civil rights issue of our time. My husband and I and thousands of parents just like us cannot care for our children on our own. We need systems in place to ensure their care, especially after we are gone. Please feel free to contact me, Reverend Kathy Peters, at [email protected] /860-919-9030 or Shannon Jacovino Director of Advocacy & Public Policy The Arc Connecticut at [email protected] /860-246-6400. Sincerely, Reverend Kathy Peters

By being afraid of terrorists entering the country, we are collectively responsible for the deaths of thousands of suffering peoples dying each day trying to flee to freedom. By not providing a safe harbor for them makes us just as horrible as the terrorists we are fighting. Let Homeland Security take care of the few who may try to infiltrate those poor people. This is a big country with a million resources. Let us remember we didn't want the Irish, the Jews, the Italians, the Cubans, etc., when they first got here and they have contributed to the economic, cultural and intellectual growth of our great country.

Please vote "NO" on the Senate Bill 844 "Dash 6" Amendments because thousands of sick and disabled patients will lose safe access to medicine, hurting their quality of life. Limiting patient gardens and placing unnecessary rules, inspections, fees and reporting requirements on growers will force many out of the medical system and potentially into the black market.

The Washington State Legislature has ignored both an order from the state Supreme Court and Initiative 1351 passed by the voters to fully fund K-12 education as mandated by the State Constitution. It is in their power to create a tax system that can fully fund all education and other state services that are needed in Washington state.

The current language in the law is old and outdated. If this bill passes it will remove the term 'Supervisory Physician' which prevents OB/GYNs from working with CNM's as they feel this term represents the fact they would be liable for the Midwife. This however is not true, but the Physician's Malpractice companies do not allow them to be associated with Midwives because of this term. If removed, it will allow for more Midwifery collaboration with Physicians and more access to midwives for women. At the moment Midwives have to have a Physician sign documents like rent agreements for the practice office and agreements with suppliers of equipment to run a practice, which is clearly discriminatory. Removing it will not change anything about collaboration and safety and I urge you to contact your own local representative as well. The Bill is due to be voted on tomorrow 4/28/2015 but please sign anytime. For more information go to: http://www.midwivespass1306.com/#!get-involved/c6kj

Honoring Judge Baugh with a Lifetime Achievement Award is disgraceful. With this award, the Yellowstone Bar Association is sending a dangerous message to sexual assault victims that they will not find justice in a court of law. Victim blaming has no place on a judge’s bench. After being censured by the Montana Supreme Court for his comments and suspended from the bench for 31 days, Judge Baugh stepped down and ended his 30 year career as a state judge. Prosecutors appealed the verdict in the original rape case and the teacher, Stacey Rambold, was re-sentenced. He is now serving 10 years in Montana State Prison. Rambold is appealing the sentence. Victims of sexual assault routinely face harassment and shaming when they come forward about their assault to seek justice. To honor a judge who blamed a child for her own assault is unconscionable. Judge Baugh’s actions on the bench cannot be rewarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

My son my daughter and I have all benefited from the excellent education provided by the University of Illinois. Governor Bruce Rauner has now proposed a $387 million cut to all public universities in the state of Illinois. With the state’s consistent failure to adequately fund public higher education, this 31.5% proposed cut threatens access to the quality education our public universities offer. Our students, our state, and our universities cannot afford any more cuts.

I have been an employee at Texas Roadhouse for 11 years. I have done great over the past few years, but, with the change in the economy, I have been unable to meet my minimal bills without struggle. I have worked so hard for this company and feel as though they should pay people a living wage. I'm not asking for more to be greedy; I'm asking for more to survive. Please help our cause.

The Department of Defense recently asked for $585 billion for its operations around the world, totaling half of our discretionary budget. But guess what: The Department of Defense has never – not once – passed an audit of its activities. That’s a real problem, and we’re going to do something about it. Legislation is currently pending to require an audit of the Pentagon’s activities, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your tax dollars. Join us in calling on Congress to pass the bill!

Enough: Laying of a Flower campaign is a nationwide movement, that will start in the Atlanta area; all that’s asked of people in the community is to simply lay down a flower at local police precincts and in front of the White House in Washington, DC.