The Bulletin Board: Pearlie Mae Foundation hosts Voter Information Forum with local candidates

The Pearlie Mae Ford Community Service Club of Sanford (PMF) in partnership with the Seminole County Branch of the NAACP sponsored a Voter Information Forum on July 7 at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Sanford.
Citizens from around Seminole County came out to meet the candidates running for office in the upcoming primary and general elections and express their concerns. Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel served as Moderator. He provided an update on voter registration, noting the importance of this year’s election and the importance of everyone’s vote.
Approximately 80 citizens were in attendance. Each candidate gave a brief position/platform statement. The audience participated by asking questions and each candidate addressed the questions which reflected local and national concerns.
Candidates in attendance (and the office they are seeking) were: Patrick Austin and Steven DellaSala (Sanford City Commission, District 3); Brenda Carey, H. Alexander Duncan, and Francis Oliver (Seminole County Commission, District 5); Steve Edmonds (State Representative, District 28); Sammy Gibson, Grant Maloy and Mike McLean (Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller); Joel Greenberg (Tax Collector); Tommy Larsen representing U.S. Congressman John Mica (U.S. Representative, District 7); Edward Blacksheare representing DeDe Schaffner and Abby Sanchez (Seminole County School Board, District 3); David Mahnken (Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 2); Ed Young (Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 4).  Also in attendance were unopposed candidates Dennis Lemma (Seminole County Sheriff) and Amy Lockhart (Seminole County School Board, District 4).
Marvin Carroll, President of the Seminole County Branch of the NAACP and Gail McQueen, PMF President, Co-Sponsors of the Forum, expressed thanks to everyone for their participation; a special “thank you” was expressed to Pastor Octavius L. Smith and the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church family for providing the meeting space and facilities for this community event.
The Forum, co-chaired by Tamika Williams and Gail McQueen, was an informative meeting with great citizen participation. It demonstrated to the candidates that our community is concerned about what the candidates' positions are and election outcomes.  
Many in the audience gave positive reviews about the value of the Forum as being an excellent tool to share information and inform the citizenry as it relates to the upcoming local and national elections.  If you have voter information-related questions, contact the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office, 407-585-VOTE (8683).
The Pearlie Mae Ford Community Service Club of Sanford, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting awareness and encouraging community involvement, providing scholarships to local high school students and supporting charities. The organization gives back to the community and is always willing to extend a helping hand.  For more information about PMF, visit their website at www.pmfclubsanford.org.

• Second Shiloh M.B. Church, 2150 W. Airport Blvd. in Sanford, will present a Praise Dance Event, “Praise Him” on Sat., Sept. 3, 2016 from 1-5 p.m., at the Midway Community Center, 2253 Jitway Ave. Enter your praise dance team for a chance to minister and win!  
Prizes will be awarded: 1st Place Prize: $100; 2nd Place Prize, $50; 3rd Place Prize, Ribbon.  Entry fee: $25 per team. Prizes will be awarded based on audience applause, so bring your family and friends and let’s have a praising good time!  
Admission donation $5. Food will be available for purchase. Please call the church office, 407-321-6766, if you have questions and to register your dance team. You don’t want to miss this event! Rev. Marvin Scott, Pastor.

• The Midway Reunion Planning Committee is putting the final touches on the plans for the upcoming reunion. A semi-formal banquet is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 26 from 5-9 p.m. at the Midway Community Center, 2253 Jitway Ave.  
Reunion tee shirts are on sale. To register and purchase your tee shirt, contact any member of the Planning Committee: Geraldine Freeman-Wilson (850-942-7417 or 850-567-7526); Sandra McKinney-Duval (407-330-3246); Johnnie Mae Chisolm-Williams (407-323-2580); Lillian Chisolm-Hooks (407-402-1379) and Sharon Long-Blake (813-786-8542).  Registration deadline, Sept. 30, 2016.

• Seminole High School Class of 1981 will hold their 35th Year Class Reunion in Sanford, Fri.-Sun., Sept. 9-11, 2016. Friday and Saturday activities will be held at the Midway Community Center, 2253 Jitway Ave  On Sunday, Sept. 11, classmates will worship together at Morning Glory M.B. Church, 2600 E. SR-46 in Midway; classmate, Rev. Jimmie Blake, Pastor.   
Registration deadline, July 29, 2016. Reunion fees: $40 for single; $50 per couple.  Fees will cover Friday and Saturday events and a tee shirt. Questions, call Cynthia Dixon Hall, 407-953-2570) or Corinthians Spencer-Davis, 407-687-4144. Fee deadline July 29, 2016.

• Crooms Extraordinary Class of 1963 Quarterly Class Meeting is scheduled for Sat., July 30, 2016, at 1800 W. 4th St. in Sanford; 4 p.m. Questions, call Sheralyn J. Brinson, 407-321-4881.

- Sheralyn Brinson, The Bulletin Board, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com