Michelle2008.com

Latest Campaign News

Rehwinkel Vasilinda: Non Stop on the Campaign Trail

The last month has been filled with appearances before candidate forums, groups, walking the district and meeting with voters. These campaign activities include but are certainly not limited to the following:

•   Discussion with Linda South, Department of Management Services Secretary: Discussion of State Employee Issues. Follow-up meeting planned.

•   Tallahassee Chamber Annual Conference: Meeting with most of the business leaders and many of our elected officials; participated in a candidate forum.

•   Tallahassee Economic Development Council: meeting with Beth Kirkland to discuss Economic Development options and strategies

•   Annual Independence Day Picnic and Candidate Forum: Stump speeches at the home of Barbara and Tom Rollins

•   Associated Industries Candidate Interview

•   Florida Chamber Candidate Interview

•   Florida Electric Coalition: Meeting to discuss energy issues

•   Democratic House Victory Conference: Three day meeting with Democratic Party leaders.

•   Tiger Bay Debate

•   Jefferson County “Beat the Heat” stump speeches and dinner. Meeting with CFO Alex Sink

•   Met with University funding experts: Discuss enhancing resources and other strategies to strengthen Universities and R&D.

•   Heath care experts: Multiple meetings with doctors, hospital execs and other health care stakeholders.

•   Florida Farm Bureau Candidate Forum

•   Capital City Democratic Women’s Club Annual Golden Luncheon: Attended with table of supporters.

•   Police Benevolent Association Interview and Endorsement

•   Democratic Club of North Florida Annual Picnic: Stump speeches and discussions/meetings with Sen. Al Lawson and Rep. Loranne Ausley, and others party leaders and activists

•   Jefferson County Democratic Club Dinner: Speeches and meeting with Congressman Alan Boyd

•   Network of Young Professionals (campaign supporter)

•   Leadership Tallahassee and Tallahassee Chamber televised candidate forum: Leon High School

•   Capital City Medical Society Candidate’s Forum

Woodgate Neighborhood Celebration

Michelle spent more than 4 hours on Saturday, June 28th meeting dozens of really wonderful people at the annual Woodgate neighborhood celebration. It's clear the people of this neighborhood really care about each other. Residents here have started a Neighbor Helping Neighbor program and Michelle saw it in action as one of the people at breakfast needed help getting home. Breakfast and the burgers were delicious.

Sheriff Larry Campbell's deputies put on a demonstration of K9 Officer Casey's skills that the crowd really enjoyed, including Michelle. Casey is not only beautiful, but we can all feel safer that he is on the force: He really knows his stuff! Donna Walker from the City's Parks and Recreation Department had a table showing off children's and adult's art work created at the Lafayette Arts and Crafts Center. Donna says "come by and join in and let us help you discover your art".

One resident asked Michelle for more information about the recently passed Autism legislation. Michelle didn't have it at the tip of her fingers, but promised an answer. Here's that answer:

The Autism Bill (Senate Bill 2654) requires insurance companies to provide coverage for advanced therapies. It limits the annual benefits to $36,000 dollars a year and sets a life time maximum of $200,000 in benefits. The good news about this legislation is that it allows parents to seek therapy. The legislation applies to all health insurance policies written or renewed after April 1, 2009. Therapies covered include: speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis. The legislation also prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on developmental disabilities.

See you next year!

Petition Goal Reached

Thank you, thank you, thank you! More than 900 of you have signed valid petition forms to allow me to qualify for the ballot without paying a qualifying fee. This grass roots effort is important for a number of reasons; First, our team of volunteers was able to meet more than 1200 of you, of whom we heard loudly and clearly from about what’s important in your lives. Secondly, this effort saves over $1900 in campaign contributions that don’t have to be raised or that can be spent communicating our message of strength, energy and vision. Finally, these valid petitions show a broad base of support across party lines. Sure, we met stubborn Republicans who simply refused to sign a petition for a Democrat but they were a very small minority. Here’s where we ended up:

Democrats 62%
Republicans 31%
NPA or Other 7%

This broad base of support is important because when elected, Michelle will be committed to represent everyone in the district...Republicans, Democrats, No Party, and even those not registered to vote!

New Fund Raising Totals

The score: 540 to 283...contributors. Michelle continues to dominate her Democratic opponent in the number of people who have contributed, the amount of money raised and the ever important cash on hand. While this campaign is about people and better ideas, money is important. Thank you to all who have contributed your time, talent and energy as well as financial resources. Remember: No contribution is too small. Click the Donate Online button at the top of the web site. Thanks for making our campaign a success!

A Message From Michelle

My pledge to you is to work hard, make wise decisions, stand strong and have the courage to make an excellent Florida a reality for all of us.

SAVE THE DATE

Join us at a fund raiser hosted by

Rick Rice, Christie Koontz, & Cliff Thael

Friday, August 29th

6-8 PM

Rick and Christie's Home

8788 Megans Lane 893.5053

I fell in love with the founders in the fourth grade and decided then I wanted to be a part of our democracy. I know it sounds corny...but it’s true. I’ve been preparing to be your State Representative all my life. It is why I went to law school.

I traded the courtroom for the classroom 21 years ago when I began teaching at Tallahassee Community College. I see first hand the failures of our school system. I understand the need for better paying jobs. As a state employee, I feel the lack of respect state policy makers have shown us all, and I see the value Universities bring to our community and the potential they offer for future growth.

Leadership is about vision not management. I envision a state and district that can help lead the nation to the best quality of life we can create for our children, our grandchildren, and their children. I ask for your vote on November 4th. As a life-long public servant, I have the energy, experience, integrity and vision to see a better future for all of our children.

Home

Community Service

Written by Michelle
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Community and Professional Service Children’s Campaign Supporter since 2005 and Invited Participant to the “5 Promises Legislative Agenda” Mayor’s Race Relations Summit Panel Moderator, October 2006. Greater Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce Co-Chair for Nuts and Bolts Program 2006-07, Nominating Committee for Board of Directors 06-07 Florida Bar, Paralegal Regulation Study Committee 2005-2006 Leadership Tallahassee Class XXIII “Strength in Diversity” 2005-2006 NAACP, Tallahassee Branch Capital Tiger Bay Club of Tallahassee Gentiva Corporation Advisory Board of Advanced Home Health Care 1994-present Legal Services of North Florida 30th Anniversary Endowment Campaign 2007 American Association of University Women Board Member 2006-2007 United Faculty of Florida Union Member Zonta International Women’s Service Organization Tallahassee Chapter Board Tallahassee Girl’s Choir of Choice Honorary Board Member 2006 Common Cause/Florida Board Member and Civic Education Chair Leon High School Foundation Board of Directors, Public Relations and Marketing Co-Chair Leon County Democratic Executive Committee Elected November, 2004 Capital City Democratic Women’s Club, Legislative Liaison Democratic Club of North Florida Advisor for Tallahassee Community College Democrat Club 2005-2007 North Florida for Democracy, Charter Revision & Membership Outreach Committee 2003-2004 Kerry Legal Team, October, November 2004 Bible Day Camp Teacher, Blessed Sacrament Church June 2004 P.A.C.E. School for Girls Board of Directors 1994-98 Girl Scout Assistant Leader 1991-2000 Montessori Cooperative Early School Personnel Committee, 1988-1989 Florida State Employees United Way Campaign DER Key Coordinator 1986-1988
Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 May 2008 )

Michelle Facts

Michelle's Recent Endorsements

Michelle was recently endorsed by:

The PBA

Florida League of Conservation Voters

Florida Consumer Action Network

Former Congressman Pete Peterson
Recent Endorsements

Michelle was recently endorsed by:

The PBA

Florida League of Conservation Voters

Florida Consumer Action Network

Former Congressman Pete Peterson

United Faculty of Florida
Fairness and Respect

We must reclaim respect and fairness for Florida's public servants and work to solve the health care crisis in Florida, particularly as it effects our most vulnerable: our children, our elderly, and our sick.
Energy Independence and Innovation

We must do our part to help our nation become independent from foreign oil. We must do so in ways that demonstrate good stewardship of our environment.
Economic Diversity

We must grow jobs and businesses in Florida to make sure our region and state is a place where we can all thrive and prosper. Florida should be a place where our children and grandchildren will want to stay and work.
Education

We must dare to make Florida a world leader in education. Education is the foundation of a vibrant economy, good health decisions, and strong families. We have a long way to go but as Abe Lincoln said "Decide a thing should and can be done and then find a way!"
Pete Peterson Supports Michelle

Michelle is pleased to say that former Congressman Douglas "Pete" Peterson is a supporter and contributor!
NAACP

Michelle is proud to be a longtime member of the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP.
A Film School Graduate

Michelle's daughter, Catherine, was one of 27 students to receive their BFA from FSU's College of Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts on December 15, 2007.
Picture a Film School Graduate
Filling a need

Michelle worked with The Florida Law Related Education Association and Common Cause to convince the legislature to require more civic education in middle school.
An Honor

Michelle’s daughter Catherine was recently recognized by the Directors Guild of America as one of the top women student film makers in the country!
Michelle on Teaching

"I try to empower my students to know about the law, not only to prepare them for legal careers, but for themselves and their families as well."
Nuts&Bolts

Michelle recently completed a year as the Co-Chairman of the Tallahassee Chamber’s Nuts&Bolts Breakfast
Work

Michelle has been continuously employed as a life guard, waitress, lawyer and community college professor, helping to support her family since she was fourteen.
The Early Years

Class President 1974
Student Government 1974-76
Lettered Varsity Soccer & Track Teams 1974-77
1st New York State Key Club President
Canandaigua Academy, NY

Contact Michelle

Photo Gallery

Fundraising Success

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Democrat, for State Representative, District 9