6BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD MONDAY , OCTOBER 2 , 2017
Politics
By Chris Norwood
Andrew Gillum and Dream Team to Energize Florida ’ s Democratic Base
In 2018 , we will have the opportunity to elect the first African-American governor of Florida . Andrew Gillum , mayor of Tallahassee , is our only hope . Now is also the �me to have an African American at the top of the �cket so we can energize the base of the party and carry Democrats into the Florida Cabinet .
The governor does not run Florida . It is run by the Florida Cabinet , which includes the : governor , a�orney general , chief financial officer , and agriculture commissioner . This is the only state in the union that governs this way . This is a ves�ge of Florida ’ s Reconstruc�on era when delegates of the 1885 Cons�tu�onal Conven�on were convinced that an outsider could be elected governor , so they weakened the execu�ve office by co-sharing execu�ve powers with a Cabinet of state elected officials .
In 2017 , we have an opportunity to achieve what these men hoped to avoid , elec�ng Florida ’ s first Black governor . It ’ s only achieved , however , as a team . We need others to run for the Cabinet to help energize the core cons�tuencies of Florida Democra�c voters .
Imagine this for a moment : Gwen Graham for a�orney general , Jeremy Ring for chief financial officer , and Darren Soto as commissioner for Agriculture and Consumer Services . Imagine that ? The Democra�c candidates for the Florida Cabinet actually looking like the Florida Democra�c Party .
Do we think that half of our party who are women would be excited about Gwen Graham being the chief law enforcement officer in the State of Florida ? She is a former congresswoman from the panhandle , a place where we need more Democra�c ac�vism . She ’ s the daughter of former governor and U . S . Senator Bob
Graham .
Would Darren Soto leave Congress to become commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services ? Well Adam Putnam did ? Putnam rose to the third ranking posi�on in the U . S . Congress and resigned to run for agriculture commissioner in 2010 . Darren Soto is Puerto Rican and loved by Democrats of Central Florida – a ba�leground area of our state . He should do as Putnam did , see the power and pres�ge of a Cabinet posi�on and go for it .
Jeremy Ring is a former state senator , businessman , investor and one of the founding members of Yahoo . Ring is a Broward County Democrat from voter-rich South Florida . That sounds like a resume for chief financial officer for the State of Florida .
Andrew Gillum is mayor of Tallahassee . He already knows his way around the capital . He is from Miami , was raised in Gainesville , and became a man , father and mayor in Tallahassee .
This is the Dream Team that can excite the base of the party . Our governor and Cabinet race is less about the issues and more about voter outreach . Democrats historically have lost these elec�ons 16 out 17 �mes . Going forward , we should run candidates for governor and the Cabinet that actually look like the Florida Democra�c Party . If we want to bring out our base ( crucial in non-presiden�al elec�ons ), let ’ s see its diversity in our candidates .
Take a page out of the Republican playbook where their Cabinet represents specific cons�tuencies within their party . Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is a fi�h-genera�on ca�le rancher and citrus grower from Polk County ( represen�ng the tradi�onal agricultural community of his party ). CFO Jeff Atwater is a former banker ( finance industry ). A�orney General Pam Bondi is a former state prosecutor ( law enforcement and a woman ). These are key cons�tuency groups for any party . Gov . Rick Sco� represents business — Big Business ! Meanwhile , 58 percent of Florida Democrats are women , 30 percent are Black , and 20 percent are Hispanic . One-third are from South Florida .
If we want to turn the �de in Florida , Democrats simply need to be ourselves . We have a Dream Team in Gillum , Graham , Ring and Soto . We should be convincing our party that this is the only way to shi� the dynamic . That is my challenge and should be yours too .
Arbitration / Mediation
By Stanley Zamor
Client : “ Greg , if you would have be�er advised me of the extensive cost of this li�ga�on I might not have let it go this far , but now I am so financially commi�ed I have to see it through , even though it may bankrupt me .”
A�orney : “ Although you are heavily engaged in li�ga�on , now that you are at media�on you have a real opportunity to reduce further expenses while reaching an resolu�on you create .”
Why Mediation May Cost Less Than Litigation
Unfortunately , this was a real statement made by a plain�ff expressing his frustra�on to his a�orney . The media�on ended and resulted in a se�lement three hours later .
The Real Cost of Li�ga�on
We live in a great country where our legal system , although not perfect , is available to those who choose to use it . So how expensive is li�ga�on anyway ? Um , although the ini�al cost of a civil suit varies depending on the lawyer you choose and the type of case , it is not unusual for either party to spend nearly $ 100,000 in a conten�ous business law suit . How ? Well , a brief example can be illustrated based on taking the deposi�on of five people who are poten�al witnesses :
● A�orney ’ s replenishable retainer of $ 5,000 - Used for ini�al costs , filing , and commencing discovery of the lawsuit
● A�orney ’ s fee of $ 300 per hour : Charged for research and prepara�on related to five , eight-hour witness deposi�ons :
○ $ 300 x 8 = $ 2,4000
○ $ 2,400 x 5 = $ 12,000
Further consider the cost of travel and deposi�on transcripts , usually $ 1,000 each
○ $ 1,000 x 5 = $ 5,000
Other basics li�ga�on costs include ( but are not limited to ) hiring expert witnesses ; research and study of reports , analysis or other projects ordered by the court ; a�orney hourly fees ; copy fees ; computer legal research services ; secretarial and paralegal fees ; external consultants and specialist fees ; private inves�gator ; electronic discovery maintenance ; trial demonstra�ve aids , and more .
The Truth Is Real Unfortunately , even though our civil li�ga�on system is considered to be the best in the world , it is costly . The rewards , if any , are some�mes too far delayed to enjoy the benefits . This is why media�on is available and courts encourage par�es toward media�on early as an alterna�ve to trial . In many areas of the law , such as Condo & Home Owners Associa�on cases , you must mediate before you li�gate .
The Cost of Media�on Contrary to li�ga�on , media�on cost frac�ons less . Media�ng before you file a lawsuit can save you tens of thousands of dollars . The compara�ve math is :
● Typical mediator fee : $ 300 per hour for five hours
● Cost is shared between involved par�es That means $ 1,500 and you are done ! If you have an a�orney , add the cost of their �me too . Regardless , your cost can be under $ 3,000 and you would have reached a resolu�on that you created and controlled . When you li�gate you triple that cost for an uncertain outcome .
Hmmmm … Make a business decision . You have op�ons .
Stanley Zamor is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit / Family / County Mediator & Primary Trainer and Qualified Arbitrator . Zamor serves on several federal and state mediation / arbitration rosters and has a private mediation and ADR consulting company . He regularly lectures on a variety of topics from ethics , cross-cultural issues , diversity , bullying and family / business relationships . szamor @ i-mediateconsulting . com www . i-mediateconsulting . com www . LinkedIn . com / in / stanleyzamoradr ( 954 ) 261-8600
6BB
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD
Politics
By Chris Norwood
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017
Andrew Gillum and Dream Team to Energize Florida’s Democratic Base
In 2018, we will have the opportunity to
elect the first African-American governor of
Florida. Andrew Gillum, mayor of
Tallahassee, is our only hope. Now is also
the �me to have an African American at the
top of the �cket so we can energize the
base of the party and carry Democrats into
the Florida Cabinet.
The governor does not run Florida. It is
run by the Florida Cabinet, which includes
the: governor, a�orney general, chief
financial officer, and agriculture
commissioner. This is the only state in the
union that governs this way. This is a ves�ge
Arbitration/Mediation
By Stanley Zamor
Client: “Greg, if you would have be�er
advised me of the extensive cost of this
li�ga�on I might not have let it go this far,
but now I am so financially commi�ed I
have to see it through, even though it may
bankrupt me.”
A�orney: “Although you are heavily
engaged in li�ga�on, now that you are at
media�on you have a real opportunity to
reduce further expenses while reaching an
resolu�on you create.”
of Florida’s Reconstruc�on era when
delegates of the 1885 Cons�tu�onal
Conven�on were convinced that an outsider
could be elected governor, so they
weakened the execu�ve office by co-sharing
execu�ve powers with a Cabinet of state
elected officials.
In 2017, we have an opportunity to
achieve what these men hoped to avoid,
elec�ng Florida’s first Black governor. It’s
only achieved, however, as a team. We need
others to run for the Cabinet to help
energize the core cons�tuencies of Florida
Democra�c voters.
Imagine this for a moment: Gwen
Graham for a�orney general, Jeremy Ring
for chief financial officer, and Darren Soto as
commissioner for Agriculture and Consumer
Services. Imagine that? The Democra�c
candidates for the Florida Cabinet actually
looking like the Florida Democra�c Party.
Do we think that half of our party who
are women would be excited about Gwen
Graham being the chief law enforcement
officer in the State of Florida? She is a
former congresswoman from the
panhandle, a place where we need more
Democra�c ac�vism. She’s the daughter of
former governor and U.S. Senator Bob
Graham.
Would Darren Soto leave Congress to
become commissioner of Agriculture and
Consumer Services? Well Adam Putnam did?
Putnam rose to the third ranking posi�on in
the U.S. Congress and resigned to run for
agriculture commissioner in 2010. Darren
Soto is Puerto Rican and loved by Democrats
of Central Florida – a ba�leground area of
our state. He should do as Putnam did, see
the power and pres�ge of a Cabinet posi�on
and go for it.
Jeremy Ring is a former state senator,
businessman, investor and one of the
founding members of Yahoo. Ring is a
Broward County Democrat from voter-rich
South Florida. That sounds like a resume for
chief financial officer for the State of Florida.
Andrew Gillum is mayor of Tallahassee.
He already knows his way around the
capital. He is from Miami, was raised in
Gainesville, and became a man, father and
mayor in Tallahassee.
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