Friday, September 14, 2018

5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

1) Mother, Infant, Among several killed by Hurricane Florence

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20180914/mother-infant-among-several-killed-by-hurricane-florence

As Hurricane Florence begins to hit the east coast of the United States, damage and destruction have already started. Several people have died due to trees falling, electric issues, as well as wind damage. Since this is just the beginning of the hurricane, it is sure to do much more damage in the following days, with many citizens at risk of harm.

In this article, the mass destruction and lack of preparedness displays a huge problem. While states like Florida have had to prepare for hurricanes for years, many east coast residents that live farther north are not used to dealing with these kinds of natural disasters. Recently, the Carolina's passed a law that makes creating policies based on weather and future forecasts illegal. This is a huge issue and will come back to haunt these states as this hurricane gets worse.

The problem is experienced by the residents in North and South Carolina that are at risk to be harmed by the coming storm.


2) 10 Communities, including Marion County, to share $500K to reduce bear conflicts

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20180913/10-communities-including-marion-county-to-share-500k-to-reduce-bear-conflicts

Bear and human interaction has increased in recent times in central Florida, and it causes many to worry about the potential danger of having bears nearby. Several areas of the state have come together, seeking the best way to prevent bears from getting into trashcans, as well as entering parks with civilians in them. $500,000 was put together from these communities to invest in research and materials to prevent future bear problems.

The problem addressed in this article is bears having easy access to public areas, and causing distress and potential harm among residents.

This problem is experienced by all residents within these areas, and owners of trashcans that are tampered with by bears.


3) Funds for Florida health insurance helpers cut by millions

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20180913/funds-for-florida-health-insurance-helpers-cut-by-millions

Federal funding for health insurance helpers continues to be cut. Last year over $3 million was cut. This year, due to President Trump's policies, it will be cut by another $5 million. This money was previously allocated to "helpers" that would do in-person counseling about health insurance, and help make it more understandable for the average consumer.

The problem this article presents is that average-consumers or lesser-educated consumers now have less access to information and knowledge about the United States' and Florida's healthcare system and policies. These counselors made it much easier for consumers to choose the best plan possible, but now will be much less funded.

This problem impacts many consumers that would need advice about healthcare, as well as affecting the actual ability of the counselors to provide information and labor, with less funding.


4) Federal Judge orders Spanish sample ballots

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20180907/federal-judge-orders-spanish-sample-ballots

There is an estimated 30,000 Puerto Ricans across 32 counties in Florida. Judge Mark Walker ordered that more Spanish sample ballots need to be made to accommodate all these American voters that may have trouble with English ballots.

The problem addressed in this article is that there is a huge population of people who are American citizens and have the right to vote, but have difficulty exercising that right because of a language barrier. Without such a huge portion of people voting, elections are not as accurate and do not represent the entire population as well as they should.

The issue impacts Spanish-speaking eligible voters in Alachua as well as surrounding counties.


5) Florida Red Tide: Wildlife advocate stunned by 'Level of Carnage' on fish

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20180823/florida-red-tide-wildlife-advocate-stunned-by-level-of-carnage-on-fish/1

On the southwest coast of Florida, red tide algae has been growing larger and larger. Recently, 452 sea turtles, 100 manatees, 11 dolphins, and thousands of fish have died due to the red tide that now stretches almost 150 miles.

There was two issues present in this article due to the growing red tide. First, wildlife is dying at an alarming rate due to the toxic algae bloom. Second, partly because of the wildlife dying, tourism on Florida's west coast has suffered majorly.

This problem effects everyone. It effects all the ocean wildlife, as well as terrestrial wildlife that may feed on fish. Residents all around the state, from every socio-economic background, are more and more impacted by the presence of the algae bloom and associated health repercussions, large quantities of dead wildlife, as well as the decline in tourism.

3 comments:

  1. Hello Steven!

    From personal experience I can agree that there is a local opportunity found in your second article. Bears are a huge problem where I live in Ocala. They will often walk onto the local school campuses disrupting the school day. Some sort of special bear proof trash can or way to keep them away from public places would be very beneficial.

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  2. Hi Steven,
    I really liked reading your examples, especially number 2 and 4! I had no idea how prevalent bears are in the residential areas of Central FL. Additionally, I liked how you gave detailed explanations for almost each example for the 'why it’s a problem' section. I think you did a good job at highlighting why each problem was so important to address.

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  3. Hey Steven!

    I was intrigued by your first post, because I wrote about an article in the Sun Sentinel about Floridian's ignorance to hurricane safety procedures, and lack of care. It is so unfortunate that that lady and her daughter lost her life, natural disasters are truly a force to be reckoned with and such a serious matter. It would be such a relief to me if more people learned more about safety precautions and how to stay safe in hurricanes.

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