Worried about national and state events? Concerned about the chaos of executive actions and a silent legislature? Want to do something but can’t figure out how?

The League of Women Voters of Alachua County is preparing a series of action plans. They are intended to encourage you to respond to the daily breach of the rule of law and the separation of powers. That separation has nourished and guarded this nation since its inception. We are calling this the What You Can Do (WYCD) campaign.

These WYCD Action Items will appear regularly. They will be designed to provide concrete actions to give you a mechanism for doing something. Daily assaults on personal freedoms and institutions meant to serve American citizens can be

overwhelming. Ignoring the worst and retreating inward can seem like the only response. Fear is
understandable. But fear contributes to the dismantling. Action, because it is the right thing to do, helps us sleep at night. Action, regardless of outcome, makes a pillow softer.

The League suggests that you post each message in your kitchen. Grab your morning beverage, grab your phone, and take action.

To receive the What You Can Do actions directly, please email info [at] lwv-alachua.org (subject: What%20You%20Can%20Do)  with "What You Can Do" in the subject line. Request to be added to the email list. Messages come out about once a week. 

CURRENT ACTION TOPICS: 1) Legislative Delegation Town Hall 2) GRU Referendum 3) Fed troops in cities 4) Release Epstein files

LOCAL

Action Topics:

1. Legislative Delegation Town Hall. August 23, 9:30 – 11am, Newberry Municipal Building.
1. National legislators, Rep. Kat Cammack, Senator Stan McClain, Rep. Chad Johnson will be present to speak and answer questions from voters. Hosted by Tim Marden, mayor of Newberry. This is a rare opportunity to see our legislators in person, hear their positions and share yours. Try to attend.
2. A judge has ruled that the GRU referendum can be presented to voters at a special election. It will be on November 4. It is similar to the referendum on which voters chose by nearly 73% to return governance of our municipal utility to our local elected leaders. Pushback from the GRU Authority and legal action have led us to another referendum.
1. Once again, based on the lack of democratic processes and breach of home rule that put a governor-appointed board in charge of our utility, the league supports a “yes” vote.
2. Put Nov 4 election on your calendar.
3. If you have a personal story that you are willing to share about a problem with GRU service since the Authority took over in October 2023, please contact Jay and Janice at jgcommunity [at] gmail.com.
4. Stay tuned for more information and how you can help a get out the vote on Nov. 4.

STATE

Action topic:

1. Everglades Detention Camp
   1. A judge has put a temporary (14 days) halt on construction at the detention camp in the Everglades while the environmental impact can be assessed.  Reference: NYT, 8/8/25, “The ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Site Once Changed History…”
      1.     Call the legislative delegation. Suggested verbiage:

The detention camp in the Everglades was built in approximately eight days without oversight or planning on its effects on the wetlands. Per aerial maps, some additional 20 acres of concrete has been poured. I agree with the judge’s direction to temporarily halt further construction while the environmental impacts can be assessed. Fill dirt, concrete, wastewater, biological waste, fuel spillage and other factors may pollute the water that flows to south Florida cities and waterways. Florida needs the Everglades.

Legislative delegation:

Representative Chad Johnson: (850) 717-5022

Yvonne Hayes Hinson: (850) 717-5021

Representative Chuck Brannon: (850) 717-5010

Senator Stan McClain: (850) 487-5009

Senator Jennifer Bradley: (850) 487-5006

NATIONAL

Action Items:

1. National troops in Washington DC.
   1. Despite a 30 year low rate in violent crime, National guard troops have been deployed to Washington DC with the justification of fighting a violent crime surge. Visitors and residents found troops at the National Mall and other sites this week. In June and July, thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of marines were sent to Los Angeles against the will of the mayor and governor. References: Los Angeles Times “National Guard Came to LA…”; Heather Cox Richardson 8/11/25
      1.   Call your legislators. Suggested verbiage:

(Name of legislator), I am concerned about the use of federal troops in America’s cities against the will of local leadership and with flimsy-sounding rationale. LA leadership was managing protests that were largely peaceful. Washington DC violent crime is down to a 30 year low. Using federal troops to control violent crime sounds like a ruse. Further, the executive administration has implied that troops will be used in other cities. It is unsettling to think that flimsy excuses could be used to engage federal troops in Florida’s cities. Federal troops should be used only for the purposes for which they have been trained and only under circumstances allowed by law.

2. Ghislane Maxwell, a convicted sex offender, was moved to a low security facility, against policy. She is allowed to leave the facility for work assignments. A convicted felon should not be given special privileges. Despite huge public outcry, records about the Epstein investigation have not been released. Reference: Heather Cox Richardson 8/12/25.

           1.(Name of legislator), please tell your constituents why the full record of the Epstein investigation has not been released. We know that prominent people are on the list of guests at Epstein facilities. Perhaps they did nothing wrong. If so, full release of the records will show that. On the other hand, if wealthy, prominent people are being protected by keeping the records under cover, the records will provide proof to make them accountable. Your constituents expect you to speak up. All records regarding Epstein must be released.

National Legislators:

Senator Rick Scott: (202) 224-5274

Senator Ashley Moody: (202) 224-3041

Representative Kat Cammack: (202) 225-5744