ellyn bogdanoff - REDBROWARD

Yee-Haw!

Just last week, the Awake Broward Democrats crowned Florida House Representative Franklin Sands a “Middle Class Champion”. Well, the casino and gaming interests are betting big on this middle class champion, hoping he will “champion” their interests in Tallahassee. Sure, Sands is running for the Broward County School Board, but this week he is in Tallahassee for the start of the legislative session. The legislature will vote on a destination casino bill that would bring mega-casino resorts to South Florida.

Sands’ School Board campaign finance reports shows money coming in from numerous gaming interests, including the Genting Group. Genting is an Asian company seeking to build a casino in downtown Miami.

In all, Sands raised $33, 391.13 of which, $3,700 came from gaming companies. This comes on top of the big bucks the Florida Democratic Party was sending to a consulting company headquartered in Sands’ Weston home.

11-21-11 West Flager Association $500

11-29-11 JGR Services $500

11-29-11 North FL Racing $500

11-30-11 Palm Bch Kennel Club $200

12-08-11 Genting $500

12-20-11 PPI, Inc $500

12-31-11 Hollywood Concessions $500

12-31-11 Hartman & Tyner $500

If you ask Franklin we’re sure he will tell you he’s doing it all “for the kids”.

On Friday evening, about 400 Broward Republicans came together in Plantation for the annual Broward GOP Holiday Party. This year’s party was held at historic Deicke Auditorium; This is same location used by Broward Democrats for their monthly committee meetings. On this night the room was a sea of Red instead of Blue.

Broward GOP Chairman Richard DeNapoli welcomed the crowd which included notable guests: Congressman Allen West, Senator George LeMieux, State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff, Sheriff Al Lamberti, Florida House Representatives George Moraitis and Jeanette Nunez, Broward School Board Member Katie Leach, Broward County Comissioner Chip LaMarca & Coral Springs Commissioners Tom Powers and Larry Vignola.

Many local candidates were on hand to celebrate the holidays. Candidates such as Ozzie DeFaria, Chris Ziadie, Scott Herman, Jim Lewis, Lynn Simon, Joe Kaufman, Louis Kushner, and Jim Gleason.

Also on hand was conservative commentator and author of “Troublemaker”, former US Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell.

The Holiday Party capped off a year of highly successful events held during Richard DeNapoli’s first year as Chairman. DeNapoli was quick to thank the membership especially his fellow board members: Colleen Stolberg, Mark McCarthy and Sheela Venero.