Fun in the [Gainesville] Sun (5A)

In identifying local opportunities, I turned to the trusty Gainesville Sun. My five opportunities include the following...

1. City Oks Plastic Bag, Styrofoam Ban

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190117/city-oks-plastic-bag-styrofoam-ban

Summary of Story: Starting in August 2019, the Gainesville City government will be enforcing a ban on all polystyrene products such as plastic bags and styrofoam. Except for state government run institutions like the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, these rules—along with its hefty penalties—will apply to businesses and nonprofits alike. The desire for this shift has roots in other successful states as well as Coral Gables, FL banning plastic products that are harming Florida’s waterways and environment. 

What's The Problem? The problem presented is that for years, the city of Gainesville has been neglecting ways to resolve the negative effects of plastic and polystyrene on the environment by not setting strict enough regulations. Not only are these plastic products a detriment to Florida’s waterways and animals, but also to people according to Gina Hawkins, executive director of Keep Alachua County Beautiful. On the other hand, critics of the ban see this government intervention as a violation of the free market. 

Who Has This Problem? This ban will affect nearly all Gainesville residents because we all go grocery shopping and use to-go boxes and cups for food. And those are some of polystyrene uses. Most importantly, businesses and nonprofits, as mentioned, will be hard pressed to find alternative solutions that fit within their existing budget and hold up to the new standards of the ban. However, students at UF and SFC will be less impacted because the ban can not be implemented on state run organizations like the colleges. 

2. Gainesville Golf And Country Club Sold To Biotech Entrepreneur

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190118/gainesville-golf-and-country-club-sold-to-biotech-entrepreneuer

Summary of Story: The 100 year old Gainesville Country Club has come under new management. With this shift, many new improvements such as better landscaping of grounds and golf course and a new outdoor dining area and gym are being made. All these additions however will inevitably require a rise in membership prices. Nevertheless, the new manager, New York biotechnology entrepreneur—mhmm yes, an entrepreneur—Joseph Hernandez, says the improved product quality of will make the more expensive membership worthwhile

What's The Problem? According to the article, the country club has “in the past had its financial struggles.” The extent of these struggles was left unspecified. Additionally, the new manager would not disclose the current number of memberships and the author of the article had to do a little outside digging to find a similar figure. It seems that the country club is struggling to keep its appeal and may continue if the improvements do not “wow” existing members or attract new ones. However, their solution could come in the form of Hernandez “recruiting younger, “entrepreneur folks” and University of Florida faculty to join the country club.”

Who Has This Problem? This new country club will probably affect many citizens of West Gainesville. Considering the incredible economic disparity between East and West Gainesville, Hernandez will probably be targeting wealthier families to buy memberships. As mentioned in the article, Hernandez wants to recruit recruit “younger entrepreneur folks” and “University of Florida faculty” so they will also be affected.

3. Report: Uf Students Accused Of Cheating

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190117/report-uf-students-accused-of-cheating

Summary of Story: In November of 2018, Priti Patel a UF Pharmacy Professor filed a claim against 57 second-year Pharm D students for using an online document to cheat on a question. It was not clear whether the question was on a quiz, test, or even just an assignment but the Honor Code applies either way. The students will face individual disciplinary hearings in front of a council made up of students and faculty. Students can please innocent or accept the cheated claim and plead for less punishment than taking a zero which would be re-taking the class. Seems like a rough spot to be in for a second year pharmacy student. CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER. 

What's The Problem? The students on trial have a major issue. Although 57 of these Pharm D (doctor of pharmacy) students worked together, it does not seem likely that they will all take the fall and accept a zero for the class. There will probably be some “throwing under the bus” action but some may drop the course or end up paying hundreds more dollars to take the class again. The rest of the 270 student class found the answer without the online document so...what is the moral of this venture? Just do your work!

Who Has This Problem? Most detrimentally, this affects the 57 students who potentially cheated. Priti Patel, the UF pharmacy professor is also has a significant problem because she might have to fail about 20% of her students. Additionally, other members affected by this problem include the Honor Court at Peabody Hall, UF spokesman Steve Orlando, a secretary for College of Pharmacy Dean Julie Johnson. Also, this lack of integrity from these students may affect the UF College of Pharmacy ranking in the U.S. News and World Report. 

4. Mayoral Candidate Explains Voting Issue

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190123/mayoral-candidate-explains-voting-issue

Summary of Story: In the upcoming March election for Mayor of Gainesville, Marlon C. Bruce has filed to run. However, Bruce, only a 20 year old student at Santa Fe College, voted in a precinct outside city limits in August, using an invalid address. Besides this, many other parts of his story do not line up. Before the August primary, Bruce support a Republican campaign, but then was registered as a Democrat. However, after the primary, he finally updated his registration and changed party affiliation to Republican. Additionally, at Santa Fe, Bruce has had multiple shady encounters with the Student Government which he claims as harassment.  

What's The Problem? The problem at hand is that we may have a very dishonest candidate for mayor of Gainesville. After reading the article, Bruce—although he claims himself to be credible—has plenty of evidence stacked against him that he is not a credible candidate. 

Who Has This Problem? The main person affected here is Marlon C. Bruce because his entire candidacy for mayor of Gainesville may be compromised. Even worse, he could be charged with a third degree felony of affirming and submitting false voter information. On the other hand, Bruce’s competitors are positively impacted because now there is one less person in the running for the mayoral seat. 

5. Peaceful Paths, Shelters Say Shutdown Bodes Trouble

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190123/peaceful-paths-shelters-say-shutdown-bodes-trouble

Summary of Story: The prevailing government shutdown is no joke to Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network. Peaceful Paths works in Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties to help roughly 1,300 individuals, providing an emergency shelter, victim advocacy, and education to acclimate back into job routines. With the government shutdown, the money that is normally paid to help clients is being used to pay workers. If the government shutdown is not solved by March 1st, the effects for state centers could be catastrophic for at least 5 sites in rural and underserved sites. Without funding, centers would need to reduce programs and services, cut employees, or even stop operations altogether. 

What's The Problem? The problem is that with the government shutdown, government run agencies such as certified domestic violence centers across Florida counties are no longer receiving adequate funding. Roughly 35 percent of the nonprofit organization’s funding that goes to pay its staff comes from the federal government. That being said, the organization expects to lose between $60,000 and $90,000 a month while the shutdown lasts. Additionally, this problem will continue past the date the government shutdown finally ends. According to the Peaceful Paths Executive Director, past shutdowns have shown that it often takes two to three times the duration of the shutdown for federal money to actually begin flowing again. 

Who Has This Problem? Considering that Peaceful Paths is one of 42 domestic violence centers statewide, and that they are serving about 1,300 clients, I am estimating that over 54,500 domestic violence clients would be negatively affected. Additionally, this condition present serious stress to current employees at the centers whose pay may be decreasing or even eventually have to be let go. This creates enormous pressure on executive directors of the centers because they are basically helpless to when the government will resume operations.