Identifying Local Opportunities

The Gainesville Sun:Rally to protect Paynes Prairie

http://fieldguide.blogs.gainesville.com/755/rally-to-protect-paynes-prairie/?tc=ar

This story is information to a public rally for the protection of Paynes Prairie. Which occurred on Saturday in Downtown Gainesville.

The main problem is that the govern is trying to privatize state parks to become more self sustainable. While this does sound like a good idea on paper. The effects will be those in that we will destroy our state parks by leasing out the land to timber farmers, hunters, and for cattle grazing causing overall harm to the park.

The people who are mainly concerned are the Protect Paynes Prairie group. They are a self made group that arose from the proposal of the state government.


Path to curb domestic violence: The Florida Times- Union

http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2016-01-23/story/path-curb-domestic-violence-homicides-scrutinized-many-skip-court


This story is about the many people who do not take domestic violence rehablitation programs seriously and end up hurting or killing there loved one's because they are repeat offenders.

The problem is that the laws in place for misdemeanor domestic problems are not heavily enforced or created to be enforced so heavily. So, because of this offenders do not take them seriously and continue on their path of destruction and abuse.

This concerns everyone because of the importance of making sure your loved one is safe and that people are properly rehabilitated.

Alachua County Commission votes to move toward civil citation for pot: Gainesville Sun

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160119/ARTICLES/160119626/1150/news01?p=3&tc=pg

This article is mainly about creating a citation rule for having small amounts of pot instead of arresting the person.

The problem is that most cause that occur with pot are mostly younger people who enjoy using the drug and in some states are legal to use for conventional use. So instead of arresting said person they would just give them a citation.

The people who are concerned are the police and young people because it creates a less hostile environment. When you are driving a car and get pulled over for not wearing your seat belt, you know that you are just going to get a ticket and not be arrested. But, if you knew you were going to be arrested you would probably run because there is a lot more risk involve making the situation dangerous. 

Women cops hope to arrest sexist behavior in GPD

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160123/ARTICLES/160129860?tc=cr

This article is about the mistreatment of the four female GPD LTs. After interviews and different sexual harassment cases, the GPD is finally cracking down on sexist behavior.

The problem is that women in the GPD are being mistreated because they are women in a supposed "mans job."

The people who are concerned are the internal affairs for the GPD and the cops and employees themselves.

Blues Creek residents push back on sewer line proposal

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160122/ARTICLES/160129873/1002/news01?Title=Blues-Creek-residents-push-back-on-sewer-line-proposal

This article is about a sewer company wanting to put sewer lines threw a conservation area in the neighborhood.

The problem is that the residents want there land to be preserve in its condition. Also, there was an agreement made between city officials to preserve this wetland back in 1988. But, the water management staff in Gainesville and other city officials feel like its a good idea to install utilities underneath the creek.

The people who are concerned are Blues Creek residents which do not want this to happen and New Generation Home Builders’ who are planning on making this happen.