I guess it would be ok for me to send a link of the site to various news organizations throughout the Florida/Gulf coast area to inform others that might be interested in joining, right? Maybe some environmental groups? A few elected officials? (FL and DC?)
Hands Across the Sand-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters
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Me too. I will post them at Gulf Coast Community College; will also link this to the College website.
Great job, Dave and everyone who contributed. We can make a difference.
Yes!! Thank you! Our chain of hands is growing
I was interviewed by the NWFL daily news last week and have sent press releases out to the major Florida Newspapers.
As the news outlets pick it up I suspect this site will be seen by a lot of people.
Our chain of hands is growing VERY quickly
I was interviewed by the NWFL daily news last week and have sent press releases out to the major Florida Newspapers.
As the news outlets pick it up I suspect this site will be seen by a lot of people.
Our chain of hands is growing VERY quickly
A letter to Senator Don Gaetz
To: Senator Don Gaetz
From: Dave Rauschkolb
Dear Senator Gaetz,
I hope you are enjoying this crisp fall weather. The Seaside Homeowners weekend was wonderful; sorry you were not able to make it this year. It was a perfect day for the annual Homeowners Brunch at Bud & Alley's; sunny and beautiful. The meeting was actually over in an hour; a first in my memory.
As you know, I have worked as a community leader along Scenic 30-A in preserving the beauty, natural integrity and character of our local community. I am equally passionate about preserving our coastal legacy of pure white sand and clear, emerald green waters.
I have begun a movement to encourage our Florida Legislators from passing a bill allowing for Oil drilling as close a 3 miles from our white sand beaches; it is called Hands Across the Sand. I ask that you take a few moments to look at our website. Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.
I would greatly appreciate your support in bringing our movement to the attention of your constituents and would be proud to display your endorsement on our website. From your recent letter, I understand your wanting to wait and study any bill but I sincerely hope you will join us sooner than later in saying no to oil drilling in our state waters. It has come to my understanding that Durell Peaden (R) of Crestview is on record as saying he would not vote for this bill. State GOP senators skeptical on offshore oil drilling - St. Petersburg Times
I informed the Seaside Homeowners and Rosemary Beach Homeowners of the Legislators efforts to pass this oil bill and told them of our movement. The event is planned for February 13, President's Day weekend. If there is a special session we will be releasing an earlier date in a moment's notice. The simplicity of the event makes it very easy to execute on a statewide level at any time.
Senator Gaetz, please join hands with me in drawing a line in the sand against Oil drilling. Our coastal legacy is at stake. I would love to tell you in detail of our efforts is you wish. I may be reached at 850-865-1061.
Very respectfully and sincerely,
Dave Rauschkolb
Hands Across The Sand is growing.
A gathering of Floridian's of all walks of life and political
affiliations is about to happen. Floridian's drawing human lines in
the sand against recent legislation proposed to allow for Oil drilling
in Florida's coastal waters.
We plan on creating a gathering of people From Pensacola to Key West and quite
possibly, from Miami to Jacksonville. A growing chain of hands against Oil drilling in our waters.
It's simple. Go to the beach, join hands in defense of our waters, our beaches, our properties, our
businesses, our way of life.
Draw a line in the sand with us against Oil drilling. Our coastal legacy is at stake.
PLEASE GO TO THIS WEB SITE FOR INFORMATION
Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.
To: Senator Don Gaetz
From: Dave Rauschkolb
Dear Senator Gaetz,
I hope you are enjoying this crisp fall weather. The Seaside Homeowners weekend was wonderful; sorry you were not able to make it this year. It was a perfect day for the annual Homeowners Brunch at Bud & Alley's; sunny and beautiful. The meeting was actually over in an hour; a first in my memory.
As you know, I have worked as a community leader along Scenic 30-A in preserving the beauty, natural integrity and character of our local community. I am equally passionate about preserving our coastal legacy of pure white sand and clear, emerald green waters.
I have begun a movement to encourage our Florida Legislators from passing a bill allowing for Oil drilling as close a 3 miles from our white sand beaches; it is called Hands Across the Sand. I ask that you take a few moments to look at our website. Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.
I would greatly appreciate your support in bringing our movement to the attention of your constituents and would be proud to display your endorsement on our website. From your recent letter, I understand your wanting to wait and study any bill but I sincerely hope you will join us sooner than later in saying no to oil drilling in our state waters. It has come to my understanding that Durell Peaden (R) of Crestview is on record as saying he would not vote for this bill. State GOP senators skeptical on offshore oil drilling - St. Petersburg Times
I informed the Seaside Homeowners and Rosemary Beach Homeowners of the Legislators efforts to pass this oil bill and told them of our movement. The event is planned for February 13, President's Day weekend. If there is a special session we will be releasing an earlier date in a moment's notice. The simplicity of the event makes it very easy to execute on a statewide level at any time.
Senator Gaetz, please join hands with me in drawing a line in the sand against Oil drilling. Our coastal legacy is at stake. I would love to tell you in detail of our efforts is you wish. I may be reached at 850-865-1061.
Very respectfully and sincerely,
Dave Rauschkolb
Hands Across The Sand is growing.
A gathering of Floridian's of all walks of life and political
affiliations is about to happen. Floridian's drawing human lines in
the sand against recent legislation proposed to allow for Oil drilling
in Florida's coastal waters.
We plan on creating a gathering of people From Pensacola to Key West and quite
possibly, from Miami to Jacksonville. A growing chain of hands against Oil drilling in our waters.
It's simple. Go to the beach, join hands in defense of our waters, our beaches, our properties, our
businesses, our way of life.
Draw a line in the sand with us against Oil drilling. Our coastal legacy is at stake.
PLEASE GO TO THIS WEB SITE FOR INFORMATION
Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters.
good story--'way to go, Dave!
Restaurant owner to protest proposed oil drilling | restaurant, drilling, seaside - News - Northwest Florida Daily News
"? so I think it?s time that Floridians stood up and let them know that we don?t agree with this,? Raushkolb emphasized.
Opposition to the bill crosses party lines, Raushkolb said.
Restaurant owner to protest proposed oil drilling | restaurant, drilling, seaside - News - Northwest Florida Daily News
"? so I think it?s time that Floridians stood up and let them know that we don?t agree with this,? Raushkolb emphasized.
Opposition to the bill crosses party lines, Raushkolb said.
"Hands" covered on statewide News service of Florida
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA <info@newsserviceflorida.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Subject: (SEA)GRASSROOTS EFFORT STARTS AGAINST DRILLING
To:
Immediate, Continual Updates at
News Service of Florida - State Government Reporting
(SEA)GRASSROOTS EFFORT STARTS AGAINST DRILLING
By JOHN KENNEDY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Oct. 26, 2009......A Seaside restaurateur said Monday he wants thousands of Floridians to hit the beaches to fight offshore oil-drilling along the state?s Gulf coast.
Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud and Alley?s and two other beachside restaurants in the Panhandle resort town, has launched an effort dubbed Hands Across the Sand, which is emerging as the first grassroots opposition to the oil-drilling effort led by Florida Energy Associates, a group of independent oil producers.
Rauschkolb?s goal is to get Floridians to hold hands and literally form a line in the sand to oppose drilling.
The demonstration is planned for Feb. 13 ? the Saturday of Presidents? Day weekend. Rauschkolb said the event will be accelerated if a special legislative session includes drilling before lawmakers are scheduled to convene in March.
Among the early supporters is former Sen. Jack Latvala, a Republican looking to return to the chamber he left through term limits in 2002. Latvala has promised to organize the Pinellas County protest in February.
?We?ve got 26 miles of beaches in Pinellas County,? Latvala said. ?We don?t have a lot of money to hire PR firms or spread it around Florida. But we?re going to have a lot of bodies on the beaches, and I think that?ll say something.?
?I think it will send a very strong visual message,? said Rauschkolb. ?I don?t believe that a majority of Floridians want to have oil rigs off our coast. If we get people out, it will show that.?
Rauschkolb developed a website - Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters. - to get word out about the event.
Florida Energy Associates has drawn support in the House for drilling, where a measure was approved 70-43 last spring that could allow drilling as close as three miles offshore.
But the Senate refused to take up the proposal, which would have given the governor and Cabinet authority to lift the current ban on offshore drilling in exchange for Florida getting a share of future royalties from below the Gulf floor.
The Senate remains a tough sell. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, has said he is uncertain about taking up the issue at all next spring ? although the House is expected to push hard for action.
Future House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, is leading the drilling drive, helping galvanize House Republicans behind the idea. But a rising number of Gulf Coast cities, counties and local chambers of commerce recently have approved resolutions opposing drilling.
Florida Energy Associates currently has enlisted 31 lobbyists and spent $234,000 on its push last spring, according to lobbyist disclosure reports. Since then, the Daytona Beach-based organization has steered $40,000 to the Florida Republican Party and $30,000 to Florida Democrats, campaign finance reports show.
The pro-drilling side says the money drawn from leases is desperately needed to replace the billions of dollars in federal stimulus money that has sustained Florida?s recession-ravaged budget, but which is on track to disappear next year.
Supporters also point out that drilling has been going on off neighboring Gulf states since the 1940s, mostly without serious accidents.
?There is a vocal minority out there opposed to oil exploration in the Gulf,? said Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida, the influential business organization helping spearhead support for drilling. ?The opposition is certainly entitled to be heard. But they?re not entitled to overrule the majority,? he added.
Rauschkolb?s organizing effort, though, shows that many along the usually politically conservative Panhandle are wary of steps that could threaten the region?s economy, which is anchored by tourism and military interests. Elements of both sectors have voiced concerns about the threat drilling poses to area beaches.
Dave Pleat, a Democrat challenging Republican Rep. Marti Coley of Marianna, who supported drilling legislation last spring, helped prompt Rauschkolb?s activism after the pair spoke earlier this month at a campaign event.
?It?s bad for our economy and bad for our environment,? Pleat said. ?There?s no upside to oil-drilling ? and I?m a pretty conservative businessman.?
--END--
10/26/2009
Independent and Indispensable
News Service of Florida - State Government Reporting
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA <info@newsserviceflorida.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Subject: (SEA)GRASSROOTS EFFORT STARTS AGAINST DRILLING
To:
Immediate, Continual Updates at
News Service of Florida - State Government Reporting
(SEA)GRASSROOTS EFFORT STARTS AGAINST DRILLING
By JOHN KENNEDY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Oct. 26, 2009......A Seaside restaurateur said Monday he wants thousands of Floridians to hit the beaches to fight offshore oil-drilling along the state?s Gulf coast.
Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud and Alley?s and two other beachside restaurants in the Panhandle resort town, has launched an effort dubbed Hands Across the Sand, which is emerging as the first grassroots opposition to the oil-drilling effort led by Florida Energy Associates, a group of independent oil producers.
Rauschkolb?s goal is to get Floridians to hold hands and literally form a line in the sand to oppose drilling.
The demonstration is planned for Feb. 13 ? the Saturday of Presidents? Day weekend. Rauschkolb said the event will be accelerated if a special legislative session includes drilling before lawmakers are scheduled to convene in March.
Among the early supporters is former Sen. Jack Latvala, a Republican looking to return to the chamber he left through term limits in 2002. Latvala has promised to organize the Pinellas County protest in February.
?We?ve got 26 miles of beaches in Pinellas County,? Latvala said. ?We don?t have a lot of money to hire PR firms or spread it around Florida. But we?re going to have a lot of bodies on the beaches, and I think that?ll say something.?
?I think it will send a very strong visual message,? said Rauschkolb. ?I don?t believe that a majority of Floridians want to have oil rigs off our coast. If we get people out, it will show that.?
Rauschkolb developed a website - Hands Across The Sand | A gathering of citizens of Florida to prevent near shore oil drilling in Florida's coastal waters. - to get word out about the event.
Florida Energy Associates has drawn support in the House for drilling, where a measure was approved 70-43 last spring that could allow drilling as close as three miles offshore.
But the Senate refused to take up the proposal, which would have given the governor and Cabinet authority to lift the current ban on offshore drilling in exchange for Florida getting a share of future royalties from below the Gulf floor.
The Senate remains a tough sell. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, has said he is uncertain about taking up the issue at all next spring ? although the House is expected to push hard for action.
Future House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, is leading the drilling drive, helping galvanize House Republicans behind the idea. But a rising number of Gulf Coast cities, counties and local chambers of commerce recently have approved resolutions opposing drilling.
Florida Energy Associates currently has enlisted 31 lobbyists and spent $234,000 on its push last spring, according to lobbyist disclosure reports. Since then, the Daytona Beach-based organization has steered $40,000 to the Florida Republican Party and $30,000 to Florida Democrats, campaign finance reports show.
The pro-drilling side says the money drawn from leases is desperately needed to replace the billions of dollars in federal stimulus money that has sustained Florida?s recession-ravaged budget, but which is on track to disappear next year.
Supporters also point out that drilling has been going on off neighboring Gulf states since the 1940s, mostly without serious accidents.
?There is a vocal minority out there opposed to oil exploration in the Gulf,? said Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida, the influential business organization helping spearhead support for drilling. ?The opposition is certainly entitled to be heard. But they?re not entitled to overrule the majority,? he added.
Rauschkolb?s organizing effort, though, shows that many along the usually politically conservative Panhandle are wary of steps that could threaten the region?s economy, which is anchored by tourism and military interests. Elements of both sectors have voiced concerns about the threat drilling poses to area beaches.
Dave Pleat, a Democrat challenging Republican Rep. Marti Coley of Marianna, who supported drilling legislation last spring, helped prompt Rauschkolb?s activism after the pair spoke earlier this month at a campaign event.
?It?s bad for our economy and bad for our environment,? Pleat said. ?There?s no upside to oil-drilling ? and I?m a pretty conservative businessman.?
--END--
10/26/2009
Independent and Indispensable
News Service of Florida - State Government Reporting
"Hands" interview on News Channel 7, Panama City tonight at 6:00
"Hands" interview on News Channel 7, Panama City tonight at 6:00
"Hands" interview on News Channel 7, Panama City tonight at 6:00
A thought: The number of voters along the coast here is minimal compared to the number of property owners, who would no doubt see their property values decline precipitously with near shore drilling. Although they are not voters, they do pay property taxes and would have much to lose with passage of this bill. Might it help the cause to inform them of this possibility and provide them with local politicians' contact info to voice their dissent? Do you think local rental agencies and/or property management companies would assist with email notifications of what's being proposed with link to the "hands" site?
Hehehe... I am sooo glad to see this taking off so fast. I sat here in front of my comp, doing the copy/paste thing for only about 2 hours on Thursday night. Tried to email a link to most of the larger print/tv organizations along the gulf coast telling them we would like for this to become a state wide event. (just hope they get read and not sent to a spam box.)
PS... from what I read (while doing the research for people to send the link to) the person/s we need to worry about are Cannon and Atwater... please dont hesitate to contact them with your concerns. Maybe if they get enough negative emails they will reconsider their positions on this subject.
PS... from what I read (while doing the research for people to send the link to) the person/s we need to worry about are Cannon and Atwater... please dont hesitate to contact them with your concerns. Maybe if they get enough negative emails they will reconsider their positions on this subject.
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