Hillsborough Voters Have Three Methods To Choose
By Kathy L. Collins
Voting is a right. In “Vote by mail has order to exercise this become increasingly right, every voter in popular and is the Hillsborough County most convenient way needs to know where to to vote, and we even vote and how to do it. pay the return There are three methpostage,” said ods-vote by mail, early Supervisor of voting and election day Elections Craig voting. In order to vote, Latimer. “Vote by mail you must be registered and early voting by Monday, August 1 results are the first to for the primary and by Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections, be reported on elecCraig Lattimer (left) with the help of tion night.” Visit Tuesday, October 11 JC, getting ready to mail out ballots. for the general election. www.votehillsborFor the primary election, Florida is a ough.org for instructions. closed primary state. This means that EARLY VOTING your ballot will reflect the party that you Early voting is set up before both the have selected. In other words, you vote primary and the general election. This only for the candidates from your party as year, early voting will take place for the well as non-partisan races such as judge primary (August 30) from August 15 (county and circuit), school board and through 28. For the general election amendment 4. (November 8), early voting will take place In the general election, your ballot is from October 24 through November 6. based upon where you live. View sample In Hillsborough County, there will be ballots at www.votehillsborough.org. 16 early voting sites open. Visit VOTE BY MAIL www.votehillsborough.org for a list. Vote by mail is the most convenient Early voting is just like Election Day method. If you request this method, you voting. You must bring one or two forms will receive your ballot in the mail, and of identification with your photo and sigyou can take your time making your votnature on it. Acceptable forms of identifiing decision. The vote by mail ballot must cation include Florida driver’s license, be received by the Hillsborough U.S. passport, student ID and more. Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. ELECTION DAY VOTING on Election Day. You can mail it or drop it Polling places, or precinct, noted on off in person at one of their offices or at your voter registration card, are open an early voting site. Rest assured, if you from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day. You choose this method, your vote will be can bring your sample ballot with you and counted. use it while you vote.
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The 2016 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 30. Early voting runs Monday, August 15 through Sunday, August 28 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the following local libraries: Bloomingdale Regional Public Library at 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview Branch Library at 10509 Riverview Dr., SouthShore Regional Library at 15816 Beth Shields Way, and Bruton Memorial Library at 302 W. McLendon St. in Plant City. Included are the races where more than one person is vying for a position within each party. We have included the districts that represent Osprey Observer local readers. The information included will link you to the candidates so that you can easily learn what each one stands for. For more information on the other races that will be decided in November, visit www.votehillsborough.org. Get out and vote.
Circuit Court Judge - Group 3
FUSON
ROBIN FERNANDEZ FUSON Visit fuson4judge.com or on Facebook at: Robin Fernandez Fu son for Judge for more information.
County Judge - Group 10
CARL HINSON Visit www.carlhinsonforjudge.com or Facebook at: Carl Hinson for more information. HINSON
BRIDGES
SHELTON BRIDGES For more information, visit www.BridgesFor Judge.com, or on Facebook at: Bridgesfor Judge.
VALKENBURG
Circuit Court Judge - Group 24
SEVELIN
ISABELL “CISSY” BOZA SEVELIN For more info, cissysevelin4judge.com or on Facebook at: Isabel Cissy Boza Sevelin for Circuit Court Judge, 13th Circuit, Group 24.
GARY DOLGIN For more information, visit www.garydolgin.com or on Facebook at: Gary Dolgin for Judge. DOLGIN
MELISSA POLO For more information, visit melissapoloforjudge.com or on Facebook at: Melissa Polo For Judge. POLO
MIRIAM VELEZ VALKENBURG For more information, visit www.miriam 4judge.com or Facebook at: Campaign Committee to Elect Miriam Velez Valkenburg for Judge.
LANELL WILLIAMS YULEE For more information, visit www.Vote4Yulee.com.
YULEE
Clerk Of The Circuit Court State House Representative (Democrats) - District 59 PAT FRANK For more information, visit www.patfrank clerk.com or on Facebook at: Reelect Pat Frank for Clerk.
KEVIN BECKNER For more information, visit www.kevinbeckner.com.
BECKNER
FRANK
RENA UPSHAW FRAZIER For more information, visit www.RenaForFlorida. com or on Facebook at: RenaforFlorida.
NAZE SAHEBZAMANI For more information, visit www.naze4floridash59.com.
SAHEBZAMANI
FRAZIER
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School Board - District 7 (Countywide) ALAN CLENDENIN For more information, visit www.alanclendenin.com/ or on Facebook at: Alan Clendenin.
JOSEPH P. CAETANO For more information, visit www.votejosephcaetano.com.
CAETANO
MILLER
CLENDENIN
CATHY JAMES For more information, visit www.electcathyjames.com or on Facebook at: electcathyjames.
LYNN GRAY For more information, visit www.LynnGrayForSc hoolBoard.com; or Facebook at: Lynn for School Board. GRAY
JAMES
CARLOS FRONTELA For more information, visit www.votecarlosfrontela.com.
NORENE COPELAND MILLER For more information, visit www.vote4norene.co m. FRONTELA
RANDY TOLER For more information, visit www.randytoler.com or on Facebook at: Randy Toler.
STANLEY GRAY For more information, visit www.vote4gray.org.
GRAY
TOLER
County Commissioner - District 6 (Countywide) Republican Primary Candidates TIM SCHOCK For more information, visit timschock.com or Facebook at: Tim Schock for Hillsborough County Commission.
JIM NORMAN For more information, visit www.votejimnorman.com or Facebook at: Jim Norman for County Commissioner. SCHOCK
NORMAN
Democratic Primary Candidates
DICKS
BRIAN WILLIS Visit votebrianwillis.com or on Facebook: Brian Willis for more information.
PATRICIA ANN KEMP Visit electpatkemp.com or Facebook: Pat Kemp 2016 for more information.
JOHN DICKS Visit www.votejohndicks.com or on Facebook at: Vote John Dicks for more information. KEMP
WILLIS
TOM SCOTT For more information, visit www.electthomasscott.com.
SCOTT
Melissa Polo Seeks To Serve As Circuit Court Judge In Group 24
Shelton Bridges Endeavors To Utilize Experience, Passion As County Court Judge In Group 10
For Melissa Polo, the their time on the bench. law and becoming an Polo is a third generattorney has been a callation Floridian. “My ing. This, along with a ancestors who emigrated strong commitment to from Cuba and Sicily public service, is why she passed along a tradition is running for of hard work, integrity, Hillsborough County respect, compassion and Circuit Court Judge, community service,” said Group 24, on Tuesday, Polo. In addition to runAugust 30. ning a successful law Polo has practiced practice, Polo provides law in Hillsborough an average of 40 hours County for more than 20 per year in pro bono years. She worked as a legal service to the comprosecutor for the munity. She is involved Hillsborough County with many outstanding State Attorney’s Office organizations including Melissa Polo is running for Circuit Court Judge in Group 24. for four years. After prosHillsborough County ecuting and trying hundreds of cases, Sheriff’s Office Hispanic Advisory Council, including felony drug cases, she became the Spring and Teen Court Program. In an advocate for people in need and has addition, she has mentored law students successfully run a private practice since through the Hillsborough Association for 2009. Polo now handles all types of civil Women Lawyers. and criminal cases. “I care about this community. It is my “Of those running in Group 24, I have home. For me, the most effective way to the most diverse background with respect give back to the community is by serving to the types and level of cases litigated. I as a judge,” explained Polo. have litigated cases in both state and fed“My practical litigation experience eral court. This diversity in cases handled handling hundreds of cases in all areas of has given me a lot of experience, and will Circuit Court, coupled with my courthouse allow me to function effectively as a relationships and community involvement judge,” said Polo. She has extensive will enable me to run an organized, effiexperience on both sides of civil and cient, respectful, meaningful and fair criminal law and has worked in many courtroom,” added Polo. areas where Circuit Court Judges are For more information, visit called upon to preside over throughout www.melissapoloforjudge.com.
With a strong sense 11 years. Bridges has of service, Shelton always wanted to be an Bridges makes a great attorney, and he believes candidate for County that being a judge is a calling. “I believe that in law, Court Judge for as in life, you have to treat Hillsborough County, people as you want to be Group 10. The election will treated. The lack of civility take place on Tuesday, is a problem, and we need August 30. judges that bring the “My parents reared appropriate demeanor to me with a strong belief of the bench,” added service. After 16 years of Bridges. practicing law, 11 of which The challenges of required me to be in court being a County Court every day, I see what Shelton Bridges is a fifth Judge are unique in makes a good judge. I generation Floridian running for want to be a judge that County Court Judge, Group 10, on that it includes Small Tuesday, August 30. Claims Court where serves the people of many litigants represent themselves. As Hillsborough County,” said Bridges. such, a County Court Judge must be able Bridges graduated from the to guide the process without giving legal University of Florida with three degrees advice. “A County Court Judge has to including a law degree and an MBA. He have a certain temperament and has worked in both the Hillsborough demeanor to help reduce the stress and County Public Defender’s Office as well make the system work,” explained as the Hillsborough County State Bridges. Attorney’s Office for a total of 11 years. Bridges added, “Being a judge is a He has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict and has practiced in Federal Court privilege. A judge must treat everyone as well. “The breadth of my experience is who comes before him with dignity and what makes me uniquely qualified to be a respect.” Bridges will not only bring a high level of legal experience and knowledge County Court Judge,” said Bridges. to the bench but a desire to treat others Moreover, Bridges is a fifth generarespectfully. tion Floridian who has resided in For more information on Shelton Hillsborough County since 2000. Bridges Bridges and his run for County Court is an active member of his church, Hyde Judge in Group 10, visit www.bridgesforPark United Methodist Church, where he judge.com. has taught children’s Bible Study for over
By Kathy L. Collins
By Kathy Collins
Stanley Gray Runs For Hillsborough County School Board, District 7 Staff Report Stanley on improving Gray has dedihigh school cated his life to graduation rates taking action through early childhood interwith purpose. vention. Gray He is now lookfounded a noning to take that profit organizamission to the tion, “On Track,” Hillsborough which helps County School teach first Board by rungraders to want ning for the to learn how to District 7 counread. tywide seat on “Reading is the August prithe key. If you mary ballot. get elementary Gray graduschool students ated from the to enjoy reading, United States it sets them up Naval Academy for success for and then served rest of their time as an Officer of in school and Marines before being medically Stanley Gray is running for School Board, District 7. in life,” Gray said. discharged. In the service, he was an Gray has served on boards and instructor at several schools and helped executive committees of numerous create curriculum and training prolocal non-profits and is looking forward grams. Following his service to the to representing all of Hillsborough country, he worked as a human County on the School Board if elected. resources executive at several large “I want to be a voice for all of the citicompanies and later founded his own small firm. In semi-retirement, Gray has zens of Hillsborough County,” Gray said. served as a substitute teacher in You can learn more about Stanley Hillsborough County schools and as a Gray by visiting his website at mentor to countless young people over vote4gray.org or at the years. Facebook.com/VoteGray. He believes that we need to focus
Cissy Sevelin Pursues Position Of Circuit Court Judge In Group 24
By Kathy L. Collins
“Equality before the law the Middle District of Florida is not just a legal principle for nine years. During that to me; it is my entire reason time, Sevelin wrote thoufor being an attorney, medisands of legal opinions. ator, law clerk and public Sevelin has been a servant,” said Isabel Cissy sole practitioner in Boza Sevelin (Cissy Thonotosassa since 2013. Sevelin), candidate for However, she is not in a Circuit Court Judge in traditional practice. This is Group 24. because 100 percent of Sevelin stated, “My Sevelin’s practice is devotdedication and involveed to pro bono work. Her Cissy Sevelin is running for ment with our community clients are financially dissets me apart from others Circuit Court Judge in Group 24. advantaged and cannot who are running in my group. I am comafford representation. passionate about providing life-changing Sevelin explained, “The general legal assistance to the poor and nature of my current practice is representoppressed in our community. I have dedi- ing indigent clients in various areas of the cated more than 2,500 hours in pro bono law such as Domestic Violence Injunction legal services since October 2013. I am Hearings, Family/Domestic Relations, dedicated to following the rule of law as Wills, Trusts and Estates, Advance written and not as I wish it to be.” Directives, and Juvenile Dependency and Throughout her life, Sevelin has Delinquency Hearings.” Sevelin is also a worked in a variety of fields before Certified Family Mediator where she becoming an attorney. She began workdeals with custody, child support, division ing at the age of 12 when she went to of property and other family law matters. work at Olympia Bakery in Tampa. “I personally understand what it takes Sevelin received her Associate of Arts to accomplish goals in life and be able to Degree from Hillsborough Community set aside potential legal obstacles. While College in 1989 and graduated from the raising three children and working full University of South Florida with a dual time, I was able to attend college and major in accounting and finance in 1995. complete my education,” said Sevelin. “I Sevelin has worked as an accountant, a believe that I have the credentials, the loan officer and a small business owner. spirit and the experience to pursue the Sevelin became an attorney in 2002 and opportunity to become a member of the worked as a mediator and then as a judiciary.” Bankruptcy Law Clerk for the judges in Visit www.cissysevelin4judge.com.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 13, Issue 8
For Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Group 24 GARY DOLGIN IS MOST PREPARED TO SERVE • 26 years of Legal Experience • Board Certified Expert in Marital & Family Law • Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator • Owner of successful law practice since 1993 • Former Assistant State Attorney & Public Defender
Brandon Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Recognizes Gary Dolgin for Circuit Court Judge as a new member
Tampa Bay Times Recommends Gary Dolgin:
“He is widely admired as smart, polite and attentive to his clients, all traits that well serve a judge. ...he holds judicial office to the high standards the public expects. His work ethic and sense of fair play would well serve those before him. Dolgin is prepared, punctual and respectful, vital qualities for judges in the clogged court system. And his grasp of family law would help as the courts look for more holistic ways of addressing the impacts of broken families.” - 8/1/16 Endorsed by: Hillsborough County Fire Fighters Local 2294 Endorsed by: Associated Builders & Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter
Please remember to VOTE on August 30, 2016 www.GaryDolgin.com
Like us on Facebook: Gary Dolgin for Judge
The Dolgin Family: Corey, Ari, Gary, Wendi, Mallory and “Chester”
Pd. Pol. Adv. Approved by Gary Dolgin, non-partisan for Circuit Court Judge Group 24.