Saturday, October 18, 2008
Betty G is featured Democrat at FlaDems.com
Our Betty G has been named a "Featured Democrat" on the Florida Democratic Party's website. Go to www.fladems.com to see more.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Herald Tribune Endorses Betty G
She'd bring enthusiasm and a broad perspective to Tallahassee
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
At a time when economic challenges are top of mind in Florida, it is fortunate that both candidates running for House of Representatives, District 71, have small-business backgrounds.
Ken Roberson, a Republican, is the president and owner of Roberson Funeral Homes in Port Charlotte. He points to his service on the state Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers as an entree to the political culture in Tallahassee. He promises to keep taxes low and reduce government expenses -- through unspecified tactics. Roberson lost his first campaign for the Legislature in 2004, but he beat two other Republicans in a primary earlier this year.
Betty Gissendanner retired in 2006 after operating her own State Farm Insurance agency in Port Charlotte for 20 years. Be fore that, she served as an assistant director of nursing at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. A native of Alabama, Gissendanner received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Troy University, the first member of her family to attend college. She went on to earn a master's degree and moved to Florida in 1982.
Though this is Gissendanner's first try at elected office, she is no newcomer to politics. She has held leadership positions in the community, primarily focusing on education. As welfare reform was taking shape, she headed a five-county organization called the Work and Gain Economic Sufficiency coalition. She is past president of the Murdock Kiwanis Club and served as a mentor for Take Stock in Children at Port Charlotte High School.
A Democrat, Gissendanner says she believes the Legislature needs to take a more active role to help families keep their homes and avoid foreclosures. Her strategy for implementing that role needs details and development, but she deserves credit for highlighting one of the most pressing problems in the district.
With a background in both insurance and nursing, Gissendanner has considerable knowledge in areas that are of great interest to residents of District 71, which includes much of Charlotte County along with North Port, portions of Englewood and a small part of North Fort Myers.
Both candidates have solid records of volunteer service and community engagement. Both offer good ideas, though often are short on details.
Gissendanner's enthusiasm, broad perspective and unique experiences in community service give her an edge. We recommend Betty Gissendanner for Florida House of Representatives, District 71.
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
At a time when economic challenges are top of mind in Florida, it is fortunate that both candidates running for House of Representatives, District 71, have small-business backgrounds.
Ken Roberson, a Republican, is the president and owner of Roberson Funeral Homes in Port Charlotte. He points to his service on the state Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers as an entree to the political culture in Tallahassee. He promises to keep taxes low and reduce government expenses -- through unspecified tactics. Roberson lost his first campaign for the Legislature in 2004, but he beat two other Republicans in a primary earlier this year.
Betty Gissendanner retired in 2006 after operating her own State Farm Insurance agency in Port Charlotte for 20 years. Be fore that, she served as an assistant director of nursing at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. A native of Alabama, Gissendanner received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Troy University, the first member of her family to attend college. She went on to earn a master's degree and moved to Florida in 1982.
Though this is Gissendanner's first try at elected office, she is no newcomer to politics. She has held leadership positions in the community, primarily focusing on education. As welfare reform was taking shape, she headed a five-county organization called the Work and Gain Economic Sufficiency coalition. She is past president of the Murdock Kiwanis Club and served as a mentor for Take Stock in Children at Port Charlotte High School.
A Democrat, Gissendanner says she believes the Legislature needs to take a more active role to help families keep their homes and avoid foreclosures. Her strategy for implementing that role needs details and development, but she deserves credit for highlighting one of the most pressing problems in the district.
With a background in both insurance and nursing, Gissendanner has considerable knowledge in areas that are of great interest to residents of District 71, which includes much of Charlotte County along with North Port, portions of Englewood and a small part of North Fort Myers.
Both candidates have solid records of volunteer service and community engagement. Both offer good ideas, though often are short on details.
Gissendanner's enthusiasm, broad perspective and unique experiences in community service give her an edge. We recommend Betty Gissendanner for Florida House of Representatives, District 71.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sun endorses Betty G- "An agent for change..."
From the Charlotte Sun-Comfortably retired from the insurance business, Betty Gissendanner looked at the rising number of foreclosures and bankruptcies and made a decision. She drove to Tallahassee in March and filed to run for the open District 71 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
The Democrat faces fellow longtime Charlotte County businessman Ken Roberson, who won the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in the Nov. 4 election.
Gissendanner's foray into politics constitutes a third act in her accomplished career. She was a registered nurse, college nursing instructor and director of nursing at a nursing home before launching a State Farm insurance office in Port Charlotte. She also chaired the region's workforce council that implemented President Bill Clinton's welfare-to-work initiative in the 1990s.
"We put hundreds of people to work, many of them for the first time," Gissendanner said.
Gissendanner set a goal of retiring at 55 and did just that. Her experience in the industry, especially after Hurricane Charley impacted many of her 3,300 clients, gives her a front-row perspective on the state's insurance problem.
Gissendanner believes, as do we, that competition is the key to lowering insurance rates. The underfunded state-run Citizen's Property Insurance, which is subsidized by Florida residents, is a symptom of what's wrong with our insurance industry, not a cure. Its premiums can't cover its exposure to storm damage. What was supposed to be the state's insurance of last resort, is the dominant player in the industry. Gissendanner said reversing that situation and restoring competition to the market will be a priority.
With Medicaid spending gobbling up an ever-increasing share of the state budget, Gissendanner said the state must work with hospital administrators on paring costs, including administrative overhead. She said the state must do a better job helping patient's manage their chronic illnesses through the health departments in each county and focus on preventative medicine. We liked her idea of having case workers assigned to Medicaid clients to coordinate their various health care options such as surgery, disease management, rehabilitation, etc.
Gissendanner said a key to lowering Medicaid spending is education because it produces job-ready people who would have insurance coverage in better-paying jobs.
Florida has the second highest number of home foreclosures in the country, but the Legislature has been on the sidelines during the real estate and credit meltdown, Gissendanner said. She would push for stricter screening and oversight of mortgage brokers, pointing to an alarming number of cases where brokers with criminal records defrauded clients. She said the state needs to be more actively involved in keeping people in their homes.
Roberson, who defeated Chris Constance and Richard Santos in the Republican primary, is a formidable opponent in the general election. We were impressed with his grasp of important state issues and his broad base of support.
But as we have written repeatedly, we strongly disagree with the Legislature's current push to micromanage county and city governments while failing to effectively address major issues the state faces, such as Medicaid, education and economic development. We respect Roberson's business experience and public service credentials, but we don't see him as an agent of change Tallahassee desperately needs.
Gissendanner is an intelligent, focused candidate with a clear, well-articulated agenda for transforming the Legislature into a business-minded entity that treats taxpayers as customers not subjects and considers state and local governments as partners servings citizens, not enemies.
The Sun recommends Betty Gissendanner for the District 71 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
The Democrat faces fellow longtime Charlotte County businessman Ken Roberson, who won the Aug. 26 Republican primary, in the Nov. 4 election.
Gissendanner's foray into politics constitutes a third act in her accomplished career. She was a registered nurse, college nursing instructor and director of nursing at a nursing home before launching a State Farm insurance office in Port Charlotte. She also chaired the region's workforce council that implemented President Bill Clinton's welfare-to-work initiative in the 1990s.
"We put hundreds of people to work, many of them for the first time," Gissendanner said.
Gissendanner set a goal of retiring at 55 and did just that. Her experience in the industry, especially after Hurricane Charley impacted many of her 3,300 clients, gives her a front-row perspective on the state's insurance problem.
Gissendanner believes, as do we, that competition is the key to lowering insurance rates. The underfunded state-run Citizen's Property Insurance, which is subsidized by Florida residents, is a symptom of what's wrong with our insurance industry, not a cure. Its premiums can't cover its exposure to storm damage. What was supposed to be the state's insurance of last resort, is the dominant player in the industry. Gissendanner said reversing that situation and restoring competition to the market will be a priority.
With Medicaid spending gobbling up an ever-increasing share of the state budget, Gissendanner said the state must work with hospital administrators on paring costs, including administrative overhead. She said the state must do a better job helping patient's manage their chronic illnesses through the health departments in each county and focus on preventative medicine. We liked her idea of having case workers assigned to Medicaid clients to coordinate their various health care options such as surgery, disease management, rehabilitation, etc.
Gissendanner said a key to lowering Medicaid spending is education because it produces job-ready people who would have insurance coverage in better-paying jobs.
Florida has the second highest number of home foreclosures in the country, but the Legislature has been on the sidelines during the real estate and credit meltdown, Gissendanner said. She would push for stricter screening and oversight of mortgage brokers, pointing to an alarming number of cases where brokers with criminal records defrauded clients. She said the state needs to be more actively involved in keeping people in their homes.
Roberson, who defeated Chris Constance and Richard Santos in the Republican primary, is a formidable opponent in the general election. We were impressed with his grasp of important state issues and his broad base of support.
But as we have written repeatedly, we strongly disagree with the Legislature's current push to micromanage county and city governments while failing to effectively address major issues the state faces, such as Medicaid, education and economic development. We respect Roberson's business experience and public service credentials, but we don't see him as an agent of change Tallahassee desperately needs.
Gissendanner is an intelligent, focused candidate with a clear, well-articulated agenda for transforming the Legislature into a business-minded entity that treats taxpayers as customers not subjects and considers state and local governments as partners servings citizens, not enemies.
The Sun recommends Betty Gissendanner for the District 71 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Gissendanner Calls for an Immediate Moratorium on Foreclosures to Avoid a Deepening Financial Crisis
Port Charlotte, September 23, 2008 – Betty “G” Gissendanner, the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 71, called for immediate action to stem the tide of rising home foreclosures to stabilize the local economy. “District 71 homeowners and businesses have been very hard hit by the steep downturn in the economy” Gissendanner said. “Our tax dollars are being used to bail out Wall Street while Main Street has been left to fend for itself. Leaders must step forward and take decisive action to avert a deepening crisis.”
Gissendanner faced off with her Republican opponent in a debate today in Sarasota. She made the case for a bold approach to helping the areas hardest hit by foreclosures.
“A temporary moratorium on foreclosures will allow families to stay in their homes while they work with their lenders to modify their mortgages and get back on their feet” she added. “Neighborhoods will begin to recover and local businesses will benefit from revitalized communities.”
Gissendanner has lived in southwest Florida for nearly 3 decades. She retired in 2006 after owning a State Farm Insurance agency in Port Charlotte for 20 years. She has a strong background in business and finance. Betty is a former Registered Nurse with a Masters Degree in Nursing. Her son, William Douglas Gissendanner, is a graduate of Port Charlotte High School and is currently serving in the United Air Force in Ramstein Germany. Betty is a charter member of the Edgewater United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The New Betty G Website...
There is a new Betty G website going live soon. Expect to see some real changes over the next few days. It's an exciting time to be a Democrat! Show your support for Betty G by donting today and volunteering for the camapaign. A link to the donations site can be seen on the menu to the right.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Betty G's Florida Families First
Florida’s working families are suffering under the crushing burdens of the rising cost of goods and services. Their economic stability and their and job security are eroding. Their hopes for their children’s future are increasingly being challenged.
Meanwhile, the Florida legislature continues to make choices that only add to the problems of working families. Addressing the needs of Florida’s families will be my highest priority in representing the people in District 71.
• Property Insurance Reform
Citizens Insurance must be restored to it original purpose -- a “state-run insurer of last resort.” If the state’s Hurricane season this year produces expensive damages, assessments will increase significantly.
In addition, property insurance availability and affordability continues to stifle our already crippled real estate market.
I will make true property insurance reform a priority as a legislator if I am elected. I will also partner with our Federal congressional delegation to establish a National Catastrophe Insurance Fund.
• Economic and Job Security
Many Florida families recovered from the devastation of the 2004 Hurricanes only to find their jobs were less stable and the price of homes escalated along with their insurance costs. These developments combined with skyrocketing gas and food costs make the needs of working families more urgent.
We must encourage the development of clean energy technology-based industries to rebuild our state’s economy. Florida’s colleges and universities will be among the top beneficiaries of the vital research and development components that accompany these industries, thereby boosting our state’s education system. Good paying and stable jobs will be added to our economy.
I will play a leadership role as a legislator in making smart investments in our energy future to make Florida’s economy strong. My priority for Florida families is to create new “green” jobs paying good wages so families can continue to live in their homes, educate their children and plan for their retirement.
• Strengthening Public Education
The state of Florida ranks among the lowest in the entire Nation in high school graduation rates. We simply cannot afford to have over one-third of Florida's students drop out of school each year. Today, 85% of all high wage jobs require higher skills. Florida's high wage jobs require an educated workforce.
Students most likely to drop out can be identified as early as sixth grade. With early and meaningful intervention this growing, negative trend can be reversed.
Teachers need the support of the legislators to focus on student achievement and not on simply grading on a single test. I will be that advocate in state government.
Meanwhile, the Florida legislature continues to make choices that only add to the problems of working families. Addressing the needs of Florida’s families will be my highest priority in representing the people in District 71.
• Property Insurance Reform
Citizens Insurance must be restored to it original purpose -- a “state-run insurer of last resort.” If the state’s Hurricane season this year produces expensive damages, assessments will increase significantly.
In addition, property insurance availability and affordability continues to stifle our already crippled real estate market.
I will make true property insurance reform a priority as a legislator if I am elected. I will also partner with our Federal congressional delegation to establish a National Catastrophe Insurance Fund.
• Economic and Job Security
Many Florida families recovered from the devastation of the 2004 Hurricanes only to find their jobs were less stable and the price of homes escalated along with their insurance costs. These developments combined with skyrocketing gas and food costs make the needs of working families more urgent.
We must encourage the development of clean energy technology-based industries to rebuild our state’s economy. Florida’s colleges and universities will be among the top beneficiaries of the vital research and development components that accompany these industries, thereby boosting our state’s education system. Good paying and stable jobs will be added to our economy.
I will play a leadership role as a legislator in making smart investments in our energy future to make Florida’s economy strong. My priority for Florida families is to create new “green” jobs paying good wages so families can continue to live in their homes, educate their children and plan for their retirement.
• Strengthening Public Education
The state of Florida ranks among the lowest in the entire Nation in high school graduation rates. We simply cannot afford to have over one-third of Florida's students drop out of school each year. Today, 85% of all high wage jobs require higher skills. Florida's high wage jobs require an educated workforce.
Students most likely to drop out can be identified as early as sixth grade. With early and meaningful intervention this growing, negative trend can be reversed.
Teachers need the support of the legislators to focus on student achievement and not on simply grading on a single test. I will be that advocate in state government.
Who is Betty G?
Betty has lived in Southwest Florida for 26 years. She retired in 2006 after owning and operating a highly successful State Farm insurance agency in Port Charlotte for 20 years. Her insurance firm employed and trained approximately 35 professionals including student-interns. She continues to enjoy the respect and trust of her former business and residential clients as well as her peers in the insurance industry.
Betty has an extensive background in health care working in both the clinical and administrative fields. She started her professional nursing career in 1974. When she moved to Sarasota in 1982, she joined the staff of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital as the Assistant Director of Nursing. Betty earned her Masters in Nursing from Wichita State University (KS) in 1979 and her Bachelors from Troy University (AL) in 1974. She was a nursing instructor at Wichita State (1977-79) and Adjunct Faculty at Creighton University in Omaha in 1981.
Betty is a fierce advocate for strengthening Florida’s educational system. She is a well-known figure in Charlotte County education circles as a result of her long and active involvement with Charlotte County Public School system. She has served on committees to select school principals and helped to create academic scholarships for public school students. Today Betty works directly with students and student activities. She helped create a program that rewards students who show academic improvement – the “Take Stock in Children” program where she continues to mentor students in the Charlotte County school district. She is a member of both her alma mater’s Foundations – Society of 1895 and Troy Shield Society.
When President Clinton created his Welfare-to-Work program, Betty was appointed Chair of the five-county W.A.G.E.S. Coalition for Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Glades and Henry counties. Work and Gain Economic Sufficiency (W.A.G.E.S.) helped countless numbers of individuals, particularly women, transform their lives from welfare to meaningful employment.
Betty is a member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, a 2001 graduate of Leadership Charlotte and a past Distinguished President of the Murdock Kiwanis Club in Port Charlotte. She is a member of the Democratic Clubs of Charlotte County and of North Port. She has been extremely active in the leadership of the local Democratic Party for a number of years.
A charter member of the Edgewater United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte, Betty serves on the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry as part of the Florida Conference.
Betty is the proud parent of William Douglas Gissendanner, an American solider in the United States Air Force for the past 9 years. Doug graduated from Port Charlotte High School and is currently stationed at Ramstein AFB Germany attached to 86th Aeronautical Medical Evacuation Squadron. His assignment takes him in and out of the middle of war zones to extract those brave men and women injured in service to this great Nation.
Betty is one of 10 children. Born March 10, 1951, Betty has spent the past 26 years developing strong and enduring relationships in the Southwest Florida community.
Betty has an extensive background in health care working in both the clinical and administrative fields. She started her professional nursing career in 1974. When she moved to Sarasota in 1982, she joined the staff of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital as the Assistant Director of Nursing. Betty earned her Masters in Nursing from Wichita State University (KS) in 1979 and her Bachelors from Troy University (AL) in 1974. She was a nursing instructor at Wichita State (1977-79) and Adjunct Faculty at Creighton University in Omaha in 1981.
Betty is a fierce advocate for strengthening Florida’s educational system. She is a well-known figure in Charlotte County education circles as a result of her long and active involvement with Charlotte County Public School system. She has served on committees to select school principals and helped to create academic scholarships for public school students. Today Betty works directly with students and student activities. She helped create a program that rewards students who show academic improvement – the “Take Stock in Children” program where she continues to mentor students in the Charlotte County school district. She is a member of both her alma mater’s Foundations – Society of 1895 and Troy Shield Society.
When President Clinton created his Welfare-to-Work program, Betty was appointed Chair of the five-county W.A.G.E.S. Coalition for Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Glades and Henry counties. Work and Gain Economic Sufficiency (W.A.G.E.S.) helped countless numbers of individuals, particularly women, transform their lives from welfare to meaningful employment.
Betty is a member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, a 2001 graduate of Leadership Charlotte and a past Distinguished President of the Murdock Kiwanis Club in Port Charlotte. She is a member of the Democratic Clubs of Charlotte County and of North Port. She has been extremely active in the leadership of the local Democratic Party for a number of years.
A charter member of the Edgewater United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte, Betty serves on the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry as part of the Florida Conference.
Betty is the proud parent of William Douglas Gissendanner, an American solider in the United States Air Force for the past 9 years. Doug graduated from Port Charlotte High School and is currently stationed at Ramstein AFB Germany attached to 86th Aeronautical Medical Evacuation Squadron. His assignment takes him in and out of the middle of war zones to extract those brave men and women injured in service to this great Nation.
Betty is one of 10 children. Born March 10, 1951, Betty has spent the past 26 years developing strong and enduring relationships in the Southwest Florida community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
