From the President's Desk Edition E-Connection

Volume 129 l June 2023

Weekly eConnection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

President's Edition

From the President's Desk...

*****“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

*****In our communities are many unsung heroes who inspire us through their actions and deeds. And each year, your Chamber provides an opportunity to see them recognized.

*****Our 2023 Inspire Awards, what many call our “feel good event of the year,” takes place on Thursday, August 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. This is the 13th year of the event presented by our Women’s Leadership Committee.

*****The Inspire Awards celebrate individuals who have had a positive impact on the lives of others through their leadership in the workplace and/or involvement in the community. Nominations are now being accepted in five distinct categories: Business, Community Service, Public Service, Inspirers of Youth and Youth Who Inspire.

*****Take the time to salute someone whose actions have impacted you and others. Submit a nomination today, and while you’re at it, register to be a part of the awards ceremony. You’ll be happy you did! Here’s the link with nomination and registration info: INSPIRE LINK

*****All the best for a happy and prosperous month,

*****Tom Morrissette

Welcome Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School!

*****Chamber Ambassador Trudi Greig of Hancock Whitney Bank presents a Chamber membership plaque to Ija Hawthorne, principal of Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School at 6410 11th Avenue N. in Largo.

*****Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School’s mission is to provide the highest academic achievement through a positive and safe learning environment to prepare every scholar for college, career and life.

*****The school made national headlines last week when its 8th Grade student Dev Shah won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. It’s been more than 20 years since a Florida student captured the title!

*****For more about Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School and Dev’s big win, visit: https://www.pcsb.org/fitzgerald-ms

Congrats, PIE!

****The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recognized St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) as the 2022 Airport of the Year in the small to medium sized airports category. This recognition is part of the annual TSA Honorary Awards. To win this award, PIE had to compete with 333 airports of similar size.

****The TSA workforce at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport was recognized for their outstanding team achievements in key operational and mission support functions that resulted in measurable improvements, superior performance and low passenger wait-times while successfully navigating through record-breaking passenger volume. TSA’s mission locally and across all federalized airports remains focused on protecting the nation’s transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Free for Members | $25 guests.

When: NEXT Thursday, June 15

7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Where: Keiser University

16120 US Highway 19 N,

Clearwater, 33764

Florida better prepared for recession, wealthier than many states, experts say

Florida is not only richer than many states when it comes to personal wealth, but is more resilient for the time an expected national recession sweeps the country.

Florida taxpayers pick up bill for culture war lawsuits

Since Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis took office, lawsuits from various communities have been stacking up, resulting in mounting taxpayer-funded legal costs against DeSantis’s legislative agenda.

Florida not doing enough to keep children on Medicaid, health advocates warn

While some states are seeking federal help to maintain health coverage for the youngest and poorest children as the public health emergency ends, Florida has not.

Boating accidents down, deaths up

Boating accidents in Florida decreased in 2022, but deaths from the accidents were up, according to a new report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida school districts are losing superintendents. It’s tough out there.

Across the state’s 67 school districts, a handful are led by the same superintendent they had four years ago.