Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr.
The Collins Center is mourning the loss of LeRoy Collins
Jr., a board member and son of the center's namesake, Gov. LeRoy Collins.
Tragically, LeRoy Collins Jr. was killed while riding his bicycle near his home
in Tampa this morning.
From the
Collins Center's beginnings in the early 1990's, LeRoy Collins Jr. has been a
driving force in helping to shape and sustain the center's mission. He retired
from the Navy as a two-star admiral and Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him
executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, where he
fought for the rights of military personnel.
"We are sad beyond measure that we, the
state and the nation have lost a friend, a leader of veterans' affairs, and a
steadfast supporter of sound public policies that benefit real people," Collins Center President Rod Petrey said. "He was a
hero in many ways and we will miss his fellowship, his careful thinking and his
loyal dedication to the commonwealth. Our thoughts and prayers are with his
fine family."
Click here for Mr. Petrey's full statement.
FLAmendments.org: New look for new amendment proposals
Thanks to the continued support from the Florida Bar Foundation, the Collins Center launches the new, interactive 2010 Florida Amendments Web site. Learn about the proposed amendments and share your thoughts and opinions. Read our news release or visit the site.
Deepwater Horizon explosion and leakage places magnifying glass on an already intense public debate
An intense public debate is under way in Florida regarding the potential risks and rewards of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The Collins Center has undertaken a major initiative to study and report on this issue. Since the Center published its findings in February, the matter taken on national, if not international significance with the Obama Administration's announcement to open areas in the Eastern Gulf for oil and natural gas drilling and the April 20th explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the continual massive leakage of oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
Learn more about this explosion's impact on Florida and on the debate for energy alternatives in the Gulf. Read our blog and take our brief survey. The Collins Center is dedicated to building knowledge and driving public discussion on this issue. Share your thoughts. |
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The Collins Center and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies presented an informal panel discussion of Democracy and Journalism about the legacy of Florida Governor LeRoy Collins on July 26 at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. More to come.
Collins Center Summer Newsletter 
The summer edition of Collins Center Today features FLAmendments.org, an interactive web site that provides objective, reliable information and online discussions about Florida's proposed amendments; and a new program that uses alternative approaches to student discipline. This issue also introduces new Collins Center Trustees and provides updates on other Collins Center initiatives.
Collins Center Mortgage Mediation
Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, covering DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, is implementing the Collins Center's foreclosure mediation program. The mediation program, which began in March 2009, now operates in six of Florida's 20 judicial circuits. Sustainable Florida - Collins CenterComing off a successful Best Practice Awards luncheon last month, plans are now underway for the annual Sustainable Florida 2010 Conference October 12-14 in Palm Beach Gardens. Excellent sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more about Sustainable Florida and ways to make your life more sustainable.
Florida Stimulus ProjectMuch of the discussion around the ARRA/Stimulus program has been about bricks and mortar projects. Jack Meyer, a principal in the Washington, DC office of Health Management Associates looks at the " Human Side of ARRA" in a guest blog post. Justice ReformRestorative justice is an approach to justice where offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and "to repair the harm they've done." With support from the Florida Bar Foundation, the Collins Center is working with the Escambia County School District to implement this justice alternative. Economic/Community DevelopmentWith the goals remaining the same, strategies to bring economic development to urban and rural communities can be quite different. Learn more about how Collins Center works in these unique environments in South Florida. Health CareWhat happens when 30 international physicians meet to discuss establishing standards for men's health care and maintenance? Collins Center helped its partner, the International Society of Men's Health (ISMH) convene such a discussion in New York City. Read more. Century Commission - Oil Exploration in the GulfWhile a special state legislative session to discuss an amendment to ban offshore oil failed, the subject is still a top discussion item among Floridians. In April, the Collins Center released a study, Potential Impacts of Oil and Gas Explorations in the Gulf." The study is part of an objective and thorough review of this important public policy debate. Read more.
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