5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

Local Opportunities

Story 1

Title: Parents hear details on Gainesville school-choice plan
Description: Gainesville school leaders are proposing a zoning change to the elementary schools in an effort to balance attendance. This change would result in about 12% of students changing schools, however, transportation would be provided within each zone. For some parents, it is an inconvenience to have to change but for others, they are happy to have the free transportation.
Problem Presented: Parents whose zones change will have to change their child's schools or otherwise provide their own mode of transportation.
Who is Affected?: Parents and students in the Gainesville area, particularly those that go to Centennial, Fair Street, New Holland, Enota, Mundy Mill, and Gainesville Exploration.

Link: https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/parents-hear-details-gainesville-school-choice-plan/

Story 2

Title: Latest tab for Richard Spencer visit: $793,000
Description: A complete estimate has not been reached regarding the Richard Spencer visit to the University of Florida in October. University officials have yet to release an exact estimate on their costs to add to the costs reported by the county already. Spencer only paid about $10500 while the other $782500 was covered by the university and Alachua county. It is unlikely the state will reimburse either.
Problem Presented: Taxpayer and university money had to be used to foot the bill attached to Richard Spencer's visit despite only allowing him to speak under legal obligation.
Who is Affected?: The taxpayers of Gainesville and the University of Florida

Link: http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180125/latest-tab-for-richard-spencer-visit-793000

Story 3

Title: UF studying marijuana's effects on HIV patients
Description: A professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida has been issued a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to research the effects of marijuana on HIV patients. The study is not giving patients marijuana but simply asking those who use it in their own time questions on how they self-medicate. The study will consist of anonymous surveys that track how marijuana affects the side effects of HIV.
Problem Presented: Because marijuana is considered a Schedule 1 drug, the study cannot monitor and ration the strengths and frequency of usage. They can only ask questions.
Who is Affected?: HIV patients

Link: http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180125/uf-studying-marijuanas-effects-on-hiv-patients

Story 4

Title: Gainesville vet calls company's claim to 'moving help' unfair
Description: Gregory Sledge owns a local moving company that hires only veterans. He used the terms "moving help" and "moving helpers" before receiving a cease-and-desist letter from U-Haul claiming they trademarked those terms. Sledge refuses to stop using those phrases because he believes they are necessary to describe his business.
Problem Presented: Big companies are allowed to trademark common phrases.
Who is Affected?: Gregory Sledge and his veteran moving business, U-Haul, and those into trademarking

Link: http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180125/gainesville-vet-calls-companys-claim-to-moving-help-unfair

Story 5

Title: County health officials offer flu tips
Description: In response to the drastic increase of flu outbreaks, officials are encouraging everyone to get the flu shot. There are still several weeks left in flu season and those who have the shot should contact their doctor for antiviral treatments. Anyone who has the flu should stay home and anyone who needs the shot should go to the Health Department's main clinic in Gainesville for a free one.
Problem Presented: The ongoing flu season leaves those without the flu shot vulnerable.
Who is Affected?: Gainesville residents who do not have their flu shot

Link:http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180124/county-health-officials-offer-flu-tips