Miami Herald - Sunday, June 02, 2002
Cindy Wong, cwong@herald.com

Guest speakers were Sen. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, and Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, who talked about legislative updates in education, healthcare and new voting machines. Unexpected guests, such as Rep. Sally Heyman, D-North Miami Beach, and County Commissioner Jimmy Morales also dropped in.

This is the 32nd breakfast that Despinosse has hosted in his first year as a council member.

'With the recent developments of North Miami and the energy of the Haitian American movement, I think Jacques' meetings have drawn a lot of attention to this area in general," Morales said.

Wilson discussed the high-tech voting machines now being used in elections. She urged citizens to practice on the voting equipment before Election Day.

"It's very intimidating" for a "computer illiterate" like herself, Wilson said. 'I touched the button and the whole screen disappeared. I thought, 'Oh my God, what did I do? Can you imagine what will happen to senior citizens when they use this?' "

As vice chairwoman of the Lifelong Learning Council, Wilson helped shape the school code rewrite that includes changing GED diplomas into high school diplomas for those wanting to enter the military.

The military accepts only high school graduates with high school diplomas.

Wilson and Meek criticized Gov. Jeb Bush's education record and efforts to privatize school jobs in transportation, security and custodial help. Wilson said private companies are not required to conduct background checks and requirements that county-employed school staff must pass.

Meek is the lead supporter of a popular proposed amendment to cap class sizes -- a move Bush opposes -- and he supports Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas' plan to promote early-childhood education.

"The future forecast is that of an education system of the haves and the have-nots," Meek said, adding that Florida was 49th in the nation in student spending.

Wilson said she has filed an HIV/AIDS bill for inmates leaving prison to be tested for the disease.

Prisoners who test positive for the disease would be eligible to receive counseling, treatment and relocation after their release, under Wilson's bill. Miami-Dade County has the highest AIDS/HIV infection rate in the state, with Broward and West Palm Beach in third and fourth place, Wilson said.

"Prison is the breeding ground for HIV," Wilson said. 'AIDS is the No. 1 killer of black people in Miami-Dade from ages 24 to 48. The state health department is telling us that many women are infected, and the reasoning is: 'When my boyfriend came [home] from prison, he didn't know he was infected.' "

Residents had mixed reactions to the discussions.

"It was great," said Ida Bell. "It's very important that these representatives educate people on the voting system."

Some felt the meeting deviated from the main topics.

"I appreciate the concerns Sen. Meek and Rep. Wilson had," said Thaddeus Mozynski, a North Miami Beach resident. "However, I felt they were preaching to the choir today. They need to get the message out to more people."

Despinosse's next meeting will be at 5 p.m., June 9, 12220 Griffing Blvd., North Miami.

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