University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus joined host Melissa Ross Tuesday to talk about the latest Sunshine State Survey asking Floridians what their greatest concerns as the presidential election looms. With the cleanup from Hurricane Matthew continuing on the First Coast, we spoke with Vicky Zelen, president of Zelen Risk Solutions insurance agency, about what you need to do to make a flood insurance claim.
First Coast Connect Book Club blogger Stacey Goldring spoke about some Halloween themed favorites, and we spoke with David Williams from the Mike Williams Foundation, Dr. Ismael Maomou from Guinea, Dr. Abba Hydara from Gambia and Bill Sorenson from the Rotary Club of Jacksonville about the annual Mike Williams Visionary Scholars program.
Sunshine State Survey
The economy and environment are the top concerns of Florida voters going into the November election. The Sunshine State poll finds 63 percent of all Florida households said they’ve experienced some financial stress and 28 percent blame their economic insecurity on low-paying jobs. Fifty one percent said they would support hiking the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.
MacManus said people are feeling stressed because wages continue to rise as much lower rates than expenses.
Matthew Insurance Claims
The restoration work continues on the First Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Zelen, who runs an independent insurance agency, told Ross about some of the steps homeowners need to take when filing a claim.
Book Club
This month’s book club features author H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulu” and “The Shadow over Innsmouth.” Both Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates point to Lovecraft as a major influence in their writing. Goldring also highlighted author Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Strangers on a Train,” which will be discussed at the San Marco Bookstore on Oct. 20.
Mike Williams Visionary Scholars
The downtown Rotary Club of Jacksonville, along with the Mike Williams Foundation is hosting four African ophthalmologists for a two-week educational visit to the United States. The program, “The Mike Williams Visionary Scholars,” is an annual project of the club. The physicians train with local doctors to learn best practices they can apply back home. In its fourth year, the program has served 12 doctors and has seen profound results. Past participants of the program from Africa, Asia and South America have been able to implement new vision screening programs modeled on techniques learned in Jacksonville.
BONUS: H.P. Lovecraft's horror classic "The Call of Cthulhu," adapted and performed by the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax
