Community Corner

La Gaceta Publisher To Address East Hillsborough County Democrats

At Barnacles in Brandon tonight, Jan. 10, the publisher and editor of La Gaceta, billed as "the nation's only tri-lingual newspaper," will address "issues that unite and that divide" the Spanish-speaking community.

 

Issues that unite and divide the Spanish-speaking community will be addressed by Patrick Manteiga, the guest speaker at tonight’s  East Hillsborough County Democratic Club meeting in Brandon.

Manteiga, who attended high school in Plant City, is the publisher and editor of La Gaceta, billed as "the nation's only tri-lingual newspaper and one of the oldest minority-owned and targeted newspapers in America.”

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The weekly publication, distributed on Fridays, is printed in Spanish, English and Italian, which reflects Hillsborough County’s legacy of settlement by immigrants from Italy, Spain and Cuba.

The club meets monthly at , 926 Providence Road. The Jan. 10 meeting kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

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Gail Gottlieb, the club’s director of programs, noted in a release about the event why she finds Manteiga’s topic, “Spanish-Speaking Americans: Issues That Unite and That Divide,” especially relevant for today’s times.

"Hispanics are one of the fastest-growing groups in the United States, and yet they are under-represented in American political institutions,” she said. "With their large numbers, they have the potential to be a powerful voting bloc in local, state and national elections.  With controversial state-level legislation affecting immigrants, Congress’ failure to pass the Dream Act, the increasing visibility of Marco Rubio, new openness toward Cuba, and Republican presidential candidates espousing anti-"amnesty" positions, the political attitudes of and toward Spanish-speaking Americans has never been more important.”

More on Manteiga

Manteiga is the third member of his family to run La Gaceta.

He is a former board member of the Tampa Sports Authority, the Cuban Club Foundation and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Hillsborough County Schools.

He has received the Sam Leto Award and the Golden Quill Award from the Florida Historical Society and has been recognized by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, The Circulo Cubano de Tampa and the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund.
 
More on the East Hillsborough County Democratic Club

 Formed in 2005, the club’s core values are for a stronger economy, better-quality education, an improved health-care system, support for families and communities, protection of the environment and greater American effectiveness in the world.

With members from Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, Mango, Lithia, and points in between, the club’s membership has grown dramatically as the eastern part of the county has increased in political diversity.

If You Go, What’s Ahead

  • Food donations are collected at each monthly meeting for the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) in Brandon, a food bank and clothes closet for people who are contending with emergency situations in their lives.
  • The club will hold elections for its 2012 officers and some director positions at its Feb. 14 meeting. Officer positions available will be president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.
  • Contact current president, Angie Angel, at EHCDClub@yahoo.com if you are interested in any of these positions.

East Hillsborough County Democratic Club Leadership

Club Officers:

  • Angie Angel, president (2010 and 2011)
  • Keith Demming, vice president (2011)
  • Karen Miracle, treasurer (2006-2011)
  • Elizabeth Belcher, secretary (2011) 

Club Directors:

  • Gail Gottlieb, director of programs
  • Garry Miracle, political director
  • Jeff Grabel, parliamentarian
  • Gifford and Gloria Allison, greeters
  • Jean Wilson, director of membership
  • Mike Greene, director of precincts and Adopt-a-Highway
  • Elvira Weaver, Web site calendar administrator

 


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