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MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023

VOLUME 117 ISSUE 27 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Micanopy votes out anti-LGBTQ commissioner, appoints first Black female mayor in election POLITICALLY DIVIDED TOWN COMES TOGETHER ACROSS PARTY LINES

By Jack Lemnus Alligator Staff Writer

Rae Chan // Alligator Staff

Jim Dalton prepares for take off in a T-34B Mentor ahead of the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation day at the Gainesville Regional Airport Friday, March 24, 2023. Read more on pg. 6.

Labor union leaders oppose legislation PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEE UNIONS TARGETED

By Claire Grunewald Alligator Staff Writer

Tyler Foerst was working at the Gainesville Regional Transit System when an audit was issued accusing him and a coworker of not following procedures. At the time, the audit’s language couldn’t have applied to Foerst because he had only worked at RTS for six months, he said. With the help of the Amalgamated Transit Union 1579, Foerst, a 33-year-old Gainesville resident, was able to keep his job. “I don't think they would have listened to me just as a worker, unless I had that union backstop

with me,” Foerst said. Now, with a pair of bills making their way through the Florida legislature, many state public employees may not receive the same support Foerst did. Over the years, Florida Republicans have introduced bills targeting the ways public employee unions operate. Most of the previous bills haven’t been able to cross the threshold into becoming laws. But some union leaders fear that might change this legislative session. Florida Senate Bill 256 prevents union members from using paycheck deduction to pay dues and requires 60% of the union to pay dues or the union will be de-

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Miguel Leal moves to Gainesville to pursue Story description finish with comma, pg# college golf career Leal committed to UF in 2020. Read more on pg. 11.

SEE UNIONS, PAGE 4

Draped in rainbow flags, the historic, small town of Micanopy thronged to the polls on election day — on the ballot: a review of the community’s stance on LGBTQ inclusivity. After the year began with controversy, the town’s electorate decided to reconsider its values and look toward new leadership. The last election was the first time in years more than 54% of the voting population participated, newly appointed Micanopy Mayor Jiana Williams said. On March 14, Micanopy, a town of less than 650 residents 12 miles south of Gainesville, ousted Commissioner Mike Roberts, whose alleged anti-LGBTQ remarks made the LGBTQ owners of gift shop Restless Mommas decide to leave town out

of concern for their safety. The unusually crowded town hall erupted into applause as the vote was called. In a landslide victory with 63% of the vote, John Ken Wessberg, a Micanopy resident of only two years, beat incumbent Roberts, a second-generation commissioner whose father served for over 40 years. Wessberg, a retired firefighter from New York, was approached by community leaders who urged him to run after word quickly spread of Roberts’ alleged behavior. “I wasn’t going after him personally,” he said. “But his values and my values are different.” For seven weeks, Wessberg spent every day knocking on doors and listening to his neighbors. The safety and inclusion of all residents was one of the top concerns, he said. But for Wessberg, one reason for running was more personal than political dif-

SEE MICANOPY, PAGE 4

Pause the period: State bill would ban mention of menstruation in elementary schools Alachua County students, faculty concerned By Lauren Brensel Alligator Staff Writer

When Sage Martin’s menstrual cycle unexpectedly began at school, she was scared. The 12-year-old had her first period months prior, so she knew what was happening with her body. But without any pads on hand, she was forced to ask her teacher for help. “Imagine not having that knowledge and finding out you can start your period at school,” Martin said. “It must be even more scary.”

A new Florida bill could make that a reality. Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, is the sponsor of House Bill 1069, which would also limit discussions of sexuality, reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases to grades six through 12. The bill passed through each of its committees and will be heard on the Florida House of Representatives floor March 30. When presenting the bill to the House Education Quality Subcommittee March 15, McClain clarified that it would also prohibit conversations about menstruation, too.

Marston Science Library begins 24-hour schedule Students laud the change as a much-needed resource, pg. 5

Democratic state Rep. Ashley Gantt asked McClain about young girls seeking period aid from teachers, to which he said he’d “be amenable to having a conversation about it.” The bill wasn’t intended to penalize teachers, McClain added, and it was something he didn’t think about. But Martin’s mom, Melanie Pennock, said she’s worried how the bill would impact teachers. “We already have a mass exodus with educators leaving the workforce,” Pennock said. “I think it would just be another restraint that teachers are facing.”

SEE PERIODS, PAGE 5

EL CAIMÁN: Locutor de radio motiva a la comunidad latina Elio Piedra es el fundador de Tu Fiesta Radio, pg. 7

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