Everyone Deserves a Second Chance!

Restoring the rights of ex-offenders throughout the Jacksonville community continues to be a priority of Councilwoman Mia Jones, as she demonstrates her support by co-sponsoring a Rights Restoration Workshop being conducted on June 14, 2008, along with Senator Anthony “Tony” Hill, Representative Audrey Gibson, Representative Terry Fields, Supervisor of Elections, D. W. Perkins Bar Association, Florida Coastal Law School-BLSA, NAACP, ACLU, Madd Dads, and others to host a Rights Restoration Workshop in order to help restore civil rights to ex-offenders within our community. Last year, Governor Crist and his cabinet approved changes that automatically restore the civil rights of some who have prior felony convictions. Some estimate, over 515,000 persons in the State of Florida, will benefit from this new process and are eligible to have their rights restored. The rights that are restored are the right to vote, the right to hold public office, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to apply for occupational licenses. "I recognize that this is not the answer to every obstacle that ex-offenders face, but I see it as a beginning and I look forward to going to Tallahassee and working to knock down some of the remaining barriers these citizens face!"

As has been the case during each of the workshops, several persons, who attended the event, learned that their names were on the list and they were able to immediately register to vote. We expect the same things to happen on Saturday. During the last workshop, a gentleman came to me and said “thank you, I was released over 8 years ago and have been successful in re-establishing myself in the community by becoming a long distance truck driver. I am married with children, I own my home and I am a law abiding tax payer, who couldn’t vote for Obama. but they found my name on the list and I just registered to vote. This is a great day!”

Mia’s Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening

Join me on Saturday, June 14, 2008 for the Grand Opening of my Campaign Headquarters, located at 5238 Norwood Avenue (Gateway Town Center, between Ashley Stewarts and Brothers 2000), from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. We will have Free Food, Music, Father’s Day Give-a-Ways and more.

Highlights of Mia’s Week in Review

• Received the Endorsement of Duval Teachers United (DTU).
  
• Participated in the North Jacksonville Civic Association Candidates Meet & Greet.
  
• Guest Speaker for Sherriff’s Advisory Council (ShAdCo), Sector K.
  
• Celebrated with the other members of “Jax for Obama” at Raglands as he became the Democratic Nominee.
• Participated in the DWIN Candidates Meet & Greet.
• Joined School Board Chairwoman Betty Burney in presenting the graduates of Raines High School, Class of 2008 with their diplomas.
• Participated in the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the First Tee Learning Center.
• Honored Guest at the Andrew Jackson High School, 2008 Graduation.
  
  

Contact “Team Mia” by calling (904) 563-4481 or visit us on the web at www.miajones.org.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Mia Jones, Democrat, for State Representative.