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HomeLocal governmentFormer Mayor invites local leaders to meeting about providing refugee resettlement services

Former Mayor invites local leaders to meeting about providing refugee resettlement services

May 10, 2024
File photo: Former Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe gives State of the City speech in February 2020

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe has invited representatives from various boards and agencies to a meeting on May 17 to discuss his organization’s application to provide refugee resettlement services in Gainesville through a federal program.

Poe, who is now President/CEO of the Greater Gainesville International Center (GGIC), said that the organization is applying “to provide initial refugee resettlement services in FY 2025 and beyond through the Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration’s (PRM’s) Reception and Placement (R&P) Program.” GGIC is collaborating with the International Rescue Committee, and Poe wrote that he has already met with David Draper, who works in Refugee Services at the Florida Department of Children and Families.

According to the email, the purpose of this meeting is to:

  • Share information about the partnership, R&P client arrival projections, and anticipated needs;
  • Engage with key stakeholders to prepare for resettlement;
  • Identify any possible barriers and proactively problem-solve to ensure timely provision of services; and 
  • Answer any outstanding questions and secure approval and input for next steps.

Along with Draper, Poe has invited:

  • Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward
  • Alachua County Commission Chair Mary Alford
  • Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey
  • Interim Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya
  • Alachua County Public Schools Chief of Equity, Inclusion and Engagement Anntwanique Edwards
  • Alachua County Health Department Administrator Paul Myers
  • City of Gainesville Immigrant Affairs Manager John John
  • Alachua County Language Access and Immigrant Liaison Gracia Fernandez and
  • State Refugee Health Coordinator Tammi Garrett.

The purpose of the Reception and Placement Program is to promote the successful reception and placement of all persons who are admitted to the United States under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. 

Reactions from County Commissioners

In response to a question from a citizen who wrote, “We have enough on our plates and pocketbooks,” Alford responded, “I believe my remarks were misconstrued in the Channel 20 coverage. I look forward to building consensus with my fellow commissioners to take care of all the vulnerable citizens in Alachua County. I do not know anything about former Mayor Poe’s proposal and I will learn more – and then decide, based on what is being brought forward. Certainly, the resources in our county are now spread thin for existing residents and I support taking care of our residents first.”

Commissioner Ken Cornell responded to the same citizen: “Thank you… I agree!” Cornell also asked Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton to find out which 27 U.S. cities have International Rescue Committee projects.

    • Yes!!! They will come and you and the government can’t stop it!

  • Left wing thugs love nothing more than to confiscate hard working Americans income so they can piss it away on their wants! No reason hard working Americans should be taxed to pay for this garbage! POS poe and the like minded trash think foreigners are entitled to what Americans work hard to earn!

    • As the back-Ward Mayor of Gainesville I fully support my lord and mentor Mayor “make you” Poe. I agree with him that these immigrants a more important than our life long and long time residents who have helped build this city and have paid countless dollars in taxes here. And I am glad Mayor “make you” Poe’s group and the city of Gainesville has decided to spend our resources this way as opposed to helping the good people on the east side of town flourish. I would also like to think my most bestest friend in the world, Kenny Corn-hole. Kenny has told me many times that when he finally grows up he wants to be just like me and Mayor “make you” Poe. Well Kenny, if you just keep working hard and eat all your vegetables one day, you’ll be able to shop in the young man’s department instead of the little boys department.

      • You write like a petulant toddler. Insulting a person because of their appearance is intellectually weak and lazy. Please post a picture of yourself so we can point out your flaws.

        • Truth Was Sold,
          As the back-Ward Mayor of Gainesville you must understond that sometimes my fat fingers hit the wrong keyz on the keyboard. Also, when you respond to one of my post, please don’t use big words like “petulant”. I have no idea what that means and now when I waddle to work on Monday at 11am and after I eat at the donut buffet, I will have to have one my many assistants look up that word and explain it to me.

        • You and obviously others, don’t seem to understand sarcasm. However, it is a bit strong at times.

  • I have MULTIPLE homeless FAMILIES at my elementary school that have little to no resources to help them and are struggling badly. Why the heck are you so willing to help bring others here while IGNORING the FAMILIES that have been trying to get help already?

      • Follow the money. SISTER CITY PROGRAM OF GAINESVILLE, INC. (Referred to as Greater Gainesville International Center here although no entity legally exists with that name). Steven Kalishman and Lauren Poe are the current officers/agents (Search sunbiz.org to verify).

        Same local activist organization that involved itself in the Special Education and Virtual Learning in the U.S. and Palestine (SEVLUP) Grant.
        https://mta.sistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Stevens-Initiative-Press-Release_0.pdf
        Per above PDF, program Bankrolled by Jeff Bezos’ foundation, US State Department, and The Aspen Institute. Those three groups cause more domestic chaos than the corpse known as Soros ever dreamt of. When you see noodle-arm, purple hair boy/girls and other angry protestors… think Aspen Inst and State Dept, not Soros DA’s (although that is a real prob too). This is how the big time agitator money is funneled down to a local level without obvious receipts. These agitator funds made it to Gville prior to Covid, obviously.

        Also, the previous officers of Sister City Program of Gainesville, Inc attempted to redevelop West End Golf Course into a migrant/refugee resettlement homestead fairly recently. Luckily county commish squashed it (unsure if commish was even aware of that plan or not when they did not approve it).

        All of these crazy activists and their non-profits thrive on indirect money from The Triple Crown, usually distributed by State Dept & NIH, and other large NGO’s, like Aspen Inst, Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, Bezos Foundation, etc

        Let’s not roll over and allow any of this meddling. Fight like hell on issues like this… way more important than any strictly partisan issues that we always get worked up about!

        • Point being that the funds are not actually used for homeless people or true refugees. They are not mainly used to transport and house foreigners, much less ‘military aged males’ from all over the world “who want to take over America”. Both are false premises meant to redirect. Foreigners are not needed to cause chaos here. You just pay those who are jobless, bitter, unloved, and poisoned into a weakened state to create havoc. It worked in 2020 and it’ll work in 2024 if allowed. Only difference is that young black males and beta whites were the conduit last time. This go around it will be foreign ‘refugees’ as boogeyman and beta whites promulgating it. Same end goal though…chaos paid for by global kingmakers

  • You effing demonrats want to bring in MORE illegal aliens for the TAX PAYERS TO PAY FOR! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻

  • This idiot wants to invite more crime and homelessness to Gainesville when in years past, his sorry hypocritical self never invited anyone to his house.
    He needs to be put in a cage with some of those homeless felons.

  • The former tyrant returns to once again drain the coffers of the magistrate and bring hardship upon the peasants. Draped in the vestments of charity and compassion.

  • We see the illegal invasion almost every day in the mugshots – mostly DUI so far which is a national sport in some countries.

    • Also, fwiw, i’d encourage readers to click on the embedded link in the article on the International Rescue Committee.

  • Florida banned Sanctuary cities in 2019 and Federal Appeals tossed out the challenge in 2023. There is no way Alachua County or Gainesville can afford or entertain any of Poe’s BS. WE as a County and State have enough issues with trying to clean up the homeless problem and keeping Biden’s crap out of our red state. We do not need to entertain, allow, or lift a finger to Poe’s plans about allowing illegal trespassers enter our state or county lines.

    • I believe the feds have given these folks refugee status (I mean who’s denied that by the feds, what’s going on at the border is intentional) but either way, this will affect most those on the lower end of the economic ladder in the county b/c they will be competing for the same small pool of government resources and the same type of low paying jobs.

      These folks won’t be applying for IT or faculty vacancies at UF, it’s gonna be retail, manual labor, etc. It’s more competition at the low end of the ladder which typically depresses wages on the low-end b/c of the increased competition for the same job.

      That’s why that embedded link has movie star and politician (hillary clinton for example) endorsements in it, not a lot of folks who pack their lunch and take it to work type of folks. Hopefully folks don’t see this as a partisan issue and it’s something that can be united on, dunno

      • Unfortunely democrats lead by Biden have made crossing our sovereign borders a partisan issue. They have opened the borders so there is no such thing as a migrant (Temporary status) or immigrant (permanent status) any more. They have hijacked the word Refugee and tried to paste it over what it really is “illegal border trespasser.” The drug trade, felons from other countries, sex offenders, as well as the known terrorists have replaced the person who wanted to enter legally and work and live.

    • First thing we need to do is totally eradicate the destructive foul snowbird. Horrible species

  • This is the same person who voted FOR the Biomass plant and is instrumental for the destruction of Gainesville

  • They have been preparing for this with their inclusion agenda they’ve been shoving down everyone’s throat in every county and city department. Wasting tax payer money on useless crap like park signs that read in 5 different foreign languages. They don’t think we pay attention to their bs. Where does this all trickle down from? Who is in charge of telling us what is good for our county? You don’t know what’s good for me and my family. It’s been proven with your failed leadership.

    • Great reset, UN agenda….new world order, global totalitarianism,
      Vax passports…

  • I go to hand it to, Poe his ability to make bad decisions and follow it up with more bad decisions is legendary. The sheer ability to brush off his past gems Biomass, ruin GPD, Dignity Village. Just wow.

  • Poe’s now one of the NGOs with their hands out, raking in the taxpayers’ money to aid the “migrants” who are invading America via the southern border and Biden’s taxpayer funded “refugee” flights into Florida, unvetted and without regards to our country’s needs and ability to absorb them… This is so wrong. When are the City of Gainesville voters going to realize what these leftists are doing to our community?

    • Probably after it’s too late and then they will blame Trump, and DeSantis.

  • Posting here and venting will get us nowhere. You have to actually do something about it. Get off your couch, stand up, get to work, and man a post.

    All the chatter I see and read is pointless and dismissed by the very people you are complaining about because they think you aren’t going to do a damn thing.

    You know why they do this, because they have no opposition. So many of you just complain. It’s the physical actual work that is important.

    Yes, that means missing your kid’s soccer game, your favorite tv show, dinner with your friends.

    We are losing our country to this insanity. But too many people want to make lame excuses about why they can’t do something. Garbage.

    I saw a comment here: “You voted for it”… response back: “what did you actually do to stop it?”

    If you are willing to organize actual opposition to this as a group, send me a direct message on Facebook or email me at tmardenusa@gmail.com

    • I hear your point. Just want to say that I think posting comments to support good policy, expose bad policy, and provoke deeper thinking about underlying issues is important as well.

      I do this as one part of manning my post. It’s intentional. Because the left has captured so much of the media to nudge and persuade people.

      We have to engage in multiple ways. It’s not venting/complaining for some of us. It’s one available tool in pushing back against evil.

    • Tim…the commies have infiltrated local government and we are outnumbered.

      Be prepared for when Shwab et al shuts down the
      Internet & the electric.

      Beware blue helmets & face masks.

      Say NO to vax passports.

      • You may very well be correct about the blue helmets, etc. There was talk by other countries several years ago about the YS having to succumb to UN international law and policy but it seemed to fizzle out in 2016. But in regards of them coming into the country and taking it over I think they would be met with a lot of resistance especially from Red States. But you never know the weaponizing of the federal government by the liberal left could be the start of evil things to come.

    • Unfortunely this meeting looks like an invite only. I’ve reached out to a few on the list to voice my opposition to even attending or entertaining it. A couple were talking to deaf ears. I know that the county is not really in a position to shell out money. I saw a earlier comment to that position also that this was more of a city inspiration. They do not have the money unless they steal it or rob a bank. I would like to see what local Congress and U.S. Congress representatives have to say.

      • You could always contact the main organization and explain to them that Poe is a few beers short of a six-pack and list the reasons why Gainesville would be one of the worst possible choices in Florida.

  • The GGIC is a one man show starring L. Poe as the newest blood sucking “non-profit” cash cow for a select group of advisors (dupes). Same As It Ever Was…

  • I have heard from multiple sources that the County is not in support of this. It is all the City of Gainesville. Those City leaders are out of control and out of line.

  • This is idiotic. Another dumb progressive idea. Why does he want to invite trouble to this community? We can’t take care of our own already.
    I wonder how many illegal invaders Pie will take in to his home?

  • This is idiotic. Another dumb progressive idea. Why does he want to invite trouble to this community? We can’t take care of our own already.
    I wonder how many illegal invaders Poe will take in to his home?

  • This is idiotic. Another dumb progressive idea. Why does he want to invite trouble to this community? We can’t take care of our own already.
    I wonder how many illegal invaders Poe will take in to his home?

  • We don’t have enough NATIVES competing in a college town, for jobs and affordable housing? 👹👿🤡Dems.

    Gainesville’s 3% globalist stooges are salivating, but will they offer their extra bedrooms and floorspace, themselves? So they can groom future malcontents and vote (D) for generations?

  • It’s a nice idea. However Alachua county/Gainesville is already suffering from a serious lack of affordable housing. The programs available that provide assistance are underfunded and there is so much need currently in our community those programs no longer have resources available to help.
    So who will fund this pet project? And if money and resources are suddenly found, why didn’t our commissioners and former mayor find these resources a year ago or even 6 months ago to help folks already living here and trying to survive?

    • Gaza and Border migrants have no waiting list. They get vouchers and food, housing immediately, so we aren’t called Nazis by campus snowflakes, God forbid 🙃🙃

  • Did you ever wonder why all that infill housing was added around town, but none of the owners seem worried about getting occupants into them? Normally you’d expect them to be covered with “MOVE IN SPECIAL” banners by now.

  • This scumbag hasn’t had enough of destroying Gainesville yet? Poe needs to move to San Francisco with his nonsense. A true traitor to our city.

  • No!

    We already can’t handle the problems with vagrants here!

    What a peice of crap he is for getting paid to bankrupt and ruin our city & county.

  • I don’t blame Poe for using Gaza refugees for his LinkedIn networking. I would too if I were him 🙃🙃

  • Enough is ENOUGH! What the hell is wrong with these lunatic liberals brains? Hell NO!

  • I hope Sheriff Gainey or someone else will suggest to Poe during the meeting that he may need psychiatric help if he really thinks this is a good idea.

    Poe repeatedly discussed his mental health issues during City Commission meetings. Have his mental health problems intensified? Perhaps Baker Acting him would be in order, as an unhinged person posing a danger to others.

  • Can we have a comment from Poe’s ally David Arreolla , Candidate for House of Representative ? Where does he stand on Poe’s new invasion of Alachua Counties peace?

    • His parents are immigrants, which explains why he doesn’t understand the culture and fabric of this country. He might as well be in Cambodia.

  • gainesville ges from bad to worse just lokin for federal money to waste

  • Gainesville, at almost $2B in debt, wants to take on this? WTF is wrong with this idiot? Where are they going to live? Can they afford $2K in rent?

  • Water pressure, streets that are safe and in repair, ‘affordable’ taxation, ‘affordable’ utilities… before this sort of mess.

  • Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration’s (PRM’s) Reception and Placement (R&P) Program???? What the hell is that?

  • The mission of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) is to provide
    protection, ease suffering, and resolve the plight of persecuted and uprooted people around
    the world on behalf of the American people by working with other governments and
    international partners, sharing the burden of providing life-sustaining assistance and seeking
    durable solutions by working through multilateral systems to build global partnerships, ensure
    compliance with international norms and standards and promote best practices in
    humanitarian response……In other words, the importation and support of Democrat voters in an attempt to complete the take-over of the United States. Gov. DeSantis needs to nip this crap in the bud.

  • I believe this town will a red town after all the bull that our real citizens have gone through.

  • Now, as if he hadn’t done enough to the citizens of GNV, the disgraced former mayor wants to take more money the taxpayers can’t afford. He wants to copy all the other Democrat cities like NYC (who puts up illegals in nice hotels), LA and SFran, Chicago whose citizens are in revolt against their Democrat mayors plans for his welcomed illegals.

  • What immigrant(s) (besides Melania) hurt you? Seriously, these comments are indicating serious trauma-like responses. Who hurt you?

    • The LEECHES! You know… DEMOCRATS! Before you try stupidity, claiming republicans also receive freebies, it’s you democrats that that vote for freebies at the detriment and expense of someone else’s prosperity! At least the good for little to nothing republican leeches vote against their freebies!

    • What’s your address Dr. Phil?

      You can put them all up in your front and back yard!

      If you notice, Poe has doesn’t provide any of the 4 W’s in his little address to local leadership!

      He doesn’t have a solution, just his money making scheme for Federal Funds to his (and his “Teams” bank accounts)

      You and Poe belong together! Kumbayf’ing Ja!

      There are millions of Americans homeless and Biden’s border is wide open, illegal border crossings abound! Take care of Americans first!

  • Poe is the CEO of GGIC, he stood it up along with ambulance chasing lawyers and other Federal Funds (and now local) “Activists.” Check out his “Team” here: https://www.gnvic.org/about. (Don’t copy the period …..). Here is his email to GCC, AC BOCC and anyone else who might listen to him about getting together to rave about Earthday: https://ccemail.cityofgainesville.org/Message?mid=11589&preview=false

    Poe remains another politician after public money! Make no mistake!

    They are after money, Federal firsts and then trickle down to local taxpayer! If you want to stop this insanity, attend the meeting on 17 May 24 (location to be determined, but look for something near Gainesville City Hall)!

    Let Poe know his money making scheme is not supported in Gainesville, nor Alachua County!

  • Liberals care about others so long as it does not require any personal sacrifice of their own.

  • Maybe one day UNICEF can get into the business of fixing pot holes.

    Until then the city needs to focus on this.

  • What a tool this guy is. Guess he already forgot about Gainesville’s homeless problem, rampant crime, and thin resources. But yes, lets invite more of the same.

  • In the words of Poe’s Messiah, Biden, “Don’t!”

    This is yet another example of these small-town clowns thinking they belong on a world stage. Their narcissism is mind-boggling in scope. Wow…just..wow

  • Poo’s legacy of the destruction of Gainesville continues beyond his “Public Service” The Syrians, Lebanese, Egyptians, Saudis, Jordanians will not offer sanctuary to the Pally’s where they share a common religion and many cultural traits and Poo wants them to assimilate here? I used to think Poo was naively stupid. With this lunacy it is he hates Gainesville and America and is an evil, malevolent actor.

  • Where is the meeting being held? No justice, no peace I’m told is the proper response…

  • The City Commission just threatened Gainesville citizens with service cuts to police and fire because they don’t have the budget (it was 100% a threat–chopping their pet projects like Grace Marketplace, DEI departments, Climate Czar, etc. were never even considered).

    Now that sleazeball Lauren Poe slithers back into town with marching orders from Joe Biden’s handlers to pump Florida with more Democrat voters, and I guarantee morons like Bryan Eastman and Harvey Ward are going to fall over themselves trying to approve it.

    These migrants are going to be stealing resources directly from Eastside citizens, so if I was them I would be demanding that Tina Certain and Desmon Walker explain themselves.

  • Why are these comments so nasty? I’m certain many of you would consider yourself good Christian folks sitting in a pew nearly every Sunday then come here and post unChristian things.

    Jesus still loves you, and when you’re ready to leave the system of nonsense and turn to his word, we will be here.

    • The GOP is being purged into a smaller and smaller group of people that are self reinforcing this nasty behavior is aided by some churches. (Look closely Pastor)

      The only way forward is they must lose BIGLY and then rebuilt via other leaders. Until that time, this is what is left. As they fight harder and harder, they will become more defensive and shrill. It’s the way of the world.

      Godspeed.

    • If you are a real pastor, post the name and address of your church, along with what aid you and your congregation are pledging towards these refugees.

      Otherwise, we will just assume you are an edgy religious bigot and part of the 2% that wants Gainesville to provide welfare for these unvetted and unskilled economic migrants.

    • Wow. A pastor judging those that are judging. Interesting. Lead by example my sister in Christ.

  • Poe arrested his critics, promised to end traffic fatalities through road design, orchestrated the disastrous buyout of the Biomass Plant, and gleefully waged unrelenting war on GPD as political retribution. He is a relic from a failed experiment with a Monarchy.

  • Does anyone know where and when this meeting is taking place?
    These people need to hear from the citizens of Gainesville and Alachua County about this grift that the former mayor is running, and how he wants to “fundamentally change” our community….

  • Please, do not do this! Don’t we have enough that we are already dealing with! STOP already!!

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