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| occupation =[[ACLU]] regional director | | occupation =[[ACLU]] regional director | ||
| religion =Jewish | | religion =Jewish | ||
| − | | spouse = | + | | spouse =Gregory Watson |
| parents = | | parents = | ||
| children =Sarah, Seth, Sybil | | children =Sarah, Seth, Sybil | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Susan Watson''' is a community activist who is known for her conflicts with [[Escambia County School Board]] members [[Vanette Webb]] and [[Hal Mason]] and who currently serves as director of the [[ACLU of Florida Northwest Region]]. She is married to [[ | + | '''Susan Watson''' is a community activist who is known for her conflicts with [[Escambia County School Board]] members [[Vanette Webb]] and [[Hal Mason]] and who currently serves as director of the [[ACLU of Florida Northwest Region]]. She is married to [[Gregory Watson]] and has three children. |
A registered nurse for eleven years, Watson has also served as computer network administrator for the [[WUWF]] radio station. In [[1997]] she organized a group called [[Citizens for Community Values]] to oppose [[Escambia County School Board]] member [[Vanette Webb]], a conservative Christian whom she accused of having an "obstructionist agenda."<ref name="spotlight">"Advocate doesn't relish the spotlight." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 24, 1999.</ref> Starting on [[March 31]], [[1998]], Watson made a series of public records requests, which state law says must be provided within a "reasonable time."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?app_mode=display_statute&url=ch0119/ch0119.htm Florida Statutes Chapter 119]</ref> She accused Webb of stonewalling her requests for months, and on [[December 8]] Webb was indicted for violating Florida's open records law, a first degree misdemeanor, and convicted on [[May 14]], [[1999]]. She was removed from office for five months, although a judge later overturned the conviction, saying the state had failed to identify any specific public record that had been withheld.<ref>"Judge throws out Webb verdict." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 23, 1999.</ref> | A registered nurse for eleven years, Watson has also served as computer network administrator for the [[WUWF]] radio station. In [[1997]] she organized a group called [[Citizens for Community Values]] to oppose [[Escambia County School Board]] member [[Vanette Webb]], a conservative Christian whom she accused of having an "obstructionist agenda."<ref name="spotlight">"Advocate doesn't relish the spotlight." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 24, 1999.</ref> Starting on [[March 31]], [[1998]], Watson made a series of public records requests, which state law says must be provided within a "reasonable time."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?app_mode=display_statute&url=ch0119/ch0119.htm Florida Statutes Chapter 119]</ref> She accused Webb of stonewalling her requests for months, and on [[December 8]] Webb was indicted for violating Florida's open records law, a first degree misdemeanor, and convicted on [[May 14]], [[1999]]. She was removed from office for five months, although a judge later overturned the conviction, saying the state had failed to identify any specific public record that had been withheld.<ref>"Judge throws out Webb verdict." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 23, 1999.</ref> | ||
| − | Watson and her family were plaintiffs in the ACLU's ''Holmes v. Bush'' lawsuit challenging Governor [[Wikipedia: | + | Watson and her family were plaintiffs in the ACLU's ''Holmes v. Bush'' lawsuit challenging Governor [[Wikipedia:Jeb Bush]]'s voucher program.<ref>[http://www.aclufl.org/legislature_courts/legal_department/briefs_complaints/school_vouchers_complaint.cfm Holmes v. Bush complaint]</ref> She began volunteering in 2000 as chair of the recently-restarted [[ACLU of Florida Panhandle Chapter]] and a member of the State Board of Directors. She became regional director in June [[2005]] and oversees the daily operations of the ACLU. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
