Dr. Helen Miller, councilor and former mayor of White Springs, was elected president of the Suwannee River League of Cites (SRLC) at its Board of Directors Meeting on Jan. 14.  Dr. Miller was sworn in by Jeff Hendry, executive director of the SRLC.  The board and general membership meeting was held in the Senior Citizens Council Center in the city of Madison.  

The complete slate of SRLC board members elected for 2016-17 includes Donna Hardin serving as treasurer from the town of Branford; Jim Catron, immediate past president from the city of Madison; directors-at-large Jacob Grantham, city of Live Oak; Gerald Hethcoat, city of Williston; Walter McKenzie, town of White Springs; Sonny Nobles, city of Live Oak; Drinda Merritt, town of Inglis; and Debra Weiss, town of Yankeetown.

Executive Director Hendry announced his decision to transition his lead role with SRLC to Christy Shell, program coordinator at the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University.  After his announcement, Hendry  was presented with a beautiful crystal keepsake of appreciation for his service by President Miller, who took the opportunity to “roast” Hendry, along with former mayor of Madison Myra Valentine and Vice-Mayor McKenzie of White Springs, among others.

As a token of SRLC’s appreciation to Past President Jim Catron, President Miller presented Commissioner Catron with a “chairman’s gavel” plaque expressing gratitude for his years of service to the league.

Director Shell provided an update on SRLC plans to hold its 5^th Annual Joint Dinner with the NorthWest Florida League of Cities in Tallahassee while the legislature is in session. After the date and location are finalized, meeting notices will be sent to all SRLC members. Director Shell provided a status report of SRLC members who have agreed to advocate for FLC/SRLC legislative priorities, and noted that funding remains to support additional advocacy.  She also called for reports of the membership and advocacy committees.

President Miller briefed board members on the proposed Suwannee River “Original Florida” Outdoor Recreation Compact, a regional compact whose mission is to “enhance and improve greenway and trail properties and related infrastructure including awareness of, access to, and use of ‘Original Florida’s’ world-renown natural assets for recreation and tourism related activities.”  The objective of the regional compact is for all parties to “recognize that coordinated and collective action … (is) the defining issue for the Suwannee River Basin in the 21^st Century (which) will best serve the region and its citizens.” By a unanimous vote, the board agreed to support the enactment of the regional compact throughout the municipal members of the SRLC.

Noah Valenstein, recently appointed executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, served as guest speaker. Valenstein is a Gainesville native, growing up surrounded by the natural resources that make the district so special. Summers meant tubing down the Ichetucknee, fishing out of Cedar Key, and canoeing the Suwannee River.

He graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in environmental science and obtained his law degree from Florida State University.  

Valenstein practiced law representing both environmental organizations and industry, and had the pleasure of working for the Florida House of Representatives, the Department of Environmental Protection, and most recently the governor’s office working on environmental policy.

“Pound for pound the SRWMD has some of the most amazing natural resources in Florida and is uniquely surrounded by a rural landscape that has been preserved by successful agricultural and timer operations,” commented Valenstein.

“My focus as executive director will be to ensure that the district is an active and engaged partner working with our communities and stakeholders to implement Florida statutes to guarantee we have the quantity and quality of water needed to maintain our natural resources and continue to grow our economy.” 

After Valenstein’s remarks, he joined the attendees in enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal prepared by the food service staff of the Madison Citizens Center.

SRLC’s next quarterly meeting will take place on April 14 in Levy County.  For additional information about the Suwannee River League of Cities, contact Christy Shell at cshell@iog.fsu.edu.