Representative Anna Eskamani, popular keynote speaker at the banquet, addresses the audience.
The springs summits are back after Covid. Previous summits held in Ocala were always educational and fun. Crystal River continued this high level thanks to Florida Springs Council’s Ryan Smart, Brenda Wells and planners.
Springs summits are always inspiring and leave one with hope in spite of the fact we are watching our springs and rivers slowly die from lack of protection.
Perhaps this comes from connecting with others who share similar convictions, or simply because we see that we are not alone in our frustrations.
True environmentalists among our Florida Legislators are nearly non-existent but one was our keynote speaker and a panelist: Representative Anna Eskamani from Orlando. Just about all legislators and water management board members falsely call themselves environmentalists, and planet-destroying Rick Scott was given environmental awards, but Representative Eskamani walks the walk and cares about our Florida Springs and rivers. Her energy, ideas, sense of purpose, experience and personality made her the highlight of the summit. Add to that her sense of humor.
Some current water management district employees were invited but declined the invitations, although former employees were in attendance and at least two participated.
Florida’s Legislature was also represented by Republican David Simmons who spent 18 years in both the House and the Senate. Mr. Simmons lays much of the blame for the water problems on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, citing several times a letter he sent them on Friday, April 8, 2022 with recommendations for change.
This brings to mind our recent post of April 10, 2022 by Pam McVety — “FL Legislature: Bending Over Backwards to Allow Even More Pollution into the Public’s Waters.” McVety, a 30-year employee of executive positions in the DEP, places all the blame on the Florida Legislature. Pity she was not on the panel with Simmons.
And so it goes on and our water declines, saved neither by the Legislators nor by the DEP.
Both have failed us.
Highlight for us was the award for Best Environmental Organization, accepted by Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson as our representative to the Florida Springs Council. As volunteers, we don’t work to be recognized, but recognition is nice when it comes. We have some very talented and hardworking volunteers, some on our board and some not.
Attendance was at about 100 % capacity.
Opening panel: The State of the Springs. William Kerr, former WMD employee; Sen. David Simmons; moderator Dr. Bob Palmer; Dr. Bob Knight, FSI; Doug MacLaughlin, environmental lawyer.
Closing panel: The Politics of Water. Dan Hilliard, former President of FSC; Dr. Bob Palmer with many years of political experience in Washington, D.C.; Rep. Anna Eskamani; Moderator Ryan Smart, Executive Director of FSC; David Moritz, leader for Rights of Nature Constitutional Amendment.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, co-founder and long time president of OSFR, accepts award for Outstanding Environmental Organization. Awards were accompanied by photos by renowned photographer John Moran.
Dr. Bob Palmer receives award for his years of consistent and high quality work to protect our springs and rivers.
Margaret Spontak is recognized for her work to free the Ocklawaha River from Rodman Dam.
Dr. Bob Knight accepts award for his work in protecting Wakulla Springs.
Environmental lawyer Doug MacLaughlin receives award for his work. His work includes legal challenges by OSFR.
Dr. Burt Eno accepts award for his work protecting the Rainbow River from development.
Cris Costello, Organizer for Sierra Club, speaks about the sugar industry in South Florida.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson speaks about the history and mission of Our Santa Fe River.
Michael McGrath of Sierra Club reviews workshop results from his group.
FSC president Casey Fitzgerald and Sarah Gledhill review workshop summary.
Lu Merritt of Ichetucknee Alliance summarizes workshop results.
Seated facing, John Moran and OSFR board member Rhonda Long at banquet. John furnished photographs, which are works of art, for the award recipients. Next to Rhonda and talking to Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson is Brent Fannin, co-founder of Kings of the Springs and recipient of a Natural Florida Film Grant from the Project Paradise Film Fund, to make an excellent documentary of the springs, “The Water State,”shown at the banquet.
OSFR president Kristin Rubin with Rep. Anna Eskamani.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
