DeSantis is taking us toward dried up treasures. Photo Kissengin Springs, USGS.
OSFR has published several times here about Gov. DeSantis’ missed opportunity to provide water management boards with environmentalists. We will not revisit this issue but say here only that our governor shows in this important way that he has no interest in reversing the on-going trend of our declining and dying springs and rivers, abandoned in favor of industry.
And add that his shortsightedness defeats his purpose because tourism is already dying along with the springs.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Communications Office | Suwannee River Water Management District |
386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (FL) | [email protected] | www.MySuwanneeRiver.com
GOVERNOR DESANTIS APPOINTS TWO GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS
LIVE OAK, FLA., Oct. 8, 2020 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) welcomes Alphonas Alexander, of Madison, and Larry Sessions, of Live Oak, to the Governing Board. On October 8, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Alexander and Sessions.
“We appreciate the Governor’s continued efforts in selecting representatives and filling these crucial seats,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “Our water resources are an important part of our communities and we value the commitment of these community members in protecting our natural resources through their service on the board. We welcome Mr. Alexander back to the District and are looking forward to working with Mr. Sessions.”
Alexander is a Consultant with the Forestry Company of Perry. Alexander, of Madison, is a Consultant with The Forestry Company of Perry. Previously, he was a Forester and Maintenance Manager for Buckeye Cellulose Pulp and Paper Mill. Alexander served in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge before beginning his career in forestry. Alexander is a former Vice Chair of the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board and is a current member of the Florida Forestry Association. He is also a board member of the Madison County Area Agency on Aging and is the Post Commander of American Legion Post 195. Alexander earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Sessions is the Administrator of the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority. Previously, he was a Suwannee County Commissioner and a member of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Sessions is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the United States Army before receiving an Honorable Discharge.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
1 Comment
Yes. It’s past time that the people of Florida realized that Gov. DeSantis, like Gov. Scott before him, will refuse to take effective, quantifiable, scientifically supported actions to save our springs, rivers, lakes and estuaries, despite giving a lot of “feel-good” lip service to doing those things and despite throwing a lot of money at projects that transfer public dollars to private pockets. If our water bodies are to be saved, we the people of Florida are going to have to figure out how to do it ourselves–and part of that equation includes electing people who are courageous enough to make tough decisions that will anger big business, agriculture, and wealthy campaign donors, or who are visionaries with stellar leadership skills that can get buy-in for saving the springs from a whole host of folks with different viewpoints and financial interests. At this point, I’m not holding my breath that saving the springs will ever happen. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to know that when our springs are dead and our aquifer/drinking water is fouled, these chickens will come home to roost, and it isn’t going to be pretty.
Put the Right to Clean Water Amendment on the 2022 ballot
The Right to Clean Water Amendment will prohibit pollution of Florida’s waters by recognizing a right to clean water for all Floridians and Florida waters including the Florida Springs along the Santa Fe River
Put the Right to Clean Water Amendment on the 2022 ballot
1 Comment
Yes. It’s past time that the people of Florida realized that Gov. DeSantis, like Gov. Scott before him, will refuse to take effective, quantifiable, scientifically supported actions to save our springs, rivers, lakes and estuaries, despite giving a lot of “feel-good” lip service to doing those things and despite throwing a lot of money at projects that transfer public dollars to private pockets. If our water bodies are to be saved, we the people of Florida are going to have to figure out how to do it ourselves–and part of that equation includes electing people who are courageous enough to make tough decisions that will anger big business, agriculture, and wealthy campaign donors, or who are visionaries with stellar leadership skills that can get buy-in for saving the springs from a whole host of folks with different viewpoints and financial interests. At this point, I’m not holding my breath that saving the springs will ever happen. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to know that when our springs are dead and our aquifer/drinking water is fouled, these chickens will come home to roost, and it isn’t going to be pretty.