Governor Charlie Crist recently reappointed several members to five of the eight Basin Boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The governor also appointed a new Basin Board member to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board.
Manasota Basin Board:
Betsy Benac of Sarasota has been reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. She is a land planner with Wilson Miller, Inc. Her term ends March 1, 2010.
Jack Bispham of Sarasota has been reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. Bispham is a sod farmer with Bayside Sod. His term ends March 1, 2008.
Mac Carraway of Bradenton has been reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. Carraway is vice president of agriculture with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. His term ends March 1, 2010.
The Manasota Basin Board area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board:
Dr. Susan Welsh of Odessa has been reappointed to the Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board. Welsh is a chiropractor with the Welsh Clinic. Her term ends March 1, 2010.
The Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board area includes the northwest portion of Hillsborough County.
Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board:
Janet Hoppe of Indian Shores has been reappointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. Hoppe is retired. Her term ends March 1, 2008.
Chet Renfro of Pinellas Park has been appointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. He succeeds Tina Harris. Renfro is retired. His term ends March 1, 2010.
The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board area includes Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.
Withlacoochee River Basin Board:
Janey Baldwin of Brooksville has been reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. Baldwin is retired. Her term ends March 1, 2010.
Jack Dennis of Dunnellon has been reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. Dennis is retired. His term ends March 1, 2010.
Patsy Nathe of Dade City has been reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. Nathe is secretary and treasurer of RJ Nathe & Sons. Her term ends March 1, 2009.
Bo Rooks of Floral City has been reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. Rooks is a self-employed cattle rancher. His term ends March 1, 2010.
The Withlacoochee River Basin Board area includes portions of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter counties.
The District has eight regional Basin Boards that provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the basins they protect. The District’s ninth basin, the Green Swamp, is administered by the Governing Board. Basin Boards work with local governments and other entities on water resource projects that have an impact in local communities. Basin Boards often provide partial funding for these projects in partnership with a local government or local cooperator.
Basin Board members are unpaid citizen volunteers appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. They serve three-year staggered terms.