Gov. Charlie Crist recently reassigned one member and appointed two new members to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
- Judy Whitehead of Brooksville was reassigned to succeed Patsy C. Symons. Last year the state legislature reassigned Symons’ seat to represent Hernando and Marion counties and added two new seats to the Governing Board for a total of 13 members. Whitehead, the owner of Residential Appraisal Service, was first appointed to the Governing Board in March 2003. Her new term began April 8 and ends March 1, 2012. She is also chair ex officio of the District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board, which represents the coastal regions of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.
- Bryan K. Beswick of Arcadia, was appointed to succeed Thomas G. Dabney. Last year the state legislature reassigned Dabney’s seat to represent Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties. His term began April 8 and ends March 1, 2012. Beswick is a grove manager for Blue Goose Growers. He will also serve as co-chair ex officio of the District’s Peace River Basin Board, which represents all of DeSoto and Hardee counties and portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Polk counties.
- Hugh M. Gramling of Plant City was appointed to succeed Heidi McCree. This seat represents Hillsborough County. His term began April 8 and ends March 1, 2012. Gramling is the executive director of Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers. He will also serve as chair ex officio of the District’s Hillsborough River Basin Board, which represents portions of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.
Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to manage the water and related resources of west central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users while protecting the environment. Each Governing Board member also serves as chair ex officio of a Basin Board.
The District has eight regional Basin Boards that provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the watershed 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.