Gov. Jeb Bush recently reappointed several members to five of the eight Basin Boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The governor also appointed several new Basin Board members.
Alafia River Basin Board:
James D. Selvey of Brandon was reappointed to the Alafia River Basin Board. He is a real estate broker and the owner of Exit Realty Consultants. Selvey joined the Board March 1, 2002. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
Jean C. Tort of Ruskin was appointed to the Alafia River Basin Board. He owns Sun City Tree Farm. Tort succeeds Wayne Harris. His term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2006.
The Alafia River Basin Board area is located in the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County.
Manasota Basin Board:
Evelio J. Sardia of Sarasota was reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. He is president of Management Resources International. Sardia joined the Board March 5, 2002. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
Frank E. Strelec of Sarasota was reappointed to the Manasota Basin Board. He is an attorney. Strelec joined the Board May 5, 2004. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
The Manasota Basin Board area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Peace River Basin Board:
Paul G. Samuels of Bowling Green was appointed to the Peace River Basin Board. He is a public relations manager with the Mosaic Company. Samuels was appointed to succeed Tracy Baxter. His term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
The Peace River Basin Board area includes DeSoto and Hardee counties as well as portions of Charlotte, Highlands, and Polk counties.
Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board:
Kathryn W. Starkey of New Port Richey was reappointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. Starkey is a design consultant. She joined the Board April 30, 2002. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
Mitchell Hammer of New Port Richey was appointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. He is an appraisal project manager with the engineering and consulting firm PBS&J. Hammer was appointed to succeed Maryellen Adams. His term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
Kenneth N. Waters of Palm Harbor was appointed to the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board. He is a marketing consultant and substitute teacher. Waters was appointed to succeed Jerome Provenzano. His term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board area includes Pinellas County and a portion of Pasco County.
Withlacoochee River Basin Board:
Paul M. Mazak, II of Webster was reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. He is president of Mazak Properties, Inc. Mazak joined the Board April 30, 2002. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
Seeth K. Trimpert of Inglis was reappointed to the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. She is a registered nurse and technical writer. Trimpert joined the Board March 2, 2002. This term began June 1, 2005 and ends March 1, 2008.
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. Each of the Basin Boards includes a minimum of one person from each county within the basin, and there must be at least three members on each board. Each Basin Board has at least one of the 11 members of the District’s Governing Board that serves as the Board’s chair ex officio.