Reassigned and new Governing Board members take oath

News Release

Three members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board took their oaths of office Tuesday.

Judith C. Whitehead of Brooksville was reappointed 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 ends March 1, 2012. She is also chair ex officio of the District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board, which represents portions of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus 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 ends March 1, 2012. Beswick is the grove manager for Blue Goose Citrus Growers. He will also serve as co-chair ex officio of the District’s Peace River Basin Board, which represents portions of Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties.

Hugh M. Gramling of Plant City was appointed to succeed Heidi B. McCree. This seat represents Hillsborough County. His term 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.