Beach leaders receive conference certificates
The Fort Myers Beach Leadership Conference wrapped up its three-day program Wednesday, May 26, by graduating 17 attendees with Certificates of Completion at a dinner at South Beach Grill in Santini Marina Plaza.
FMB Mayor Larry Kiker introduced Ray Judah, who was the guest speaker. Many Town officials also attended the special informative event which featured knowledgeable speakers, field trips and interactive group discussions on various Beach government processes and community resources.
“I think it’s phenomenal you participated in this conference and had an opportunity to receive a presentation from Tom Mueller of Covanta Lee, Inc. who runs one of the most impressive waste energy facilities in the entire world,” he said. “I want to thank all of you because of your passion and interest in volunteering your time to help improve the quality of life in our community. You understand the importance that it is better to give than to receive. You bring an incredible amount of resources and interest.”
Judah also gave credit to Town Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen for his work during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as well as volunteers in the Lee County Parks & Recreation Department and Turtle Time, Inc. He also gave praise to Beach resident Betty Simpson, Town Cultural Resources director Theresa Schober and the Mound House project.
“Town Manager Terry Stewart and I have a tremendous amount of admiration for Keith who is working diligently with our public safety department,” said Judah. “We in turn have a contract with a group called CrowderGulf who deals with emergency response with hurricanes. Within 72 hours notification, they will have all the containment booms, dispersing supplies and whatever it takes to help protect our shorelines.”
Jim Rodwell, chairman of the Town Community Resources Advisory Board, led the conference with help from his board members. They are Laura Jibben, vice-chair, Linda Beasley, Michael May, Marilyn Quackenbush, Karen Swanbeck
and Jim Wray.
“Overall I think that the conference went very well,” said Rodwell. “I was very much impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the class. They are people who want to know and they want to get active. There was a lot of hard work by a lot of people that went to the organization and planning of the conference. The Town staff, the presenters, members of CRAB and volunteers put forth their very best efforts to make this conference a success, and they succeeded. I do have high expectations for this class. Personally, I am going to enjoy watching what they will be doing for our community.”
Several graduates received valuable information from the conference. Two, in particular, have already gained experience through their volunteer efforts.
“It presented an overview of the Town with all the different agencies, organizations and groups,” said Beach resident Donna Raymond, former Beach Pilot club president and wife of FMB Councilman Bob Raymond. “It showed just how much work the Town puts out and everything they do for the citizens.”
“It was absolutely great and well organized,” said Beach resident Dan Andre, who is a member of the Town Marine Resources Task Force. “It gave me a bit more information on how agencies work together.”
According to MRTF’s progress report from its last meeting, Andre has been working closely with the Beach Public Works Department which will begin a test run of three recycle bins at three designated beach accesses shortly. The recycled waste will be transferred to a front-end Dumpster located near Bay Oaks Recreation Center for pick up by Veolia.
“I’m pushing the Beach Recycyling Access program, and I had a chance to meet Ray Judah who now wants to set up a meeting with the (Lee County) Visitor & Convention Bureau and Lee Solid Waste Division to see if we can find more funding to get this program going,” said Andre. “It absolutely helps.”
One fairly new member of the Beach community also found the conference to be of great value.
“The three-day event was packed full of informative presentations and interesting activities,” said Julie Schwab. “Personally, I now feel I have the tools and information to become actively involved in ways that will be meaningful to me and allow me to lend my skills that will be most helpful to the town.”
Graduates of the 2010 Beach Leadership Conference
Dan Andre
Jeff Butzer
Mary Greer
Bobbi Kemp
Joe Kosinski
Laverne Kosinski
Kelly Leary
Carolyn McKeown
Veronica Neumann
Donna Raymond
Heather Reagan
Julie Schwab
Dave Trelease
Dr. Jean Wahl
Catherine Wallace
Marty Weslow
Ziemer, Suzanne