News from the Chair
BY MARYVONNE DEVENSKY
Right now in Tallahassee, our elected officials are takÂing some fast measures to destroy Amendment 1 — they are not respecting the wishes of voters who last November voted by 75% to conserve land and protect our waters. Please read Whitey MarÂkle’s article on this issue for more details.
Last week at the Alachua ConÂservation Trust Stewardship Award dinner, former Governor Bob GraÂham initiated a 1000 Calls ChalÂlenge to call our representatives and ask them to respect the voters’ inÂtent and to buy land now… This year is crucial. Each representative should receive at least 1000 calls in the coming two weeks. Go to the Florida Land and Use Legacy webÂsite, or go to http://yes1fl.org/acÂtions0315 for more information on how to make these calls. It is easy to call and you can do it. If you care, CALL TODAY AND EVERYDAY THIS WEEK.
Here are some numbers:
- Senator Rob Bradley, 7th disÂtrict (904) 278-2085
- Senator Charlie Dean, 5th disÂtrict (352) 860-5175
- Senator Alan Hays, 11th disÂtrict (352) 742-6441
- Senator Dorothy Hulkill, 18th district (386) 304-7630
- Senator Wilton Simpson, 18th district (727) 816-1120
- Senator Alan Hays (Chairman, Senate appropriations) (850) 487-5011.
GRU Governance/Keith Perry’s bill: The Gainesville City CommisÂsion and the Alachua County ComÂmissioners have voted unanimously against Keith Perry’s bill HB 1325 seeking to remove GRU governance away from the City Commission. Representative Clovis Watson is opposed to this bill as well. Please inform yourself. GRU governance must remain local, go to the webÂsite of Change.org/GainesvillelovesÂmountains, and sign the petition against Keith Perry’s bill.
On a lighter note, please consider coming to the Luncheon honoring Marjorie Carr on Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day. Peggy MacDonÂald, author of a book on Marjorie Carr will be the speaker. Tickets are $30.00. There will be a Silent AucÂtion to benefit the Cultural Arts CoÂalition… It will be a fun event.
To raise money for our Gainesville ICO program, we are planning to do another Garage Sale in SeptemÂber 2015. So please keep all your unwanted items for that good cause. When we pick on a date, we will ask you to bring these items a week beÂfore the date of the Garage Sale.
And as always, please go out in Nature. Go take a walk, ride a bike, or check the list of outings and sign up…Enjoy our beautiful city and the Spring weather!
