District Highlights
Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition Holds Meeting to Engage Stakeholders in Progress of Healing the Lagoon
Last week the Last week the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition held a first-of-its-kind meeting with interested citizens, leaders among the held a first-of-its-kind meeting with interested citizens, leaders among the business community, environmental organizations, municipalities, and stakeholders from the space, tourism, and education sectors, among others.
Participants at the capacity-filled, standing room only event learned about the BIRLC progress and had an opportunity to listen and question the panelist experts led by BIRLC Chair Craig Wallace including: Dr. Duane De Freese, Executive Director of the Indian River Lagoon Council; Keith Winsten, Executive Director of the Brevard Zoo; Lew Kontnik, Vice Chair of HelptheLagoon; Vince Lamb, former chair of the BIRLC; and BIRLC volunteer Marilyn Waters.
One of the main goals of the BIRLC this year is to encourage the public to approve the extension of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon program 1/2 cent sales tax for all of the following the reasons:
- The Indian River Lagoon is a priceless natural resource providing value to both our quality of life and our economy.
- Residents, local governments, businesses and communities are uniting to heal this important resource.
- The extensive, science-based plans to restore the Lagoon, created by the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, Brevard County, and other regional groups are underway and focusing on the critical efforts needed to restore our waters.
- These targeted actions and investments are already reducing key pollutants, cleaning the water and protecting the animals that call it home.
- Healing the Lagoon is a long-term commitment requiring funding and collective action from people, businesses, and government.
This initial meeting will be followed up with monthly themed messages to provide information on specific restoration programs and the ways individuals can participate in the continued progress of healing the Lagoon.
The News Service of Florida Recognizes ’40 Under 40′ Professionals, Two with Ties to Brevard County
Last week the News Service of Florida recognized 40 young professionals who are leaders in their careers. Two of the honorees have direct ties to Brevard County:
Taylor Patrick Biehl, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, The Capitol Alliance Group
Mr. Biehl has served as a governmental affairs consultant with the Capitol Alliance Group, Inc. since 2013 where he represents technology industry giants including Space X and their developments at the Cape and Tesla as it seeks favorable state policy for growth in Florida.
Prior to his career at the Capitol Alliance Group, Inc. he served as a legislative aide, as a government affairs consultant/lobbyist with Uhlfelder & Associates, PA, and as Director of Government Affairs for the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. Mr. Biehl has also worked for the Republican Party of Florida.
The News Service of Florida described him as a “pioneer in Florida’s now-burgeoning cannabis space.” With his business partner, Jeff Sharkey, Biehl co-founded the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida and has been involved in the industry’s evolving policy since the first state legislation passed in 2014.”
Mr. Biehl grew up in Brevard County and we wish him continued success in his career.
Christian Minor, Executive Director, Florida Juvenile Justice Association and Partner in Converge Public Strategies
Mr. Minor is the Executive Director for the Florida Juvenile Justice Association (FJJA) where he steadfastly supports legislation which provides a second chance and new opportunities for teens today, who he says, “are just like I used to be.”
He admittedly found himself in trouble as a youth in Brevard, ‘staying out past curfew, not telling his parents the whole story.’ Mr. Minor candidly said, “A lot of my friends got caught up in the prison system…I was lucky I had caring parents to help direct me, but other families didn’t have resources. I saw how that changed their trajectories.”
The FJJA represents nearly 40 community organizations and non-profits and under his leadership a bill was passed to expunge nonviolent juvenile records, giving 26,000 Florida minors better odds for employment, education, and housing.
“Tapping into people’s potential is providing opportunity, keeping families whole and creating a safer Florida…so future generations don’t go down that other path.”
Mr. Minor has used his own experiences to create new opportunities for youth and families in Brevard County and throughout Florida.
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