Politics At Its Worst: Petty Retribution By Kathleen Passidomo

The only true environmentalist of whom we are aware on any of the water management districts (WMDs), was the victim of a petty politician’s whim for revenge.  Senator Kathleen Passidomo is not fit for office.  In a fit of tantrum she refused to allow Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch to be returned to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board.

Thurlow-Lippisch, as we say, was the only environmentalist of whom we are aware on any Florida governing board.

Yes, yes, we do know that everyone in agriculture is a true “steward of the land who would never damage it because their livelihoods depend on it.”  Some of these are the worst abusers.

This goes back to problems and wasted money when the SRWMD was unable to mount a forum to conduct water management business because Ron DeSantis did not take the trouble to fulfill his duties and appoint governing board members in a timely manner.

So Ron, here we go again.

Thanks to VOTEWATER for this article.

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum

Empty seat watch: When will DeSantis fill the vacancy on the SFWMD Governing Board?

It’s now been seven months since Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, seen above, vacated her seat on the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District after the Florida Senate declined to reconfirm her. As we’ve noted previously, the seat remains empty, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has not nominated anyone to fill the position.

Why, and when will this change? Perhaps now that he’s suspended his presidential campaign DeSantis might turn his attention to this key position; if so it’ll be just in time, as Lake Okeechobee has continued to trend higher and damaging discharges look increasingly likely this spring.

Fill the seat, Governor — we need to be at full strength if the deluge comes.