LETTER FROM THE EDITOR RE: COLSON, SUE
KNOW YWHAT YOUR CURRENT COMMISSIONERS (COLSON, SERA, WORTHAM) HAVE DONE FOR YOUR CITY
This brief article is the last in this three-part series. The second, yesterday, focused upon Commissioner Jim Wortham. This piece focuses upon Mayor Sue Colson.
The Cedar Key News staff hopes the reader understands the following.
• Recognize that different commissioners have different tenures on the commission; they range from four years to over two decades.
• Recognize that these efforts are not part of the routine commissioner duties; these go well beyond budgeting, attending meetings, staying abreast of “things.” These efforts go much farther.
• This content is meant to give the reader a glimpse behind the scenes.
• This content emanates from the Cedar Key News archives.
• This content is not exhaustive.
• Recognize that different commissioners have different tenures on the commission; they range from four years to over two decades.
• Recognize that these efforts are not part of the routine commissioner duties; these go well beyond budgeting, attending meetings, staying abreast of “things.” These efforts go much farther.
• This content is meant to give the reader a glimpse behind the scenes.
• This content emanates from the Cedar Key News archives.
• This content is not exhaustive.
COLSON
Cedar Key Food Pantry
• Has operated the Pantry for past seven years
• Transformed it from some forty clients to 80 to 100 each week
• Has added mental health educational materials and access to Health Department staff, sponsors monthly/bimonthly visitations Pantry by Health Department staff, offers computer assistance and expertise to assist those needing to access medical, social security, and other aid programs
• Each holiday, from big ones like Christmas to small ones like Valentine’s Day, offers special gifts or gift packages, all containing healthy items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and the like, acknowledging clients’ humanity
• Offers gas cards to those who must get to a doctor in Gainesville
Cedar Key Food Pantry
• Has operated the Pantry for past seven years
• Transformed it from some forty clients to 80 to 100 each week
• Has added mental health educational materials and access to Health Department staff, sponsors monthly/bimonthly visitations Pantry by Health Department staff, offers computer assistance and expertise to assist those needing to access medical, social security, and other aid programs
• Each holiday, from big ones like Christmas to small ones like Valentine’s Day, offers special gifts or gift packages, all containing healthy items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and the like, acknowledging clients’ humanity
• Offers gas cards to those who must get to a doctor in Gainesville
Water Awareness
• Served as director for approximately a decade on the Suwannee River Water Management District, one the five state-level water organizations that safeguard and distribute ground and surface waters to every Floridian
• In March 2016, orchestrated “Think Water, Think Ceda Key” program, the six-week seminar and community participation series focusing upon: history of water in Cedar Key and the creation of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District, sea-level rise concerns, freshwater access, and the future of water in Cedar Key
• With Mayor Davis and many others spearheaded the concept of constructing a pipeline from Bronson, where excellent water resides, through Otter Creek, to Cedar Key, where sea level rise and salinity issues encroach. The entry, Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative was formed two years ago, has already acquired grants forwarding it goal of providing “Good Water” to the entities and removing wastewater from each. Hopes are high to include Rosewood and Sumner in the resulting water access.
• Began the Florida State Departmental Environmental Protection’s Clean Marina Program in Cedar Key, meeting and monitoring its standards and assuring that waters remain free from debris and other pollutants
• Joining the International Coastal Clean Up effort and spearheaded Coastal Clean Up in Cedar Key for decades, inviting hundreds of volunteers annually from around the area, and to collect, count, and properly dispose of debris on and around the islands surrounding Cedar Key
• Refurbished a century-old two-hole outhouse into a resident and tourist educational attraction that teaches how the city has processed wastewater since the municipality was founded
• Served as director for approximately a decade on the Suwannee River Water Management District, one the five state-level water organizations that safeguard and distribute ground and surface waters to every Floridian
• In March 2016, orchestrated “Think Water, Think Ceda Key” program, the six-week seminar and community participation series focusing upon: history of water in Cedar Key and the creation of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District, sea-level rise concerns, freshwater access, and the future of water in Cedar Key
• With Mayor Davis and many others spearheaded the concept of constructing a pipeline from Bronson, where excellent water resides, through Otter Creek, to Cedar Key, where sea level rise and salinity issues encroach. The entry, Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative was formed two years ago, has already acquired grants forwarding it goal of providing “Good Water” to the entities and removing wastewater from each. Hopes are high to include Rosewood and Sumner in the resulting water access.
• Began the Florida State Departmental Environmental Protection’s Clean Marina Program in Cedar Key, meeting and monitoring its standards and assuring that waters remain free from debris and other pollutants
• Joining the International Coastal Clean Up effort and spearheaded Coastal Clean Up in Cedar Key for decades, inviting hundreds of volunteers annually from around the area, and to collect, count, and properly dispose of debris on and around the islands surrounding Cedar Key
• Refurbished a century-old two-hole outhouse into a resident and tourist educational attraction that teaches how the city has processed wastewater since the municipality was founded
Health
• Arranges for blood collection agencies and dentists to periodically come to Cedar Key to serve area residents
Aquaculture
• Served on the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association Board of Directors for years
• Brings to town grant-giver programs that assist post hurricane impacted aquaculture workers
Levy Schools
• Served on the Cedar Key School Advisory Committee for well over a decade
• Spearheaded the state-wide new vocational course sequence of aquaculture courses, not only keeping students in school, but having them learn safety, health, and biology, and working regularly with professionals in the Nature Coast Biological Station, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Aquaculture Association
• Has led the charge to refurbish the gymnasium with Cedar Key Lions-financed new floor, Loews grant assisted new windows, and subsequent air conditioning system
• Led the fundraising for revamping of the tennis courts into multi-purpose courts to resurface them, fence them, and redraw lines to include pickle ball, daily physical education classes, and more activities
• Led the fundraising efforts to refurbish the long-ignored weight room, complete with handicapped access, equipment, and new flooring
• With Leslie Sturmer, initiated the Reel Recycling program where high school students collect monofilament fishing lines from all over the island and recycle the fiber
• Assists teacher / student efforts to educate the public about storm water runoff and care of drainage systems, where students mark the drainage ports all over town
• Served on the Cedar Key School Advisory Committee for well over a decade
• Spearheaded the state-wide new vocational course sequence of aquaculture courses, not only keeping students in school, but having them learn safety, health, and biology, and working regularly with professionals in the Nature Coast Biological Station, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Aquaculture Association
• Has led the charge to refurbish the gymnasium with Cedar Key Lions-financed new floor, Loews grant assisted new windows, and subsequent air conditioning system
• Led the fundraising for revamping of the tennis courts into multi-purpose courts to resurface them, fence them, and redraw lines to include pickle ball, daily physical education classes, and more activities
• Led the fundraising efforts to refurbish the long-ignored weight room, complete with handicapped access, equipment, and new flooring
• With Leslie Sturmer, initiated the Reel Recycling program where high school students collect monofilament fishing lines from all over the island and recycle the fiber
• Assists teacher / student efforts to educate the public about storm water runoff and care of drainage systems, where students mark the drainage ports all over town
City of Cedar Key
• Served as commissioner for over two decades, often as mayor and ice-mayor
• Continually, through grants, refurbishes City Park beach, refilling it with sand, planting greens that hold the sand, refurbishing bathrooms and playground equipment, and increasing the number of shade trees planted
• With Emergency Operation Director Robert Robinson, orchestrates Hurricane Awareness / Hazardous Waste Day in Cedar Key, where some fifteen to twenty county, university, and non-profits meet the public, offering them hurricane safety information. Further, all household products that might enter the environment during a storm event are collected from residents and recycled properly. Electronics, tires, cleaning agents, paint, etc. are just part of what is gathered and, resultantly, do not enter our waters.
• Served as commissioner for over two decades, often as mayor and ice-mayor
• Continually, through grants, refurbishes City Park beach, refilling it with sand, planting greens that hold the sand, refurbishing bathrooms and playground equipment, and increasing the number of shade trees planted
• With Emergency Operation Director Robert Robinson, orchestrates Hurricane Awareness / Hazardous Waste Day in Cedar Key, where some fifteen to twenty county, university, and non-profits meet the public, offering them hurricane safety information. Further, all household products that might enter the environment during a storm event are collected from residents and recycled properly. Electronics, tires, cleaning agents, paint, etc. are just part of what is gathered and, resultantly, do not enter our waters.
Community Awareness
• In September and October, 2018, established the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street “Crossroads” program to Cedar Key, focusing area residents on knowing their community: upon railroads, science, riverboats, and historical tours. The event was sponsored in concert with the Florida Humanities Council and with the National Archives.
• With Attorney Norm Fugate, established a biannual “Ask a Lawyer” program when lawyers are available free of charge to guide area residents with issues, such as, wills, bankruptcy, and whatever problems they may have
• In September and October, 2018, established the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street “Crossroads” program to Cedar Key, focusing area residents on knowing their community: upon railroads, science, riverboats, and historical tours. The event was sponsored in concert with the Florida Humanities Council and with the National Archives.
• With Attorney Norm Fugate, established a biannual “Ask a Lawyer” program when lawyers are available free of charge to guide area residents with issues, such as, wills, bankruptcy, and whatever problems they may have
Trees and Green
• Worked with the Heritage Tree Program, working with botanists and other volunteers to identify, diagnose condition of, and monitor the City’s Heritage trees
• Instituted Arbor Day in Cedar Key, where residents are given, free of charge, oaks, cedars, and other trees, to plant on their properties, increasing the canopy and making the island greener and cooler
• Designed legislation to ensure funding for continuous, future greening efforts, assuring that tree permit fees go directly to restoration
• Working with the Department of Environmental Protection, designed seminars, attended by residents, yard workers and contractors, about mangrove advantages, management, and preservation
• Worked with the Heritage Tree Program, working with botanists and other volunteers to identify, diagnose condition of, and monitor the City’s Heritage trees
• Instituted Arbor Day in Cedar Key, where residents are given, free of charge, oaks, cedars, and other trees, to plant on their properties, increasing the canopy and making the island greener and cooler
• Designed legislation to ensure funding for continuous, future greening efforts, assuring that tree permit fees go directly to restoration
• Working with the Department of Environmental Protection, designed seminars, attended by residents, yard workers and contractors, about mangrove advantages, management, and preservation
Resiliency efforts
• Partnering with the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station, acquired grants to: establish grasses to diminish wave action at Joe Rains Beach; establish structures lining Airport Road to diminish sea level rise deterioration; establish grasses to diminish wave action deteriorating G Street, one of the city’s few main transportation corridors
• Collaborates with Levy County commissioners to undergird Dock Street from eroding and deteriorating, through grant funding
• Partnering with the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station, acquired grants to: establish grasses to diminish wave action at Joe Rains Beach; establish structures lining Airport Road to diminish sea level rise deterioration; establish grasses to diminish wave action deteriorating G Street, one of the city’s few main transportation corridors
• Collaborates with Levy County commissioners to undergird Dock Street from eroding and deteriorating, through grant funding
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