“In addition, he brings to his new post a high ethical standard and great integrity.”

Edward M. Spooner, 58, of Quincy, was previously the training academy director for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Prior to 2005, he was chief deputy of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office for six years, and in 1999 served as interim director of the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.

Spooner has been chairman of both the Florida Parole Commission and the Parole Commission Qualifications and Selection Committee and has served on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

He is a member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, Big Bend Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Florida Peace Officers Association.

Sheriff Spooner will serve a term ending November 8, 2010.

With Hiday and Ricke since 2006, Merrigan, 46, is the sole manager and senior attorney of the firm’s South Florida office. He is also a Lt. Colonel and judge advocate in the United States Army Reserves since 1994, serving in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Iraq in 2003 to 2004.

During his career, he has also practiced with Rinaman and Associates, McConnaughhay Duffy, Nations Bank/Bank of America, Barnett Bank, and Houston and Shahady. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina, and graduated from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, in Birmingham, Alabama.

He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984 and earned a Master of Law from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989.

Merrigan will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert Zack.

Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission

· Kathleen A. Connell, 42, of Tallahassee, police officer, City of Tallahassee, succeeding Cynthia M. Klee, appointed for a term beginning April 7, 2009, and ending August 1, 2012.

· David W. Diggs, 65, of Sanford, director of corrections, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, succeeding David M. Parrish, appointed for a term beginning April 7, 2009, and ending August 1, 2011

· The Honorable John H. Rutherford, 56, of Jacksonville, Sheriff of the City of Jacksonville, succeeding Robert W. Milner, appointed for a term beginning April 7, 2009, and August 1, 2009.

Appoints Closshey to the Governing Board, Southwest Florida Water Management District

Governing Board, Southwest Florida Water Management District
(Senate confirmation required)

· Jennifer E. Closshey, 55, of Plant City, president, Ideas & Innovations Incorporated, reappointed for a term beginning April 7, 2009, and ending March 1, 2013.

Judge Gerber, 40, has served on the 15th Judicial Circuit since 2004. Previously, he served on the Palm Beach County Court from 2002 to 2004. He practiced with Shutts and Bowen, and with Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law.

“Spencer brings to the bench a unique perspective from his diverse experience, including investigating Medicaid fraud, reviewing legal matters for a local law enforcement agency, and practicing as both a private attorney and a prosecutor,” Governor Crist said. “His broad knowledge of civil, regulatory, administrative and criminal law will be especially important to the court.”

Levine, 48, is the senior vice president and chief operating officer of Broward Health, where he previously held the position of senior vice president and chief compliance and ethics officer and chief administrative officer. From 2002 to 2006, he served in the Office of the Attorney General in the Florida Medicaid Fraud Unit, rising from senior chief assistant attorney general to director of the unit in 2003. Previously, he practiced with Adorno and Zeder, in the Office of the Guardian ad Litem, as general counsel with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, as assistant state attorney with the 15th Judicial Circuit, with Enten, Schwartz et al and as a sole practitioner. He earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University College of Arts and Sciences and graduated from the University of Miami School of Law.

Gerber and Levine will fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Judge Larry Klein and the elevation of Justice Jorge Labarga to the Florida Supreme Court.

Before being appointed to the Supreme Court, Justice Labarga served on the Fourth District Court of Appeal and previously on the 15th Judicial Circuit since 1996. Previously, he practiced with Roth, Duncan and Labarga for four years, and with Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Johnson, Roth and Romano for five years.

Labarga served as an assistant public defender from 1979 to 1982 and an assistant state attorney from 1982 to 1987. A 45-year Florida resident, Justice Labarga was born in Havana, Cuba, and received his bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Florida.

Justice Labarga will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Harry Lee Anstead, who served on the Florida Supreme Court beginning in 1994.

“By taking this fiscally conservative approach, we can secure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore and revive the Everglades despite continued economic challenges,” said Governor Crist. “The proposal represents a balance for both the environment and the economy by allowing us to acquire hundreds of square miles of prime property in affordable steps.”

The proposed terms, which are subject to financing and approval by both the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and the United States Sugar Corporation Board of Directors, would allow the district to fulfill the Governor’s vision to acquire huge parcels of agricultural land for Everglades restoration by purchasing 112 square miles of property immediately, with an option to purchase the remaining acreage when economic and financial conditions improve.

Under the proposal, the district would initially invest approximately $530 million for 72,500 acres of property south of Lake Okeechobee – a land mass nearly twice the size of Orlando. Approximately 32,000 acres of that land, currently in citrus production, would be available to the district within a year after closing. The United States Sugar Corporation would lease back the other approximately 40,500 acres of sugar cane land for $150 per acre per year for at least seven years. The district would have an option to purchase the remaining 107,500 acres of United States Sugar Corporation property for restoration within the first 10 years after closing.

Highlights of the proposed acquisition terms include:

· Reducing the immediate public investment by 60 percent, or $800 million, in addition to reducing annual debt service payments by an estimated $65 million.

· Tripling the land lease rate to $150 an acre per year to generate a minimum of $40 million in revenue and avoid at least $11 million in land management costs.

· Potentially freeing up revenue over the coming years for “shovel-ready” restoration projects that could create jobs and deliver environmental benefits to the Everglades Protection Area and Florida’s coastal estuaries.

· Sustaining regional agriculture.

· Keeping 1,700 direct jobs intact and protecting 10,000 indirect jobs for at least another decade with the continued operation of the United States Sugar Corporation’s mill and refinery.

“Restoring Florida’s Everglades depends on acquiring the land needed to clean and protect water flowing through the ecosystem,” said Manley Fuller, president of the Florida Wildlife Federation. “The purchase of this land is a milestone for all who cherish the Everglades and its unique habitat for endangered species.”

Governor Crist was joined for the announcement by Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Secretary Mike Sole of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as well as environmental leaders: Charles Pattison, 1000 Friends of Florida; Thom Rumberger, Everglades Trust & Foundation; Janet Bowman, The Nature Conservancy; Eric Draper, Audubon of Florida; and Curt Kiser, Florida Wildlife Federation.

On June 24, 2008, Governor Crist announced that the South Florida Water Management District would begin negotiations with the United States Sugar Corporation to acquire vast tracts of land south of Lake Okeechobee for Everglades restoration. After extensive deliberation, due diligence and public input, the district’s Governing Board voted to accept a proposal to acquire more than 180,000 acres of agricultural land for $1.34 billion.

In light of changing economic conditions, the district’s Governing Board added a clause to the contract to allow for the review of the most current financial conditions – including interest rates and revenue streams – before closing to verify the district’s capacity to finance the purchase and accomplish its existing statutory and legal obligations. Since December, revenue projections have changed dramatically with economic forecasts indicating continued financial uncertainty over the coming months.

“Because of the state’s strong commitment to this monumental vision for restoration, we are optimistic that this acquisition can be achieved under terms that are better matched to South Florida’s current fiscal climate,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole. “With the Governor’s support, the parties have explored alternatives that allow for the acquisition of strategic and desirable lands but under a schedule that reduces the taxpayers’ investment today; makes revenue available sooner for the realization of restoration projects and preserves jobs.”

The details of the revised acquisition terms are still under discussion. The final proposed terms will be reviewed and considered by the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board at its public meetings.

Environmental goals of the acquisition include:

· Increasing the availability of water storage, significantly reducing the potential for harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries when lake levels are high.

· Delivering cleaner water to the Everglades during dry times and greater water storage to protect the natural system during wet years.

· Preventing tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades every year.

· Significantly reducing the need for “back-pumping” water into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area.

· Relieving some pressures on the Herbert Hoover Dike while the federal government undertakes repairs by providing alternative water storage alternatives.

· Improved flexibility in managing Lake Okeechobee levels in a more environmentally friendly way.

For more information about the acquisition, visit www.sfwmd.gov/riverofgrass.

About the South Florida Water Management District — Celebrating 60 Years (1949-2009)

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state – 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.

“I have made increased energy efficiencies and reduced greenhouse gas emissions priorities in my administration,” Governor Crist said. “These funds represent a remarkable opportunity to invest in the cheapest, cleanest and fastest energy solution – energy efficiency. I encourage Florida’s local governments to utilize these funds in support of projects that will save tax dollars, strengthen our state’s economy and create jobs.”

The EECBG program was authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act, signed into law on December 19, 2007. However, the program was not funded until the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It is administered by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and is modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In Florida, the $168 million in EECBG funds are being allocated through direct formula grants to 17 counties ($74 million), 69 cities ($64 million), two tribal governments ($243,000) and the Governor’s Energy Office ($30 million). In addition, the State Energy Office will distribute $18 million in sub-grants, 60 percent of its federal allocation, as directed by federal authorizing legislation to smaller cities and counties that are ineligible for direct formula grants. Each state decides how to award these sub-grants; Florida expects to release further details on this process in the coming weeks as additional guidance from the federal government becomes available.

The EECBG funding will support energy reviews and efficiency modifications in residential and commercial buildings, advanced building codes and inspections, and financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient lighting for traffic signals and street lights, and other actions that conserve energy.

The state government share of this federal stimulus funding is subject to appropriation by the Florida Legislature, and Governor Crist looks forward to working with the Legislature to obtain the necessary approval. For more information about Florida’s use of the federal recovery dollars made available through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, please visit www.FlaRecovery.com.

“Without health care, people worry about getting sick and not being able to afford expensive doctor and hospital bills,” Governor Crist said. “Cover Florida Health Care is health care coverage people can afford, and the online information makes it easy for people to choose the plan right for them.”

Medica Health Plan of Florida is one of five Cover Florida insurers available in Miami-Dade County. The two statewide carriers are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and United Healthcare, and two additional insurers are JMH Health Plan and Total Health Choice. Twelve of the 21 Cover Florida plans available in Miami-Dade County have monthly premiums averaging $155 or less – and all of the preventive plans average less than $155. Medica and Total Health also serve Broward County.

Each insurer offers at least two benefit options – one with catastrophic and hospital coverage, and one focusing on preventive care. Each plan has a wide-ranging set of benefit options that include coverage for preventive services, screenings, office visits, as well as office surgery, urgent care, hospital coverage, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.

While at the center, Governor Crist emphasized how Cover Florida Health Care plans provide affordable access to health care for uninsured Floridians by highlighting the stories of two policyholders:

Luisa Diaz, 63, is retired and has been without insurance for three years. During that time, she was very concerned about getting sick and not getting regular health checkups. She researched possible insurance companies, but they charged between $700 and $800 a month because of her age. She learned about Cover Florida through a television news story. She pays less than $250 a month and is very happy with this insurance coverage.

David Katzberg was unemployed for two years until the condo where he had volunteered for years offered him a paying position. He used the Cover Florida online comparison tools to select the plan best for him. Through his Cover Florida Health Care plan, he was finally able to purchase new eyeglasses.

Also joining Governor Crist for the tour of Mary Saiz, vice president of Medica Healthcare Plans, and Eduardo Rubio, director of center operations.

Last week, Governor Crist announced the initial results of the first two months of enrollment in Cover Florida Health Care plans. As of February 28, 2009, the health plans reported enrolling 952 Floridians – 82 percent of whom chose catastrophic coverage, and 18 percent chose preventive coverage. He also encouraged businesses, health care providers and other organizations to help increase awareness about the affordable, quality health insurance coverage made available to Florida’s nearly four million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64.

Governor Crist encouraged Floridians interested in Cover Florida Health Care plans to visit the www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com Web site and compare the sample benefits and premium information from insurers. Each company operates a Cover Florida-specific toll-free telephone line and Web page making it possible for interested individuals to discuss their health care options with each insurer directly.

About Cover Florida Health Care

Six health insurance providers have been authorized by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Executive Office of the Governor to offer Cover Florida Health Care plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and United Healthcare are available in all 67 Florida counties, with additional insurers available in Broward, Miami-Dade, Volusia and Flagler counties.

Consumers interested in purchasing Cover Florida benefits should contact the insurance carriers directly. The six companies have designed 25 creative health insurance products. Cover Florida plans contain no mandates for participation and are portable from one employer to another because they are individual policies. Voluntary for both employers and policyholders, employers also may voluntarily share in the cost of the plan with their employees or may assist employees with a payroll deduction, providing a pre-tax benefit for the employee and a payroll tax break for the employer.

The cost of plans varies, depending on the applicant’s age, gender and choice of preventive coverage or catastrophic and hospital coverage. Fourteen of the 25 Cover Florida plans have monthly premiums averaging $155 or less, with all of the preventive plans offering coverage for, on average, $155 or less.

The Cover Florida plan was unanimously approved by the 2008 Legislature, and no tax dollars are required to make the plans available to Floridians. Selected by the State of Florida through a competitive bidding process, the six private insurance carriers were chosen based on their proposed robust, innovative and affordable health insurance products.

Acting jointly on behalf of the State of Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Office of Insurance Regulation issued the competitive Invitation to Negotiate and reviewed insurers’ responses, along with representatives from the Executive Office of the Governor. Once the six providers were selected, the state agencies worked jointly with the insurance carriers to finalize the contracts. Throughout the competitive process, the state agencies worked to ensure that Cover Florida products would not only offer robust benefits but also be financially sound. Moving forward, the state agencies are monitoring the sale of the products and addressing consumer concerns.

For more information about Cover Florida benefit options, visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com. To see sample benefits and costs, click on “Available Plans,” and select a county or compare all available Cover Florida Health Care plans.

“Floridians choosing Cover Florida Health Care are saving hundreds of dollars a month on their health care costs,” Governor Crist said. “People decide what works for them – for their health needs and for their wallet – and are then empowered to take control of their own health care.”

Four of the six Cover Florida plans available in Leon County have monthly premiums averaging $155 or less – and all of the preventive plans average less than $100. Applicants can choose between either statewide carrier Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida or United Healthcare. Each insurer offers at least two benefit options – one with catastrophic and hospital coverage, and one focusing on preventive care. Each plan has a wide-ranging set of benefit options that include coverage for preventive services, screenings, office visits, as well as office surgery, urgent care, hospital coverage, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies.

While at the hospital, Governor Crist emphasized how Cover Florida Health Care plans provide affordable access to health care for uninsured Floridians by highlighting the stories of two policyholders:

· Rebecca Rice, a 25-year-old single mother, lost her job because she could not get medical clearance to return to work after an accident. Unable to afford the cost of the necessary doctor’s visit, she lost her health insurance coverage when she became unemployed. Now working part-time, she is grateful that affordable health insurance is available through Cover Florida Health Care. Her child’s health care is covered by his father’s policy, and now she too has the coverage she needs.

· Carly Ramsey, 27, made the decision to pursue her education at Tallahassee Community College, which required leaving her job, as well as the health insurance available to her there. She researched many health insurance options and found them all unaffordable, especially for a single mother. When she learned about Cover Florida Health Care, she contacted an agent to enroll. For $92 a month, Cover Florida is allowing her to maintain the same the level of care she previously had while gaining a much needed monthly savings of hundreds of dollars.

Also joining Governor Crist for the tour of Capital Regional Medical Center’s emergency wing were Secretary Holly Benson of the Agency for Health Care Administration and several of the hospital’s leaders, including Bud Wethington, chief executive officer; Dale Neely, chief operating officer; and Marie Johnson, chief nursing officer.

Earlier this week, Governor Crist announced the initial results of the first two months of enrollment in Cover Florida Health Care plans. As of February 28, 2009, the health plans reported enrolling 952 Floridians – 82 percent of whom chose catastrophic coverage, and 18 percent chose preventive coverage. He also encouraged businesses, health care providers and other organizations to help increase awareness about the affordable, quality health insurance coverage made available to Florida’s nearly four million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64.

Governor Crist encouraged Floridians interested in Cover Florida Health Care plans to visit the www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com Web site and compare the sample benefits and premium information from insurers. Each company operates a Cover Florida-specific toll-free telephone line and Web page making it possible for interested individuals to discuss their health care options with each insurer directly.

More About Cover Florida Health Care

Six health insurance providers have been authorized by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Executive Office of the Governor to offer Cover Florida Health Care plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and United Healthcare are available in all 67 Florida counties, with additional insurers available in Broward, Miami-Dade, Volusia and Flagler counties.

Consumers interested in purchasing Cover Florida benefits should contact the insurance carriers directly. The six companies have designed 25 creative health insurance products. Cover Florida plans contain no mandates for participation and are portable from one employer to another because they are individual policies. Voluntary for both employers and policyholders, employers also may voluntarily share in the cost of the plan with their employees or may assist employees with a payroll deduction, providing a pre-tax benefit for the employee and a payroll tax break for the employer.

The cost of plans varies, depending on the applicant’s age, gender and choice of preventive coverage or catastrophic and hospital coverage. Fourteen of the 25 Cover Florida plans have monthly premiums averaging $155 or less, with all of the preventive plans offering coverage for, on average, $155 or less.

The Cover Florida plan was unanimously approved by the 2008 Legislature, and no tax dollars are required to make the plans available to Floridians. Selected by the State of Florida through a competitive bidding process, the six private insurance carriers were chosen based on their proposed robust, innovative and affordable health insurance products.

Acting jointly on behalf of the State of Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Office of Insurance Regulation issued the competitive Invitation to Negotiate and reviewed insurers’ responses, along with representatives from the Executive Office of the Governor. Once the six providers were selected, the state agencies worked jointly with the insurance carriers to finalize the contracts. Throughout the competitive process, the state agencies worked to ensure that Cover Florida products would not only offer robust benefits but also be financially sound. Moving forward, the state agencies are monitoring the sale of the products and addressing consumer concerns.

For more information about Cover Florida benefit options, visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com. To see sample benefits and costs, click on “Available Plans,” and select a county or compare all available Cover Florida Health Care plans.

East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Region 6
(Senate confirmation required)

· Melanie Chase, 38, of Winter Springs, attorney with Chase Freeman PA, succeeding James Greer, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2009.

· Jackie Colon, 43, of Rockledge, community relations consultant, JC Consulting LLC, succeeding Malcolm McLouth, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2011.

· Melissa “Mel” DeMarco, 50, of Mount Dora, mayor of the City of Mount Dora, succeeding Evelyn Smith, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Lonnie Groot, 58, of Deltona, attorney with Stenstrom, McIntosh, Colbert, Whigham and Parlow PA, succeeding Maryam Ghyabi, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2011.

· William “Bill” McDermott, 63, of Heathrow, director, Seminole Economic Development, succeeding Maria Clark, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.

· Julius Melendez, 31, of Kissimmee, member of the Osceola County School Board, succeeding Maria Grulich, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2009.

Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council, Region 4
(Senate confirmation required)

· Elaine Brown, 65, of Neptune Beach, community development regional manager with Wrathall, Hart, and Hunt, succeeding Mary Dungey, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Jane Miller, 58, of Ponte Vedra, attorney with Hill and Miller PA, succeeding Harry Maxwell, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October, 1, 2010.

· Darryl Register, 45, of Glen St. Mary, executive director, Baker County Chamber of Commerce, owner, D&D Dairy Inc., succeeding Ginger Barber, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2009.

· Kenneth Smallwood, 60, of Orange Park, self-employed commercial real estate agent, succeeding Deidra Franklin, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Karen Stern, 57, of St. Augustine, self-employed consultant, reappointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Carol Vallencourt, 60, of Orange Park, member of the Clay County School Board, reappointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

South Florida Regional Planning Council, Region 11

· Joan Goodrich, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, vice president of marketing and communications, The Broward Alliance, succeeding Roy Phillips, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.

Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Region 10
(Senate Confirmation Required)

· Eduardo Balbis, 36, of West Palm Beach, assistant city administrator, City of West Palm Beach, succeeding Daniel Miteff, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Ron Bunch, 40, of Stuart, executive director, Business Development Board of Martin County, succeeding George Haygood, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.

· Peter Carney, 46, of Delray Beach, attorney with Carney Legal Group PA, succeeding Robert Kanjian, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2009.

· Michael Davis, 53, of West Palm Beach, vice president, Keith and Schnars PA, succeeding Herman Baine, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Susan Hershey, 65, of Stuart, member of the Martin County School Board, reappointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October, 1, 2011.

· Richard “OJ” Oujevolk, 47, of Vero Beach, senior transportation engineer, Jacobs Engineering, succeeding Richard Hurley, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2010.

· Ramon Trias, 41, of Fort Pierce, president, Trias and Associates, reappointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2011.

Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council, Region 5
(Senate Confirmation Required)

· Edward “Bill” Murray, 67, of Lecanto, member of the Citrus County School Board, succeeding Carl Bertoch, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending October 1, 2009.

· Randy Welker, 56, of Homosassa, executive director, Citrus County Economic Development Council Inc., succeeding Robert Rohrlack, appointed for a term beginning March 26, 2009, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.