Commissioner Hosts Glades Forum

Commissioner Santamaria introduces his guest speakers: (l-r) Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, South Bay Mayor Shirley Walker-Turner, Pahokee City Commissioner Allie Biggs, Dr. Marcia Hardney, Palm Beach State College provost, PBC Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Mike Arena, PBSO Capt. Nancy Grimes, Laura Corry with the South Florida Water Management District, and Lt. Col. Michael Kinard of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Commissioner Santamaria introduces his guest speakers: (l-r) Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, South Bay Mayor Shirley Walker-Turner, Pahokee City Commissioner Allie Biggs, Dr. Marcia Hardney, Palm Beach State College provost, PBC Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Mike Arena, PBSO Capt. Nancy Grimes, Laura Corry with the South Florida Water Management District, and Lt. Col. Michael Kinard of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Commissioner Santamaria urged Lake Region residents and officials to form a unified voice.

Lt. Col. Michael Kinard with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said a majority of the dike restoration projects along the southeast shore of Lake Okeechobee are on schedule and fully funded for this year.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria held a Glades-area community forum on February 22 at the Dolly Hand Cultural Center in Belle Glade. About 80 western communities residents attended. Discussion topics included water resource management, restoration of the Herbert Hoover Dike, public safety, job creation, education, and municipal government updates by elected officials from Belle Glade, South Bay and Pahokee.

Invited speakers included Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, South Bay Mayor Shirley Walker-Turner, Pahokee City Commissioner Allie Biggs, Palm Beach State College Provost Dr. Marcia Hardney, PBC Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Mike Arena, PBSO Capt. Nancy Grimes, Laura Corry with the South Florida Water Management District, and Lt. Col. Michael Kinard of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.