A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

2000 STATE OF THE COUNTY

OCTOBER 19, 2000

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners held the State of the County on Thursday, October 19, 2000, at 6:30 p.m., in the lobby of the Lake County Historical Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman; Catherine C. Hanson, Vice Chair; Robert A. Pool; Rhonda H. Gerber; and G. Richard Swartz, Jr. Others present were: Sue Whittle, County Manager; Sanford A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Alvin B. Jackson, Jr., Deputy County Manager; Neil Kelly, Senior Chief Deputy Clerk, Clerk's Office; George B. Knupp, Jr., Sheriff; Pat Land, Assistant Tax Collector; Donna Miller, Circuit Judge, City Officials, Dignitaries; various Department Heads; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.

There were approximately 190 staff, reporters, and citizens present.

Commr. Cadwell presented opening comments and welcomed those present to the 2000 State of the County. He introduced the dignitaries that were present.

. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Alvin Jackson, Deputy County Manager, gave the invocation and the Honorable George E. Knupp, Jr., Sheriff, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

INTRODUCTIONS

Commr. Cadwell introduced the Lake County Board of County Commissioners; Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager; Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney; Mr. Neil Kelly, Senior Chief Deputy Clerk, Clerk's Office; Ms. Jennifer Hill, newly elected County Commissioner for District 1; and Ms. Debbie Stivender, the newly elected County Commissioner for District 3.

Commr. Cadwell expressed a special thanks to Carroll Fulmer & Company, Inc.; First National Bank of Mount Dora; First Federal Savings Bank of Lake County; First Union Bank; Florida Power Corporation; Sprint-Florida, Inc.; and Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. for sponsoring the event this evening.

STATE OF THE COUNTY MESSAGE

Commr. Cadwell stated that he would be briefly discussing issues this evening that were important to the citizens of Lake County, the first being the growth and expansion of the Lake County Library System. He noted that the Citrus Ridge Library has recently opened to provide library services to the citizens of south Lake County, and the East Lake County Library has recently opened to provide library services to the citizens of east Lake County. He discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and the economic development efforts that were important for the continuing creation of jobs in Lake County. He discussed the importance of partnerships with the municipalities and Sumter County as they relate to the newly established not-for-profit ambulance service, Lake-Sumter EMS, Inc., and noted that the new ambulance service was providing efficient, quality service to the citizens of Lake County and Sumter County. He stated that the County Commissioners were united in the efforts to renegotiate the Ogden Martin contract for solid waste disposal and were prepare to move forward with a lawsuit in regard to the Ogden Martin contract.

At this time, Commr. Cadwell called Commr. Gerber and Commr. Swartz to the podium and commended each Commissioner for their outstanding service to Lake County.

2000 WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME

Commr. Catherine Hanson announced that the Lake County Women's Hall of Fame inductees for 2000 were Ms. Dorothy M. Shipes and Ms. Miriam W. Johnson.

Commr. Hanson provided a brief narrative on the accomplishments of Ms. Dorothy Shipes and presented a plaque and lapel pin to Mr. Joe Shipes, Son, accepting on behalf of the family of Ms. Shipes.

Commr. Hanson provided a brief narrative on the accomplishments of Ms. Miriam Johnson and presented a plaque and lapel pin to Mr. Howard King, President, Lake County Historical Society, accepting on behalf of Ms. Johnson.

At this time, Commr. Gerber cut the ribbon on the unveiling of the Lake County Women's Hall of Fame exhibit located in the lobby of the Historic Courthouse.

At the conclusion of the State of County, Commr. Cadwell invited those present to join in refreshments and socializing.

There being no further business, the State of the County was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.





__________________________________ WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN









ATTEST:







_________________________________

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK



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