Tax Reform Partnership Motion, taken from the draft meeting minutes:

"The board (Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District) join other conservation districts in Florida to urge the state legislature to consider the valuable services provided by local governments as they make a decision about the tax reform."

Motion was made by Supervisor Blas Gomez and seconded by Supervisor Thure Caire. Supervisors Scott Matteo and Sean McGlynn opposed the motion. Supervisor John Maloney was not present for the vote.

Bipartisan Effort Not Enough to Support District Partnership
June 12^th, 2007

Tallahassee – Like Leon County’s other local offices, the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District (ORSWCD) is a nonpartisan unit of government. This nonpartisanship was apparent in Monday’s vote on whether or not the ORSWCD should join other Conservation Districts across Florida in urging the legislature to consider the services provided by local governments during the legislature’s special session.

Supervisors Thure Caire and Blas Gomez, a democrat and a republican, supported partnering with other Conservation Districts. Supervisors Sean McGlynn and Scott Matteo, a democrat and a republican, opposed the partnership. Supervisor John Maloney was not present at the meeting.

“The Conservation Districts are stronger when we can work together,” said Supervisor Caire, “this is a lost opportunity for Leon County to be a part of an important state-wide partnership.” Several conversation districts throughout the state depend on local governments for funding. Many reforms proposed in the special legislative session would sharply curtail local governments’ ability to impose property taxes, which would decrease their revenue.

“As an individual I would like to see tax reform," said Supervisor Gomez, "however, as a Soil and Water Conservation District elected official , I am very concerned that some aspects of the Property Tax reform could mean the death knell for many Conservation Districts." The ORSWCD does not currently receive funding from Leon County or the City of Tallahassee, and instead relies on procuring grants and private sources of funding. Conservation District Supervisors do not receive any salary.

“Conservation Districts are probably one of the most cost-effective units of government,” said Supervisor Caire, “but we can’t compete for funding against things like keeping ambulances running or Sheriff’s patrolling. I worry that these reforms will be bad for conservation districts’ across the state.”

The Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District is a five member board that serves all of Leon County. Under a combination of state and federal laws conservation districts perform duties and bring funds to their district to assist landowners in protecting natural resources by implementing best management practices. The board members serve four year terms and are not paid for their service. For information about our local conservation district please visit http://www.votewithcaire.com/orswcd.html.

Tallahassee – Both Republicans Serving Leon County on the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District (ORSWCD) announced their full support of Thure Caire’s retention on November 7th. Scott Matteo, Chair of the ORSWCD, and Blas Gomez, Treasurer of the ORSWCD, both active republicans, announced their support of Thure Caire, for the ORSWCD. Thure Caire is a registered Democrat and a former officer of the Leon County Young Democrats.
“Thure is a team player… He is energetic and synergistic…Teams with Thure as a member can be counted on to accomplish more than the individuals can collectively accomplish by themselves,” wrote Matteo in his endorsement of Thure Caire. Matteo has served Leon County on the ORSWCD since 2000, and is the longest active serving member of the ORSWCD.

Supervisor Gomez serves the Florida Association of Conservation Districts as our regional vice-president. “I know Thure to be of the finest character and moral values... He's definitively the best candidate for the office, and the community will continue to benefit from his invaluable contributions.”

“Having bipartisan support is a product of focusing more on results than politics,” said Thure Caire. “It is especially important to work together on the ORSWCD because functioning as a team will makes us more appealing to people and organizations that allocate grant funds.”

The Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District is a five member board that serves all of Leon County. Under a combination of state and federal laws conservation districts perform duties and bring funds to their district to assist landowners in protecting natural resources by implementing best management practices. The board members serve four year terms and are not paid for their service. For information about our local conservation district please visit http://www.votewithcaire.com/orswcd.html.

I want to take this opportunity to endorse Thure Caire for the office of Supervisor for the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District, Seat 3. I have known Thure through working with him at the City of Tallahassee, and more recently as a current Supervisor for the District. I know Thure to be of the finest character and moral values. His participation on the District's Board has added enthusiasm and experience, especially on issues related to water and soil protection and preservation. He's definitively the best candidate for the office, and the community will continue to benefit from his invaluable contributions.

As Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation Chairman, I am pleased to endorse Thure Caire as the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation Group III Supervisor. I am endorsing him for the following reasons:

Thure is a team player. He works very well with the others, including his fellow supervisors. He is energetic and synergistic. It is my opinion that the other others feel comfortable on a team that includes him. Teams with Thure as a member can be counted on to accomplish more than the individuals can collectively accomplish by themselves. Thure puts the welfare of the team above personal gain.

Thure strives to accomplish the mission. Thure is interested in the conservation movement and dedicated to the District’s goals and objectives, which include: assessing soil and water conditions, educating the public, and advocating beneficial conservation policies. Thure’s technical background makes him very suitable for this position.

Thure is a free thinker who frequently comes up with creative ideas. The board of supervisors is frequently called upon to brain-storm and come up with ideas that establish board direction. Thure is an active participant with significant input.

Thure is a leader. His role with the District has required him to take leadership positions in a wide variety of areas. He has willingly taken on and successfully executed these responsibilities.
Thure abides by traditional principles. He responsibly executes his duties in a manner that does not compromise the Board’s integrity.

Thure’s positive attributes have played contributed to the Board’s significant past successes. I firmly believe that the Board will be able to more effectively parlay past successes to successes on the next level with Thure’s continued participation.