I am part of Class VX for the University of Florida’s Natural Resources Leadership Institute. It has been an incredible journey, and I have learned so much. It has been both exhausting and rewarding. As I am on the campaign trail running for Martin County Commissioner, and a sitting commissioner for the Town of Sewall’s Point, leaving for three to four days every month is difficult. When I get home I am behind and worried I will not meet my fundraising and outreach goals for the month….My husband, Ed, has been supportive, but it is an additional challenge for our family balance and my responsibilities.
Last year Ed and I really talked it through. “Go!” He said.
“You need to learn what they are teaching, Jacqui. You need to learn how to take out the emotion and deal with these political issues objectively…”
Hmmmmm? OK.
And I have been learning….
I have been learning “leadership.” I have been reading. I have been building relationships with others in agencies and government positions across our state. I have been practicing… And most important, I am learning to apply a “framework for understanding conflict,” to resolve conflict together–collaboratively.
—-I keep my notes on my dresser and look at them every morning. Recently, it has all has begun to make sense.
This journey to study some of Florida’s top resource conflicts began almost one year ago and reads like a “Who’s Who”of Florida issues: Titusville, NASA: Indian River Lagoon–Space Port in National Wildlife Refuge; Apalachicola, Water Wars/Dying Historic Oyster Industry; Silver Springs, Aquifer Recharge/Springs Health; Jacksonville, Wildland Interface (where the state burns wooded areas within feet of people’s homes due to rampant development); Key Largo, Sea Level Rise; Crystal River, Manatees/Endangered Species, Recreation/Protections; and finally our last stop tomorrow before graduation in April: Clewiston, Agriculture South of Lake Okeechobee….
I have been to Clewiston before, but that was a few years ago to protest at the “Sugarland Rally.” Remember the Sugarland Rally that statewide paddle-boarder Justin Riney organized during the “Lost Summer of 2013?” When the St Lucie and Indian River Lagoon were toxic for three months with overflow waters of Lake Okeechobee?
This time I will visit not to protest but to study the situation objectively using my new tools. It’s of kind of ironic that Clewiston is my last stop, isn’t it? The final test. My class will be meeting with stakeholders and touring US Sugar Corporation’s headquarters in Clewiston.
Gulp.
I am excited to learn. I am excited to see it up close and hear their side of the story on their home turf. To be fair, this is a historic issue. But whether I can take the emotion out of it or not….that I’ll have to let you know.
FLASH FORWARD TO TODAY:
Read more about UF’s NRLI or apply at : http://nrli.ifas.ufl.edu
Clewiston: http://www.clewiston-fl.gov
US Sugar Corporation:http://www.ussugar.com
Hi Jacqui, As chairman of the Md. Chamber of Commerce in 1998 when we initiated the Leadership Md. Program I deeply appreciate your efforts. From that prospective I offer you my hardiest congratulations on your commitment to the program you are just finishing. It’s comforting to know someone is so well prepared to lead the charge for sensible environmental stewardship in Florida.
I only wish you were a candidate for the governor’s mansion! Somehow we have to identify a candidate for that office who can save Florida’s natural world. We were lucky to have that in the 2 main states in Chesapeake Bay watershed namely, Virginia and Maryland. It takes leadership at the top to accomplish the mission.
Best wishes in your campaign at the local level. Wayne
Sent from my iPad
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How soon do you go?
10-13 march
Nice JTL – your leadership class looks interesting! You are doing it all right girl!
On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 9:33 AM, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch wrote:
> Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch posted: ” I am part of Class VX for the University > of Florida’s Natural Resources Leadership Institute. It has been an > incredible journey, and I have learned so much. It has been both exhausting > and rewarding. As I am on the campaign trail running for M” >
Thanks NIC! and thanks for all the education you are doing with the River Kidz–this is actually most important!
Sounds daunting, Jacqui. And as you hear “their” perspective, please keep yours (ours?) um, yours! Proud of you.
The arabs have a saying—-It is better to be an enemy of the west than a friend—-the reason is if you are a enemy they will try to buy you( by collaborating) If you are a friend they will sell you. I think collaborating goes all the way back to Judas in the bible.
The best way to resolve conflict is to use modern technology to educate the public on issues(through debate) and make it simple for the internet to count everyones vote,But this would mean politicians would be public servants and who would waunt that job?