| Last Stand's Annual
Membership Meeting, January 25, was a smashing
success. Held for the third year in the
Tropic Cinema, the meeting kicked off
Last Stand's
20th year of fighting for the Keys' environment
and quality of life. Over 70 members
attended the meeting, and the theater was packed
to its 150-person capacity for the featured
speaker, nature photographer John Moran.
Before the
business meeting, we enjoyed a social hour
and refreshments in the lobby (photos at right).
Dennis Henize,
President, began the business meeting with a
brief summary of the past year's activities and
accomplishments, and outlined some challenges
for 2007. Margaret Domanski delivered a treasurer's report.
Election of the 2007 Board of Directors
followed. Four Directors retired, and
we added two, so we begin 2007 with fourteen
Directors. New Directors for 2007 are
Mark Songer, and Mimi Stafford. |
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Awards
presentation was next.
The highlight was a presentation to
long-time Key Westers Bill and Fran Ford of
a Lifetime Achievement award in recognition
of their tireless efforts, over many years,
to preserve the natural environment of the
Florida Keys. George Halloran made the
presentation.
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Kay
Thacker, of Key Largo, was recognized as Outstanding
Citizen Activist for 2006 for her tireless
efforts watch-dogging local government,
alerting a network of friends to upcoming
important development issues, asking questions
of officials, and for speaking up when she
sees things she disagrees with. At left,
Dennis Henize presents Kay her award. |
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Monroe County Commissioner
George Neugent was presented the Outstanding
Government Official award in recognition of
his sticking up for the environment as a
county commissioner. On many
important land use issues where development
pressures must be balanced with environmental
protection, Mr. Neugent has consistently voted
against the majority, in favor of needed habitat
protection.
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Additional awards were made to two Last
Stand board members.
Outgoing President Dennis Henize was
recognized for Outstanding Dedication during his
two years as president of Last Stand's Board of
Directors. Margaret Domanski made the
presentation. |
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Joan Borel
was recognized for her 20 years of dedicated
service to the goals of Last Stand. Joan
has retired from the Board as of this meeting, but has immediately been drafted to
continue serving in an advisory capacity.
Amy Lachat Lynch made the presentation to Joan. |
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Following the business
meeting, members and the invited public filled the theater
to see and hear our featured speaker, photographer John
Moran (at right). His talk,
“Journal of Light: A Photographer’s search
for the soul of Florida”, combined his beautiful
photography of natural Florida with an informative narration
and thought-provoking observations.
To see some
of Mr. Moran's work, see his website at
JohnMoranPhoto.com |
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Last
Stand thanks
Tropic
Cinema for accommodating our meeting, and for the tremendous
community service they provide.
And we most heartily thank
the following for the delicious pre-meeting
munchies:
Blue Heaven -- 729 Thomas Street
Robin Deck
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