The City of Winter Haven hosted the Ridge League of Cities October Membership Dinner at Nora Mayo Hall.  The accommodations and room were beautifully decorated in a fall-like setting with the theme, “Harvest in the Haven”.   What a great turnout, too.   A total of 216 were in attendance including 158 City Members and 58 Associate Members.  Eighteen (18) of the twenty-four (24) RLC member cities were represented.  It was a repeat for our Traveling Trophy recipients.  Davenport won the traveling trophy for the cities and Kimley-Horn won the Associate Member trophy. 

The RLC started something new this year with our Toys for Tots partnership.  Our thanks to all the attendees of the October event that brought an unwrapped toy to help less-fortunate children throughout the six counties within the Ridge League.  The initiative suggested by Lake Hamilton Mayor Michael Kehoe was very successful.   Thank you, Ridge League and Toys for Tots!

The evening’s program focused on one of the most important issues facing our municipalities…water.   Zephyrhills City Manager Bill Poe addressed the recent moratorium on residential development in his city due to water capacity concerns.    A video was shown on the progress of the Polk Regional Water Cooperative’s Southeast Wellfield located near Frostproof.  Our guest speaker for the evening was Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, a nonprofit foundation in Buford, GA.  Meeker also served as Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District and Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  She spoke on the importance of alternative water supply and the need of public engagement in addressing the critical water related issues.

It was a fun and informative evening.  Thank you, Winter Haven!

RLC Secretary Sara Roberts McCarley announces the City Traveling Trophy winner.  RLC President Morris West presents the Traveling Trophy to Davenport Mayor Brynn Summerlin

RLC Secretary Sara Roberts McCarley announces the Associate Member Traveling Trophy winner.  RLC President Morris West presents the Associate Member Traveling Trophy to Cheryl Bauman from Kimley-Horn

Zephyrhills City Manager speaks with RLC Executive Director Bobby Green on his city’s moratorium on residential growth due to water capacity issues.