The October Ridge League of Cities Membership Dinner was scheduled for October 10, 2024, in Winter Haven.  The event was cancelled due to Hurricane Milton.  Thank you to Winter Haven for graciously offering to reschedule and host our membership on November 14, 2024.    The “Harvest in the Haven”  fall-themed dinner was held at the Nora Mayo Hall.  The room was beautifully decorated by the Winter Haven staff and catered by The Catering Company, Winter Haven.  What an exciting evening!    A total of 236 were in attendance including 141 City Members, 65 Associate Members, and 30 guests.  Eighteen (18) of the twenty-four (24) RLC member cities were represented.  In addition to the host city, those cities in double digits included Lake Hamilton, Bartow, Haines City, Mulberry, and the winner of the City Traveling Trophy, Dundee with 17 officials in attendance.  Chastain Skillman and Kimley-Horn tied for the Associate Member trophy, both with 7 team members attending.  Thanks to all the Associate Members in attendance and for all the Associate Members continued support of the Ridge League of Cities. 

The business session consisted of comments by Toys for Tots Coordinator Angela Davis, announcement of the Florida League of Cities new job portal (FLCityJobs), and President Cannon’s encouragement for city officials to register for the FLC Legislative Conference in Orlando.  The Ridge League was honored to have the Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie as our guest speaker.  He gave a timely update on the State response to the recent hurricanes and spoke of the Division’s important partnership role with our cities and counties.  He also spoke of the State’s recent purchase of warehouse space in Auburndale to more centralize response efforts during disasters.  Thank you, Director Guthrie for your public service and visiting with us in the Ridge League!