Hillsborough River Board gets new leadership

It is with sadness that we saw two advocates for the Hillsborough River move on to other duties and opportunities.  Meredith Abel, with the Temple Terrace city council, diligently worked to advance issues around the health and welfare of the river during her two years with the River Board. She was recognized for her service by the River Board. Also moving on to other opportunities is Tampa City Councilmember Joe Citro. Councilmember Citro served for three years on the River Board, including service as Vice Chair. During his tenure, Joe Citro was a vocal advocate for the Hillsborough River and advanced the discussions and actions on many issues.

The River Board welcomes the return of Temple Terrace City Councilmember Alison Fernandez. She served two terms on the Temple Terrace City Council from 2008 to 2016 and was previously on the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board in 2013 and 2014. Alison Fernandez graduated from Florida State University with BS degrees in Accounting and Finance. She currently works as an accountant for small to medium-sized businesses. Council Member Fernandez also serves as treasurer for King High School Athletic Booster Club and has volunteered with many local community organizations, including Lewis Elementary PTA; Greco Middle School PTSA; King High School PTSA; GFWC Jr. Woman’s Club; GFWC Woman’s Club; Temple Terrace Soccer Association and Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Council Member Fernandez has lived in Temple Terrace since 1972.

The River Board also welcomes Tampa Councilmember Lynn Hurtak to the River Board. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida, she worked as a teacher at Idylwild Elementary School in Gainesville while also serving as the school’s union representative. She currently works as a technical editor focusing on aid programs in West Africa. Lynn served on the board of the Historic Uptown Neighborhood Association in St. Petersburg, where she helped organize monthly crime walks in partnership with the St. Petersburg Police Department before her return to Tampa in 2015. Since that time, she has been an Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association trustee, a member of Tampa’s Variance Review Board, and a member of the Charter Review Commission which resulted in 18 amendments to Tampa’s city charter being approved by voters in the 2019 municipal election. Lynn is proud of her involvement with Tampa NOW, the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, the ACLU of Florida, and Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue.

At the River Board’s meeting in April, they held an election of officers. Commissioner Michael Owen was elected Chair and Councilmember Alison Fernandez was elected Vice Chair. Officers on the River Board serve two-year terms. The River Board will meet next in July.