Briefs

CDD boards change guards

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 Supervisor Stacy White resigned from her position on the CDD board, which oversees the Greenbrook community, during the board’s April 17 meeting.

White and her family will move to Panther Ridge, meaning she will no longer qualify for the seat based on residency requirements.

“I’ve really enjoyed (the board),” White said. “They’re a great group of people. They all have our community’s best interest in mind and hopefully they find someone with that same enthusiasm.”

White served on the board for four years and was re-elected to her post in November.

The CDD board now is accepting applications for the seat. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. May 12, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Supervisors likely will reassign their seats so that the appointed board member’s term will come up for election in 2016, rather than in 2018.

Additionally, at the CDD 6 board meeting, supervisors welcomed Wayne Turnblom to fill a seat vacated by former Supervisor James Hill.

“I’ve watched how these boards have worked, and I have a background in working in the nonprofit arena,” Turnblom said. “I thought I could make a contribution.”

County grows green

Manatee County is growing green roots after nationwide recognition.

The county earned the 2014 Tree City USA distinction by the Arbor Day Foundation April 24 in honor of the county’s commitment to “effective urban forest management.”

The county met the program’s four requirements, which include having a tree board or department (the Environmental Lands Management Advisory Committee) and an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita.

 Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources and local volunteers have planted more than 1 million longleaf pines on Duette Preserve, among other environmentally friendly projects.

MEETINGS

Manatee County Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. May 5, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County Commission Land-use Meeting — 9 a.m. May 7, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton