Serving as president of the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association is an opportunity I embrace with pleasure.
Past President Dick Mayer wrapped up four years as president and a total of six years on the GICIA Board in April after having successfully completed the campaign to fund the Bike Path Endowment and implementing the Master Landscape Plan for the Bike Path.
As a result of the rains of this summer, the trees, plants, and shrubs along the path continue to grow. As they mature they are becoming fuller, taller and more lush.
As intended, they create a welcoming gateway to Boca Grande while providing shade and beauty on the path.
As I move forward in my presidency, I am pleased to work more closely with GICIA Executive Director Misty Nichols. She grew up on Gasparilla Island and her family has been here for generations.
Her environmental, political, and local insight combine to make her a most effective ED for the GICIA. At a time when many nonprofits are struggling to survive, we are in a sound financial position and poised for continued success.
With continued strong support from our members we hope to maintain our position of growth and service to our members.
Misty's collegial relationships with our county commissioners and other political leaders, together with her knowledge of the area's ecology, wildlife, fishery and conservation needs are wonderful assets she brings to her work with the board and the GICIA membership.
She does a great job representing the association and its mission. We are well served through her commitment, work ethic and responsiveness to community concerns.
On behalf of the GICIA Board of Directors and myself, we thank Misty and look forward to working with her as we head into the rewards and challenges of a new season.
Many of our members responded positively to the GICIA alerts sent out relevant to summer storm activity and many recipients forwarded this information to friends resulting in several new members.
Misty is responsible for these alerts and we appreciate your positive feedback and responses.
Also, we are improving the portion of the Bike Path at the pedestrian crosswalk at the north terminus of the path where it takes a hard left when northbound down a steep downhill grade to Gasparilla Road. We have hired an engineer to create an alternate route to the crosswalk. The project should be completed by the end of October.
E-mail GICIA President Andrew Ireland at gicia@embarqmail.com.
