Businessman
John Wheeler received a Community Steward Award for his successful efforts
to engage the citizens of Lake City in the meaningful protection of
Ichetucknee Springs. The award was presented by 1000 Friends of Florida
on Wednesday, June 13, at a meeting of the Lake City/Columbia County
Chamber of Commerce.
Florida
springs advocate Jim Stevenson nominated Wheeler, noting that "one
person can make a phenomenal difference in protecting Florida's springs."
Wheeler spearheaded three significant community projects to enhance
the protection of Ichetucknee Springs. "We were particularly impressed
with the way John Wheeler devised simple yet creative ways to involve
the people of Lake City in springs protection efforts," said 1000
Friends President Charles Pattison.
Through
Ichetucknee Promise, Wheeler worked with Lake City Rotary to recognize
citizens who promise to do three things to protect the springs: 1) Stop
fertilizing their lawn or use only slow release fertilizer; 2) Have
their septic tank inspected every five years; and 3) Write a letter
to the City Council and their county commissioner to let them know that
they support protecting Ichetucknee. Citizens seal their promise by
contributing $50 to Rotary International for the construction of drinking
water wells in third world countries. Participating homeowners receive
an Ichetucknee Promise plaque to place in their flower beds. Wheeler
has placed promotional displays in 26 businesses, and 35 homeowners
have signed up to date.
Also initiated
by Wheeler is Baptism Sunday, which encourages local churches to conduct
baptisms at the Ichetucknee, a once-popular practice that had declined
after 1970. The first annual Baptism Sunday was held at the Ichetucknee
Headspring on October 1, 2006. More than 100 were in attendance, and
20 churchgoers were baptized. A covered dish picnic followed. Three
newspapers covered the event.
Since much
of Lake City is in the Alligator Lake Watershed, in the headwaters of
the Ichetucknee, untreated stormwater runs off of the city's streets,
parking lots and lawns into the lake, which in turn drains into a sinkhole
connected to the springs. Concerned about this major pollution source,
Wheeler recruited Boy Scouts to conduct an Eagle Scout project to educate
local citizens. The Scouts stenciled 100 storm drains with the words
"Drains to Alligator Lake." This September 2006 event was
covered prominently in the Lake City Reporter, generating greater public
awareness of the issue.
"Wheeler
has devised innovative ways to engage homeowners, churchgoers, Boy Scouts
and others," says Pattison. "His efforts provide a model for
other communities across the state."
1000 Friends'
Community Steward Award is presented annually to individuals, organizations,
local governments, agencies, and public/private partnerships that have
brought about positive and lasting change in the way their community
manages growth.
