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Weekly Update from Senator Greg Evers

October 7, 2011

First of all, I would like to thank those of you who have voiced your ideas and suggestions throughout the redistricting public hearings across the Panhandle and our entire state. As we are faced with the task of redrawing our Congressional, Senate and House boundary lines across the Panhandle, your input has proven to be of great guidance and value to myself and my fellow members of the Senate Reapportionment Committee. This week, our committee unanimously agreed that we should ask our professional staff to draw Senate districts that continue to cross from East to West across Northwest Florida. We reached this consensus in direct response to your overwhelming desire for our new Senate district boundaries to make sure that the unique voices of Northwest Floridians were all given an opportunity to be heard and fairly represented. We went out of our way to make sure that there was fair representation for our rural neighbors living in agricultural areas and to ensure our coastal residents living in large and various population clusters all have compact and critical mass when it comes time to vote for their elected officials. We are so fortunate here in Northwest Florida to have our state's first and second place economic drivers – tourism and agribusiness – literally sitting one on top of the other. Both are important for the future of our economic recovery and job growth priorities.

We are also blessed with a beautiful weather forecast so we can enjoy this weekend's annual activities. The Munson Community Heritage Festival at Krul Recreation Area in the Blackwater River State Forest runs this Saturday and Sunday. I am proud to tell you that like four generations before me, I was born and raised in Munson, and I sure hope that you can come out and join me this weekend as we celebrate the history and culture of this wonderful Santa Rosa County community! The original gristmill will be in full operation and there will be plenty of great food, blue grass music and fellowship with family and friends.

Right up the road in North Okaloosa County the town of Laurel Hill will be holding its 19th annual Hobo Festival in Gene Clary Park on New Ebenezer Rd. The Hobo Festival runs on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. So please try to stop by if you can.

Next Tuesday evening, October 11th, we have a meeting of the Bay County Legislative Delegation in Panama City. This is a public hearing running from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bay County Commission Chambers, 840 W. 11th Street. The purpose of the meeting is for you to give us your thoughts, ideas, needs and proposals as we get ready for the 2012 Legislative Session. Please come join me, fellow Senators Don Gaetz and Bill Montford together with State Representatives Marti Coley and Jimmy Patronis and let us know how we can best serve you.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that if you or any group, club or class would like to come over to Tallahassee to actively participate in the legislative process, and would like some private space at the Capitol to be reserved on your behalf, do not hesitate to call my legislative office at (850) 487-5000 and I will be more than happy to assist you in anyway that I can to secure dedicated space for your meeting.

As always, feel free to email me at Greg@Gregevers.com if you have any questions, issues, comments, suggestions or concerns.

Have a safe and restful Columbus Day Weekend. Fall is in the air, it's peanut picking time and deer season is right around the corner. It doesn't get any better than that.

Sincerely,

Greg