City of Clewiston honors Mary Ann Martin

Peterson is new mayor

Posted 12/23/20

The Outstanding Community Service Award for 2020 was presented to Mary Ann Martin for her...

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City of Clewiston honors Mary Ann Martin

Peterson is new mayor

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CLEWISTON — The Outstanding Community Service Award for 2020 was presented to Mary Ann Martin for her “countless hours of volunteer efforts while participating in many organizations,” during the Dec. 21 meeting of the Clewiston City Commission. “Mary Ann is passionate about preserving the health of Lake Okeechobee as evidenced by her service of over 20 years on the SFWMD Water Resources Accountability and Collaboration Board,” the proclamation stated.

“This means so much to me. My love for this lake and this community is beyond talking about.
“I mean, I could sit here and tell you what a great town we have, what a great place, and how many wonderful people we have met to come in from all over the world. To just be here in Clewiston and see this lake,” said Mary Ann Martin, owner of Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort.

In other business, Kristine Peterson was voted the new mayor of Clewiston.

The Clewiston City Charter requires: “During the first regular meeting December of each general election year. the City Commission shall hold an organization meeting, and from their number appoint by majority vote, the mayor and vice mayor.” Former Mayor Mali Gardener declined a nomination for vice mayor. Greg Thompson then accepted a nomination and was designated vice mayor.

During the public comment period, Melvin Rosen addressed an issue regarding a fence that has been “illegally constructed” at 953 E. Sugarland Highway in Clewiston.

“I was shown a survey by Travis Reese that clearly illustrates the newly constructed fence is 20 feet outside of his property on the eastern boundary and 18 feet outside of his property on the southern boundary. It is encroaching on state property and preventing me from accessing my commercial boats that are parked along the industrial canal,” Rosen stated in his letter to City Manager Randy Martin.

The complaint centered on the improper placement of the fence, and that it wrongly inhibited access to the adjacent property. Martin said that the matter was being addressed, though further, more forceful action might need to be taken if the issue of ingress and egress was not immediately resolved.

Commissioners also approved of a motion for a special assessment for city fire protection services in lieu of ad valorem taxes, the funding mechanism for providing the city’s share of the Clewiston Fire Department budget.

The board also discussed the option of establishing at Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) to fund emergency medical services within the boundaries of Hendry County. A previous discussion regarding this matter was tabled at the November meeting. This ordinance was not passed; however, the commission voted to approve a study before making any further decisions regarding the MSBU.

city commission, mayor, mary ann martin, christine peterson, fire protection

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