Mayor Joe Bernardini earned the Mayor John Land Years of Service award for his 25 years of service to the city of Brooksville.
Isaac Salver, Florida League of Cities President writes to Bernardini, “As municipal government is the government closest to the people, city officials lead on the front lines, regularly going above and beyond to serve their community. We thank you for your long tenure of public service. I want to especially commend you for leading your city during the COVID-19 pandemic. These difficult times are creating new challenges that local officials are meeting head-on. ”
The Florida League of Cities supplies the following on the Mayor John Land Years of Service Award:
“Named in honor of long-time Apopka Mayor John Land who served his city for more than 60 years, this award honors elected municipal officials for their extensive years of dedicated public service.
“The League honors the 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 years of service milestones. Awards are presented annually by League ambassadors, typically during city council or commission meetings.”
“Thank you. I am humbled by that award and I certainly appreciate it,” said Bernardini during the virtual council meeting on Monday Oct. 19, 2020.
Working Behind the Scenes for Public Safety
Announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senior Supervisor Samuel Flynn, of the Brooksville Office (Hernando County), of the Florida State Probation, of the Florida Department of Corrections, was recently honored with the National Interstate Compact Award.
Developed in 1937 and designed to regulate the movement of probationers and parolees across state lines, the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision is enacted in all 50 states and three U.S. territories. The compact provides states the authority, accountability, and resources to track the supervision of offenders who move across state lines, thereby enhancing public safety and offender accountability.
ICAOS regularly recognizes those who preserve the “Spirit of the Compact” by going above and beyond the call of duty to reach the solution that best serves public safety through the Interstate Compact. Sam Flynn went above and beyond to assist an Illinois attorney with issues surrounding the Interstate Compact. FDC’s Office of Community Corrections currently supervises approximately 155,000 offenders throughout Florida. The mission of Community Corrections (State Probation) is to protect the community by supervising offenders and reporting non-compliance to the sentencing (Courts) or releasing authority (Parole Commissions).
DCA Tim Strickland / Florida submitted to the ICAOS,
“Sr. Supervisor Flynn could easily have dismissed Mr. Messineo’s call and directed him to contact Illinois staff but Sr. Supervisor Flynn took the time to assist Mr. Messineo with better understanding what was required under the Compact and what may be possible. Sr. Supervisor Flynn’s actions demonstrated his commitment to fostering a better working relationship and understanding of the Compact with a stake holder, a defense attorney, who was not from or practicing in Florida and his example of his caring and knowledge of the Compact demonstrate his professionalism and humanity in how to communicate and assist others.”
John Mitten appointed to SWFWMD Governing Board
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed John Mitten to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) Governing Board. Mitten will represent Hernando and Marion counties.
Mitten, of Brooksville, is the franchise owner of Chick-fil-A in Spring Hill and currently serves as the chairman of the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners. He was previously appointed to the Hernando BOCC by former Gov. Scott and his term will expire on December 31st, 2020. Mitten earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University. Mitten is appointed to a four-year term on the SWFWMD governing board.
DeSantis also appointed Elijah “Ed” Armstrong, III to the governing board. Armstrong will represent Pinellas County. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to manage the water and related resources of west-central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users while protecting the environment.
Kentucky Colonel Awards
New Kentucky Colonel
Nick Morana, left, of Spring Hill, a retired Army Colonel, and a Kentucky Colonel since 1980, recently recommended to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear that Mr. Robert C. Triola of Spring Hill be commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. The Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Colonels are Ambassadors of Goodwill and Fellowship around the world. Triola is the General Manager of Flammer Ford in Spring Hill. He is a faithful contributor to the American Cancer Society, the Chapel, and the Metropolitan Ministries.
Kentucky Colonel Commissioned
Dr. Husam Shuayb, M.D. local physician was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Dr. Shuayb has practiced in Hernando County for over 30 years. His specialty is gastroenterology as well as a family physician. He has spent many hours counseling patients in need. Dr. Shuayb supports the South West Florida Muslim Students
Association. Presenting the commission is Nick Morana, a retired Army Colonel and a Kentucky Colonel since 1980.
