Volume 9, Issue 12

Page 2

(Continued from page 1)

acquainted, and re-acquainted, with people with the various local, state and national agencies and nonprofit groups that have interests in both developing and preserving the land and water in South Florida.

"I already have a good relationship with most of the people at the agencies I'll be working with," Jones said. "We didn't always agree with each other, and I don't expect we always will, but we have respect for each other."

Henry Caimotto, owner of Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach and a member of the Rivers Coalition, said he was impressed with Jones' experience and connections.

"He seems to have good organizational skills and he knows all the politicians and all the players," Caimotto said. "It's good to have him on our side."

After retiring from the state, Jones took a year off.

"I had to detox from government," he said. "But it was too early to sit around and fish all the time."

The riverkeeper job, he said, "is a wonderful opportunity for me to do something I feel is important. Work is work, but to me, this is a passion. I think the job will be rewarding to me; I hope it's rewarding for the lagoon."

The reward isn't financial; the job pays about $24,000 year.

"I know I could have made more as a consultant somewhere," Jones said, "but I think I can make a difference. I'm very partial to Florida's natural resources, and I think they ought to have an advocate."

Jones takes over from Kevin Stinnette, the original "keeper" who gave up the post after six years to devote more time to his full-time job teaching at the new marine science academy at Forest Grove Middle School in Fort Pierce.

ABOUT GEORGE JONES

•34-year employee of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the state Department of Environmental Protection

•Held positions as ranger, assistant park manager, park manager and bureau chief, in which he supervised more than 300 employees in state parks throughout South Florida and oversaw a budget of more than $4 million.

•57-year-old Port St. Lucie resident

•For more information about the Indian Riverkeeper, go to www.indianriverkeeper.org.