GRAND GOVERNOR
3/1/2007 2:38:08 PM by Jorge Arauz
Florida’s 44th governor loves everything aquatic — and he is committed to making sure his state’s waters are protected for generations to come.
Charlie Crist believes that the quality of life of Floridians is linked to Florida’s unique environment — and he’s felt that way all of his life. “My love for the outdoors began in my childhood when my family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida,” he says. “I immediately took advantage of the magnificent natural beauty Florida has to offer.”
Throughout his career, Crist has served in the Florida Senate and held the titles of chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, chairman of the Appropriations Criminal Justice Subcommittee, honorary sheriff for the Florida Sheriffs Association, deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, commissioner of Education and, before being elected governor, Florida’s attorney general.
Today, as Florida’s newly inaugurated governor, Crist tries to enjoy the water as much as his schedule will allow. “When time permits, I enjoy slipping away for a weekend fishing trip with my father,” he says. “Experiencing Florida’s wonder early in my youth fueled my vision for Florida’s future and my drive to cherish and protect this state and her people.”
Crist believes that Florida’s natural beauty and quality of life attract thousands of people to the state every day — and he plans to make sure it stays that way. “I’m committed to preserving, maintaining and increasing our tremendous natural resources,” he says. “We already lead the nation in restoration projects, conservation programs and water quality control systems. My vision for Florida’s future is an environment with clean rivers, beautiful beaches and a coastline free of oil drilling. The beauty of Florida is in her ability to offer all residents and visitors the pleasure of enjoying her diverse surroundings.”
The governor says that Florida’s natural resources are linked to her economic prosperity and must be sustained as the state continues to grow. “As a member of Florida’s Cabinet, I supported every Florida Forever acquisition project approved by Governor Bush,” he says. “Among these projects was the acquisition of Babcock Ranch which established a natural land corridor from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico.”
Crist also originally sponsored and ardently supported the Gillnet Ban. “Every effort should be made to enforce and perpetuate the ban as an integral part of the state constitution,” he says.
As attorney general, Crist opposed efforts to lift ban regulations that protect Florida’s unique habitats and sea life. “Florida should continue to urgently request that federal authorities remove commercial long-line fishing from U.S. waters off the west coast of our state.”
Crist firmly encourages Florida’s state agencies and other constitutional bodies to work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to adhere to sound principles that ensure the sustainability of Florida’s natural resources. “Florida can — and should — provide the best recreational fishing opportunities in the world for many years to come,” he says. “We must maintain Florida’s beauty for today’s fishermen as well as tomorrow’s.”