Myra Valentine Elected Chair Of North Central Florida Regional Planning Council

      Madison Mayor Myra Valentine has been elected Chair of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.  Valentine has served on the Council since 2001, representing the City of Madison as a local elected official.
      The Council, whose members are local elected officials and gubernatorial appointees, administers a variety of state and federal programs for north central Florida including Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties.  Programs include development of the Strategic Regional Policy Plan, technical assistance to local governments in development of their comprehensive plans, land development regulations and grant management, administration of developments of regional impact, local mitigation strategies, hazardous materials, homeland security, housing assistance programs and economic development.  In addition, the Council staffs the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area, the North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee, the North Central Florida Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team and The Original Florida Tourism Task Force.
      Valentine has been very active in the organization over the past several years.  She has served as Vice-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and Program Committee and a member of the Board of Directors for five terms.  She also currently serves as a Council representative to the Florida Regional Councils Association.

Greene Publishing Announces Two Community Projects

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
      “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” is one of those old sayings that give people a positive way of looking at a bad situation.
      Think about it though; what about those occasions that it does kill you?
      In a new three part series titled, “It Can Kill You Madison,” this reporter will be providing a closer look at several preventable killers, and perhaps just as importantly, constructive and achievable ways to break away from those killers without overwhelming emotional sacrifice.
      The companion project, titled, “Consider Your Options,” will introduce a variety of ideas on how to find and launch new opportunities, increase wealth, and apply proven techniques to find new revenue sources for existing businesses and start-ups.
      Most employees and entrepreneurs often believe there are few options to improve themselves or improve productivity. These articles are sure to challenge, and hopefully eliminate, many of those obstacles to success.
      This is not a fluff project simply to entertain. Instead, those interested will be invited to convenient after-hours gatherings to develop, and more importantly, implement these new plans. It’s apparent that some old approaches aren’t working. Consequently, it’s time to “Consider Your Options.”
      This reporter and Editor Jacob Bembry are collaborating on these projects to ensure all interested are well supported from day one. Those interested in more details may respond to information provided in the articles or may contact Jacob Bembry or Michael Curtis at (850) 973-4141.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.