The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.October 2007 The Orlando Sentinel called it “Florida’s Shame Day 1: The big con”, when the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board voted to swap 1,266 acres of state owned conservation lands…
Recent News
Another pollutant dumped into our Lagoon!
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.September 2007 In order to cope with our county’s increase human population, Indian River County’s utilities department plans to add 6 more deep wells into the Floridian aquifer in the north county and another…
Bringing a community together to work creatively towards agreed upon goals
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.March 2007 I really liked Kenric Ward’s February 1st editorial in the Press Journal where he asked an excellent question: “Is bigger really better?” Sometimes we need to think more broadly about how we…
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Beyond the Beach, It’s Not All Bushes
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.February 2007 “There are two parts to Indian River County, the beach and the bush…. This (latter) piece of property is completely useless to me as a taxpayer.” This was a comment made by…
Our Iceberg is Melting!
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.January 2007 Nita and I received a number of thoughtful holiday greetings this year. Two reminded me of our fragile environment: Former PIAS President Judy Orcutt and her husband John said, “Have a great…
Where cometh and goeth our water?
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.December 2006 Indian River County Commissioners and the county’s utility department are holding a belated, but much-needed workshop, on our future water supply needs 3-5 pm on December 6th in the county commission chambers.…
We must save our Scrub-Jays from extinction!
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.November 2006 Florida scrub-jays, the only bird species unique to Florida and keystone species of fire-dependent xeric oak scrub, have been in a steady decline; 90% of the original populations are gone due to…
A New Beginning in Indian River County: Some Ideas to Act On
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.October 2006 All praise for the voter's wisdom in the election and their ability to see through the subterfuge of highly orchestrated campaigns meant to confuse us voters. In spite of this, we will…
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Decision Time – Knowing where we are heading, but what can we do to change it?
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.September 2006 If in doubt about where we are heading in Indian River County, there are at least two books that help us see our future. One of my favorites, A Land Remembered by…
Read More Decision Time – Knowing where we are heading, but what can we do to change it?
Building Bigger Docks Makes No Sense!
The President's Hootby Richard H. Baker, Ph.D.May 2006 What has caused our sea grasses to become endangered in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL)? In doing research on fish houses on the IRL, I came across a newspaper article where Mr.…