Our coastal city of Tarpon Springs, FL,  would greatly benefit by the implementation of a Sustainability Advisory Committee comprised of local volunteers, who live or work in Tarpon Springs, that would meet monthly to:

*collaborate with our community, local universities and organizations specializing in sustainability to improve the future in areas such as flooding, tourism, ecological protection, reducing greenhouse gases, encourage "green" buildings to combat sea level rise.

* empower local citizens by encouraging local participation by providing an open door policy to all Advisory Committee meetings.

* provide feedback/recommendations on new construction/improvement projects, and reviews of comp. plans, development site plans and wetland rules.

* assist in the creation of a transparent and regularly updated website link from main city  website that provides previous meeting minutes and current committee topics with relevant links to provide further knowledge to local citizens.

* develop and implement a sustainability action plan with conducted research that provides data/reports for recommendations to City of Tarpon Springs Mayor and Board of Commissioners.

Local coastal cities such as Dunedin, Saint Petersburg, and Palm beach have already adapted sustainability committees and have comprehensive action plans in place. With Tarpon Springs being the city most surrounded by water in Pinellas County, it is in great need of a Sustainability Committee and action plan to ensure a long lasting future by all.

I Loretta Riquetti, am 1 of 80 members of the Turn the Tide for Tarpon Facebook Group and also an active monthly member of Turn the Tide for Tarpon group that meets monthly in Tarpon Springs. Our Facebook group and monthly meetings are open to all that are interested in the long term sustainability of Tarpon Springs. Find out more at: turnthetidetarpon.org  

The final approval for a Tarpon Springs Sustainability Committee will be made at the Board of Commissioners meeting currently scheduled for January 22, 2019. Your support is greatly needed. Please share this petition online, thank you.