Item B5BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: __March 16, 2011_______ Division: ____BOCC______________________
Bulk Item: ____ No XX Department: ___Mayor Heather Carruthers______
Staff Contact /Phone #: _Carol Schreck________
305-292-3430
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
April 2011 as Paddle Smart Identification Month
ITEM BACKGROUND:
See attached proclamation
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
__________________________________________________________________________________
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: INDIRECT COST: _______0______BUDGETED:
0 Yes No _____
DIFFERENTIAL OF LOCAL PREFERENCE: _______________________________________
COST TO COUNTY:SOURCE OF FUNDS:
0 ___________________
REVENUE PRODUCING:AMOUNT PER MONTHYear ____
Yes No 0
APPROVED BY:
County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management ____
DOCUMENTATION:
Included x Not Required____
DISPOSITION:AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 7/09
PADDLE SMART IDENTIFICATION MONTH
APRIL 2011
WHEREAS
, the Florida Keys are the recreational and Fishing Capital of the
and
WHEREAS
, our residents and thousands of vacationers from all over the world are attracted to
the Keys to participate in these recreational activities each year; and
WHEREAS
, paddle craft such as kayaks and canoes are gaining in popularity, skimming over
our pristine waters; and
WHEREAS,
paddle craft accidents and fatalities are a consistent occurrence each year, as are
the number of paddle crafts and other vessels found adrift, requiring assistance from the US Coast
Guard and partner agencies; and
WHEREAS
, the US Coast Guard is called to investigate every paddle craft found adrift, often
resulting in hours of Search and Rescue using scarce resources, to learn later that the vessel had
accidentally broken from its mooring and thankfully no lives were ever at risk; and
WHEREAS
, if widely practiced, the simple labeling and identification of paddle craft with the
owners name and telephone number could help solve this growing problem, allowing the Coast Guard
and partners in Monroe County to better focus where real needs exist, saving time and lives; and
WHEREAS
, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has recently launched a national program,
Operation Paddle Smart, to offer training solutions to these paddle craft problems, including a Paddle
Smart Identification Sticker; and
NOW, THEREFORE
, I Heather Carruthers, Mayor of Monroe County, Florida, on behalf of
the Monroe County Commission, do hereby proclaim April 1 through April 30, 2011
PADDLE SMART IDENTIFICATION MONTH
And ask the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadron to offer numerous training
opportunities throughout the County where residents and visitors can obtain and learn to use
these stickers and become Paddle Smart.
Dated this 16 day of March, 2011
_____________________
Heather Carruthers, Mayor