August 2008

In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Board Chair
• In Recognition
• Important News
• Message from the Executive Director

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Message From The Secretary

Dear Friend:

On July 31, Governor Charlie Crist appointed me to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Governor Crist understands the importance of creating a business friendly environment that also regards the safety and protection of the consumer as a top priority. I am eager to continue to serve the people of Florida and our business community and professionals in my new capacity as Secretary. I will draw upon my experience in the Department as the former Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation and Interim Secretary to continue to advance our mission to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

We've made tremendous progress over the past year, and I'm dedicated to maintaining this momentum. We know that serving you is the first step to providing great service to the people of Florida. That's why we've focused on changes that improve customer service, streamline processes, open communications with licensees and the public, and lead to better business practices.

One of the most crucial adjustments to business practices at the Department was the implementation of the Document Imaging System. The project is in its final phases, and it ultimately provides for a more streamlined and centralized application process that results in faster licensing and better service for you. I thank Governor Charlie Crist and the Legislature for providing $2.5 million to complete this project in Fiscal Year 2008/2009, which helps take care of businesses and professionals throughout Florida.

Our quest to improve customer service is never over. In an effort to reach our licensees who are located throughout the state, I'm taking our business on the road in the "On the Road to Better Business" tour this summer and early fall. This tour will provide the opportunity for you to meet with me and my staff to ask questions and provide input and suggestions. I will hold office hours for customers to come and meet with me at a Department office in their communities. Please look forward to more information to come.

I continue to uphold our mission to "License Efficiently. Regulate Fairly." I understand and value that licensees have unique insight into how we do business and ways we can build upon existing practices, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thank you for all that you do for the people and economy of our great state.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

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Message From The Board Chair Collene Walter

Change is inevitable. There have been many changes over the past year. Some have been exciting, like the recent announcement by the state and the South Florida Water Management District regarding the acquisition of property to reconnect Lake Okeechobee with the Everglades – to recreate a small part of the "River of Grass." And others have been not so exciting. We have all experienced a slowdown in the state's economy, a downturn in the housing market, and a significant increase in the price of gas. Many business owners are facing difficult times, and employees are experiencing the uneasiness that comes with a shaky economic climate.

With all dark clouds, there is a silver lining. I have noticed that everyone is much more conscious of the energy they use. Lights are turned off. Recycling is on the rise. Water restrictions have forced us to use more native and drought-tolerant plants, and to 'train' our St. Augustine sod to live with less water – and survive. People are carpooling and using mass transit and enjoying this opportunity to interact with others while they travel.

As a profession, landscape architects are most suited to lead during this time of change. Our diverse educational training and our innate focus on the environment puts our profession in the forefront of the sustainability movement. At one of our last Board meetings I overheard a fellow landscape architect state that he was "green" before green was cool!

The Board of Landscape Architecture is also in the midst of a change, a significant one. For the first time in anyone's memory, the Board will have seven appointed members! That is a full Board – five licensed landscape architects and two consumer representatives. After operating with just four members for over a year, the new appointments are very much valued. The remaining members of the Board and our Board staff are looking forward to working with the new appointees. We welcome their involvement and appreciate their willingness to serve. (Please see the announcement later in this newsletter regarding these appointments.)

But the change is also bittersweet. With these new appointments, two of our long-serving members will be retiring. Elizabeth A. Gillick and Paul Davis have completed their terms of service. The Board appreciates their commitment and especially the additional time they have continued to give pending the appointment of new members. Their leadership and guidance over the past eight-plus years have been invaluable. Both have represented the Board at Council of Landscape Architectural Boards (CLARB) meetings and were instrumental in the development and implementation of the continuing education requirements. They will be missed.

I would also like to personally thank the members of the Board of Landscape Architecture, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation staff and the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for their continuing efforts on behalf of licensed Landscape Architects in the state of Florida and the entire profession.

As the dog-days of summer approach, I hope that you savor the long days and cool waters as we once again are faced with change as the next season approaches.

 

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In Recognition of Elizabeth A. Gillick and Paul Davis

By Collene Walter

On behalf of the Board of Landscape Architecture, the licensed professionals in the State, and the general public, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the service of Elizabeth A. Gillick and Paul Davis for their hard work over the past years as valuable members of the Board of Landscape Architecture.

Elizabeth A. Gillick was originally appointed to the Board on April 17, 2000, by then- Governor Jeb Bush. She has served for many years as a member of the Probable Cause Panel and as Vice-Chairperson of the Board. She also has been a long-time representative of the Board to CLARB.

Paul Davis was originally appointed to the Board on April 17, 2000, by then-Governor Jeb Bush. He severed several terms as Chairman of the Board and also was a long- time representative of the Board to CLARB.

Their dedicated service as liaisons to CLARB and the many other tasks they performed associated with Board business are very much appreciated and will be greatly missed. Their insights have been invaluable in allowing the Board to debate, address and resolve many pressing issues over the past years. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve with them.

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Important News

Governor Crist Appoints Five to the Board of Landscape Architecture

On June 25, 2008 Governor Charlie Crist announced the following reappointments and appointments:

Robert E. Bowden, 55, of Orlando, executive director of Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens, reappointed for a term beginning June 25, 2008, and ending October 31, 2009.

Philip H. Graham, 61, of St. Petersburg, landscape architect, Phil Graham & Company, reappointed for a term beginning June 25, 2008, and ending October 31, 2009.

Joseph Delate, 45, of Marco Island, senior project manager, Collier County Transportation, succeeding Paul M. Davis, appointed for a term beginning June 25, 2008, and ending October 31, 2011.

Brian M. Walker, 43, of Palm Coast, sales representative, Hunter Industries, succeeding Stephen C. Hunter, appointed for a term beginning June 25, 2008, and ending October 31, 2010. ‘

Ernest L. Paskey, 65, of Lecanto, planner for Citrus County, succeeding Elizabeth A. Gillick, appointed for a term beginning June 25, 2008, and ending October 31, 2010.

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Message from the Executive Director
Juanita Chastain

We continue to need your help with policing your area for unlicensed activity. The Board and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation take unlicensed activity very seriously. As such, there is a designated toll-free number for individuals to contact the Department to report unlicensed activity. The toll-free number is 1.866.532.1440. You can also report unlicensed activity by completing the complaint form which is available online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com. If you choose to file your complaint anonymously, be sure that the complaint form is complete, since there will be no way to contact an anonymous complainant.

Many of you are utilizing our web site, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to access licensing information. By using the online services at www.MyFloridaLicense.com you are helping the Department “go green” by saving paper.

Should your schedule permit, we encourage your attendance and participation at all Board meetings. The most current information relating to upcoming Board meetings is posted on the Board’s web site. You can earn two hours of laws and rules by attending, and I believe you will find the meetings extremely informative. We hope to see you soon.

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