Local reclaimed water projects to receive funding
The South Florida Water Management District governing board Nov. 10 approved the investment of $3.45 million in funding assistance for 19 alternative water supply projects across the region, two of them in Osceola County.
When complete, the 19 projects collectively will create an additional 6.5 million gallons per day of water supply capacity. They also will improve distribution of water from existing alternative water supply facilities. The communities and utilities constructing the projects will invest a total of $40.8 million during fiscal year 2011.
The two local projects are:
• A 2-million-gallon-per-day reclaimed water/stormwater augmentation project, city of St. Cloud; water district funding of $245,300 for the $1.5 million project.
• A 24-inch reclaimed water main connection at the Reunion resort, Tohopekaliga Water Authority; $183,900 of water district funding for the $1.125 million project.
Alternative water sources diversify the region’s water supply while reducing the region’s dependence on traditional freshwater resources and making communities less susceptible to drought impacts, water district officials stated in a press release.
Examples of alternative water supply include: saltwater and brackish water; reclaimed water; surface water captured during wet weather; sources made available through new storage capacity; and stormwater (for consumptive use).
Project proposals were evaluated based on several criteria, such as minimizing impact on existing water resources, reducing local competition for water and producing a high quantity of alternative water supply relative to project cost. In addition, the projects were required to be ready for construction during this fiscal year and must be consistent with existing regional water supply plans.

Senior leadership team includes Sen. Gardiner
Incoming Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, last week an-nounced two members of his senior leadership team who will work with him in the new Senate, which met Tuesday in a special session.
The team includes: Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, president pro tempore, and Sen. Andy Gardiner, majority leader, who represents a portion of Osceola County.
Gardiner, R-Orlando, has served in the Senate since 2008. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served eight years in the House of Representatives. From 2004-06, Gardiner served as House Majority Leader.
Bennett was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He previously served in the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002. Bennett’s position as president pro tempore requires approval by the Senate.

Silver Spurs Bucking Bull Futurity
to be Saturday
The Silver Spurs Riding Club will be bucking 1- to 2-year-old bulls Saturday at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kenansville to see if the animals are fit enough to move onto the ranks of being a professional bucking bull.
The Silver Spurs is the only nonprofit organization in the nation to be a stock contractor and rodeo producer. Ownership of the bucking bulls requires exercise training, such as the Bucking Bull Futurity, to learn which bull is qualified for the rodeo arena.
The arena is at 589 1st Ave., Kenansville. The free event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the training exercise, mechanical dummies will be placed atop the bulls’ backs, giving the bulls the sensation that a rider is aboard.
Concessions will be sold during the event.
For more information on Silver Spurs events, call 407-67-RODEO or go to www.silverspursrodeo.com.

YMCA offering memberships to military families
As part of the Armed Services and Department of Defense Outreach Initiative, YMCA of Central Florida is providing military families with access to its various programs.
YMCA membership fees will be underwritten by the Defense Department and administered through Military OneSource, an information and referral service for military families. Eligible military families can register for YMCA memberships based on participation requirements.
Those eligible to participate in the new initiative include: All interested families of joint deployed National Guard and all military reserves; active duty independent duty station personnel and their families; and relocated spouses and family members of deployed active duty personnel.
“The Y has a long history of supporting military service members and their families — since the Civil War — so we are honored to help meet the critical needs facing our families of today, which will directly strengthen the whole community,” Jim Ferber, president and CEO, YMCA of Central Florida, stated in a press release.
For more information on the program, visit www.asymca.org. For more information on the YMCA, go to www.central
floridaymca.