SUN-SENTINEL.com
Chairman of South Florida Water Management District
resigns
By Dianna Cahn
South
Florida Water Management District Chairman Kevin McCarty tendered his
resignation this week amidst a severe drought, to make room for the new governor's
appointment, McCarty said on Friday.
McCarty,
who has just completed his first four-year term, had hoped to stay on for a
second term and submitted his application to the governor's office. But last
week he learned that Gov. Charlie Crist wants to install
his own appointments on the board.
"I
made the decision last Thursday or Friday and I sent in a letter on Monday
withdrawing my application," McCarty said. McCarty's position is unpaid as
are all the district's governing board positions. He remains on the job until
the governor appoints a replacement.
McCarty's
resignation comes at a time of strain for the water management district, which
is facing the most severe drought in south
With
over a has over a billion-dollar budget, the district is in charge of all water
supply and flood control and partners with federal agencies in the Everglades
restoration.
McCarty
was appointed to the board by former Gov. Jeb Bush in
2003 and was elected chairman by his fellow governing board members in 2005.
His four years have coincided with a tumultuous time for the district,
beginning with controversial
"So
enough's enough," McCarty said. "I feel like I've been
liberated."