JOHN MCPHERSON SHEDS FULL -TIME WATER BOARD POSITION …
RETURNS TO PRIOR FULL-TIME ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD JOB
March 23, 2021
March 23, 2021
John McPherson is a well-known personage about Cedar Key. If you have lived here for any time or if you are a newcomer to the area, McPherson’s influence touches countless facets of your life here. Two of the most important facets center on the water you drink and the pristine environment in which you live.
“RETIRED, AT LAST”…KIND OF, SORT OF…
As of January 31, 2021, McPherson retired from his position as the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager while he still maintains the position of part-time Legal Counsel which he has held since 1991. McPherson reluctantly, assumed the general manager position after the passing of former General Manager Jack Hoteling in September of 2012. The “reluctance,” according to McPherson, is his insistence that someone with water management and treatment credentials take the manager position instead of himself, he who is a practicing lawyer and no chemist.
As of January 31, 2021, McPherson retired from his position as the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager while he still maintains the position of part-time Legal Counsel which he has held since 1991. McPherson reluctantly, assumed the general manager position after the passing of former General Manager Jack Hoteling in September of 2012. The “reluctance,” according to McPherson, is his insistence that someone with water management and treatment credentials take the manager position instead of himself, he who is a practicing lawyer and no chemist.
Insist as he might, and search as he did, for a decade, McPherson was unable to find a certificated general manager. Alas, he finally located a credentialed water man in the newly appointed Cedar Key Water and Sewer District General Manager, Chad Wisdom. Wisdom assumed the job on February 1, 2021. A delighted, retired, McPherson will continue as CKWSD General Counsel and Wisdom’s as-needed, as-requested tutor.
BEYOND ENDURANCE, MORE CKWSD MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
While at the CKWSD, McPherson oversaw several major improvements to the city’s water system. Construction of water lines from the George T. Lewis Airport to Jernigan Avenue completed the absent water loop. The underground connection resulted in better pressure, so important for fire protection, and better water circulation for Cedar Key. This was a vast and noticeable improvement for the residents who lived on the dead-end pigtail of Cedar Key’s water system.
While at the CKWSD, McPherson oversaw several major improvements to the city’s water system. Construction of water lines from the George T. Lewis Airport to Jernigan Avenue completed the absent water loop. The underground connection resulted in better pressure, so important for fire protection, and better water circulation for Cedar Key. This was a vast and noticeable improvement for the residents who lived on the dead-end pigtail of Cedar Key’s water system.
McPherson also orchestrated the funding and relaying of water pipes from their initial location under the bridges leading into Cedar Key. Holes were bored and the lines buried under the bridges in the water where they are now less susceptible to storm and hurricane damage. The potential environmental disaster of wastewater entering Cedar Key’s aquaculture habitat would have been catastrophic.
From June through August 2012, McPherson helped lead Cedar Keyans through its saltwater intrusion episode with then chairman of the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District, David Beach. Reverse osmosis membranes were installed by the District, thus ending the bottled water and the water truck deliveries.
FRIENDS OF THE REFUGES
McPherson has a love affair with nature, assuredly. With a BA in political science from Rhodes College and a law degree from the University of Florida, McPherson has co-authored such pertinent texts as Historic Preservation Law in Florida and Model Land Development Code for Florida Cities and Counties. Other publications adorn his resume.
McPherson has a love affair with nature, assuredly. With a BA in political science from Rhodes College and a law degree from the University of Florida, McPherson has co-authored such pertinent texts as Historic Preservation Law in Florida and Model Land Development Code for Florida Cities and Counties. Other publications adorn his resume.
Devoted to public lands, to land preservation, and appropriate land use, McPherson has been a long-term member of the board of directors of the Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges. Over the years, he has served as a director, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and most recently a two-year stint as president.
The potential uses of the Vista property, donated by the owners to the Refuges in 2011 with a life tenancy agreement, particularly fit his interest in appropriate use of public lands. Under his leadership, the donors, Refuge staff, and Friends board members held a charette to discuss potential future uses of the property. The Friends Annual Meetings during his tenure as president included a field trip to the property, which remains closed to the public. Through his efforts, Friends successfully applied for a grant and contracted historical research a structural assessment of the property. As Immediate Past-President, he continues to provide leadership to this, and other, important Friends’ initiatives.
ALACHUA CONSERVATION TRUST
As a sixth-generation Floridian, John had witnessed explosive development that took over lands he would have liked to see conserved for future generations. In an effort to do his part to change that trajectory, he took on the legal work needed to create a new organization, the Alachua Conservation Trust. What has happened since he took that initiative?
As a sixth-generation Floridian, John had witnessed explosive development that took over lands he would have liked to see conserved for future generations. In an effort to do his part to change that trajectory, he took on the legal work needed to create a new organization, the Alachua Conservation Trust. What has happened since he took that initiative?
According to the ACT itself: “When measured by the amount and value of land protected, Alachua Conservation Trust is second in Florida among local land trusts and is one of the most respected land trusts nation-wide. When measured more subjectively, ACT has become the institution that most clearly projects this community's steadfast support of North Florida's natural beauty and rich heritage, and that we all agree is a legacy we must take responsibility for passing on to future generations.”
https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/mission-and-history
https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/mission-and-history
PADDLEFESTS, HUMANITIES GRANTS, MORE
Two eco-tourist paddlefests have come to Cedar Key, thanks to McPherson. In October of 2018, and on one other earlier occasion, the Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure welcomed hundreds of nature enthusiasts to the island for a weekend of breakfasting on the Atsena Otie beach, kayaking among the islands, and dining locally. McPherson coordinated the events from their inception.
Two eco-tourist paddlefests have come to Cedar Key, thanks to McPherson. In October of 2018, and on one other earlier occasion, the Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure welcomed hundreds of nature enthusiasts to the island for a weekend of breakfasting on the Atsena Otie beach, kayaking among the islands, and dining locally. McPherson coordinated the events from their inception.
In April and May 2016, under a Florida Humanities grant, the City of Cedar Key presented its “Think Water, Think Cedar Key” event. An effort to heighten public awareness of the criticality of water, both salt and fresh, McPherson taught visitors and residents alike about water in Cedar Key, from the first settlements in the Cedar Keys to various incarnations of the water system, to the present with all its challenges of climate change and saltwater intrusion.
FLORIDA’S NATUE COAST CONSERVANCY
During McPherson’s nearly two-decade tenure on the board of the Cedar Key-based land trust, the Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy acquired multiple land holdings, all shepherded to completion by treasurer and resident land trust lawyer McPherson. Critical seashore lands along G Street, water lands off Cemetery Point Park to the bridges, and acreage extending from the Cemetery Park to Paroda Street were acquired to protect the physical environment of these lands for wildlife, ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and open space purposes beneficial to the public interest.
During McPherson’s nearly two-decade tenure on the board of the Cedar Key-based land trust, the Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy acquired multiple land holdings, all shepherded to completion by treasurer and resident land trust lawyer McPherson. Critical seashore lands along G Street, water lands off Cemetery Point Park to the bridges, and acreage extending from the Cemetery Park to Paroda Street were acquired to protect the physical environment of these lands for wildlife, ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and open space purposes beneficial to the public interest.
THANK YOU, JOHN
The wonderful thing is that Cedar Key still has John McPherson and will have for years to come. Observers say he is home here. We have his expertise with the Water Board, and we have his expertise in environmental stewardship. Cedar Keyans appreciate his expertise, accomplishments, and his devotion to this area.
The wonderful thing is that Cedar Key still has John McPherson and will have for years to come. Observers say he is home here. We have his expertise with the Water Board, and we have his expertise in environmental stewardship. Cedar Keyans appreciate his expertise, accomplishments, and his devotion to this area.
*******
