Defending democracy from the grassroots starts at the local level — and our locality offers multiple opportunities for making a difference by anyone who can make an effort. Alachua County, for instance, has citizen advisory boards working on everything from environmental protection to enabling the “disabled” — with more than 250 volunteers having their say without having to run for office or kowtow to oligarchs.
At last report, advisory vacancies include agencies addressing animal welfare, health care, programs for the handicapped, public safety, rural concerns, historic preservation, land conservation, veterans’ services, and aid for rape survivors.
For more information, start with the listing of the advisory boards at tinyurl.com/Iguana2234, then contact Ass’t County Manager Gina Peebles at 352-337-6279 or gpeebles@alachuacounty.us.
The City of Gainesville claims about 200 city residents active on boards involving matters from bicycle-pedestrian safety, development review, art, beautification, fire safety, auditing City expenditures, plans for downtown, and more.
See details at tinyurl.com/Iguana2235 and apply at the Office of the City Clerk at (352) 334-5016 or cityboardapp@gainesvillefl.gov.