Could FWC’s next stop be Clewiston?

TALLAHASSEE – Hutchinson Island is nice. But why not Lake Okeechobee? As the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wrapped up a two-day meeting last week at the Hutchinson Shores Resort in Jensen Beach, Chairman Rodney Barreto suggested some future meetings be held in Clewiston or other communities around Lake Okeechobee, which is often part of key topics for the commission. “I love the fact that we’re here on Hutchinson Island. It’s a beautiful part of the state,” Barreto said. “But let’s maybe try to get out of some of the big cities and go into the smaller areas of the state, so we can kind of cover the whole state, take the agency to the people.” Barreto’s proposal came a short time after a member of the public suggested that when commission officials decide future locations, they “pick a hotel that doesn’t charge $600 a night.” The oceanfront resort on Hutchinson Island in Martin County this past week offered accommodations ranging from west-facing rooms starting at $163 a night to an oceanfront suite starting at $677 a night. Earlier meetings this year were at the Marriott Jacksonville, where rooms currently start for non-members at $204 a night: the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon, where rooms are $154 and up a night; and the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, where rooms are $222 and up a night. Parking and breakfast in some cases are extra. Group rates are typically offered, which can bring prices down.

Social media post of the week

“The more you look, the more it appears the ideological takeover was just cover for the grift. New College has *698* students — fewer than some middle schools. Yet a new school ‘analysis’ says Corcoran’s compensation package should be as much as $1.5m.” — Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell (@Scott_Maxwell), on X, formerly known as Twitter, about potential compensation for Richard Corcoran, who was selected to serve as New College of Florida president.