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Ruth A. Holmes sworn in as Stuart environmental attorney
Summary
Ruth A. Holmes took the oath of office to become the city's environmental attorney; commissioners welcomed her and said they anticipated the new position would help address water and river issues.
Ruth A. Holmes was sworn in as the City of Stuart's environmental attorney during the commission meeting. The oath was administered by Mayor Rich and Holmes repeated the oath on the record: "I, Ruth A. Holmes, do solemnly swear that I will support, honor, protect, and defend the Constitution and the government of the United States and the state of Florida ... and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of Stuart environmental attorney."
Commissioners welcomed Holmes. Vice Mayor Collins said it had been a long effort to hire the position and called it "a really big day"; other commissioners noted the role was a priority given ongoing concerns about the St. Lucie River and local environmental issues.
Holmes's appointment drew a request from Commissioner Kevin Gioby and others for the new attorney to meet one‑on‑one or in workshop settings with commissioners to discuss strategy. Staff clarified that meetings of more than one commissioner would be subject to public‑meeting rules unless the counsel is advising the city in the context of litigation.
Why this matters: commissioners described the environmental attorney role as an investment in protecting the St. Lucie River and coordinating city strategy with other agencies and local stakeholders. No separate vote was required at the meeting because the oath ceremony completed the appointment process that staff had previously announced.
