Carson Turner steps down as coalition chair; commissioners name Ken Doherty as successor

Carson Turner, who presided over the County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, Saint Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries, opened the Sept. 6 meeting in the Okeechobee County Courthouse and told attendees it was his last time serving as chair.

Turner reflected on the coalition’s long-running work and the learning he said he took from colleagues and staff. He asked members to focus their remaining time in the meeting on legislative priorities and thanked coalition staff and partners. "My name is Carson Turner. This is the County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, Saint Lucie, and Caloosahatchee Estuaries in the Lake Worth Lagoon," Turner said while opening the meeting.

Commissioner Doug Smith recommended that the coalition choose a successor. The body moved and seconded a motion to nominate Commissioner Ken Doherty to be the next chair; members approved the motion by voice vote. Doherty, a Charlotte County commissioner, accepted the role and said he would work with staff to carry the coalition’s priorities forward.

Members used the close of the meeting to thank Turner and other outgoing leaders for their years of service. Staff presented a small token of appreciation and members said they would continue coalition advocacy at the state and federal level.