Pictured: Derek, advocating autism awareness and Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson

At the Groveland City Council Meeting on Monday, April 3, Mayor Evelyn Wilson signed multiple proclamations for the City of Groveland, each proclamation recognizing the importance of the announcement.

April was proclaimed Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in Groveland. This proclamation proved that Community Leadership believes in kids and their ability to advocate.

Groveland City Council and Leaders stands to support Autism Awareness and Acceptance

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH

Whereas, we, the leadership of the City of Groveland dedicate April 2023 to Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month for our community; and

Whereas, we join counties, states, countries and nations in recognizing Autism as a collective concern; and

Whereas, we care about the well-being of all individuals affected by autism, their families, and care persons; and

Whereas, our plans and actions reflect the will to further research and science, translated into practical solutions in the community; and

Whereas, we commit to working on eliminating barriers of the mind and barriers of our systems of administration and operation;

Whereas Autism Month is not time limited but an ongoing change in attitude that characterizes us as a body of people.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Evelyn Wilson, Mayor of the City of Groveland, in the State of Florida on behalf of the City of Groveland do hereby proclaim April 2023 as AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH in the City of Groveland, Florida and encourage the community to join advocacy efforts.


Proclamation Honoring Kim Kahana
APRIL I, 2023 Kim Kahana Day
WHEREAS, April 1, 2023, marks the debut of the film titled, “Kim Kahana: The Man Who Changed Hollywood” and
 
WHEREAS, Kim Kahana has successfully operated his internationally-renowned Kahana’s Stunt and Film School in Groveland, Florida for many years; and
 
WHEREAS, since 1972, Kim Kahana has trained over 15,000 students to become professionals in the motion picture and television industries; and
 
WHEREAS, Kim Kahana is an icon in the entertainment industry, having performed as an actor and stunt performer in hundreds of movies and television programs, including films such as “Planet of the Apes,” “Patton” “Smokey and the Bandit,” and television programs such as “Mission Impossible,” “Magnum P.I.” and “The Brady Bunch;” and
 
WHEREAS, Kim Kahana played a leading role as Chongo, a shipwrecked castaway in the popular Hanna-Barbera children’s television series, “Danger Island,” part of the “Banana Splits Adventure Hour;” and
 
WHEREAS, Kim Kahana has been a leader in promoting safety in the entertainment industry, having served in the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures and on the Screen Actor’s Guild’s Safety Investigative Team; and
 
WHEREAS, Kim Kahana demonstrated extreme courage and patriotism serving as a paratrooper in the Korean War where he was wounded in battle, lost his sight in one eye, and was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Hearts; and
 
WHEREAS, the City of Groveland has a history of honoring outstanding members of the community and its veterans.
 
NOW THEREFORE, I Evelyn Wilson, Mayor of the City of Groveland, in the State of Florida, on behalf of the City of Groveland, Florida, declaring April 1, 2023, “Kim Kahana Day” in sincere appreciation to Kim Kahana for his contributions to the entertainment industry and for his service to our country.

Proclamation Fair Housing Month

WHEREAS, The Fair Housing Act, enacted on April 11, 1968, enshrined into federal law the goal of eliminating racial segregation and ending housing discrimination in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability, and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities; and

WHEREAS, the City of Groveland is committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all; and

WHEREAS, Our social fabric, the economy, health, and environment are strengthened in diverse, inclusive communities; and

WHEREAS, More than fifty years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination persists, and many communities remain segregated; and

WHEREAS, Acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are repugnant to a common sense of decency and fairness.

THEREFORE, I, Evellm Wilson, Mayor of the City of Groveland, in the State of Florida on behalf of the City of Groveland do hereby proclaim April 2023 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH in the City of Groveland as an inclusive community committed to fair housing, and to promoting appropriate activities by private and public entities to provide and advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of the City of Groveland.


Dark Sky

Proclamation International Dark Sky Week

WHEREAS, the aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind; and

WHEREAS, the experience of standing beneath a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, and encourages a growing interest in science and nature, especially among young people and out-of-area visitors within the local communities; and

WHEREAS, light pollution has scientifically established economic and environmental consequences, which result in significant impacts to the ecology and human health of all communities; and

WHEREAS, many people worldwide live under a dome of light pollution – excessive artificial lighting at night that disrupts natural darkness – and may never experience the visual wonder or ecological and health benefits of living under a dark sky; and

WHEREAS, Florida hosts one of the most diverse and delicate ecosystems in the country, many of which depend on dark and unpolluted nights as much as they depend on unpolluted water and air to survive and thrive. Florida is home to dozens of nocturnal wildlife species – including multiple species of bats, migratory birds, owls, fireflies, and frogs – and these species rely on undisturbed night environments to hunt, mate, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, International Sky Week has been created to raise awareness of light pollution and provide free education, resources, and solutions to the public to encourage the protection of and enjoyment of dark skies and responsible outdoor lighting.

NOW’ THEREFORE, I, Evelyn Wilson, Mayor of the City of Groveland, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim April 15 through April 22, 2023 as (INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK” in the City of Groveland.


Groveland Public Works Sampey Road Water Treatment Facility

Proclamation Water Conservation Month

Whereas, The State of Florida, Water Management Districts, and City of Groveland are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation; and

Whereas, the City of Groveland and the State of Florida has designated April, typically a dry month when water demands are most acute, Florida’s Water Conservation Month, to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida’s precious water resources; and

Whereas, the City of Groveland encourages and supports water conservation, through various educational programs and special events; and

Whereas, every business, industry, school and citizen can make a difference by helping save water and thus promoting a healthy economy and community; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, Evelyn Wilson, Mayor of the City of Groveland, in the State of Florida on behalf of the City of Groveland do hereby proclaim April 2023 as WATER CONSERVATION MONTH in the City of Groveland, Florida, and call upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water.

To learn more about the city council meetings and the city of Groveland, visit website: Groveland-fl.gov