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In recognition of the service of James Montgomery to the North Florida Regional Planning Council, Sept. 24, was proclaimed as James Montgomery Day in the North Central Florida region by the Council at their meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, held in Lake City.
Mr. Montgomery served on the Council from 1976 to 2004 as a member representing the Board of County Commissioners of Columbia County. In 2010, he was appointed as a gubernatorial appointee representing Columbia County. He has provided 38 years of distinguished leadership and service to the Council. His 38 years of service is the longest of any member of the Council since its creation in 1969.
He has served three times as Chair of the Council. Mr. Montgomery currently serves as Chair of the Clearinghouse Committee, a member of the Regional Planning Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Council.
Mr. Montgomery will be recognized and honored on Sept. 24 as a man for all seasons for his many years of service as a teacher for the Columbia County School System, an instructor for Florida Gateway College, a member of the First Presbyterian Church and for his service on innumerable civic boards, committees and projects. The recognition event will be held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Lake City from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend and express its appreciation for Mr. Montgomery’s service to the North Central Florida region.
The Council, whose members are locally elected officials and gubernatorial appointees, administers a variety of state and federal programs for North Central Florida including Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties. Programs include development of the Strategic Regional Policy Plan, technical assistance to local governments in development of comprehensive plans, land development regulations and grant management, and administration of local mitigation strategies, hazardous materials, homeland security and economic development programs. In addition, the Council staffs the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area, the North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee, the North Central Florida Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team and The Original Florida Tourism Task Force.
The Councils offices are located in Gainesville. More information about the Council can be found at ncfrpc.org.