The critical issue of water availability is the subject of an expert panel discussion at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium.
After watching the 90-minute 2009 documentary, "Blue Gold: Water Wars," a four-man expert panel will discuss the theme: "Is Clean Water a Human Right?"
Moderator Fred Schlegel of Boca Grande, an attorney experienced in representing water companies, has assembled a national team of experts to discuss how to assure clean water is available to all.
Article Photos
Fred Schlegel, partner in Faegre Baker Daniels LLP law firm of Indianapolis
"Don't think this doesn't affect you," said Marta Howell, Friends of Boca Grande Community Center executive director. "From the Great Lakes to the Sahara Desert, water is at the center of human existence. What can you do to make sure that clean water is available for your children and grandchildren?"
Panelists include:
n Schlegel is a partner in the law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP with offices in Minnesota, Indiana, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Chicago and China. The litigator specializes in electric, gas and water utility matters. He has been on the boards of numerous Indiana arts and civic improvement organizations and is a former chairman of the Board of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Schlegel has a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and a juris doctor with distinction from the University of Michigan Law School.
Fact Box
To Go
What: "Blue Gold: Water Wars"
Who: Sponsored by Friends of Boca Grande Community Center
When: 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9
Where: Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium
Why: "Is Clean Water a Human Right?"
Cost: $10
Contact: Denise Searle at 964-0827
He and his wife, Jane, have three adult children and six grandchildren. Indianapolis is their summer home and Boca Grande their winter home.
n Jim Williams is president and CEO of Peerless-Midwest, Inc., a water supply contracting and hydrogeologic services company with offices in Indiana and Michigan. Williams serves on the board for Water for People and has traveled to Bolivia, Honduras and India in support of water projects. He also served on boards for the American Water Works Association and the Indiana Rural Water Association.
n William Blomquist is dean of the School of Liberal Arts, professor of political science and adjunct professor of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Indiana University-Bloomington. His research concerns governmental organization and public policies with specialization water institutions and management. He's written "Embracing Watershed Politics" (2008) with Edella Schlager, "Integrated River Basin Management through Decentralization" (2006) with Karin Kamper and Ariel Dinar, "Common Waters, Common Streams" (2004) with Schlager and Tanya Heikkila, and "Dividing the Waters" (1992).
n Bobby Lue is utility services program manager at SWFMD responsible for water supply utilities, communication and water use efficiency. He started in 2000 as a senior professional engineer. From 2003-2012 he was director of the Brooksville Regulation Department, responsible for administration, permitting and regulatory activities within all Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Marion, Lake and Levy counties, and the District's Well Construction program. From 1997-2000, he was strategic planning manager for Tampa Bay Water. From 1985 to 1997, he was on the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County as staff engineer, environmental manager and assistant department director. Lue began his career as a technical services engineer with Goodyear Jamaica Ltd.
