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Janet L. Stanko, Guardian and Defender of the Environment

3, 2009

Text of prepared remarks supporting presentation to Janet Stanko of the Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group’s Guardian and Defender of the Environment Award  at the Mayor's Environmental Luncheon.

From an awakening that began with environmental concern while gazing out the window of a bus over a tired rust-belt urban setting, to possessing a real appreciation for the natural world around our homes and our lives in Jacksonville, and across this great land of ours, Janet has been an inexhaustible and determined leader of change.

She’s campaigned for public engagement in transformation in our state’s growth management practices, including being a regional leader of the campaign for the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment to the state constitution.

Janet has an uncommon combination of environmental knowledge as well as the business background important in considering environmental implications of business operations in the local community.

She’s been a long-time supporter of analysis and good thinking about the environment, with a record of many dealings in consideration of advice with JEA & others actors in our community and long has been a proponent of protections and improvements for clean air and water.  Since the 1990s, Janet has been part of the Clean Power Stakeholders group that considers with and advises JEA on air & water quality issues incident to its utility planning and operations.

Janet’s career began as her children were testing life away from the nest.  She’s been engaged as an M.B.A. in corporate research and healthcare product development management.

Janet serves as Vice Chair for the Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group; its Energy Issue Chair; and Political/ Legislative Chair & compliance officer, and also serves as a member of Sierra Club Florida’s Political Action Committee.