In mid-October, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners appointed 15 individuals to the Citizen Charter Review Committee. Each Commissioner made two appointments and the full board appointed a college student representative. The committee held its first meeting on November 3, 2009. County officials introduced committee members to their roles and duties and gave them an overview of the committee by-laws, schedule, charter governance and Sunshine laws.
The Committee is charged with reviewing the County Charter and proposing any changes for the 2010 General Election. The Committee will meet for 120 days to review and evaluate the County Charter and provide recommendations that will shape the role and function of County government. The Charter governs the County’s structure, organization, and relationship with other local agencies. Every eight years, the County Commission is required to establish a Citizen Charter Review Committee one year prior to the next general election. The following people comprise the Leon County Charter Review Committee:

Lester Abberger

Mr. Abberger is an investment banker specializing in public finance. He serves on the boards of numerous local private, civic, and charitable organizations. Mr. Abberger was appointed by Commissioner John Dailey.

Jon Ausman

Mr. Ausman has been a resident of Leon County for over three decades. He is a past-president of the Town and Country Neighborhood Association and works at the Florida Department of Transportation. Mr. Ausman was appointed by Commissioner Bob Rackleff.

Rick Bateman

Mr. Bateman is a local attorney specializing in real estate/development, commercial litigation, and federal civil trial jurisprudence. He also serves of the board of directors of the Tallahassee-Leon County Economic Development Council and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bateman was appointed by Commissioner Bill Proctor.

Lance deHaven-Smith

Dr. deHaven-Smith is a university professor at the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at the Florida State University. Dr. deHaven-Smith has authored several books on Florida government and politics. Dr. deHaven-Smith was appointed by Commissioner John Dailey.

Sue Dick

Ms. Dick is the president of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and the Tallahassee-Leon County Economic Development Council. She has served on the boards of numerous organizations related to the economic growth in Leon County and the Big Bend Region. Ms. Dick was appointed by Commissioner Bryan Desloge.

Donna Harper

Ms. Harper has been a resident of Leon County for over four decades. She is an education administrator with the Leon County School District. Ms. Harper was appointed by Commissioner Akin Akinyemi.

Chuck Hobbs

Mr. Hobbs is a local attorney specializing in civil litigation and criminal defense. He has served as an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University and currently serves on the Florida Attorney General’s Gang Reduction Task Force. Mr. Hobbs was appointed by Commissioner Bill Proctor.

Christopher Holley

Mr. Holley is the executive director of the Florida Association of Counties. Prior to the Florida Association of Counties, Mr. Holley was a county administrator for over a decade. He was appointed by Commissioner Bryan Desloge.

David Jacobsen

Mr. Jacobsen has lived in Leon County for over 20 years. He is a policy analyst with the Agency for Workforce Innovation and is an active member in the community serving in a leadership capacity with various local organizations. Mr. Jacobsen was appointed by Commissioner Cliff Thaell.

Catherine Jones

Ms. Jones is a commission aide for Leon County Commissioner Akin Akinyemi. Prior to joining the public sector, Ms. Jones served several years as the executive director of The Alzheimer’s Project, Inc. She was appointed to the Committee by Commissioner Akin Akinyemi.

Ralph Mason

Mr. Mason is senior at the Florida State University. He was raised in Leon County and currently serves as the Executive President of the FSU College Democrats. Mr. Mason was appointed to the Committee by the full Board as the college student representative.

Tom Napier

Mr. Napier is a retired public servant. However, Mr. Napier remains active in the community serving on the Senior Citizens Outreach Committee, the 2010 Complete Count Committee, and other various organizations. Mr. Napier was appointed by Commissioner Jane Sauls.

Linda Nicholsen

Ms. Nicholsen is the executive director of the Leon County Research and Development Authority, which oversees Innovation Park. She serves on the board of directors of numerous organizations. Ms. Nicholsen was appointed by Commissioner Jane Sauls.

Larry Simmons

Mr. Simmons is a social worker with the Tallahassee Housing Authority. He is the current chairman of the Leon County Democratic Party. Mr. Simmons was appointed by Commissioner Bob Rackleff.

Marilyn Wills

Ms. Wills is a retired math teacher of nearly 30 years. She is an active member of the Tallahassee League of Women Voters. Ms. Wills was appointed to the Committee by Commissioner Cliff Thaell.