FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: District #1 Commission Office, (239) 335-2224

COMMISSIONER JANES ELECTED CHAIR OF REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 21, 2004) - Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes has been elected chairman of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.

The term is for one year.

The RPC is made up of 34 elected officials and gubernatorial appointees from Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades and Sarasota counties and assisted by a professional staff of 26. The RPC works to improve the region's physical, economic and social environment through a number of planning initiatives.

Its current planning initiatives include developments of regional impact, emergency preparedness, hurricane planning, and intergovernmental coordination and review. Longer-range efforts include comprehensive/strategic planning, dispute resolution, economic development, housing, and environmental protection. The RPC's transportation planning encompasses the Transportation Disadvantaged Program, the Traffic Safety Program, and the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Commissioner Janes was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2000 and served as chairman in 2002. He represents District 1, which includes Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, Boca Grande and portions of Cape Coral.

Commissioner Janes has been very active in Human Services and Mental Health issues at the local, state and national levels. He also is the Board's liaison to efforts to purchase Babcock Ranch for preservation.