Charlie Hunsicker to Receive Local Government Award

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker has been awarded a prestigious statewide award for his efforts to uphold Manatee County Commission’s commitment to healthy beaches.

The Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association has named Hunsicker its Local Government Award recipient and will recognize him at the Association’s annual conference in Bonita Springs this week.  

“Charlie has exemplified the type of leader that Florida’s coastal governments need,” said Debbie Flack, FSBPA president. “He is passionate and driven in every aspect of his daily life to fight to protect, restore and enhance Manatee County’s beaches.

Hunsicker has served on the FSBPA Board since 2008 and is currently serving on the executive committee as past-chair. He spearheaded the County Commission’s substantial beach re-nourishment project in 2014 that added about 1 million cubic yards of sand over nearly five miles of shoreline the City of Anna Maria to Coquina Beach. Another 265,000 cubic yards of sand was added along Coquina extending to the south end of the island (see attached photo of Coquina Beach after being restocked with new sand).

Flack said Hunsicker’s tireless efforts have provided Manatee County with an unsurpassed level of service.

“Combining federal and local-sponsored beach projects has not only saved millions of taxpayer dollars, but it has also minimized impacts to the coastal environment and to Anna Maria Island’s valuable tourism industry,” Flack said. “Charlie understands that working with the municipalities on Anna Maria Island leading up to and throughout the construction of projects is crucial for awareness and addressing the concerns of the community.”