Goodbye Colleen Griffin. Guest Blog by Redland Citizens Association

They called her Miss Griffin and she was our steel magnolia. This countrified lady of the land had the spirit to just keep on 'going, kinda like her square dancing on Friday nights. She could tell stories about Quail Roost Drive being a meandering dirt trail that would later become Kendal Drive. But she was much more than just "Ma and Pa Kettle come to town." She and Mr. Joe were one of the first Redlanders to give the state a conservation easement on their pinelands. They worked their own avocado and mango groves and ran their own packing house.

Colleen was our Election Precinct Supervisor. It was a pleasure because she greeted every voter at the door and ran a smooth operation. As an avid protector of Redland she was instrumental in pushing back any attempts to breach the U.D.B. in Redland. For more than forty years she represented the Redland Citizens Association before the Metro Zoning Appeals Board and the County Commission. As Secretary for many years she later became President of the RCA. Colleen also served as an agriculture advisor to the Planning Department and spearheaded farm legislation such as the "Packing House Ordinance."

We all cheered when County Commissioner Larry Hawkins appointed her to the Metro Zoning Appeals Board. But the zonging attorneys did not cheer. They'd seen Miss Griffin in action. By the time she was elected Chairperson of the ZAB these same attorneys loved her.

So you see, that country farm lady with the homemade dress and southern drawl didn't do too bad after all. Colleen Griffin is our spirit and we know she's looking down on us to make sure we do right.

The Membership of the Board of Directors - Redland Citizens Association