TALLAHASSEE — Art Jones figured he couldn’t bring lawmakers to the lyngbya.
So he brought lyngbya to them.
But Jones left his rake at home.
Jones appeared Thursday before the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee to showcase his “One Rake at a Time” program that has removed more than 600 tons of the noxious algae from Hunters Spring and areas near Three Sisters Springs.
State Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, invited Jones to the Capitol to help buoy his plans for an appropriations request this legislative session to support Jones’ effort. Dean obtained $100,000 last year, but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed it.
Dean did not say how much he will request this year.
“Maybe one dollar at a time,” he quipped.
Jones found favor with committee members who were impressed with the community and governmental backing Jones is receiving.
“This is the perfect example of a community getting to a point where they’ve just had enough,” Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said. “Whatever we can do, we’re with you.”
Sen. David Simpson, R-Altamonte Springs, said he has a home on the Homosassa River and hopes Jones will bring the raking program there, too. Jones said it’s in the plans.
Jones captivated committee members with a seven-minute video, commissioned by the Kings Bay Rotary Club, which was completed just last week. Jones is president-elect of the Rotary Club.
He also brought baggies of lyngbya and the type of healthy plant he said could replace the gooey muck.
“It’s pretty horrible stuff to have in the water,” Jones said.
Dean noted his aide, Nick Abrahams, is a “One Rake at a Time” volunteer who witnessed a spring being unplugged by the removal of a lyngbya mass.
Jones recalled that day when volunteers unclogged a spring as other volunteers watched nearby.
“It was like a geyser,” he said. “It always rejuvenates the volunteers when they see these springs come alive.”
County Commission Chairman Joe Meek told committee members the commission has set aside $225,000 toward purchase of a deep-water harvester.
Meek said local governments have given Jones full support.
“We’re all on the same page,” he said.
Crystal River Mayor Jim Farley admitted he didn’t think Jones would get far with his rake.
“I’ll tell you here now, I was wrong,” Farley told senators. “One guy went out there with one rake and started to work, and somebody else joined him. Now it’s dozens of people out there working all the time.”
Volunteer Sharon Kerner urged committee members to help out.
“We have a rake with your name on it,” she said. “Come join us.”
Contact Chronicle reporter Mike Wright at 352-563-3228 or mwright@chronicleonline.com.
