Seney An Outstanding Choice For Recycling Coordinator

Published: May 7, 2008

One word sums up Pasco County officials' decision to hire Wesley Chapel resident Jennifer Seney as the county's new recycling coordinator: perfect.

Indeed, if anyone can round into shape and modernize the county's sagging trash recycling efforts it's Seney. She's an environmental activist whose passion to protect Pasco's natural beauty and resources has led to an improved quality of life.

Combined with her work to breathe new life into Keep Pasco Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate - "We're being recycled" county Commissioner Ann Hildebrand appropriately noted to the Tribune recently - Seney's selection is a natural fit for both her and the county.

We remember when Seney came to us about 10 years ago as a budding community activist concerned about poor growth management and flaws in the county's comprehensive plan. Since then, she has put together quite an impressive list of accomplishments and has become Pasco's most respected environmental activist.

Seney led the charge to create the county's environmental lands acquisition and management program. She helped fight, successfully, for better growth management, a much-improved land-use plan and stronger protections for the environment and wildlife.

And she did it the right way - with hard work, detailed research and convincing arguments that haven't called into question the integrity or character of those disagreeing with her.

Perhaps some may view her hiring by the county as the end of her activism, that she's on the other side now. But knowing Seney, that won't be the case at all. She'll just have a bigger platform, and if her past work is any indication, we'll all be better off for it, as the county addresses growing trash-disposal issues that can be addressed, in part, by a much better recycling program.