FORT MYERS, Fla.  – The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) announces that Vice Chair, Teresa Watkins Brown, has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 Home Rule Hero Award by the Florida League of Cities.

The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Vice Chair, Teresa Watkins Brown, with a 2023 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2023 Legislative Session.

Watkins Brown worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.

“The League and its legislative team appreciate the individual advocacy efforts undertaken by municipal officials throughout the state,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “Home Rule Heroes are some of our biggest advocates for protecting local decision-making. They are League members who stand out for their high level of participation, knowledge, and effectiveness. This year’s Home Rule Heroes continuously advocated for their communities throughout the 2023 Legislative Session.”

Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.

“The role I play in advocating for the City of Fort Myers and the voices of those who elected me helps me encourage growth and development in the communities,” said  Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown. “It allows people the empowerment to engage with local government on the things they desire within their community, bringing about quality communities where people want to live, work and play. Government is local and we are the ones close to people. I advocate because we should have the say on how we can govern our communities without trying to force us to be the same throughout the state but allowing cities to continue to be unique in their culture and makeup. Local voices making local choices.”