Pictured (L to R): Sandy Golding, Beaches Watch Inc. President; Marcy Silkebaken, award recipient; Bonnie Barnes, award nominator.

Pictured (L to R): Sandy Golding, Beaches Watch Inc. President; Marcy Silkebaken, award recipient; Bonnie Barnes, award nominator.

Jacksonville Beach, FL (December 3, 2008) – Marcy Silkenbaken of Ponte Vedra has been chosen by Beaches Watch, Inc. as the 2008 Friend of the Beaches Award recipient. The award was presented to Marcy on Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm at the monthly meeting at Fletcher High School.

Marcy was nominated by Bonnie Barnes and chosen for the award based on her community involvement and contributions over the last decade to the quality of life in our Northeast Florida beach communities. In her nomination, Bonnie Barnes said that “Marcy is involved, passionate and caring in all that she does. She cares about her community and has made a difference in outcomes throughout the region.”

Marcy and her family moved to Ponte Vedra in 1995 where she worked part time in the interior decorating business. In 1998 she was elected to the Municipal Service District (MSD) of Ponte Vedra. As chairwoman of the MSD, she worked to have St. Johns County take over the administration of the installation of a central sewer system in the older neighborhoods within the district. She has been involved in the protection of the Guana conservation land during the search for a site for the high school in Ponte Vedra, the addition of the new roundabout at the intersection of County Road 210 and Mickler Road, and the purchase of water and sewer utilities in the Ponte Vedra area. She also served on the St. Johns Citizens Charter Committee.

Her current activities include Vice Chair of the Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Coastal Overlay District (ARC), President of the Palm Valley Community Association, Vice Chair of the Ponte Vedra Beaches Coalition and Chair of Communications on the Board of the North Florida Land Trust. As Chair of Communications for the North Florida Land Trust, Marcy is actively involved in coordinating events, public relations efforts, fundraising activities, and supporting the North Florida Land Trust’s efforts to preserve our special places in Northeast Florida. As President of the Palm Valley Community Association, Marcy is the organization’s leader, advocate and visionary who has organized events to keep her community actively involved in politics, government and environmental affairs.

”Beaches Watch is proud to recognize Marcy Silkebaken as the 2008 Friend of the Beaches because Marcy has been an exemplary model of positive and productive citizen involvement in quality of life issues,” said Beaches Watch President, Sandy Golding. “Marcy’s passion, dedication and tireless efforts to educate and involve others in quality of life issues have made a positive difference in her community and the Northeast Florida area.”

Beaches Watch presents the Friend of the Beaches Award in recognition of individuals, businesses or organizations who make extraordinary contributions to the quality of life at the beaches. Previous recipients have been Pete Modica, Mary Emerson-Smith, and Bennie Furlong.