Collier's state lawmakers to hear appeals Thursday about immigration, environment
naplesnews.com
By JENNA BUZZACCO-FOERSTER
Posted August 17, 2011 at 7:01 p.m.

NAPLES — Everyone has a wish list.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida wants the Florida Legislature to let the dust of 2011 settle, while Drug Free Collier wants the state to create a pharmaceutical disposal fund.

The wants and needs of more than three dozen Collier agencies will be front and center Thursday during the county’s annual legislative delegation meeting.

Collier County legislators hold two meetings Thursday to go over constituent priorities in advance of the 2012 Florida legislative session. The 2012 session is scheduled to begin in January, two months earlier than normal, because lawmakers need to work through state and federal redistricting. That means the annual delegation meeting, traditionally held in November, was moved up.

But an earlier than normal delegation meeting doesn’t necessarily mean fewer agencies are submitting requests. Fifteen speakers are scheduled to speak during the Immokalee session, while 22 are to speak at the Naples session.

“I would encourage as many citizens as possible to attend the delegation meeting to hear the concerns that are being brought before the community and to bring forward their own issues,â€