Save Our Lakes Alliance 3 names Rick Hardy new president
After 20 years at the helm, Sallie Forman has stepped down as president of Save Our Lakes Alliance 3.
Forman founded SOLA3 in 2004. It’s the only nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and maintaining Silver Lake, Lake Comegys and Lake Gerar.
Forman announced she was stepping down in SOLA3’s fall 2024 newsletter.
“The 20 years leading SOLA3 have been a big and rewarding chapter in my life, bringing great satisfaction for what we have accomplished, and for the opportunity to work with and get to know so many in our community,” said Forman. “Please know that it has been a privilege and great honor to serve as SOLA3’s president."
Forman had help from many of the SOLA3 volunteers, but she oversaw the organization’s accomplishments. For example, SOLA3 pushed for, and got, a no-build buffer around Lake Gerar and Silver Lake; the restoration of nearly 500 feet of highly eroded shoreline along Silver Lake; the installation of a natural riparian buffer along the shoreline of the city’s Stockley Street Park; annual cleanups at the lakes; dredging of the west end of Silver Lake; getting the state to recognize it owns Silver Lake and Lake Comegys, and that the state is responsible for their management; and an annual education program with fifth-grade students at Rehoboth Elementary School.
In her place, the SOLA3 board elected Treasurer Rick Hardy to be the new president for a three-year term.
Hardy has been the alliance’s treasurer for the past two years, but he’s also been active in managing its website and been a more vocal supporter of the lakes recently, most notably with the illegal dumping of dirt along Silver Lake this past year.
“I am confident Rick is the right choice at the right time. He has demonstrated great leadership skills, works well with others and has taken initiatives in several areas,” said Forman.
A few days after the announcement was made public, Hardy said he was excited about the opportunity and appreciated Forman’s leadership.
“I’ve got a passion for these lakes,” said Hardy, who has lived on Lake Comegys for 25 years.
Twenty years in, Hardy said SOLA3 is still needed. Many of the issues are the same, but there are definitely new challenges, he said.
“It’s an ongoing effort,” he said.
Hardy provided a few examples – the western edge of Lake Comegys is filling in like the western edge of Lake Gerar, so what used to be waterfront is now a soggy mess; bacteria levels in Silver Lake are high; stormwater runoff; a need to get the state more involved with taking care of the lakes.
“SOLA3’s mission of protecting these three lakes still stands,” said Hardy.
Forman will remain an active face with SOLA3. The board also approved of her staying on as past president for a three-year term.
For more information on Save Our Lakes Alliance 3, go to sola3.org.
