Birdsong: City faces issue of water sustainability

Ask most Winter Haven City Commission candidates what’s important in the future and the last thing they’ll bring up is water.

For Mayor Nat Birdsong, it’s the first thing.

Birdsong, 69, is a retired Coca-Cola executive who says he’s “a young 69.” He has served on the commission for 13 years consecutive years.

He is running for Seat 2 against Debbie Ogzewalla and Bob Jardine in the Nov. 3 election.

Birdsong received an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Miami in 1985. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two grown sons.

“The major issue that’s going to face Winter Haven long term is the sustainability of our water resources,” Birdsong said. “I know people don’t want to hear that, but it’s true.” He said the cost of water could rise with a county-led water initiative.