A NOTE FROM ANDREA

To all my neighbors in Bent Oak and our friends from all the other neighborhoods who were able and willing to come to the BMAP meeting today, a GIANT THANK YOU. I know it seemed as though we did not have a perfect fit with that group and the agenda, I can tell you that your presence at that meeting was very important. Also in the crowd was Mr. E. Roeder, who works directly under Gerald Briggs at the Department of Health. He no doubt has a lot to tell Mr. Briggs about the interest level in this community. I think the moderator was a little taken back by the number of people who showed up but in the informed questions that were coming her way. That would not happen unless there was an intense interest from all of you. Also in attendance at the meeting were John Byrd, Fred Brummer’s assistant, Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift, and many others who are well known to both the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection.

For me, one very important thing that came out of that meeting today. That is an understanding that in Tallahassee, the right hand does not communicate with the left hand. As a result, the citizens are a birdie in badminton game. There is little coordination or information sharing going on between all these entities who have authority to pass any number of rules that impact our lives. This may well become the focus of our attention, as both DOH and DEP have been given the authority by the legislature to study, make recommendations, and PASS RULES on nitrogen reduction. Since they are both looking at OSWTS (onsite waste water treatment systems), the question is, are they both going to pass rules affecting us? What I heard today, is that BMAP has representatives from counties and cities. If their project focus and recommended solution to nitrogen reduction is sewering, those county and city officials on BMAP may end up committing to that (especially if there is stimulus money involved), while the DOH is hitting us from the other side with an immediate mandate to install expensive PBTS.

The most important thing is that you made them sit up and take notice, and made them answer important questions.

Again, thank you.
Andrea