WAY TO GO EVERYBODY

I just got this from Andrea, is this good news or what.... Thank you everybody especially Andrea..... Dave
THANK YOU ALL! This message from John Byrd, Fred Brummer’s legislative aide, confirms that Governor Crist did not veto Line Item 471 and the DOH cannot move forward on their rule making – for now. This is such good news! Take a breath!!!! As long as we are in an e-mailing habit, please send a personal note of thanks to any or all of those listed in our last Sludge Report who worked so long and hard over this. Perhaps one to Gov. Crist is in order as well. Maybe it will encourage him to keep his eye on the Department of Health over the next year.

We will still need to keep an eye on things, and our continue our relationships with so many good people involved in this battle. Representatives of the existing network of HOA’s will also continue to contact other homeowner associations and try to solidify those relationships so that when the next legislative session convenes, we are fully prepared to address any re-introduction of this issue by Senator Constantine or the DOH.

That’s all for now, except to tell you again, thank you for being so incredibly involved.
Andrea

From: John.Byrd@ocfl.net [mailto:John.Byrd@ocfl.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 1:07 PM
To: andrea@lostpine.com;
Subject: Governor Crist Signs Budget: Line Item 471 Remains in Budget


27 May 2009

Greetings:

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that we have learned that line item 471 remains in the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Commissioner Brummer and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this effort to keep line item 471 in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

This should ensure that no administrative rulemaking for nitrogen reduction by a state executive branch agency will occur until no sooner than 1 July 2010.

Sincerely,

John Byrd, Aide,
Orange County Commissioner Frederick C. Brummer

Sludge Report

Third Edition, May 17, 2009
Update on Department of Health and your septic tank. Welcome to the third edition of the SLUDGE REPORT, brought to you by your friendly neighborhood coalition of Homeowner's Associations and friends whose common bond is common sense and common cause. The cause is stopping the Department of Health from making a rule mandating that all septic systems in the Wekiva Study Area (WSA)
be replaced with electrically operated Performance Based Treatment Systems (PBTS). DOH states the purpose of the rule is to reduce nitrogen levels in the Wekiva Study Area - which encompasses 250+ square miles of land beginning in the north from an eastern point in Seminole County (west of Interstate 4), across
(west) to portions of Lake County, then stretching south to Ocoee and Winter Garden pulling in all Orange County communities directly below the northernmost points. (We can send you a map if you are unsure
about whether or not you are affected).
471 requires the Dept. of Health to complete a funded 2008 legislative mandate to 0study passive alternatives to PBTS. It prevents a state agency from adopting or implementing rules or policies regarding nitrogen-reduction limits for conventional septic systems until the Department of Health
completes the authorized study. The study shall include recommendations on passive strategies for nitrogen reduction that complement use of conventional onsite wastewater treatment systems.
The final report shall be submitted by May 1, 2010 to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives prior to proceeding with any nitrogen reduction activities. Google "OCINS" (Orange Co. News Information Service) for info.
We are told that letters are better than e-mails. However, in favor of saving trees, we would like to ask the Governor's office to review incoming e-mails with the same consideration as hand stamped letters. For many citizens, e-mail is the preferred and "green" method of communication for them to voice their opinions.

Mailing address:
Office of Governor Charlie Crist
State of Florida
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

E-Mail sddress
charliecrist@eog.myflorida.com

Septic Tanks

Here is more info on the septic tanks.... Dave
Dear Neighbors,

Your immediate attention and action is needed. The House and Senate voted to support us in our efforts to stop the DOH from passing rules about PBTS until other more affordable options to nitrogen reduction have been properly tested. Money was appropriated last year to do that, but not pursued by the Dept. of Health. Line Item 471 in the Budget ask for that study. This is what the House and Senate have asked for and what we are asking for. PLEASE E-MAIL GOVERNOR CRIST TODAY. ASK HIM TO APPROVE LINE ITEM 471. Charlie.Crist@eog.myflorida.com

Governor Crist has the budget now and is receiving communication from opponents of Line Item 471. Your e-mail will make the difference. Pass this request along to everyone you know – those affected and even those not affected. Even your friends on municipal sewer systems can help us in the fight to make sure our homes and our life savings are not put in jeopardy, so send this request along to everyone in your e-mail address book and ask them for their help.

A QUICK AND SIMPLE REQUEST TO KEEP LINE ITEM 471 IN THE BUDGET IS ALL THAT’S NEEDED. PLEASE DO THIS RIGHT AWAY. Commissioner Brummer has forwarded a sample letter in the attachment. Please use your own words as much as possible. Another version is below.

SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear Governor Crist:

Please do not veto line item 471 in the 2009-2010 approved budget. Specific appropriation 471 in the budget continues the funding appropriated in 2008 to do studies to determine reasonable strategies for nitrogen reduction in the Wekiva River that complement the continued use of onsite wastewater treatment systems. The study is critically important to the citizens of Central Florida and the State. We must find methods to protect Florida springs and rivers using reasonable, effective, and affordable solutions for the public. Please retain this specific appropriation in the final budget. Thank you.

Hope these suggested letters are helpful to you. If you have any questions, please let me know via e-mail. The Governor needs to know that 55,000 homeowners in the Wekiva Study Area and, and indeed, in the whole state need his support on this. Also, please remember that an e-mail from every voter in your home needs to send one. That’s typically two e-mails per household!

Thank you, Andrea Samson

From: John.Byrd@ocfl.net [mailto:John.Byrd@ocfl.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 11:18 AM
Subject: Line Item 471 Needs to Stay in Budget



Greetings:

The attached “information” document from Commissioner Brummer explains our current situation with onsite systems in the Wekiva Study Area. Please send an e-mail to Governor Crist imploring him to keep Line Item 471 in the Budget. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John Byrd

Town Hall Meeting

Here is some info on a town hall meeting... DaveDistrict 38 Inivitation
2009 Post-Session Town Hall Meetings


Dear Friend,

With the 2009 Legislative Session concluding today with final votes on the 2009-2010 state budget, I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you to a series of post-session town hall meetings that will take place across House District 38 over the next few weeks. I am extremely excited about providing this opportunity for my district. After serving in Tallahassee for the past sixty days, it is important that my constituents know and understand what the impact will be from the Legislative Session. It's equally important that I hear about your concerns and issues in order to better serve our community.

I will discuss, and answer questions about the 2009 Legislative Session. Topics include education, health and human services, safety and security, and agriculture and environmental issues, and the proposed septic rule issue, among other district issues. The first group of town hall meetings will take place in the Apopka area and include the following times, dates, and locations:


Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 8 AM
Red Caps at Zellwood Station
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Apopka City Hall
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 6 PM
Apopka Library
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 12 PM
Rotary Club of Apopka Meeting
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:30 PM
VFW Apopka Community Center

Additional dates, times, and locations are being confirmed for other parts of the district and I will provide those to you as soon as they become available. If you would like more information or need additional details, please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (407) 880-4414. As always it is an honor to serve District 38 and I look forward to seeing you soon.



As always, it is an honor and privilege to serve you. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me in the district office at (407) 880-4414.



Sincerely,




State Representative Bryan Nelson
District 38

WOW, GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!

I just got this, wow, is this good news or what, thanks to everybody..... Dave

Andrea Samson
show details 8:26 PM (3 minutes ago) Reply


VICTORY!!!!!

New issue of the “sludge report” due out tomorrow with all the details – but for now CELEBRATE! Your steadfast and faithful e-mail campaigns and spreading the word turned the tide. And WE WON. Constantine’s SB274 and the DOH rule making are stopped in their tracks. Read below for information from John Higgins from the Markham Woods Association. If anyone cares to join me I am outside my house DANCIN’ IN THE STREET!!!!!

Andrea



Friends,

We have won! Celebrate! While the Budget does not become official until the Legislature vote on Friday, we appear to be home free on both the DOH rules and SB 274. See below for details on the printed budget wording.

I am sure we will need to remain vigilant but we all can relax now. This issue may likely resurface down the road, but for now we can all jump up and down and cheer for all the good guys who fought on our side in this battle.

BTW, if any of you don’t know who tcf@fofslaw.com is, it is Tom Feeney, our attorney and hero at Markham Woods Association. Thanks Tom. Indeed there were many, many, hero’s in this battle, but we all owe Tom a big thank you for his very important contribution.

John Higgins

From: tcf@fofslaw.com [mailto:tcf@fofslaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 4:39 PM
To: Jack F. Hannahs; Kenny R. Jones; John Higgins; Albert D. Capouano
Subject: Fw: DOH Wekiva rule proviso

We won big time. Congratulations!

Septic tank stuff, wahooooo

FW: MORE ON SEPTIC SYSTEM ISSUE
InboxX


Wahoo! Click on ocins.com below and scroll down to read the notice on today’s legislative events. Senator Constantine’s attempt to attach a piece of SB274 failed. This means that DOH Dept. of Onsite Sewage will not be transferred to the Dept. of Environmental Protection. Especially important, the Bureau will not be transferred with septic mandates written into the bill. We are, however still going to have to fight the DOH on its determination to proceed with its rule making. At least we are no longer fighting on two fronts, only one. Budget Committee meets next. Stay tuned.

Andrea Samson

From: ocins [mailto:bprendergast1@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 5:53 PM
To: webmaster@ocins.com
Subject: MORE ON SEPTIC SYSTEM ISSUE

Breaking news on septic system issue.

Please click on: http://ocins.com

Thanks,
Bethany
webmaster@ocins.com
(Orange County Internet News Service)
http://ocins.com
Bethany Prendergast

Flu information

Here is some info from OIrange County, please be careful..... DaveSwine Influenza
Orange County Update

Recent news reports on a swine flu epidemic might have many Orange County residents wondering how serious is the situation in Central Florida and “Am I at-risk?” No need to panic! Currently, no cases have been identified in Florida. However, some cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the U.S., according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products.
The Florida Department of Health and Orange County Government have contingency response plans in place for threats of this nature and these plans have been activated as a precaution.

Some Key Points to Consider:
This is an influenza virus (flu virus) that can live for several hours on surfaces, like door knobs, if touched by someone with the virus.
In general flu virus’ are transmitted by uncovered coughs or sneezes and with close or prolonged contact with someone who has the virus.
People with a respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community and limit contact within the household to avoid infecting family members.
Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness. Use of alcohol based hand sanitizers is effective.
Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Eat well and get enough rest to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong.
People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

What to do if you have any symptoms:
If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or emergency department or stay home.
Urgent Care centers and your physician’s office may have the "Influenza Test". It is a simple nasal swab test that takes just a few minutes to determine whether you have the Influenza virus causing your symptoms.

Treatment:
Important - you need to be treated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms for the medicine to work!
If you do have the Swine Flu – Your health care provider will treat you with an Anti-Viral medication which will help reduce the number of days you're sick and reduce the severity of illness.
The medications Tamiflu or Relenza can be used in the treatment of the Swine Flu, but only if you are diagnosed with the disease.
According to Dr. Marc Siegel, from the University of Langone and author of “Bird flu: Everything you need to know About the Next Pandemic,” there is no recommendation for use of antiviral drugs if you are not sick. Overuse can help germs become resistant to them.

Orange County is receiving frequent updates from the CDC, and is working with the local health department to monitor the situation and immediately follow up on any suspected cases. Also, posted to the county’s website under “Citizen’s Safety” is more detailed information on influenza: www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/SAFETY/avianflu
Information is also accessible from the CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

#END#