From Andrea

Dear Members and Friends of Tri-County Association H.E.L.P., Inc.

Several days ago, I sent an e-mail notifying you of an important meeting  of the Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve.  The meeting is scheduled for Monday evening at 6:00 p.m., October 1, 2012 at the Markham Woods Church in Longwood FL.  Since my initial e-mail to you, I have spoken with Ms. Deborah Shelley, the Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve Manager and have more information on the meeting format.  Ms. Shelley will be giving opening comments about the Management Plan Draft (available at www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/wekiva/ ) and there will be tables of information set up for the public to gather information and speak to representatives about particular issues.

This meeting has been structured as an “open house”.  It is not the “open mike” public input format I expected from my attendance at similar meetings.  As a result, Tri-County Association will not be giving a verbal presentation to FDEP representatives.  Tri-County was invited to submit a written commentary about issues in the Management Plan Draft that affect our septic systems.  The Tri-County Assoc. publication has been forwarded to Ms. Shelley and several other individuals at FDEP involved in the drafting and finalization of the Aquatic Preserve Plan.  Those comments are attached for your review.  If you plan to attend this Oct. 1 meeting, the information in the Tri-County publication will be helpful to you. 

In the meantime, as a result of these conversations and for the first time, Tri-County Association has been invited to participate on behalf of homeowners in the Wekiva Basin Ecosystem Working Group, which includes representatives of various environmental organizations, officials from Orange, Seminole, and Lake Counties, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, the Florida Park Service, and others.  A review of this meeting highlights will be published in www.thesludgereport.org.  

Please let me know if you have questions about the above information. 

Andrea

andrea@tricountyassociation.org

Septic tanks

Got this from Andrea, thanks for all that you do on this..... Dave

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2012 – 6:00 p.m.

Markham Woods Church, 505 Markham Woods Rd., Longwood FL 32779

A formal public meeting to receive input regarding the Draft Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve Management Plan will be held.  This plan strives to bring together under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection all the work of the various working groups regarding nutrient loading in the Wekiva River Area, including 20 miles of the St. Johns River.  All along, we have been attending many of the meetings held by these groups and monitoring activity as it impacts our septic systems.  The entire survey of these activities is presented in the link below.        

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/wekiva/pub/Wekiva_River_Aquatic_Preserve_Management_Plan_DRAFT_2012.pdf

Please go to Page 57 of this draft.  It gives a broad description of these groups, their activities, and the draft is a preliminary step to rule-making based on the findings and recommendations contained in this draft.  Although the draft gives a nod to the on-going DOH Nitrogen Reduction Strategies Study which is supposed to provide nitrogen reduction alternatives for conventional septic systems, it is particularly disturbing that the draft has recommended and named “performance-based technology” as a solution to reduce nutrient loading from septic systems.  TRI-County Association will be addressing this and related issues at the meeting.

Public meetings are typically held in advance of rules being developed and adopted.  Homeowners cannot be silent and unrepresented, or as in the past, rules will be promoted and passed that are inappropriate and devastating to our home asset values and basic property rights.  Please plan to attend!

Andrea Samson, President

TRI-County Association H.E.L.P., Inc.

P.S. If you have friends in the Volusia County area, please pass along this information.  There is a second meeting planned for Tuesday, October 2, at the Volusia County Administration Bldg., 23 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720.  More information on time, etc. is available atwww.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/wekiva/ .  For more information on the history of EPA, Wekiva Basin Management Action Group (BMAP), the Earth Justice lawsuit, etc., please visit www.thesludgereport.org .

BOB, (Bent Oak Bear)

It's getting that time of the year when BOB is on the prowl at night. So please be careful, the last spotting was at Whispering Oak and Hidden Pine Ln. What ever you do DO NOT FEED the bear, and keep the dog or cat food in a safe place, and it would be a good idea to make sure your garage door is closed before evening gets here, thank you, and please be safe.... Dave

A Note From Marti Jones

I received this from Marti Jones to put on the Blog, Dave....... Hello Bent Oak Neighbors, I want to invite Bent Oak Ladies who have a need for prayer to connect with me. I have scheduled a 1-hour prayer time on Tuesday and Thursday early morning. If you have an interest in coming by (walkers, joggers, etc.) please contact me so I can exchange information with you, register your name and contact you anytime my schedule changes. I have personally experienced the need for focused prayer in our own family, for friends, and in general...our neighbors and for our country. If you are not able to stop by just email your prayer requests and I will be happy have them prayed for. Anonymous requests are welcome. Please only "first names" for those you wish to identify. God bless you Fellowship in Prayer Group Marti Jones (on Hidden Pine Lane) marti@cfl.rr.com

Info on contractors

Here is some information on tree contractors, this also goes for lawn maintenance people, please be careful.... Dave The unlicensed tree trimmer you hire today could own your home tomorrow Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors to perform tree work may expose themselves to liability for injuries suffered by employees of the contractor. “With thousands of dollars at stake, not to mention the integrity and appearance of your property and your personal safety, make sure you investigate before deciding which company you should hire,” warns Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor for safety, standards and compliance with the Tree Care Industry Association. “If the ‘professional arborist’ you hired to remove a tree drops it on your house instead of your lawn, it’s too late to confirm the company is insured.” A large number of consumers have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured contractors. Why? Because if an employee of an unlicensed contractor is injured on the job, the homeowner may be responsible for his injuries or disabilities. Of course, if that unlicensed tree service drops a limb on the house – or a tree on the neighbor’s house – there is probably no protection other than the homeowner’s insurance. Consumers believe that paying a tree service company “under the table” will save them money. That may or may not be true, but if there is a problem the consumer almost never has any option with an unlicensed or uninsured contractor. In addition to having no insurance, unprofessional companies are less likely to perform professional work. Consumers may end up paying more to repair the damage, or may lose the value of a specimen tree that declines due to poor care. “Disreputable companies are renowned for ripping gutters off, breaking fences and bird baths, and even dropping trees on houses,” says Gerstenberger. “Then they typically fold up and leave, never to be seen again.” In most cases unlicensed tree workers are employed by companies that do not have workers’ compensation insurance or liability insurance. These companies do not pay city, state, or federal taxes. They do not secure permits when required. Any of these problems can cause a homeowner costly legal problems! How can homeowners protect themselves? Disreputable companies tend to: o Solicit work door-to-door o Demand payment in advance o Advertise topping, an injurious practice to trees o Sell jobs without producing a written estimate or work order. During the off school months, lawn care companies form calling themselves professionals, but they do not get the required licensing and insurance to protect you and your property. Ask for their Orange County business license and a copy of their liability insurance before work is done. In most cases, a cheaper quote is the result of not carrying any credentials to do work in Orange County and should be reported.

Fire Works Information

What kinds of fireworks can I use legally?The short answer: not many. Fireworks generally approved for use by consumers include sparklers; small fireworks that emit colored smoke only; and "glow worms," which burn in bright colors without exploding. The state fire marshal has a full list, including brand names, at myfloridacfo.com/sfm/sparklerindex.htm. "These are the only items consumers without a permit can legally use," said Nina Ashley, a fire marshal's spokeswoman. Other, more high-powered fireworks are permitted only for industrial use or by professionals in public displays. So everything else is off limits? If it explodes, flies or lifts off, the law prohibits you from lighting it. That includes the popular Roman candles."There is no approved list of 'whiz, boom, bang or stuff that leaves the ground' for the retail public," said Bart Wright, the Maitland Fire Department's assistant chief of administration. "Florida Statute 791 is explicit about that. Consumer purchase and use of such material is unsafe, a threat and, most importantly, illegal in this state."

Hurricane Season is Here

The 2012 Hurricane Season is fast approaching and runs until November 30th. It is all of our responsibility to properly plan for and react to predictable storms. Your individual responsibility is to prepare your home and family so, if necessary, you can leave them with a certain level of comfort and security and serve your community. The below links provide a list of suggestions to make your preparations easier and ensure you have the needed supplies. www.ready.gov Family Disaster Plan Red Cross Disaster Preparedness http://www.orangecountyfl.net/YourLocalGovernment/CountyDepartments/OrangeCountyFireRescue/OrangeCountyOfficeOfEmergencyManagement/HurricanePreparedness.aspx