selling out our wetlands for developers
Yesterday, the developers’ minions on our county commission voted to eliminate our EPC’s wetlands protection program.
I was there, although I was not allowed to speak because of some bogus rules Brian Blair made up as he chaired the meeting. I’m still reeling from the vulgar stench of corruption.
Ever since it was created in 1967, developers have wanted our county’s Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) out of the way. They have always whined that it is too costly and that it duplicates state wetland protections. The Tribune laid out the issues clearly ahead of time, and tried to warn the commissioners not to fall for that “old ruse.”
The county’s wetlands ordinance is tougher than the state’s rule and was adopted precisely because state regulators were allowing the piecemeal destruction of Hillsborough’s natural systems. … the program is a good investment for taxpayers, as the wetlands prevent flooding and erosion, filter and store water and sustain wildlife.
Unlike the state, Hillsborough protects wetlands smaller than one-half acre, which can have great ecological value. The rule is reasonable, and allows wetlands to be destroyed if their preservation prevents the reasonable use of a property.
But when that occurs, local regulators are far better able to monitor [local mitigation] projects.
Commissioner Kevin White, brimming with haughty audacity, made the motion. The Tribune reports today:
White said he heard [developers'] complaints during his campaign last year and that’s why he made the motion to get rid of the wetlands regulators.
As he made the motion, I heard gasps in the audience. I was knocked back in my seat, aghast at the spectacle of our leaders selling us out. The citizens around me looked to each other for confirmation that this surreal nightmare was really happening. We rose silently at our seats in protest. We remained standing together through the bullsh “discussion” until the vote. Read the transcript only if you have a strong stomach. The whole sham is covered well in the Times, which has been following the powerful developer Steven Dibbs’ role in this and his personal vendetta against EPC.
Ken Hagan seconded the motion. Brian Blair & Jim Norman joined them to carry the motion 4-3.
The developers’ flunkies didn’t even know they can’t legally eliminate our wetlands protections without a public hearing. EPC’s attorney explained that they will have to listen to us at a future hearing, before they can have a final vote. They voted anyway (just ’cuz) but not before Mark Sharpe tried hard to bring some sanity to the circus, pointing out that EPC’s Director, Rick Garrity, had worked out an innovative proposal that would offer developers one-stop-permitting, cut out state duplication, and save everyone money.
This is exactly what the developers had pretended they wanted, but what they really want is no rules. And this commission is giving them whatever they want.
This isn’t the first time these puppets have danced to the developers’ tune without listening to the public. We have to regain control of our county:
- Come to the EPC public hearing. The date is not set yet, so check back here or sign up on U-CAN’s mailing list for updates. If we don’t have BIG numbers at this hearing, our wetlands will be raped.
- Write letters to the Tribune & Times
- Thank the 3 commissioners who voted not to sell out our wetlands: Sharpe, Ferlita & Higginbotham. They may not stay on our side unless we let them know we’re watching.
- Write the 4 commissioners who voted against our wetlands: White, Hagan, Blair & Norman.
If we can’t make these flunkies believe that we won’t re-elect them if they stick to this vote at the final public hearing, then we deserve to lose our wetlands.
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June 22nd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I am ever-increasingly disturbed by the overt disregard for honesty and ethics our elected County officials are displaying. We have created this problem, and I am more and more disheartened that we lack the strength to stop it. People cry foul in coffee shops, hairdressers and around the water-cooler, but so few show up when it counts, and even fewer become actively involved. Our forefathers viloently rebelled against tyrants of the very sort we’re finding in our legislative chambers. The county commission but one glaring example of taxation without representation, the very catalyst of those patriot’s fight for liberty. Thanks to the blood shed then and since, today we need not take up arms to overthrow the tyrants, but merely spend 5 minutes and vote our disapproval of these act. Still so very few have the sense of duty and patriotism to do so. The very freedom that made this nation grand is allowing the cancer of apathy to metastasize killing our liberty slowly but inevitably. How long before the actions of such despots erase the freedom to breath clean air, drink clean water, or enjoy natural beauty, and where will this erosion of liberty end? If we fail to use the voice given us through the sacrifice and valour of those patriots, how long before that voice is stolen from us completely? Yes, we may all have the right to stay silent on election day, but we have a responsibility and a moral obligation to speak up and rise to act. And act we must, else the future is very bleak indeed.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
They can be recalled, you know.
I’m glad that Mariella covered this. I almost blogged it because I was so disgusted and revolted but figured she would have plenty to say.
I’m going to put it on zimbio under Corruption in Tampa. These guys ALL deserve a place there.
Ken Hagan and his witch hunts.
Jim Norman and his 40 million dollar … erection to himself.
White?? Can’t tell the truth, retired from the corrupt Tampa police force, pretends ignorance of the laws, even though the sign delimiting his carrying firearms is one he passed every time he entered the orifice of the commission chambers.
Blair? Please. I’ve seen him in action over the verizon deal.
Why would anyone think that silence on election day is some power stroke? That leaves the corrupt Tampa firemen, the corrupt TPD and the corrupt sheriffs and their families to vote in those who RULE Tampa, including Pam Iorio.
Wake up.
Great post. Great comment.
I’m sorry, Mariella. Keep fighting the good fight. For the children. (no, really for the children unlike those who drag the safety of children into their witch hunt agendas)
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Like I said on another blog, what a surprise…and these 4 commissioners don’t have to walk Nebraska Ave. to pull off what they do.
After I slammed down my newspaper in disgust and almost choked on my coffee early today, I started working on my letters-both to the BOCC,thanking the 3 who voted for wetlands and the 4 who didn’t; and the letters I’ll send to the Trib and SP Times.
Gotta give these people a hard time and not let up. We need a revolution-NO VIOLENCE- but we definitely need a major revolution around here. Our state is dying, but we can’t let it. Let’s start making some noise, and save our beloved county-and state- while there’s something left to save!
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:02 pm
that’s what I keep saying and pointing out. It’s ridiculous.
While jeb bush kept running his mouth about us living in paradise he was kicking the collective ass of decent floridians and they have always had plenty of help in tampa. It just seems to come out more under this current admin. (bush and iorio)
I remember being thrilled when pam became mayor.
WHATEVER.
I was extremely naive.
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
vopo, I’ve had more than one rebuttal in past discussions voice that if they don’t know enough about the race or disliked the choice of candidates that they saw no reason to vote and actually felt that abstaining was a voice of protest. It’s one of the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard, but they were firmly convinced of it. My rule of thumb is “When in doubt, vote them out.” Unless you know that the incumbent has done enough good to actually better the lives of their constituents, give someone else a chance.
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
This is beyond ridiculous, I can not fathom
local developer Stephen Dibbs’s comments that the Counties quidelines at all restrict anyone from building whatever they want in the county! I mean, take a look around at the sprawl that’s being built, and where, and by whom. Can building crap be any easier than it is now?
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 pm
What bothers me is that the Gang of 4 (Judas White, BumbleBee Blair, Hardhead Hagan and Championship Norman) are so blatant about the misuse of their power. They think they can get away with it with only a little hassle from the public. This time they’re dead wrong. They’re not going to get away with this one. They are going to pay a heavy political price for trying to steamroll us. They’re going to pay when their elections come up. The citizens are not going to forget this one. And I don’t care how much money the building industry lobby gives them for their campaigns, the voters are sick of their arrogance and careless disregard for our quality of life. We’ve got to vote them out before they destroy this county.
Thanks Mariella for giving out that website (U-CAN). I signed up. We’ve got to get organized to fight back
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:22 am
Why not take aim at the developers themselves? Cripple their business, and you cripple their power.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:47 am
I try to tell everyone I can that people who listen to the development industry and want to move here have been “Chamber-of-Commerced” into believing there is a quality of life here. Well there isn’t much left. And “G” from Dover is so right-they will pay a heavy political price for this. They must be stopped, or they will have ALL our wetlands drained ,and another 40 million dollar sports complex in Jim Norman’s name for us to pay for. Mr. DIbbs doesn’t owh this county-he owns the commissioners, it seems. But he doesn’t own the wetlands if I have something to say about it.
I signed up for that U-CAN as well. Thanks for letting us know about it Mariella
June 23rd, 2007 at 3:53 pm
hagan, white, norman, and blair — all have to GO. their latest skullduggery on thursday as the EPC board makes it COMPLETELY obvious that they have a job to carry out and it’s not for the citizens of this county…it’s for their REAL bosses who put them in office — the development industry. (and i thought boards of organization had the best interest of that organization at heart, didn’t know they were charged with killing the organization!) the industry wants the EPC wetlands division GONE. it’s doing TOO good a job and actually PROTECTING WETLANDS. they want the Planning Commission GONE. it’s not as easily controlled as the Planning and Growth Management dept. under Paula Harvey. (watch, the PC is in the crosshairs for the NEXT hatchet job.)
In their headlong haste to get that motion on the table thursday and voted on, QUICK…NOW! the fab 4 really exposed themselves to HUGE criticism. WHY? Why act so rashly? right after a trib editorial warning all what they would be attempting? BECAUSE THEY HAD TO..their masters had SPOKEN! they OWE THEIR MASTERS a PAYBACK…it’s as simple as that. it’s as plain as the nose on your face. now…they have to, by law, hold a HEARING before they can make a final vote to ax EPC wetlands. i truly believe they THOUGHT the vote on Thursday was final and binding and were surprised to hear from the EPC lawyer that they HAD to have a hearing…BUMMER! SUCKS TO BE THEM…now they will have to FACE THE PUBLIC! AGAIN! and guess what will probably happen? between now and then, when they see the MASSIVE bad press they are getting..they will be back pedaling for all they’re worth, spinning spinning spinning, trying to extricate themselves from this hellacious firestorm of (deserved) criticism. WELL WE CAN”T LET THAT HAPPEN! we have to hold their fat feet to the fire. we have to show up at the meeting in DROVES. meanwhile, all please sign up at the U-CAN website…it’s a rallying point.
let’s get these bad bad dirty people out of office.
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:56 pm
WP, I couldn’t agree with you more. It starts at highschool and maybe even younger where a certain group of parents teach their children to pretend to other children that voting is not cool. THEN, those same ‘teaching’ children march off to the polls to vote in what we have before us today. I learned this quite by accident. I never really paid attention to anyone in highschool so didn’t catch the phenomenon on my way through. Learned it by careful listening. We have to fight this feeling where we find it. Thanks for speaking your mind and allowing me to agree wholeheartedly with you.
June 23rd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I hope that when you email the not so fab-foursome you include at least one of the links. I’m blogging it later. Stogie blogged it and this post here.
As well, I put it up at Zimbio which is owned by a guy who used to be up in AOL. Believe me, this pops up HIGH in searches.
Include at least one of these links in your email. As well, Tampa’s Back Door will be jumping in there. Folks, it’s NOT just THIS issue. It’s MANY and the three ‘brave’ commmissioners are not always bread and butter for us. Rose Ferlita is the same one who said that people in Central Tampa overstayed their welcome and needed to be eminent-domained for HER OWN development interests. Memories should be long when it comes to city muckity mucks screwing over ANY little person.
Here’s the zimbio link.
Hillsborough County Corruption and Malfeasance
I gave full credit to authors but it does not seem to show up nice and pretty the way I wanted it to so … bear with me while I continue the editing process.
Pushing Back. I like it.
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Colonel Korn is right. The *only* vote you have left is your dollar. Look at who donated to the commissioners — not just developers but ALL the businesses who benefit from their association with these crooks. Deny these business the chance for your dollar. They’re using your money against you — don’t give them ammo. Bleed them dry. Make them leave Hillsborough County, and take their sock puppet commissioners with them.
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
“The vulgar stench of corruption” - - how right you are, Mariella. It’s taken me 2 days to shake off the rage from Thursday’s shameful coup perpetrated by the four philistines from hell. My immediate reaction was to storm the dais and mess up their hair (ooh, would that piss off Brian!), but I held my powder and my twitching fingers til my sanity returned.
And now I can say thoughtfully and resolutely, that I personally, have resolved to do everything in my power (which is formidable!) to bring these little peckers DOWN!! That’s WHITE, HAGAN, BumbleBeeBLAIR AND NOOOO-OOR-MAN…!
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Deja vu all over again! Doesn’t this sound disturbingly like the jokers we had in office that were hauled off ‘exit-stage-left’ in handcuffs? Black & White striped suits and BEANies as it were?.. They’re still here with their mating scents wooing the developers. And boy!, are those developers, along with their blue-shirted minions and attorneys, ever randy for the smell! Marchetti, Mineer, and Weaver, to name just a few all-too-familiar faces on the scene - - what a blight on our Hillsborough landscape. Nothing would surprise me from here out. These guys are so blatant in their mendacities and nefarious shenanigans that it’s like they just can’t keep their noses clean too much longer. Pray for Rosemary’s babies.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:43 pm
The developers/building industry have been working to do away with the Wetlands Division since it was created because it slows down their raping of the environment in their quest for ever-larger profits. That doesn’t surprise me. But, what is so disturbing is that they have accumulated the influence they need over the BOCC to enable them to do things like have an entire division eliminated. With that much power supplied by their four bootlickers on the BOCC, how can mere citizens prevent them from winning comp plan and rezoning battles as they piece by piece move the urban service boundary out to Polk County? This isn’t just about wetlands, it’s about the citizens needing to rise up, take back their county while there is still something to take back, and send the special interest groups and their trained seals packing.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
“We confess. We were so wrong. We won’t do it again. We’ll put Humpty Dumpty back together again and return all the developers’ campaign donations. And we’ll do penance by picking up trash alongside The Beltway for as long as you guys say…. Yeah, and I was just kidding about that big sports arena in Plant City. Can’t you recognize a little levity, you diehards?.. Just havin’ a little fu-uu-un.”
—————-In our dreams. How do these nimrods sleep at night?
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:36 pm
So, the elimination of “duplication of efforts” was the warcry and BOCC-Bozos’ reasons for the dastardly deed on Thursday. Interesting to watch them squirm, hopefully, as the media shows their complaints were already satisfied by the self-paring down of the targeted commission’s redundancies - - Even as they plunged their daggers into the victim. Et tu, Brute? And you, Ken?… and you, Kevin? ..and you, Jim? ..and you, Brian? And then can we talk about “forty pieces of silver” - - but I mix my analogies.
Better to be duplicative, than duplicitous.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Too bad homelessness doesn’t bring the outcry that wetlands do. Just sayin ……….
THIS could all have been slammed home to them a long time ago. That people in Hillsborough County actually GIVE a shit about things and people.
This has been a long time cooking.
Hey, I was related to one of the people who went to prison then. Okay, by marriage. LOL !!!! I’m pretty sure that the inlaws took great pride in that. Damn. That’s a hallmark of being a Tampa Politician. Catch on.
They’re gangsters. They’ve BEEN gangsters. If we’re not careful some other gangsters posing as progressives will be WORST gangsters.
Look at Joe Robinson. Moved here not long back, pushed faith based initiatives (on video, friends) THEN pretended to be fighting them.
Randy Baron?? Moved here not long back. Took over seminole heights. Brought star bucks. I’m impressed. Minimum wage jobs and a big f*cked up looking sign in the sky.
Tampa people, if there are ANY of you left … it’s WAY past time to step up.
And, ignore the Tampa Trib. Last time a few decent people ran Rose Ferlita either intimidated them or the Tampa Tribune trashed them.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
The big mistake was to allow the ‘dividing’ into neighborhoods and our voices flowing through the ‘block captains’ also known as presidents of HOA’s. If you’re a decent president of a HOA, then disregard. However, a quick glance through them shows a heavy mix of politicians, cops, developers and ‘new people’. I’m not against new people. I’m against new people who are treacherous, sinister no-good-niks. And people in Tampa who love them like brothers.
June 23rd, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I think I’ll ask Brian if I can do the opening benediction prayer for him at the next meeting before the lions are let loose. Surely he gets a little itchy under the collar lately when he invokes the name of the Lord, asking Him to lead us…and beseeching Him for His wisdom.
I’m jus’ sayin’…
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
All this crap with Blair and Norman is enticing me to log onto some terrorist website and get some poop on how to MAKE SOME CHANGES HERE!!!
Just pushing your leg, but I do think I’ll take some rasslin’ lessons and pin that Bumble Bee to the mat! He is truly a smarmy, oily little booger, itten he? Loved that Lake Noreaster article today. And WE ALL CAN do wonders united under the U-CAN banner. I really thank whoever of you are putting this GREAT EFFORT together. Way to GO!! (and it’s not even a terrorist website. I don’t have to resort to violence!!)
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
EXACTLY! They are indeed gangsters. Apt and natch for Tampa politicos. But someday, hopefully soon, they’re “gonna have to pay for Santino”….. so, “don’t insult my intelligence. Confess now. You just won’t go to Vegas.”
Batista, Iorio, Nuccio, (just kidding here) ….Hagani, Normani, Fulgencio White, Brianna-Bumblebee-Blairo-Bolero…
But, I wax silly. And these 4 dudes are ’serious criminal element’… I say we go for ‘em, Mr. Ness.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I can.
U-CAN.
We all can.
THEY’RE IN THE CAN!
(now what’s the name of that U-CAN website?)
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I joined up first thing. There is a misspelling on the first page I would LOVE to see corrected.
just an fyi
behind ya all the way unless I see you taking a wrong turn.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
It’s so obvious that there is collusion between the developers and the commissioners. At Thursday’s EPC hearing, Land Use Attorney John Grandolf asks the board to approve the motion, but he spoke 1 hour before Commissioner Kevin “Judas” White even made his motion to kill the EPC. How is it that a person can urge the board to act on a motion before it is even made. The developers and their lawyers all knew that “Judas” White was going to make that motion because they probably wrote the script for him to read!!! The actual video of Grandolf asking the board to approve the motion (before the motion was actually made) is on the U-CAN site. Take a look…http://www.u-canhillsborough.net/10201.html
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:50 pm
It appears that this was premeditated gang rape of the environment. It took one phone call to the FBI to take the boys out in ‘83.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Sacre bleu! Looks like there are 18 different post-ers replying to this single post of Mariella’s so far… That’s 1-1/2 dozen pissed off people, and not a one seems lightweight to me.
Eighteen people can do a whole hunka damage, and we can multiply too. I think we’re onto something here - - - Did someone mention storming the Bastille? Picket. Write letters to the editors. Shine some sunshine on these buffoons. Stand up. Show up. Be counted. (Like Ladybug wrote–Let’s make phone calls to the FBI, if applicable.) Call Ghostbusters. Or Father Merrin. Let’s…. all be U-CANners!! There’s probably a lot of P-O’d Tampans already membered up with U-CAN.
June 24th, 2007 at 1:33 am
Yes, the FBI and I know who made the call. ‘Nuff said. Worked then. Not sure about the State Atty, others tried with Ronda and nothing happened. You could also try the Gov. Crist, he says he will not weaken environmental regulations. Maybe we will see, EPC was created by the legislature. As I said, ‘Nuff said.
June 24th, 2007 at 1:49 am
EPC has countywide jurisdiction, not just Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. We do not want to leave anyone out. Most of the remaining pristine wetlands are in the unincorporated county. Let’ all work together and see what happens. Get on the team, folks.
June 24th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Hello…is anyone paying attention to our elected officals?
It’s time for some deep investigation into the good ole’ boys club and back room handshakes between county commissioners and local developers. This latest move by White, Hagan, Blair and Norman to eliminate the EPCs wetland division just plain stinks of corruption.
This county borders a coastline, we also sustain the Hillsborough, Alafia, and Little Manatee rivers along with numerous creeks and ponds. That’s a lot of wetland area to flip off. Why are these bozo’s so concerned with making it ‘easier’ for the developers? What about protecting our natural resources, what about flood plans and chemical runoff, what about fish populations and clean drinking water?
It’s a lot easier to get permits in this county than officials with integrity. I live in the South Shore area where scraped land and new construction stretch as far as the eye can see. There are too many deals going down on the side of development with strong opposition from the residents every step of the way. So what are we we supposed to think? The good ole’ boys need to be held accountable.
If we need to cut back on the budget let’s start by taking a chunk out of those $90,000 plus county commissioner salaries.
DHood
June 24th, 2007 at 9:50 am
31 comments on this subject. great. i hope you all will sign up w/ U-CAN, United Citizens Action Network. I did.
http://www.u-canhillsborough.net
it will be a good clearing house and info spreader.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
It’s interesting to see the reaction this has caused yet the public, county voters, choose not to do anything about it. They have the mentality that if it’s doesn’t affect me who cares, and even if it did, they most likely still wouldn’t do anything about it. Our county commission for a very long time has never really stood up for the taxpayers, but for who was lining their pockets. Storms, Hagan, Norman, Blair are the worst I’ve seen. We need more like Kathy Castor, Pat Frank who realy cared about the taxpapers.
I’ve battled that group for years and am sick of how they operate, manipulate, abuse taxpayers. Heck, if I thought I’d have a change I’d run next year. What we need are more regular commen sense type of taxpayers that give a damn about what happens to our communities.
June 24th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
agree, karen. 1 percent of the population will actually get up off their butts and do something. the rest will not UNLESS it directly affects them and even then they will let someone else do it. nature of the beast. but the 1 percent is becoming 2 percent and even 5 percent..maybe. and the INTERNET is a wonderful tool to bring us together so we can do some real damage to the black hats.
the times, they are a’changin’!
June 24th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I am so heartened to see the public outcry over the Commissioners’ attempt to dismantle the Wetlands Management Division of EPC. As I drove back to the office after the meeting, I began to look at the wetlands I passed by thinking to myself, “who will protect you now”?
The truth of the matter is that we cannot count on the State doing its job to protect wetlands. I will tell you that they DO NOT not and leave it at that. The Commissioners did not hear me when I said that local government had saved over 200 acres of wetland impacts from phosphate-related impacts…THE STATE ALREADY APPROVED THEM…and Mosaic is annexing more land into their mining operation. The Little Manatee River and the Alafia continue to be at huge risk.
It was obvious to me and by all the emails, obvious to you, that the whole thing was rigged. I even believe that SWFWMD was involved. For those of you who do not know it, Todd Pressman sits on the Governing Board of the Water Management District. He is appointed in that capacity by our Governor. He is also the political consultant to Stephen Dibbs. There is no doubt in my mind that he has brought pressure to bear on the Water Management District. It seemed to me that WMD representative, Richard Owen, knew the questions that were going to be asked of him. I also though it was odd that the Director of their ERP program did not get to speak. I’m just sayin.
Stephen Dibbs has had it out for EPC for quite a while. He has hired private investigators to follow me and other EPC staffers. He has some huge controversial development plans in the pipelines and without the EPC, those plans are likely to be a slam dunk.
Apparent to me and apparent to you, the Commissioners knew their script when they came in the door last Thursday.
Comm. Blair said after the meeting that he would be willing to change his vote if EPC could come up with an alternative idea. But he is the one responsible for the circus that we witnessed last Thursday. His alternative, pure and simple, is for the Water Management District to do the permitting and for EPC to
conduct compliance. That makes it easier on developers trying to get a permit and if the EPC Wetland Rule is gone, under what authority does he expect the EPC to enforce? Many are saying that this may be the only hope of keeping some EPC presence in wetland protection. I hope that is not all we can hope for.
It is great to hear the Citizens rally and to know that someone is out there fighting for the right thing. These arrogant commissioners have to go….they are not listening to us. The Planning Commission is next, be on the watch.
Keep fighting, you all give me hope.
J. Kerr
June 24th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
You hang in there lady. We all need you. These guys do not understand wetlands, AC PC soils and the like.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Please do not give up hope. We must try hard to save the wetlands department! It is not too late. We can try and change the commissioner’s minds.
June 24th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
If we let these clowns get away with this one, then it’s our fault and no one else’s. Put the pressure on them and make them do what they’re supposed to do-work for us. If they refuse let’s fire them.
I’m encouraged by all I’m reading out there. Don’t let these four bozo’s get away with this.
June 24th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
j kerr — do NOT let anyone quit at EPC.
this will be turned around and the division will be stronger than before. Blair and his bunch are being exposed. They are exposing THEMSELVES. it is obvious to all who will look and listen that the EPC “BOARD” (BOCC) is corrupt and are not protecting the environment, the EPC, or the citizens of Hillsborough County..but are trying REALLY HARD to promote the interests of one industry — the building and GROWTH industry, which they are paying back now for all those campaign contributions. And BTW, that chart Mike Salinero put up for campaign contributions was pitifully wrong. He needs to recheck his info! I hope hagan, norman, blair, and white can find jobs w/ the developers because, honey, they are going to be out of work come the next election — IF NOT BEFORE! Higginbotham, take note — get on the right team while you still have a chance.
ALSO — the BOCC is OBVIOUSLY NOT THE BODY TO OVERSEE THE EPC…that needs to change. We need some REGULAR CITIZENS on that board! CLEAN SWEEP. This is much worse than the shenanigans on the Expressway Authority Board and you know what happened there. WHERE IS THE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM NOW???
PRESS!!!! TRIBUNE!~!!! git ta steppin! The TIMES is showing you up! THIS IS FRONT PAGE NEWS…let’s see it! get a team on this — cause it’s not getting the coverage and investigation it deserves. COME ON!!!
SO….to all at the EPC, pull up your socks, pull out the stops, and start singing like birds. Your jobs are on the line, so what the heck do you have to LOSE? IF you stand up, then Blair and gang will be defeated, NOT YOU! We’re behind you. DO NOT head for the hills or quit in disgust. WAIT! STAND AND FIGHT! ASK YOURSELF — WHAT WOULD ROGER STEWART DO? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
Besides, why quit prematurely? Wait and see what happens.
June 24th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I agree with “florida cracker”….WHERE’S THE PRESS COVERAGE?!
June 25th, 2007 at 10:40 am
[...] Comment #35 on Friday’s post about the sellout of our wetlands is by Jadell Kerr, Director of EPC’s Wetlands Division. County Commissioners are trying to get rid of her and her division, but she’s not going quietly. Her statement is so frank and courageous I want to point it out so she can inspire others like she has inspired me. I have added the emphases: I am so heartened to see the public outcry over the Commissioners’ attempt to dismantle the Wetlands Management Division of EPC. As I drove back to the office after the meeting, I began to look at the wetlands I passed by thinking to myself, “who will protect you now”? [...]
June 25th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Oh my gosh.
The tampa tribune??
You need to take note as lee drury decesare says over at the casting room couch that the editor of that paper is BFF with Elia, Iorio, all the rest of that gang. Rosemary Goudreau.
Do you remember when they arrested that guy for supposedly doing sexual things to the girl? With four or five other guys? He was the son of an editor of the tribune. I believe that this kid was SET UP. I believe they got to his dad through him and through a continuing series of grotesque manipulations the Tampa Tribune was subverted probably permanently.
I don’t take offense when people ignore me (but I wish they wouldn’t because some day it will effect THEM too) or when people overlook that ellen gedalius can’t MOVE herself to mention that it’s pam’s idea to DOUBLE THE WATER BILL. No- not the city’s idea — pam’s idea.
These same people who wiped out the news editors then moved in people of their choosing or even their own kids in some cases.
The Tampa Tribune is NOT a venue to be trusted. AT ALL.
They are bought and paid for and are no more than a megaphone of corruption for those who believe themselves to be the elite of Tampa.
Haven’t you read the editorials where they chastise people like children?? Where they encourage us all to vote for the mayor’s niece in AMERICAN IDOL??
They’ve got time and staff for what they choose to cover. They are the same newspaper that covered up the gasparilla rape.
People really need to catch on QUICK that the Tampa Tribune really IS lies printed daily.
They give people like Barbra Orban and Joe Redner ‘a voice’ so they can marginalize their cases and their voices. Be honest. You HAVE noticed this.
Depend on yourselves.
Take those fatuous assholes in to federal court. Take them now. is there no attorney among you? You have ALL the evidence you need. As well, then the federal attys’ (in my case) will come to your club and swim in the pool close to you loudly discussing how certain judges are completely manipulated.
And, they take great pride in this. However, I remain convinced that the federal court system is the way to direct these complaints. If it weren’t these dumb-asses wouldn’t have made such an effort to risk their careers and liveliehood by trying to get me to drop my case. They could have been disbarred for that activity. Instead they gang up and any DECENT attorney they set up and get disbarred. read about it. You don’t have to take my word for it.
Anyway, you’re your OWN news channel. Create the buzz. Take this in to federal court and do it quickly.
Show you know.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
A slightly different take on this-
“Wetlands, once were everywhere,
not many left, there be,
They’re being stolen, here and now,
by four “Commish’s”, you see;
We’ve got to stop them right away,
and show them WE’RE the boss,
’cause if OUR wetlands all get drained-
it’s EVERYBODY’S loss”
(and I do mean everybody’s)
June 25th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Here’s a little somethin’ on Blair-hair’s Commissioner credentials:
http://www.cwfarchives.com/Wrestler.php?id=439
June 25th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
check his name out on Utube
June 25th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Ron:
Better check with Blair by his accounts we have had a 100+ acres gain in wetlands…….he works with Tampa Tech numbers….you know that “fuzzy math”!
June 25th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
GKR — did you HAVE to link us to BB in a speedo???? that is hitting BELOW the belt, the championship wrestling belt, that is. (don’t go there.)
those were not images i wanted to have in my mind…thanks a LOT!
June 25th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Oops
Make that Youtube.com
June 26th, 2007 at 9:55 am
“Oligarchy: A government resting on a valuation of property, in which the rich have power and the poor man is deprived of it.”
When did Florida’s natural resources suddenly become the property of those who do not value it. OUR state is more than the combined ownership of the rich and powerful, and even the poor. It is a living, breathing expression of life, we all get to experience daily. Our neighborhoods are slowly watching the decline of wildlife, ponds, natural vegitation and especially water. The wonderful pond in my neighborhood was the home of hundreds of water foul and other beautiful creatures. Apartment complexes, new home communities and office buildings have replaced what use to be marshes and wetlands. Yes, we now have artificial ponds to replace the natural wetlands, thanks to the development regulations. Those same development regulations that cannot replace the wildlife that is now mostly extinct from our neighborhood’s. The same development regulations that did not PLAN for the drought and the natural water table that continuously shrinks. My beautiful neighborhood pond was mowed last week. It is the first time in the 13 years I have lived here I personally witnessed that.
When I talk to the poor man and the rich man, we do have much in common. We say, what is happening with the government officials that we put our Trust in? Why is the destruction of our most valuable resouorce being encouraged. WHO are the representatives, what are their NAMES?
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ;WHITE, BLAIR, HAGEN and NORMAN. OUR? officials voted to eliminate the Wetlands Division. Only the first step in many to come to stop the effect of the EPA.
We have the opportunity to speak for ourselves and our children and grandchildren at the July 19 meeting. Let our children and grandchildren represent themselves at this meeting as well. Let’s teach them that we must try to defend those that cannot defend thimselves.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT said ” Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions if a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.”
And finally, ” The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.” THOMAS JEFFERSON
June 26th, 2007 at 10:34 am
[...] Commissioner Brian Blair wants the county to stop protecting wetlands. Unless we’re talking about the wetlands behind his house. [...]
June 26th, 2007 at 11:34 am
OKAY, sounds to me like we’re sufficiently outraged in our denunciation of the 4 Sellout Criminals on BOCC. So, from now through JULY 19th and beyond, watch and listen to the four commissioners backpedal, gainsay, demur, while attempting to self-aggrandize their motives. Blair and Norman are the busiest of little bees carrying honey back to the development comb, and they have just got to go. Hagan and White are lightweight thugs who have to shuffle off behind them. They’ve just got to start realizing that their long-reigning jig is up. Hear this, developers?
June 26th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
This is what happens when we don’t get out and vote.
The people that I vote for give prudent thought and have the basic skills and intelligence to make good decisions at this level. I don’t know these 4 individuals so I will not get derogatory, but they sure don’t think like a representative of the people & County should. I’d say background checks of these 4 are needed. This issue should have never come up to a vote and never again. NOT IN FLORIDA. Wetlands must be considered worthy of monumental status in the State of Florida.
Wetlands are synonymous with Florida and should be 100% protected. In such an ecological area, being allowed to develop on them in the first place is ignorant.
The County would be better off & natural if we built around wetlands instead of over them.
Keeping Hillsborough County beautiful means understanding the symbiotic relationship between wetlands, the animals and expansion. This is the wrong direction. In fact, I would expect that the County would double the number of Wetlands Agency employees from 29 to 58. I would think as the land becomes more precious; development gets tougher. We need these local people. They keep the playing field level. It should be a tug of war between those that want the land versus those that preserve it. Not only does this agency help regulate the flow of permits; they also protect all wetlands from being defaced and that happens.
I live in Lutz and there is plenty of development going on. The developers sure don’t need any help. I am sick of seeing dead raccoons and other wildlife everyday as they have limited safe havens. The animals deserve better and who represents them? It’s this local wetlands agency - they try their best.
If the County wants to save money, it should start by walking out the 4 individuals and get this on the right track. There are much better ideas than removing value added services. This sure is not in line with what I would expect from a Hillsborough County representative. Not really in tune with Nature or the county they live in.
EPC has already bent to allow mitigation for the developers, but that’s not good enough.
Now the developers want more. Mitigation IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL.
The reason the developers complain is because the agency “does their job” plus they take a lot of adversity too. It’s a 2 way street. Instead of removing the agency, lets get rid of the developers. This place is already over developed.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Mrs. Kerr was suspended for 2 weeks today by the Director of the EPC, Dr. Garrity. It also looks like the Director is ready to cut a deal with the developers and the Commission to gut the Wetlands Division to save his own job. It is time for the citizens of Hillsborough County to stand up and put an end to this crap!
June 26th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
My apologies for sending out the barbarous “neandertal in speedos” Blair link.
A pic is worth a thousand words.
Mariella has placed a new blog on Sticks of Fire:
http://sticksoffire.com/2007/06/26/blair-protects-his-wetlands-not-ours/
June 26th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Ron, love your poem of sorts from yesterday. What’s so ironic is that our lovely BOCC really don’t care one way or the other about the wetlands, and will make recommendaitons only when it impacts their pockets. I have a neighbor (who heavily paid Storms for her support of their personal issues) that is destroying my wetlands behind my home that the EPC says is a ‘protected wetland, natural spring, breeding ground for soon to be extinct frogs. I was told never to touch anything within 30′ of the water or else. Well, my neighbor has dug out the wetland, pulled out all the vegetation around it on his side, dumped sea shells around it, built an island in it with a palm tree, added a bubbling fountain to it and fish. . He’s doing this to gain land to his landscaping busines that is in the middle of a single family home community (Thanks to Storms, Norman, Hagan) and knows EPC and Code Enforcement will look the other way because they were told never to listen to complaints against this landscaper (thank you again Storms, Hagan, Norman). It makes me so mad they have so much power by just their word. This has to stop before our county all goes to hell.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
[...] the weekend, it seems she found some hope within the outrage on Sticks of Fire. With over 30 comments at the time, there were others incensed at the comm…. Here there were real people - local citizens - and she reached out to [...]
June 27th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Facts are the enemy of truth. Jadell cashes her paycheck, freely choosing to work at the pleasure of the commissioners. Policy and budget matters are not hers to decide. Surprising that a bureaucrat is against reducing government! Why doesn’t Jadell run for the commission?
The assertion that wetlands are not equally protected by state law is false. SWFWMD is legally empowered, and does in fact protect wetlands with equal vigor. Hillsborough County is the only County in SWFWMD’s jurisdiction which duplicates wetland permitting. The repeated dire predictions of environmental catastrophe are NOT supported by looking at development in thess counties. To the contrary, claiming agricultural impoundments and drainage ditches and the likes as protected wetlands often contributes to choppy inefficient us of land. Poor design lowers density and intensity, promoting urban sprawl, congestion, and development in the well and septic areas of the county. Beware of statistics generated by a government agency to justify it’s own existence. Well designed live work centers with the density/intensity to support future mass transportation hubs will require thoughtful design. We need positive solution oriented government!
June 27th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Well, finally! A developer has weighed in. “facts are the enemy of truth”? say wha…? That one has me scratching my head, so I’ll just leave it alone. Did Yogi Berra say that?
Beg to differ, 4aBetterPlace, but SWFWMD does NOT protect wetlands with equal vigor. If it did, you guys (and gals) would not want them in charge of wetlands. And state rules as to which wetlands can be filled are weaker than EPC’s which regulates wetlands of 1/2 acre. State gives them a pass.
And EXCELLENT idea…Jadell running for commissioner! Thank you for putting that idea on the table. If she is fired for telling the TRUTH and shaming the devil, then I’m thinking there will be about…oh, say…FOUR seats open for her to choose from. How will you like THAT? I like it a lot!
I think she would make a GREAT commissioner. But then almost anybody would be a vast improvment over these bozos. (Excepting Rose and Mark)
And what we need is HONEST government above all…honest FIRST..then maybe you’ll get some of that “positive solution oriented government” that you say we need. Let’s just get us some of that HONESTY-oriented govt. FIRST!
I’m just sayin’
Y’all come back now, hear?
June 27th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I think 4aBetterPlace should get shim’s facts straight. Hillsborough is not the only county that shares wetland protection with SWFWMD. This developers friend should realize that the collusion that transpired was to help the only special interest that the board works diligently to satisfy - the developers lobby.
The line that reveals 4aBetterPlace’s true affiliation is in this part of shim’s sentence…”Poor design lowers density and intensity”. If you want to get a developer mad start talking about lowering density. They see their lives flashing before their eyes!!! Shim can spout all the justifications that the developers lobby spews out but the fact remains that we need more protection for our wetlands. Developers care about maximizing profit and if that means filling in wetlands they’ll do it in a heartbeat. If we let them they will destroy this county and then when it’s not so nice a place to live and they don’t have as good a market to sell all of these cookie-cutter houses they’ll just move on to another county and infect their county leadership until the rules and oversight get knocked down. And when that county gets destoyed they’ll move on again. And so on…
Hey shim, is there a builders blog that you normally frequent. You are starting to remind me a little of Kevin “Judas” White. They sent him to do the dirty work just like they told you to get on Sticks and see what they’re talking about and report back to us.
Go back and tell them that this thing is really mushrooming and the commission may not be successful in fixing things for the developers.
Shim (4aBetterPlace), I’m putting the curse of low density on your builder’s career. Every project you work on from now on will end up being low density. Oh, the SHAME !!!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 9:25 am
To: Mr. G From Dover
We welcome ALL comments here at Sticks of Fire. Please don’t suggest that anyone is not welcome. In this case, I specifically asked to hear from those with another viewpoint.
Having said that, I think 4aBetterPlace makes some valid points.
tommyduncn
June 28th, 2007 at 11:19 am
somebody out to inquire about a little trip Commissioner Bumblebee Blair took, all expenses paid, on a private jet, to go hunting in Mexico with a bunch of developers the likes of which included Carl Lindell, Ed Oeshlager and Ron Rotella.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Mick ==
do you know when approximately this trip took place? this year? last year? any other people on the trip?
any other info?
June 28th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Mick:
If you don’t or can’t leave more info here, then I would encourage you to contact Mike Vansickler of SP Times, 226-3402. As long as he can corroborate the info, he is the best at protecting his sources.
We must continue to expose the unscrupulous dealings of our County Commissioners before the damage is beyond repair.
This entire County is enveloped in a shroud of fear…fear of retribution…black listing, job loss, and more. Please do not become part of the problem by not providing those that can help with the information.
Thanks for speaking the truth!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Just so you readers know….
“Mick” likes to leave accusatory statements here at sticks of fire now and again, but never leaves an email address, never offers proof, and has used at least five different screen names.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
“Those who know don’t have the words to tell, and those with the words don’t know too well…” Bruce Cockburn, “Burden of the Angel Beast”
I always liked this quote, kinda cuts both ways!
June 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
“A lie told often enough becomes the truth”, Jerome K Jerome
June 28th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
[...] Commission, has been suspended for two weeks from her six-figure job with the county due to comments she made on local blog Sticks of [...]
June 28th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Behind the fear of change lurks the question “What is the next right answer”. Before we turn and look forward lets indulge the “activists” (people who know only what they are against) and debunk the bald assertions that (1) wetlands will be lost with the elimiantion of EPC wetland division because SWFWMD and DEP regulations do not provide equal protections for Hillsborough’s environment (2) SWFWMD and DEP allow wholesale filling by Developer’s of any wetland samller than ½ acre.
(1) Protected wetlands are uniformly determined in accordance with Florida Administrative Code chapter 62-343.040 Formal Determinations of the Landward Extent of Wetlands and Other Surface Waters, which can be read at:
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=0&tid=2243627&type=1&file=62-343.040.doc
Any agency empowered to determine the extent of regulated wetlands is legally required by Florida Statute to use this methodology.
When an impact is justified the required mitigation is calculated in accordance with the, Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method Chapter 62-345, F.A.C., another statewide law applicable to all agencies, including EPC wetland division.
(2) I believe that the erroneous assertion that SWFWMD and DEP allow “developers” to fill all wetlands less than ½ acre may originate as a distortion of the following notice general permit exemption. The basis of this permitted exception, which I encourage you to follow the link and read, is to protect “reasonable use” of the property of a single lot owner, in accordance with long standing common law doctrine protecting property rights.
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=0&tid=2240038&type=1&file=62-341.475.doc
The following are excerpts from this statute:
62-341.475 General Permit for Minor Activities.
(1) A general permit is herby granted for the construction, alteration, maintenance, operation, abandonment and removal of the following minor systems:
(f) A single family residence, proposed by the applicant, as long as it is not part of a larger plan of common development, including the associated residential improvements such as a driveway, garage and an on-site sewage disposal system, provided:
See numerous conditions at included link and limitations…….“shall not exceed 4000 square feet” (less than 1/10th of an acre not ½ acre.
This law protects property rights of individual citizens and specifically does not apply to“part of a larger plan of common development”. Reasonable use doctrine legally requires EPC to allow the same exceptions.
Or restated sarcastically for Mr. G, can you send me a copy of the law and/or rules which allow “filling in wetlands” by “developers” since “they told you(me) to get on Sticks and see what they’re(Mr. G) talking about and report back to us(the vast conspiracy)”,………..and Mr. G, I’m gonna need this in writing to get the evil devils to believe me……………………com’n enough ranting, bust out the facts man!
Hope this information lends credibility to the fact that EPC Wetlands division is an unnecasry duplication of bureaucracy. I look forward to your responses.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
4abetterplace ! Why on earth would anyone here waste time responding to your red herring arguments??
LOL !!! the fear of change
LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope I don’t sound rude.
Much.
June 28th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Mel Martinez has dropped by to post, I guess.
As the head of the Housing and Urban Development lots of people ‘in fear of change’ were extremely rudely ripped off by those whom Mel favored and who were the only ones allowed to buy foreclosed homes.
And, for the record: No, I was NOT one of them.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Well, in THIS case, Mick is correct.
Lindell and co are extremely involved in the doings which surround my property. That makes perfect sense for Blair.
OF course, Dick Greco works for Lindell and I think the world of Dick so this is painful to say.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
It’s neat to quote pontificate aobut the laws on the books, but there is a problem with doing that. That assumes that the laws are followed. That’s like saying there are laws on the books about driving while intoxicated or under the influence so we don’t have problem with it. Or that we have laws on the books that deal with immigration, so we must not have a problem with it and there are no legal immigrants here in this country. If you don’t want to be treated like a pinata, you’ve got to come up with better arguments. They must be able to give you something more plausible to base your arguments on.
I can quote the Florida statutes governing our long range growth plans that say the public must be included and provide vigorous input before a decision is made by the local BOCC, yet I can site case after case where the public be damned, the BOCC makes decision without proper input from the public.
There are truckloads of laws on the books but in many cases they are overlooked or subjectively not enforced. I’d rather rely on a local agency to enforce the laws. If the state was totally proficient in doing everything we would only need state police to provide law and order. 4aBiggerPlace might opt for letting the state do everything. I’ll stick to local enforcement of wetlands protection. The county needs to get the 1/2 mil back that it’s forced to pay the state and continue providing protection tht we would otherwise not have. Quoting laws doesn’t mean a thing. Enforcing the laws consistently and effectively is what makes the difference. There must be a reason why Steven Dibbs and his ilk have gone to great lengths to dismantle the EPC.
“He who knows nothing, doubts nothing”
June 29th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Amen and Amen, Mr. G. You got that right!!!
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
[...] that attack on our EPC, as in the current attack, county commissioners acting as the EPC board, sabotaged the very agency they are charged with [...]
July 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
To “anon”
You’re right, I better check how I’m figurin’ these things out. Mr. Blair,of course, is a wetlandsexpert. Actually, successful mitigation is rare, from what I’ve read and heard from the real experts. Many mitigation sites are not even sited in an area that can, based on soils, plants, and topography, retain water very well. I wish I could remember the article I read, and in what publication it was, but it was fairly recently and it spoke of the mostly failed attempts to establish mitigation sites.And the ones that “work” look like a square cut out of the earth with uniform sides and monocultural plants (cattails, primrose willow, things like that). Oh boy! What a future awaits our county if these boys have their way.
…”Facts are the enemy of truth” –really?… Lord, HELP US…
July 16th, 2007 at 10:13 am
[...] Bozo’s,” by local artist Dee Hood. It’s her take on our county commissioners’ sellout of our wetlands to [...]
July 17th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
[...] to save the wetlands division of our EPC from the county commissioners who are trying to eliminate it, Director Rick Garrity has crafted a proposal which he will present at the next EPC meeting, July [...]
August 7th, 2007 at 9:42 am
[...] our Wetlands Rule and total elimination of all our local wetlands protections, in accordance with Commissioner Kevin White’s motion, agreed to by Commissioners Brian Blair, Jim Norman and Ken [...]
August 12th, 2007 at 9:25 am
[...] can find Jadell Kerr’s complete unedited comments on a post about the county commission selling out our wetlands. There is also news of [...]
August 14th, 2007 at 9:51 am
[...] voting to eliminate the whole wetlands division of our Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), along with all our local wetlands protections, [...]
September 9th, 2007 at 9:07 am
[...] the “challenges and propaganda” Blair claims he’s had to face (poor him!) while he tried to eliminate our wetlands protections. Oh excuse me, there goes another “distortion” — he was only trying to make the [...]
September 16th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I bought a piece of property bordering the wet lands 3 1/2 years ago. 2 years ago a land developer filled in 15 Acers of wet lands. My property at first was flooded then they had to put in a reservoir and my property water went way down.. The snakes and other wild life had no where to go. So they moved to my front lawn. For two years I have had to battle water moccasins in the children’s toys. Our dog was killed by an alligator. When the children got to scared to even walk to the mail box I rented out my home and moved into an apartment. I think someone should have to pay for driving me out of my home. But I have no idea who to call… can anyone help me?
September 16th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
[...] Hung Mai, engineer for developer Stephen Dibbs, who spearheaded recent attacks on local wetlands regulations. Last spring, Hung Mai himself spoke out against a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would [...]
September 24th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
We are in the same situation as what i have read in your colum. We have corruption involving the epa in columbus,any suggestions would be helpful. If there is any thing I could do to help in your situation please send word
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 am
[...] don’t forget: not only did our BOCC/EPC recently vote 4-3 to eliminate our local wetlands protections, only to have to back down in the face of massive public outrage; but before that, last spring they [...]
November 30th, 2007 at 9:26 am
[...] that would have gutted the agency (it died when Gov. Crist promised to veto it), and this year they tried to gut the EPC themselves, but this time they are standing up for our local wetlands protections against this state bill. (We [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 10:55 am
[...] summer, special interests almost succeeded in getting our county commission to eliminate EPC wetland protections. Citizens had to work feverishly to snatch the agency from the flames. Innuendo from the Times [...]
July 10th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
[...] summer, citizens stood strongly against the attempt by four county commissioners to eliminate our wetlands protections, so the commissioners backed down and accepted the “Hybrid” proposal offered by EPC director [...]
August 27th, 2008 at 11:23 am
[...] Here are the stats: 16,462, to be exact. Blair has tried to kill our local wetlands regulation (as the chairman of the EPC), he has launched an attack on gays and he thinks the [...]