I sent this letter to Sumter County Commissioners Hoffman, Francis, Gilpin, Breedan and Mask on June 19.
My wife and I live in Bridgeport at Lake Sumter. We are extremely distressed that the Sumter Zoning Board has apparently agreed to recommend approval of the Farkus request to re-zone the water extraction site to commercial use. The rush to facilitate this action has the net effect of fast tracking the private exploitation of a public resource that has significant short and long term implications for the residents of Sumter County. Further, I am aware of no public hearings on an issue that so profoundly effects a public and environmental resource.
I have read copious articles concerning water resource management issues in central Florida and specifically Sumter County. They all acknowledge real and potential shortages as a result of extraordinary development and frankly, concern me. We are already under stringent water restrictions, and it is difficult to see how the Farkus commercial enterprise contributes to resolving our water issues. In fact, it occurs to me that it only exacerbates the problem.
I would also like to know if there is a connection between Niagra Bottling and the Farkus initiative. The events and timing in Lake County are also suspicious. There are some alarming observations in this report from the Orlando Sentinal that concern me and should concern Sumter officals. Please take the time to read this if you haven't already. Most of you probably have.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/commu...,4292336.story
It is my understanding that the Sumter Zoning Board's approval will or has been forwarded to the Sumter County Commissioners. I respectfully request that my commissioners table, reserve judgment on, or take any other action that will preclude finalization of the Farkus approval. Further, I request mechanisms be engaged to investigate, overturn and/or set aside the SFWMD's suspicious decision. There needs to be significant public dialogue supported by clear and convincing evidence of what the real impact of this commercial siphoning of a limited public asset really is. Have the legal precedants of turning over public resources to private, commercial interests been fully reviewed under the provisions of Federal Law as well as State Law?
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
I received the courtesy of responses from Dick Hoffman and Doug Gilpin.
Hoffman response:
My apologies to you for not having responded in a timely manner to your previous email message. It was one of several received and I obviously failed to send an appropriate response to you.
Following the action taken by our board to rezone the Farkus property, I requested a legal review by our county attorney to determine if there is any further action possible that might delay or impact this project. Our board has also requested that a staff member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) respond in person to a number of prepared questions.
Although these actions may not affect SWFWMD’s decision in this case, it is our expressed desire that they provide our board an opportunity to offer an opinion prior to granting approval for any future significant water withdrawal applications for Sumter County.
Thank you for your continued interest in this matter.
Dick Hoffman
Gilpin response:
Good morning. I did not realize that I had not sent a reply to your e-mail about this issue. This is a very difficult situation as the county has no authority over water issues in the state of Florida. This has been frustrating at best as the people expect and deserve to have a say in issues that affect our county.
At the BOCC meeting that dealt with this water permit I had attempted to table this issue to buy some extra time before proceeding. I did not get support for this effort as the lawyer for the Farkus family may have intimidated our board. In defense of the others there are landowner rights issues where the county could be sued by the landowner since the water permit had been issued to them by Southwest Florida Water Management District. Although my efforts to table were unsuccessful we have made arrangements to have SWFMD come to give a presentation to the county. I will e-mail you the time and date once they are set. As far as the connection with Niagara goes I just do not know for sure if there is a connection but it is possible.
The points you make in your second e-mail are very good and I hope that you will make contact any time that you have a concern. I will give you my county cell number so you can call if you need me. Thank you and have a great day!
Doug
I share the concerns expressed in this thread and hope this post offers additional background for those interested.