[njbchbum]

you got it schmitty! the wheels are absolutley spinning round and round in my head with possibilities of an appropriate way to approach this issue! good news is that i have the summer to put together a plan of action. i can then take it up with our rep when i return to make sure we have covered our bases! good to know you are in our exploratory corner! cya in january!

[jandbrare]

The beautiful body of water now known as "Lake Sumter" was originally "Cherry Lake". Here are some pictures of the transformation that occurred when the Developer decided to do so:

1994:


1999:


2003"


2007:


2011:


The point: Paradise Lake can be "fixed". But, the Developer probably didn't have the insight (nor resources) to do it right when it was adopted as a The Villages feature.

Whether it can be "fixed" now is a good probability, on the basis of the transformation of Cherry Lake into Lake Sumter. Whether the resources to do so can be provided is unknown. But, that will not be known unless an enginnering study is performed and a cost estimte provided to allow meaningfull discussions.

Currently there is a mindset by the ACC against any improvements and this mindset has been adopted by the POA. Unfortunately, this mindset is not based on credible findings as would be obtained from an engineering study. Lay persons have presumed to "know" certain physical phenomenon that are as yet unconfirmed by scientific opinion.

Jerry Lester

[OnTrack]

Doesn't the VHA represent the folks in TV also?

Why haven't they voiced an opinion?

.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by OnTrack

Thanks for the pic's.

It looks like the lake has had the same issues for many years.

Interesting that the AAC/POA is now being blamed by some, for what the developer could/should have taken care of...... long ago.

.

I'm not certain that the POA is being "blamed". I think we all agree that the POA has a great deal of influence to "make things happen", particularly things that the POA has an interest in and things they feel the developer "could/should have taken care of". I guess some wonder why the POA sees to have little interest in Paradise Lake.

[OnTrack]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

I'm not certain that the POA is being "blamed". I think we all agree that the POA has a great deal of influence to "make things happen", particularly things that the POA has an interest in and things they feel the developer "could/should have taken care of". I guess some wonder why the POA sees to have little interest in Paradise Lake.

Actually, I think we do know why the AAC/POA seems to have little interest.

They don't think it's feasible, or worth spending the money for an in-depth engineering study.

Now whether they are right or wrong...is a matter of opinion and conjecture.

As has already been stated in this thread, if there are enough people who do think it's worth it...they should gather enough support to address the elected officials of the AAC. Instead of whining about it, the first thing I would be doing is trying to garner enough signatures on a petition to make those elected officials pay attention.

I have yet to hear anyone say, that an effort has been made along these lines.

I also still haven't seen where the anti-POA folks have explained....why the VHA hasn't gotten involved.

Why is that?

Just because a few people try to make a lot of noise...doesn't mean they should dictate policy.

What I'm getting out of most of this, is that it seems it's mostly sour grapes against the AAC/POA.

That's the way I'm reading it anyway.


.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by OnTrack

snipped

As has already been stated in this thread, if there are enough people who do think it's worth it...they should gather enough support to address the elected officials of the AAC. Instead of whining about it, the first thing I would be doing is trying to garner enough signatures on a petition to make those elected officials pay attention.

I have yet to hear anyone say, that an effort has been made along these lines.

snipped

ontrack - from the aac mtg mins of april 10, 2013:
[Page 12]
"SEVENTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS: Audience Comments
"Jerry Lester, Village of Polo Ridge, stated he believes the Committee needs to utilize Settlement Agreement Funds to address the level and overall aesthetics of Paradise Lake.

"Brian Dickson, Aloha Way, stated at the March meeting he presented information to the Committee for consideration to address the current maintenance condition of Paradise Lake, but has received no response. However, since that time the Committee held a workshop at which time a consensus was reached that no further action would be taken pertaining to Paradise Lake. Mr. Dickson respectfully requested the Committee hire an engineer to conduct a hydrological study of Paradise Lake and presented the Committee with a petition signed by residents requesting the same."

[OnTrack]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

ontrack - from the aac mtg mins of april 10, 2013:
[Page 12]
"SEVENTEENTH ORDER OF BUSINESS: Audience Comments
"Jerry Lester, Village of Polo Ridge, stated he believes the Committee needs to utilize Settlement Agreement Funds to address the level and overall aesthetics of Paradise Lake.

"Brian Dickson, Aloha Way, stated at the March meeting he presented information to the Committee for consideration to address the current maintenance condition of Paradise Lake, but has received no response. However, since that time the Committee held a workshop at which time a consensus was reached that no further action would be taken pertaining to Paradise Lake. Mr. Dickson respectfully requested the Committee hire an engineer to conduct a hydrological study of Paradise Lake and presented the Committee with a petition signed by residents requesting the same."

Thanks for that info.

So part of the process has been started.

Any idea how many names on the petition?

This isn't much different than if a group wanted their state/federal representatives to do something, so the same tactics are needed.

Get enough support, keep pestering and hope you eventually get your way.

.

[asianthree]

I didn't know where paradise lake was thanks

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by OnTrack

Thanks for that info.

So part of the process has been started.

Any idea how many names on the petition?

This isn't much different than if a group wanted their state/federal representatives to do something, so the same tactics are needed.

Get enough support, keep pestering and hope you eventually get your way.

.

ontrack -

don't know how many names for sure - but will say that there were enough so as not to look frivolous or embarass mr dickson.

am not getting into this because i need to get my way! nor do i think others are out for that purpose! and i don't pester - i prepare a work plan and present it for evaluation.

i want to see that what gets done is what is best for the lake! and if whatever that is can be more aesthetically pleasing - so much the better!

the aac might be right - and might not be! my guess is that they are not even aware of grant funding that could be available for conducting a study. and shame on them if they are aware of same and have chosed not to follow-up on it!

[OnTrack]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

ontrack -

don't know how many names for sure - but will say that there were enough so as not to look frivolous or embarass mr dickson.

am not getting into this because i need to get my way! nor do i think others are out for that purpose! and i don't pester - i prepare a work plan and present it for evaluation.

i want to see that what gets done is what is best for the lake! and if whatever that is can be more aesthetically pleasing - so much the better!

the aac might be right - and might not be! my guess is that they are not even aware of grant funding that could be available for conducting a study. and shame on them if they are aware of same and have chosed not to follow-up on it!

I think you're misinterpreting and taking too personal, my comment of "get your way."

It simply means getting something done, that an individual/group wants.

Obviously, there are those who want to do something with the lake and/or a study.

Just as obviously, there are those who don't.

In the final analysis, one of those two opposing factions will...... "get their way."


.

[jandbrare]

Originally Posted by OnTrack

Thanks for that info.

So part of the process has been started.

Any idea how many names on the petition?

This isn't much different than if a group wanted their state/federal representatives to do something, so the same tactics are needed.

Get enough support, keep pestering and hope you eventually get your way.

.

I looked at the petition prior to the AAC meeting where it was presented. I don't recall the exact number of signatures, but I'd guess in excess of 100.

Jerry Lester

[jandbrare]

I prepared an earlier version of this presentation and requested permission to present it at an ACC Board meeting. My offer was declined. [Click on the word "presentation" to see it.] The current version includes additional evaporation data which confirms the initial data.

I prepared this to refute contentions that a liner would not prevent the lake from going dry because the major cause of water loss was due to evaporation. So, I did some research and found that by far the largest percentage of water loss during winter months is due to seepage and not evaporation. Therefore, a liner would prevent the seepage and most of the water would be retained.

This was my attempt at playing hydrologist. I don't wish to enter into a discussion about my methods or conclusions. Rather, I have decided that an engineering study should be performed by a firm specializing in such matters and that the study should include a cost estimate of the actions recommended, if any. There are too many amateurs expressing opinions about the hydrology of Lake Paradise, some negative ones having become set in stone. And, I repeat: I will reserve my opinion about a fix until such a study and cost estimate are provided.

I don't think anyone is actually opposed to improving the appearance of Lake Paradise. It is simply a matter of determining what would be required and whether there are funds available to accomplish it.

Jerry Lester

[jandbrare]

I participated in the Audience Comment segment of the meeting. The minutes record: "Jerry Lester, Village of Polo Ridge, stated he believes the Committee needs to utilize Settlement Agreement Funds to address the level and overall aesthetics of Paradise Lake."

This is the exact text that I read to the ACC:

• PARADISE LAKE NEEDS A TRANSFORMATION
• IT IS A NATURAL BASIN— AS WAS CHERRY LAKE, WHICH IS NOW CALLED LAKE SUMTER.
• PARADISE LAKE APPEARS ON AERIAL PHOTOS DATING FROM 1941 AND INCLUDING 1947, 1958, 1972, AND FINALLY, 1979, WHEN IT WAS SURROUNDED BY HOMES IN ORANGE BLOSSOM GARDENS.
• THE PHOTOS SHOW THE BASIN WITH AND WITHOUT WATER.
• THE DEVELOPER TRANSFORMED CHERRY LAKE, WHICH WAS ALSO A WETLAND INTO LAKE SUMTER.
• UNFORTUNATELY, MR. SWARTZ DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THE SAME FOR LAKE PARADISE IN 1979.
• YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, USING LAWSUIT FUNDS, TO TRANSFORM LAKE PARADISE INTO A “LAKE SUMTER - NORTH”.
• I THINK THIS WOULD BE A MOST APPROPRIATE USE OF THE FUNDS AND WOULD QUALIFY YOU AS “GOOD STEWARDS” OF THE FUNDS.
• TO GET SUCH A PROJECT STARTED REQUIRES AN ENGINEERING STUDY.
• I PROPOSE THAT YOU AUTHORIZE AND IMPLEMENT THAT STUDY. I WILL HELP ANYWAY YOU LIKE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although it may appear from this is a new issue, it is not. It is an ongoing concern that has been addressed to the ACC numerous times. The ACC has simply "stonewalled" it.

Jerry Lester

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by asianthree

I didn't know where paradise lake was thanks

You must venture north of 466A more.

[njbchbum]

wow! what a presentation, jerry! great work! i hope i have it saved on my computer! will want to share - along with the petition - with the lake county water authority when i approach for more information! am hoping they will have historical info re lake paradise. am also thinking about contacting the audubon society to see if that lake was ever important to migration. wheels are still spinning - dragging me back to my grant writing days!