Let's see. Photos of Paradise Lake prior to TV show a lake that is often dry. So that appears to be its natural state. Residents want something done so that the lake always contains water, similar to Lake Sumter. The AAC indicates this is an old topic that went nowhere in the past, even before the AAC existed. Concerns about cost and unintended consequences from dredging seem to sway the argument.

Where does Lake Sumter get its water? Is there a source of water similarly at Lake Paradise or is it entirely dependent on rain? Seems that when I was at Hilltop, there was a stream of water pouring into the lake near the fire station. Where does that water come from? Is that a possible source to keep more water in the lake?

Since historically the lake has been dry a lot of the time, how would dredging help keep water in it if we don't have rain? Wouldn't that just make the dry hole deeper? Are there connections to other retention ponds that could allow water to be transferred to Lake Paradise? And, if so, wouldn't that be just robbing Peter to pay Paul?

I suspect that Lake Sumter has the ability to drain excess water to Lake Miona's watershed if we get a lot of rain. Is there a method to drain Lake Paradise in the same event, or is that the reason for dredging? If so, then we are back to the original question of the benefit of making a deeper dry lake.

I have NO problem with the "Historic Side". My posting was simply to point out that:

- As shown in the pictures of this lake, it has ALWAYS suffered from seasonal / rain fall driven VAST fluctuations in water level.

- That any possible "cure" would be very expensive.

I would feel EXACTLY the same way if Paradise Lake was south of 466 or in my back yard.

Your problem is not with me and my opinion .... it is with the ACC, it's position on this issue and it would appear your own neighbors. I will admit I am not sure of the nature of serving on the ACC but if they are elected positions, I suggest you work to having member elected that are aligned with your position on Paradise Lake. Further, If you think that the will of the people has changed, as the previously rejected an offer by "the developer" to do the work on their nickle, then you need to mount a grassroots campaign to show that they now support this project.

mikeod - you ask some great questions. it's too bad that the acc budget comm and others are not willing to get a professional review/report to answer same just because it has been discussed and no one wanted it done or wanted to pay for it many, many years ago!

so much might have changed since 'many, many years ago' that there could be different alternatives today - would especially like to hear from the water management authority re same!

i don't know that dredging is the answer - especially with the fragility of the land being what it is in florida. but transferring water among retention ponds is a frequent practice by water management authorities...the pond behind my mother's home in martin downs [palm city, fl] had frequent variations in depth - resident and migrating water fowl appreciated any significant depth!

* glad to see that you don't think that you have a problem with the historic side.

* because the lake has always suffered must it continue to suffer?

* how can you state that any cure would be very expensive when potential cures are not even known?

* my problem is with comments like yours [as well as with the acc] - it reinforces the acc budget comm decision/opinion and fails to encourage a new review of the issue.

* obviously, the will of SOME folks has changed - you can see in the mtg mins that representative ms wilcox was shot down for trying to have the issue given a new looksee and one can see in mr. lester's post here that he is obviously frustrated, too; the comm accepted but apparently was not interested in a petition he presented of those so concerned. and then there is me! you can bet that when i return next snowbird season i WILL start tearin' up the grass by its roots to find folks who are just as concerned - and i'll start with that petition that mr lester presented to the comm! it will be great exercise to go door-to-door throughout the historic side!

Njbchbum -
I'll be looking forward to your knock on my door when you return. The 'historical side' is beautiful and those of us who live here would welcome this issue to be discussed again. There are many of us who have become owners in the past few years who would love to see Lake Paradise be beautiful year round.

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!

Paradise Lake Could Be Transformed As Was Cherry Lake
 

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:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ryLake1994.jpg

1999:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ryLake1999.jpg

2003"
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ryLake2003.jpg

2007:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ryLake2007.jpg

2011:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ryLake2011.jpg

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

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

Why haven't they voiced an opinion?

.

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. :shrug:


.

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. :shrug:

.

I didn't know where paradise lake was thanks

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." :shrug:


.

Petition
 

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

More Background On Lake Paradise
 

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

AAC Minutes of April 10, 2013 Are Incomplete
 

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

You must venture north of 466A more.:ho:

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!

Thanks for the compliment on the presentation. Sorry, I didn't get to do it for the ACC. But, I sent it to them when I asked permission, so they saw it; and someone sent it to Janet Tutt, the District Manager, as she made mention to me.

I've just today volunteered with the Lake County Water Authority to monitor Lake Paradise, as their database has NO input. One of the responders, probably you, told me about the LCWA and I've been digging, no pun intended. I've not heard from them, yet. I hope they want me to get involved.

Jerry Lester

The date: Saturday
The time: 7PM

Everyone that wants the lake filled, go to your driveway and do an Indian rain dance.:MOJE_whot:

The rain Gods will take note. :D

Be sure to wear your rain coat!!!:1rotfl:

:2excited:

Good closure for this topic.
Jerry Lester

how environmental of you! ;)

thank you for your stewardship! :)

Jerry, just trying to bring some levity here....:pepper2::icon_wink:

Hey, that's fine. Passions needn't get out of control. I liked your post. We're here to enjoy the rest of our lives, not to get consumed by issues.

Allow me please: we old people seem to be more passionate about everyday events—and rules and regulations (not the ones we were truly passionate about when younger. :cryin2:

Thanks for posting. Bumps this topic up and keeps it alive a while longer.

Jerry Lester