[glendalepete]

I just missed a story on the 6:00 p.m. news but it sounded like a permit was issued to remove water from our aquifers and bottle it for sale. The plant is in Wildwood, with all of the water restrictions and sink hole problems I can't believe that this permit was issued. Has any one information on the subject?

[jojo]

I caught a smidgeon of the news and also was alarmed. Would appreciate more info. I believe they said that a permit had been issued to the company for bottling water.

[Pete]

It is up and running, owned by Farkus who also owns 75 chrome shop.
The permitting process was approved by Southwest Water Management district (SWIFTMUD)
Commissioners passed it all because it is in the south Sumter (hick) area

Another reason to rethink "One Sumter"

5000k gallons a day!!!

[graciegirl]

RATS. I can feel my foundation cracking underneath me as we speak. Who do we email?

[The Gray Hog]

Just frosts my cookies to hear about this sort of thing and here we are put on watering restrictions. Argggggggghhhhhh!!

[Mikitv]

I saw something about this round June I think it was the USA Today. Really great sell off water from the state of Florida when you have watering restrictions.

[graciegirl]

It is refreshing to be annoyed at something and no one can blame the poor developer this time. We need to write or email someone with clout. Who knows who it is?

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by Pete

Another reason to rethink "One Sumter"

Unless I do not understand One Sumter, this is an example of why we would want One Sumter to continue...so we can vote for and express our concerns to ALL the commissioners...unless that is what you meant...

John

[chacam]

Write the guys who put the signs on Oak Forest ! ! Another dumb move on their part.

[villages07]

As I recall the news articles that came out when the permit was issued.... the zoning board or commissioners hands were tied legally...the requested use permit fell within the legal bounds of what was permissable so they felt they had to reluctantly approve it. Doesn't mean it make logical sense.

How silly, take water out of Florida aquifier, bottle it up, and ship it out of state.

[drr47]

Number 1, the well is not in the "hicks", and it is not in South Sumter, the well is very close to I-75& Hwy 44 west of Wildwood. I am not a fan of One Sumter but in this case it has no impact. Also the commissioners had no say in the permitting process, it is done by SWFWMD, the commissioners only involvement was to rezone a parcel where they will load the water for transport. County government has no control over water permits. There has been many news articles about this.

[Best Mom]

Gracie,
How can you call the developer "poor" ?

Good post drr47. :bigthumbsup:

[samhass]

drr47, Why aren't you a fan of One Sumter? Since property owners in TV contribute the bulk of the tax base, why shouldn't they vote for their commissioners at large?

[cabo35]

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.

[samhass]

cabo, How can we help? Do we sent letters of protest to SFWMD?