On May 1, the Board’s attention was drawn to “Brownfield” grants made available by both Federal and State Government to provide funds to clean up sites that can then be turned to productive use again. Two categories are defined, being petroleum and non-petroleum clean up. The board and its entourage could list at least 3 unused gas stations in Cross City and Old Town that could benefit. On the same day, ExxonMobil announced an $11 billion 2008 first quarter profit. ExxonMobil is a direct descendent of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, which is responsible for replacing our dependence on whale oil with a dependence on fossil fuels. We now find ourselves paying too much for our fuel of choice and seeking another alternative whilst we continue to clean up the residual mess of our current addiction without the assistance of our supplier.
The new Suwannee water plant is online and, apart from a checklist of items to be completed, is finished, marking the end of a project that started in 2001. It is said that Rome was not built in a day, well neither is Dixie County’s infrastructure and step by step we are getting there. The $9m Shired Island Highway is now on the Commission’s radar.
Solid waste management, charged with the task of mosquito control, are trying a new chemical which appears to be as effective as the previous mixture but without the smell, although recent cooler weather may also have had an effect. Direct any comments to Joe Ruth as a decision on which will be used in the future will be made soon. Commissioner Valentine presented a check to the board for over $8,000 which represents Dixie County’s refund from our Solid Waste program. This brings the cost down by $2 to $41 per ton. For environmental reasons, Dixie County does not have a landfill of its own and has partnered with other counties to share a landfill 80 miles away from us. To level the playing field for all concerned, Dixie, having the longest distance to travel pays less in landfill charges as they pay more in fuel costs. Other members of the alliance have, in recent months, attempted to re-balance this agreement and to the credit of Commisioner Valentine, have failed.
Synergy Solutions presented the proposed site plans for the Yellow Jacket Park and Fish Camp, Suwannee River Hideaway R/V Park and Spurgeon Cheek Fish Camp. The intention is to purchase these properties using Florida Communities Trust’s acquisition grant program and with subsequent ecologically sensitive development, produce more areas of natural beauty within the County to attract visitors and provide residents with a nice places to play.
