Letters to the Editors

Muck-laden lake bottom can't be ignored anymore

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2000

Editor: I am a waterfront property owner with concerns about the atrocious muck problem in the Tsala Apopka lake chain in Citrus County. As the lake levels get lower each day, the extent of the buildup of sediment, better known as muck, becomes more apparent. It is a disgusting revelation. The question on many taxpayers' and government personnel's minds is what can be done about it? Perhaps at this time the questions far outweigh the possible solutions.

It is a matter that Citrus County cannot afford to ignore. I believe the buildup of mucky sediment is killing our lakes. I think positive, corrective action needs to be taken immediately. Otherwise, the deterioration of the lakes will accelerate at an astonishing rate. What excuses possibly could justify allowing a beautiful lake and natural resource system to become nothing but thousands of acres of muck, weeds and brush?

It seems as if mass confusion reigns supreme among county, state and federal entities as to who has the responsibility and authority to take positive, corrective action. What has happened to the government of the people? Has it become a government for the government? Common sense and the people call for action. I get the feeling that those in position to order the remedies are afraid of stepping on someone else's toes. It is time that some toes get smashed. Are they just hoping torrential rains will refill the lakes, hide the muck and everything can get back to normal? If that is the case, that would not be a solution to the muck. That simply would be a convenient coverup.

We don't know exactly when the rains will refill the river and the lakes. The main question is what are we doing about the removal of the muck and how are we going to minimize future muck buildup? Has anyone got the answer as to what caused the muck? I am just a layman, but I suspect that chemical weed spraying is the main reason. County officials say it is more economical to melt weeds with chemicals than it is to pull them out by their roots with mechanical harvesting. But is it? What will be the cost of removing the muck, or the astronomical price if muck totally takes over our lakes? Please let no one tell me that weeds killed by chemical spraying are biodegradeable. That is a marketing term devised to sell products. The sprayed weeds sink to the bottom and become the prime contributor comprising the mucky sediment.

Take a look at the exposed lake bottom. Do you see all those weeds growing? What will happen to those weeds and grass when the lakes eventually refill? Do you think it is possible the county airboats will be back out with the crews spraying and creating more muck? Why don't we see the county out removing muck and cutting the new weed and brush growth? Wouldn't that be the logical procedure to help clean up the lake bottom? Wouldn't scraping off nasty muck expose a nice, sandy bottom for better fish spawning?

What actions are you going to take, Citrus County officials? Step on some toes. Force the permit giver's hands. God didn't need a permit to create it. Permits are an excuse. Nothing more.
-- Dorothy A. Rust, Floral City

Junior Achievement serves needs once met by Art$mart

Editor: Re: Art$mart going out of business, May 20 Citrus Times:

The recent news concerning the closing of Art$mart brings to our attention the ongoing presence of Junior Achievement in Citrus County schools.

Art$mart was a valuable product of the good relationship between Citrus County schools and area businesses. The need to teach children about working experiences is apparent.

Junior Achievement serves that need by providing a variety of classroom programs that are taught by volunteers side-by-side with classroom teachers. The volunteers share their work life experiences with the students and introduce them to the free enterprise system and the benefits of completing their education. Programs range from primary through high school.

JA is a charitable, non-profit organization. JA requires no funding from the schools, but it is supported by its annual bowl-a-thon and by contributions from individuals and businesses.

School employees typically appreciate the JA programs and are a major part of the success of the bowl-a-thon.

Likewise, your support for Junior Achievement also is important. Please thank a JA volunteer or contributor, or better yet, become one. JA makes a positive difference in our children's futures.
-- Tom Thomas, chairman advisory board, Citrus County Junior Achievement

Cigarette smoker's senseless act incenses, baffles resident

Editor: To the insane idiot (sorry about the alliteration, but I use it because it fits and it sounds good) who flipped a lit cigarette butt out of a car window and onto my bone dry easement. Besides being all of the above, you are a potential arsonist.

Fortunately, I was just going out to pick up my mail when I saw this blue-and-white van go by and, lo and behold, out comes the cigarette butt from the passenger's side. I stomped out the small fire.

I swear to you that if I had gotten his license number I would have turned him in for whatever charge would apply: risking a catastrophe, arson, whatever.

For once in my life I wish I had been an officer on patrol and witnessed the incident; I would have locked up the nut for arson.

What is wrong with people? Don't they realize this county (and other places across the state) is close to going up in a conflagration?

Just the other day I picked up 15 butts from my easement, and this was just after I had cleaned it up a short while earlier. I can't explain it. It blows my mind why people do this. Then I remember what somebody told me a long time ago: You can be a cheapy and buy a car for $100 or so, and less if you forgo an ashtray and turn signals. I guess a lot of people buy these types of cars because they don't use them (ashtrays) anyway.
-- Charles Nowack, Inverness

DOT toll road will endanger ecosystem, state aquifer

Editor: Predators intent on killing the wilderness of our state have formed a tawdry pack, with the Florida Department of Transportation in the lead.

The DOT plans to provide a multilaned, high-speed toll road ripping through many miles of undeveloped forests (including an area just purchased by the state to save the long needle pines). A road through the area will defeat all our needs. Damage to the flora and fauna along such a road has significant ramifications reaching endlessly into the future.

The water issues of Florida involve the Floridan Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for the state. The porous sandy soil of the lands provide an ideal conduit for water percolating back into the aquifer. Recharge areas are disappearing at a dangerous rate -- dangerous to purity and quality of water returning to the aquifer.

The toll road will carve Citrus County into areas far too small to maintain quality and viability of the black bears. The black bear serves as an umbrella species, guaranteeing the health of dozens of other species, as long as its population remains stable.

My last thought is relative to economics. Millions of dollars are spent to acquire open lands and the DOT road projects spend millions more dollars. How does asphalt and pollution through pristine, irreplaceable, globally significant lands compute into logical, responsible expenditures?

We have a historic opportunity to place our lands in safety and achieve accomplishments in our lifetime for conservation in our county and state.
-- Mary Gravata, Homosassa

Reader considers Glidewell best choice for president

In reference to Mr. Glidewell's truck and inevitable first dent, my wife and I worked long and hard to purchase our first Volvo sedan. As I was pulling into a Publix parking lot, I encountered a gentleman leaving said lot. I stopped, giving him much room so I might park in the space he was leaving. He proceeded to back up, hitting my right front bumper.

With fire in my eyes, I jumped from my vehicle to do battle. He came forth from his vehicle. Our eyes met! Then he informed me it was okay because my Volvo was designed for "things" like this. Having no argument to counter such stupidity, I turned and left before it got ugly.

But, I come to this forum for a different reason. I come because of Mr. Glidewell. I have pondered the situation. I have studied all the possibilities. I've followed all the paths and they lead back to one.
I call for -- nay, I must insist -- nay, I must demand that the name of Jan Glidewell be entered into the race for president of the United States. People of America, there is no clearer choice. Tequila helps, of course, but even sober I see no better choice for president.
Jim Marsh, Spring Hill

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