January 21, 2010

Officials reconsider stormwater land buy

By KELLY CUCULIANSKY
Staff Writer
Daytona Beach News-Journal

PORT ORANGE -- City leaders will not pursue buying a third prospective parcel in the unincorporated area of Bonk's Landing because consultants say it is unsuitable for a stormwater retention project.. . . .

. . . . Now that the Spruce Creek Road property is under city control, it can be used to avoid the conflict and disruption for residents, Parker said. The Hewitt Drive property was acquired to ensure the city could legally install a force main for the project, he said.

Pumping floodwater to the creek, however, would only be done during emergencies and would need to be approved each time by the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Councilman Bob Pohlmann said the properties should also be considered for other uses, such as public access, and not just drainage.

"I don't think we should box ourselves into that condition," he said.

But Mayor Allen Green said that by the time the land is used for stormwater, there probably won't be room for public uses.

Bonk's Landing resident Jamie Stewart, meanwhile, said the city should consider selling the smaller Spruce Creek Road parcel and warned there are active gopher tortoise burrows on the property, which may also be of historic value.

"That property is not needed for drainage; it is not a good piece of property for any kind of public access," she said. "It's three-quarters of an acre on a road with houses around it and I don't even know what you could use it for."

In an interview after the meeting, Parker said the city purchased the property in question to preserve drainage options as the design concept develops.

kelly.cuculiansky@news-jrnl.com

more at

Officials reconsider stormwater land buy DBNJ 10 21 10

 

--- AND -----

Received Jan 21 2010 at 1152 am

To Kelly Cuculiansky,    News Journal
 
 
Thank you once again for your continued coverage on the Spruce Creek Drainage project.   Your articles have been well written and have hopefully raised the awareness of the residents of Port Orange.  All residents need to realize that elected officials do not always get it right.   Once  they elect their representative they can not just sit back and see what happens .  Holding elected officials accountable by questioning their decisions is time comsuming but beneficial.   I feel our small community in Bonks landing just saved the Port Orange taxpayer a minimum of  $400,000.   And that is a lot of money by anyones standards.
 
 
Jamie Stewart

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

12 1 09 Christ Stewart Bonks Landing

A video segment from the Dec 1 2009 Port Orange City Council Meeting

as seen on POG TV, channel 199, Bright House

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzg6zGl-MAg

========================

 

City: Park still in play on creek 12 6 09
Daytona Beach News-Journal
By KELLY CUCULIANSKY PORT ORANGE -- City officials decided the opportunity for a waterfront park couldn't be wasted if they buy two properties to help ease ...
See all stories on this topic

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

POI Hank notes that one female from Bonks Landing did mention to the

Port Orange City Council, that she owns property in Port Orange, and

pays Port Orange taxes. --- hank Dec. 4, 2009 at 10 51 pm

---- AND ----

From Craig E. Young,

Port Orange, Fl.

Received Dec. 4, 1009

RE: Council Meeting, December 1, 2009;
 
First of all, I'd like to thank our City Council for keeping their options open, as far as using these properties at the end of Spruce Creek Rd for some sort of recreational purpose. They are after all, zoned for Parkland, and if the City Taxpayers own the land, why shouldn't they be allowed to use it?
 
The alternative would've looked like this: Spend our Money to buy land, and them put up NO TRESPASSING signs to keep us off of it......(That doesn't work!)  
 
Secondly, we all know our neighbors in the County at the end of Spruce Creek road opposed the City Council purchasing these properties. But I was really surprised at some of their comments.....
 
The strangest one of all, was the notion that our City Council shouldn't be spending this money-because the City's Taxpayer's can't afford it! ........And that was strange, because, that came from a County resident, who doesn't pay any Taxes in Port Orange!  So what's up with that? Why was this County resident now suddenly concerned about what our City Council spends our money on?
 
Seems pretty obvious to me......She couldn't care less if our City Council spent a Zillion dollars to buy a bad of potato chips, as long as they didn't spend a dime buying property in her neighborhood.....and turn it into of all things.....A PARK!
Where City residents are welcome!  God Forbid!
 
Lastly,  I have one more observation: I've noticed this about those County residents......they seem to be opposed to everything....no city sewers, no city water, no fire hydrants, no street lights, no sidewalks, no modern storm water treatment...
 
I wonder, if the lived back in early part of the last century, would they have been opposed to Electricity? Or the Telephone? Or the Automobile?  You know, back then, some people were opposed to all these things, because they felt they were "dangerous", and wouldn't have anything to do with them.
 
They also seem to be a tad bit on the Xenophobic about City residents too.
Which is kind of odd, since they can't possibly go anywhere with out going thru Port Orange.
 
But maybe Port Orange is something right out of the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" to them, where County residents are being methodically replaced by emotionless City duplicates.........COULD THAT BE?  Could we all be "Pod People"?
 
You know, I always thought Mayor Green came out of a beanpod.....along with all his developer friends......
SO MAYBE WE ARE POD PEOPLE!
 
"They're here already! You're next! You're next!"
 
 

LOL

And suggested to us by Craig E. Young

Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Trailer

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-jzblCbsuA

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

12 1 09 bonks landing Pohlmann at the City council

Video segment from the Port Orange City Council Meeting

of 12 1 09 as seen on POG TV, channel 199, Bright House

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql_l6yg4IZU

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

NO TRESPASSING signs ......TO KEEP US OUT!

Received Nov. 24, 2009

From Craig E. Young,

Port Orange, Fl.

Our City Council has spent over $500,000 OF OUR MONEY to buy these properties. ( see below)
And now, they plan to tell us, that  they are going to put up NO TRESPASSING signs on them......TO KEEP US OUT!
 
Even though, this below says at least one of them, CAN be used to build us a Park along Spruce Creek.
( The News Journal reported last week that at least 2 of the 3 properties concerned here, are zoned for Parkland)
 
This reminds me of this old song......
 
And the sign said anybody caught trespassing would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and yelled at the house, Hey! what gives you the right?
To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in
If God was here, he'd tell you to your face,
Man you're some kinda sinner!!!!
 

Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign

-Five Man Electrical Band (1970)
 
@
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLm3HMG8IhM&feature=related
 
ps
 
These proposed NO TRESPASSING SIGNS on these properties, are the direct result of all the complaints a handful of COUNTY residents have made to OUR CITY COUNCIL (It seems they don't want us "PEOPLE" from the Big City in their neighborhood)
 
But of course, this begs the question:
I also see from the News Journal, that these same COUNTY residents plan to appear before OUR City Council, on December 1st, at OUR City Hall, and complain about this project.....some more!
 
Well, I KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS!
 
 Here's another line from the song above, that somebody should point out to them at the front door of City Hall......
 
"Sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside"
 
(A VOTER REGISTRATION CARD THAT SHOWS  YOU ARE A CITY RESIDENT!)

Now, hey you Mister! can't you read, you got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't even watch, no you can't eat, you ain't suppose to be here.....!!!!!

Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign ......

 
references:
 
Agenda Commentary for Regular City Council Meeting of  December 1, 2009

 Item 14 -        Resolution No. 09-102 - Implementation Strategy for Drainage Improvements on Elliott Property

 Pursuant to City Council’s request, this resolution has been re-drafted to provide for the implementation strategy for the drainage facilities.  Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution ratifying the contract for sale and purchase of the S. Elliott property.

 City Manager’s Comments:  The City Council agreed to purchase the property at the first meeting in November.  There was a motion made to incorporate certain items into the Resolution.  Also, we found one item in the Resolution that did not reflect the City’s intent.  This Resolution incorporates the changes the City Council made and removes the word “industrial” from the Resolution.  It makes it clear that the City’s intent is to use the property for stormwater management purposes.  If adopted, the property would be posted and would not be available for public use or access.  It would be simply used for stormwater purposes. For the City Council’s information, from the research that the City staff has done, it appears that the property is properly zoned for open space and park land.

 Currently, the City is performing its due diligence on the property.  Earlier on the agenda is a contract with Quentin L. Hampton Associates.  This was a change order to the contract for the drainage design work that is associated with Spruce Creek Estates.  All of the issues related to environmental, archeological studies, and permitting are being fully examined before closing.

 Item 15 -        Resolution No. 09-103 - Implementation Strategy for Drainage Improvements on Smith Property

 Pursuant to City Council’s request, this resolution has been re-drafted to provide for the implementation strategy for the drainage facilities.  Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution ratifying the contract for sale and purchase of the W. Smith property.

 City Manager’s Comments:  The City Council agreed to purchase the property at the first meeting in November.  There was a motion made to incorporate certain items into the Resolution.  Also, we found one item in the Resolution that did not reflect the City’s intent.  This Resolution removes the word “industrial” from the Resolution.  It was never the City’s intent for the property to be used for industrial purposes.  This Resolution makes it clear that it is the City’s intent to use the property for stormwater management.  If adopted this property would be posted and would not be available for public use or access. 

 

=======================

 

Received Nov. 22, 2009

From Craig E. Young, Port Orange, Fl.

I'm going to be there on December 1st........

 

Ich bin ein PORT ORANGER!........

 

"All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words

"Ich bin ein Berliner."

President John F. Kennedy - June 26, 1963

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6nQhss4Yc

To my Brethren.....

In the County....

I have only this to say...

Lass sie nach Port Orange kommen.

( Let them come to Port Orange)

 

ref. :

"Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other"

" It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.............

Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, Saturday, March 4, 1865

=======================

11 13 09 part 8 Bonks landing and Port Orange

A POI video

 

You can also see this video on You Tube

at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfIC6Ps9_rQ

 

==========================

 

November 22, 2009

City's land plans provoke some area residents

By KELLY CUCULIANSKY
Staff Writer, Daytona Beach News-Journal

PORT ORANGE -- Residents of the unincorporated Bonks Landing neighborhood near Spruce Creek are rallying to stop the city from using land in their area to solve someone else's flooding problems. ...

 

....PUBLIC ACCESS DEBATE About a week after the council's vote, Mayor Allen Green announced during a meeting Thursday that he didn't like the adversarial position the Bonks Landing residents were taking against the city.

"When I take a look at their attitude, I kind of have a concern with the commitment this council made that you wouldn't have any type of recreation at the end of that (creek) -- it's difficult for me to stand by that," Green said. "It irritates me what they're putting us through."

Green later said in an interview that city residents are also complaining about using city money to buy land outside the corporate limits and not developing park access to Spruce Creek.

According to Volusia County zoning, publicly-owned parks are permitted on at least two of the parcels in question.

While the current council voted against public access through the properties in question, future council members could change that, said City Manager Ken Parker, although he added that would be unusual. "Rarely do I find councils going back on commitments made by past councils."

That possibility, however, greatly concerns Bonks Landing residents, said Jamie Stewart, a community organizer and Hewitt Drive homeowner. There are about 25 homeowners in Bonks Landing, she said, and many of them are rallying with her at neighborhood meetings and plan to attend the Dec. 1 council meeting to get answers about the project.

"It's very hard to have faith in the city" when officials are talking about backtracking on a promise to not allow public access, she said. Residents worry that access will cause excess traffic, noise, crime and garbage in their neighborhood....

more at Bonks Landing News-Journal Nov 22 2009

 

====================

Received from Craig E. Young,

Port Orange, Fl., Nov. 22, 2009

City's land plans provoke some area residents
 
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/
Neighbors/South/evlNS01112209.htm
 
 
ATTENTION CITY RESIDENTS...The most important sentence in this article, is this: "According to Volusia County zoning, publicly-owned parks are permitted on at least two of the parcels in question."....
 
This means the City has the RIGHT to build a us Park on this property!
 
After all, the City has PROPERTY RIGHTS, just like everyone else.....
 
In fact, I'd find it awfully strange, if OUR City Council didn't exercise its PROPERTY RIGHTS and build the Taxpayers of Port Orange a Park along Spruce Creek, due to the objections of the few dozen COUNTY residents who live nearby.
 
Or is our City Council now going to claim that PROPERTY RIGHTS aren't that important? 
Or that the City Taxpayer's PROPERTY RIGHTS are somehow trumped by the NIMBY WHIMS of a few COUNTY residents?
 
Note: For years, the City Council has defended the PROPERTY RIGHTS of DEVELOPERS.....We've all seen this; it seems every time a developer has proposed to build anything in Port Orange.......including many proposed developments that many residents of Port Orange have vehemently objected to.........the City Council has, time and again, defended the PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE DEVELOPER, and claimed they had no choice but to allow the proposed development...BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER HAS PROPERTY RIGHTS!
 
Now, on December 1st, the City Council is faced with these questions:
 
 
If so, this City Council will be Proclaimed as having discovered, what I will entitle....."The Port Orange Paradox of Universal Property Rights".....were one group of people has them,( Developers)  and the other group doesn't......(Taxpayers)
 
Or has our City Council become Dialetheists?
 

def.

A paradox is a statement or group of statements that leads to a contradiction or a situation which defies intuition. The term is also used for an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth. Typically, either the statements in question do not really imply the contradiction, the puzzling result is not really a contradiction, or the premises themselves are not all really true or cannot all be true together. The word paradox is often used interchangeably with contradiction. Often, mistakenly, it is used to describe situations that are ironic.

Dialetheism is the view that there are true contradictions, or dialetheia. More specifically, dialetheists believe that for some sentence or proposition P, both P and its negation, not-P (˜P), are true. 
 
Not surprisingly,  most Dialetheists.... are Politicians....because Dialetheism allows them to reply both Yes and No, when asked a simple question.  Washington D.C. is now the world center of Dialetheism, while Tallahassee has become its regional center.  They are strange places, where Yes and No have become one in the same, and where 1+2=3 can be deemed true, and not true, all in the same sentence.
 
 
 ==============================
 
 

 

 

11 13 09 part 7 Bonks Landing and Port Orange

A POI Video

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvaIbIsSuNg

=======================

 

11 13 09 part 6 Bonks Landing and Port Orange

A POI Video:

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LGmx1ZIfE

see more about this issue on POAN's Bonks Landing web page

 

====================================

11 13 09 Bonks Landing and city of Port Orange part 5

A POI video

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VsFQsSZSY

================================

 

 

Hi Hank and Dennis,

I met you both on Friday during the walking tour.  This is just one of several of my personal concerns with draining into the creek.   What would it be after 30" of rain and the tide is unusually high??  The pictures were just taken at 10:40 this morning from the property next door.

Thank you!
Sherri

The following are images by
Sherri Siegenthaler

Spruce Creek in Bonks Landing

Hewitt Drive area, Volusia County

just outside of the city of Port Orange, Fl.

Nov. 15, 2009

 

spruce creek 1

 

spruce creek 2

 

spruce creek 3

========================

From Craig E. Young, Port Orange, Fl.

Comments about photos Sherri took.

Nov. 16, 2009

 

Henry, I saw the photos Sherri took.
 
#1. I noticed she was careful to only take pictures of the lowest elevation that property has to offer.
That is certainly not the elevation of the entire 3 acre site.
 
#2. She asked, "What would it be after 30" of rain and the tide is unusually high?"
 
I guess she never heard the terms....FILL DIRT... or BERM before? ( Judging by her pics, the City can't just dig a hole in the ground, and call it storm water pond, because it will be full of groundwater) ( and we all know: "you can't put water into water")
 
I also I have to say, the treatment of storm water will be better, if the City builds a treatment pond there, as storm water now, simply runs down hill into the ditch, and goes directly into the Creek.
 
As far what happens in a 30 inch rainfall situation; there is an old adage; "THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION IS DILUTION", meaning that during those heavy rain events, the concentration of run-off pollutants, such a nitrogen and phosphorous, is so diluted by heavy rainfall, it doesn't affect overall water quality, as they are all measured in milligrams per liter.
 
For example, if you have 1000 milligrams of nitrogen, in one gallon of water; that's expressed as 1000 mg/L....
But that same 1000 mg of nitrogen, when diluted by 1000 gallons, is expressed as 1 mg/L,
 
Of course, this situation above only occurs during large storm events, in well designed storm water retention areas that "pop-off" ( meaning they fill up, and overflow) ( And it also explains why FDEP and the SJWMD aren't overly concerned when this occurs)
 
But that's still a far better situation then what is now occurring;
 
Right now, its a straight shot, right into the creek, every time it rains. And every time it rains, these pollutants are being carried by that water-right into the Creek, at what are likely very high concentrations. 
And its the concentrations of these pollutants that affect the quality of the water.
 
And lets not forget this; Large storm events such as these are still rare... So in most cases, the construction of a stormwater retention area  on this property, will have a dramatic impact on what goes into the Creek.
 
 
 

---------and --------

Sherri relies, Nov. 17, 2009

As for Mr. Young I don't know who you are but you have a right to your opinion! 
At this point we can leave it up to PROFESSIONALS! --- The ENGINEERS and the BIOLOGISTS who came here and know what their doing!  There is a lot more to this than what you are  ranting about.  Perhaps if this were your front or back yard 
you may have a different opinion? 


Thank you anyway,
Sherri

--------- AND -------------

Craig E. Young follows up with a response, Nov. 17, 2009

Here's my response:
 
 
OK! 
 
I GIVE UP! .......LET THE "ENGINEERS" FIX IT!
 
 
ps
 
But, I don't want to hear anymore of their NIMBY garbage............
 
Note: There is a "storm water retention area" right in MY BACK YARD......its EXACTLY 150 ft by 50 ft  AND I OWN IT, AND I PAY TAXES ON IT, AND I MAINTAIN IT.......In fact, ALL of my neighbors have "storm water retention areas" in their OWN BACK YARDS.....AND  THEY ALL OWN THEM AS WELL, AND THEY ALL PAY PROPERTY TAXES ON THEM TOO!
( And we STILL pay the City $100 a year for Stormwater Maintenance)
 
So, Stormwater Management is a BIG EXPENSE here in Port Orange!
 
But, I bet you Sherri and her neighbors don't have anything like this at all in the COUNTY....
 
Their idea of stormwater management goes something like this: The rain falls, the water runs down hill, right into a ditch, and right out into Spruce Creek!
 
You see, for them..... STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IS CHEAP......
 
But that might change soon....and that's what frightens them the most......one day, stormwater, the next day A SEWER SYSTEM!
 
( And the Utility Bills that follow)
 
 
HORRORS!

 

========================

11 13 09 Bonks Landing part 4 Hewitt and Anthony Drives

POI video

 

You can also see this video on You Tube at 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBC5DTed4Eo

 

============================

 

11 13 09 Bonks landing Hewitt and Anthony Drive part 3

A POI video

POAN Hank comments:

It is true that many issues and plans of the Port Orange City Council do not
go forward in one neat package. Usually, they are planned in phases, and
unfortunately most times for the tax payers, the mid and end phases are not
beneficial for the tax payers. Perhaps phases are necessary evils, but I don't think
tax paying citizens have the influence and where with all to change the phases
for their purposes as they progress. I could give you examples, but for now,
let's stay on this issue. --- Hank, Nov. 16, 2009 at 926 PM

 

You can see this POI video on You Tube

or use the url link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ4X2iQAi8I

====================================

 

 

 

11 13 09 Hewitt Drive concerns part 1

POI video.  Part 1 of what will probably be a 6 part series

In this part you will see Jamie Stewart from Hewitt Drive,

Councilman Dennis Kennedy, Port Orange City Council

Lee A. Kissick, Sr. Regulatory Scientist, Saint John's River Water Mangement

and his assistant Leo.  I do not know the names of the others.

In this part, the group stops in River Oaks, Port Orange, Fl.

to see the area which Jamie Stewart believes the City of Port Orange

can build a retention pond, rather than doing so within her Volusia County

neighborhood.

You can also see this POI video on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIHx4RmB-Kw

=====================

11 13 09 Bonks landing part 2 volusia

POI video

 

You can also see this POI video on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9T7IM1J7-c

=====================

 

From Craig E. Young, Port Orange, Florida

Hewitt Drive

Henry,
 
I got a chance to view the video clips you have posted concerning the City's purchase of that property at the end of Spruce Creek Rd.
 
#1. Councilmen Pohlman noted that those residents on Hewitt Drive who complained about this purchase, like to live on large properties.....because apparently, they don't like us City People, because we have smaller properties.....
 
But when you go the Property Tax Appraisers website and use the Palms Map feature, and zoom-in on Hewitt Drive, you'll notice most of those lots ( like the one Ms. Stewart lives on) are 100 to 130 ft wide and 150 ft deep.
 
That's hardly what I would call LARGE.
 
In fact, many of the lots on Hewitt Drive are actually smaller than the lots in the surrounding area....meaning those IN THE CITY OF PORT ORANGE!
 
Of course, everyone should also realize, the lots in the subdivision's that Ms. Stewart and her friends are complaining about, have areas set aside for open space, storm water retention......and some even have such things as CONSERVATION AREAS! 
 
And you're not going to find any of those things along Hewitt Drive.  In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a sidewalk, a street light, or a decent road in that area of the COUNTY.
 
So I don't understand where Ms. Stewart got the idea that she and her neighbors are worthy of awards for their Planning and Environmental efforts? Especially when you consider they still all have Well Water, Septic Tanks and drain fields, that no doubt drain into Spruce Creek! ( A Florida Outstanding Waterway)
 
But everyone should realize, they like that, because they save a lot of money on UTILITY BILLS that way.
 
#2. I find it hard to believe the City would be building a Boat Ramp on this property.....because there is simply not enough room there to build a storm water retention pond large enough to treat storm water before it is discharged into Spruce Creek, AND build enough parking spaces for cars with boat trailers! So I'd guess the City is thinking somewhere along the lines of Bushman Park, or Memorial Park....where you've got a large storm water retention pond, with some bike paths around it, and maybe a little fishing pier.
 
 
#3. I would (be) INSULTED, if the City purchased this property with the City's Taxpayers Funds, and then put up a sign that says: CITY RESIDENTS KEEP OUT!  Just because a few County Taxpayers, who didn't contribute a nickel to its purchase, didn't want us there!
 
(I have a hand signal for people like that)
 
 
I also have a solution to this problem; ANNEX THAT WHOLE DAM AREA! And then, we will all be AS ONE.
 
After all, we've got 50 property owners there who pay absolutely nothing into the City of Port Orange, but yet, when they dial 911, its OUR Police Officers and OUR Firefighters who arrive at their front doorstep! ( due to the Closest Response Agreement we have with Volusia County.) ( that we get screwed on)
 
And I'd remind everyone, we just built a new Fire Station CLOSER TO THEM, that WE are paying for! ( Central Park) (2005 Bond Issue) ( see it on your tax bill) ( not their tax bill)
 
And then of course, they also get to enjoy our City's roads, parks, and other amenities...they just don't have to pay for them.
 
And now they have the Gall, to tell US.....THEY don't want US there?
 
( hand signal again)
 
 
ps
 
I'm with Mayor Green on this one.....they have some NERVE.
 
And if they want a War, they GOT ONE.
 

 

=======================

From: Port Orange Images [mailto:poimages@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:25 PM
To: Parker, Ken
Subject: "industrial use" taken out of resolution?

 

Nov. 10, 2009 at  922 PM

 
From Port Orange Area News
www.portorangeareanews.com  
Hank Springer, Publisher/Editor
poimages@cfl.rr.com
386 852 3178

 

Good Evening Mr. Parker,

Did I understand correctly in the City Council Meeting of Nov. 10, 2009
that the "industrial use" words have been taken out of the resolution to
acquire land at the end of Spruce Creek Road?

 

What "industrial use" was contemplated when it  originally was placed in the

resolution?

 

-- hank springer 

Reply follows:

No industrial uses were ever contemplated.  It was an oversight in proof reading.  The intent is and always has been to use the property for retention areas to address drainage issues along Spruce Creek Road.. 

Ken 

=======================

 

Nov. 11, 2009

E mail question sent to Mr. Ken Parker,
City Manager of Port Orange, Fl.

It seems to me that the decision to take the words "for industrial usage" out of the resolution concerning the acquistion of land at the end of Spruce Creek Road was done sometime during the week of Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, 2009.  Isn't this something that needs to be done in a public meeting, as per the Sunshine Law?

--- hank springer , Port Orange Area News

Reply from Mr. Ken Parker, City Manager, Port Orange, Fl.

  1.        The City Council has not amended the Resolution taking the word industrial out, yet.  It was a proof reading error.  The City uses a form Resolution with the purpose for the land acquisition changing with each property acquisition.  The word industrial should have not been in the Resolution since it was never the City’s intent to use the property for that purpose.  That use is not consistent with the zoning of the property or with the stated purpose of the acquisition.  The amended Resolution will be presented to the City Council on December 1 to remove the word industrial from the Resolution.  Also, the Resolution  will include the language that the City Council voted as conditions for the acquisition at its November 3 meeting.   This is to make sure that items that were included in the motion are captured in Resolution form as well as to remove the word industrial.

Ken

======================

11 12 09 volusia residents vs city wftv 9

video segment from channel 9, wftv news

 

You can also see this video on You Tube

========================

WE DON'T LIKE YOUR ATTITUDE!

Because of the adversarial attitude of Volusia County residents off

Spruce Creek Road, the comment was made in the City Council Meeting of

Nov. 10, 2009 that the council might rescind its commitment to not build a park

in 4 acres of land which it is seeking to purchase, in Volusia County

near Spruce Creek.

Video Segment from the Nov 10, 2009 Port Orange City Council meeting

follows , as seen on POG TV, channel 199, Bright House

 

You can also see this video on You Tube

======================

 

Nov 11, 2009

This is a forward of an email to County Council from Lee Stewart
 
 
To: agreen@port-orange.org;mmartin@port-orange.org;rpohlmann@port-orange.org;dkennedy@port-orange.org;gsteindoerfer@port-orange.org;kparker@port-orange.org
Cc: jamiestew@earthlink.net; kelly.cuculiansky@news-jrnl.com
Sent: 11/11/2009 8:12:05 PM
Subject: Attack on Public Records Request

Dear Mayor Allen G.
I am very disappointed in the statements made by you at the city council meeting on November 3 2009 concerning public records request. Public information request laws have been put into place to be Obeyed by municipalities, states and even the Federal Government. Any criticism of those laws or the people who assert there legal right protected under those laws is shame full. How dare you complain about the cost that may be incurred to produce public records. Every record request that has been produced by your office concerning the potential development of our neighborhood has been paid for as dictated by the current laws established. It is clear you would want us to pay exorbitant amounts of money to receive public records to intentionally dissuade the citizens of the state Florida from obtaining public information. I suggest you don't tread those waters. You are walking a very thin legal line. How much time (MONEY) has your office and staff spent discussing the public record requests and how you think things should be. When public records are requested by any citizen you must abide by the law. Some of the citizens of this community have already reported possible violations of the public information law including but not limited to duplicates, omitted time frames, missing documents and public statements made at city council meetings and posted on you tube suggesting the violation of the law. The city council is accountable to the citizens of their community and The citizens of there community have a right to know every microscopic detail of the business of the city council and all subordinate staff including  any inappropriate agenda, conduct or collusion between the city manager Ken Parker and Warren Pike.
 
Your position and public comments on this issue are very adversarial, immoral and an attack on the civil liberties established by our democracy. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!
 
Chris Stewart
Bonks Landing

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I was there at the original City Council meeting on the 3rd when they committed to us that there was to be no recreational or public access Well it certainly would appear that our suspicions were correct They now are showing their true colors and their real intent all along has been to acquire this property for recreational and public access. Why else would they rush to purchase the property under the guise of curing some minor flooding issues! Shame on them for considering breaking their word!

You can reply to this comment by visiting the comments page.

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Nov. 11, 2009

County Council, St Johns Water Managerment District
 
This link    Port Orange Area News  should fill you with deep concern.  At last week's City of Port Orange Council meeting residents or our area  Bonks Landing spoke before them to express our heartfelt concerns about the City of Port Orange's short sighted proposal to "hopefully" solve a drainage problem,  At that meeting they at least recognized some of the error of their ways and decided to eliminate the public access wording before they moved forward.    This video from last nights meeting should show their true colors to all of you in the light of day.   Allen Green does not like our attitude.  Well bully for him.  And I do mean bully.  They are now going to go against even that.  I beleve this was as a rsult of the following wording of an email I sent to all City Councilmen. 
Mayor and County Council
 
According to the contract for purchase of the property  that you voted on Oct 27th ,  2009 page 3 item 11 states  "...intended use of the property for the construction of public improvements for public access, utilites and drainage.  In the event that Purchaser determines that the Propety can not be used for its intended purposes then the Purchaser shall be entitled to terminate this contract prior to the expiration of the inspection Period".
 
 
Therefore if you do not get necessary permitting approval from SJWMD or the County of Volusia or any agency that deems this property not suitable for your intended pupose of drainage from subdivisions
will you still go through with the purchasing of this property

Not a one of them responded to me but they spoke loud and clear at that meeting.  The are in this for the LAND GRAB.   The drainage issue is an excuse not a reason to snatch up coveted land.   
 
 
It is now up to us as concerned citizens to expose them for what they are really trying to do.  And we are hoping that you deny any and all permits that they apply for until they are forced to look at alternatives.  They have relied on one-side if not deception from their own staff including but not limited to Ken Parker and Warrer Pike who have option in front of them that they chose not to see.  I will be inviting all of you for a walk through to see a solution that we laymans feel will serve the needs of everyone.  Please response  to the email to follow.
 
We thank you for your time and effort on our behalf. 
 

Jamie Stewart

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Nov. 11, 2009

Allen Green
 
 How brave of you to condemn the heartfelt concerns of those that come before you .   Also kudos for taking at least one week to officially go back on your word about public access.   I think you mistook a passionate plea to do what is right for a personal slap in the face.  But maybe you dont know the difference.    I do and now I know how to fight this battle
 
 
Jamie Stewart
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
 

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11 3 09 port orange volusia county animosity

a VIDEO  segment of the Port Orange City Council Meeting of Nov. 3, 2009

as seen on POGT TV, channel 199, Bright House

 

You can also see this vide on You Tube

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November 05, 2009

City land buy irks some area residents

By KELLY CUCULIANSKY
Staff Writer, Daytona Beach News-Journal

PORT ORANGE -- Residents from an unincorporated neighborhood near Spruce Creek appealed to City Council members to halt plans to buy properties for a project to relieve flooding in the city.

About seven Hewitt Drive area residents approached the council on Tuesday night saying that using the land for stormwater retention and treatment and passive recreation would be incompatible with their neighborhood....

more at Hewitt Drive area residents

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Received Nov. 4, 2009 at 1:57 PM

Hello Mr. Springer,
 
In reference to Ken Parker's reply to you wherein he states:
 
"I do not know what he was talking about related to Industrial zoning.  What the Council desires to use the property for can be done without any zoning changes."
 
Mr. Parker should know what I was talking about as this information is included in Resolution No. 09-95. It in part states as follows:
 
WHEREAS, the City plans that the property will be utilized for the development of industrial property....
 
So, it is right there in the resolution. I didn't make it up.
 
Prior to the presentation of this resolution last night the council had talked about the need for revised water use restrictions.
 
While I did not relate this specifically, this is partly why I explained to the council that when it was proposed back in the late seventies to change the zoning, people came to the Hewitt Drive residents to ask us to go along with the change in zoning as we were the only "neighbors" back then. Thiel Wetzel was our informal rep back then and in talks with him whomever was pushing for the change assured Wetzel that the development would only be done with 1 acre lots. Of course they went back on their word and put in much higher density lots.
 
So, my recollection of this goes to just the advantage of having a larger lot but to the impact on things like water due to have twice as many homes on a given section of land than what we bargained for. And now they have to worry about water shortages. In hindsight we should have been more proactive and attended all the meetings. Before it was called Riverwood, I think the first developers started out calling it Palms del Mar.
 
So, Hank, that is the rest of the story.
 

Joe

Search by POAN Hank

POAN Hank has found the "industrial use" phrase in the PDF document of resolution 09 - 95 at PDF 09-95

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Hank:

 

  1. 1.                   The City Council decided to name the Dog Park after Seemore.  Parks and Recreation does not need to do anything else.  A formal Resolution of City Council will be presented on December 1 formally naming the park after Seemore.  However, when the Park is dedicated on November 14, it will be referred to as Seemore Dog Park.
  2. 2.                   The City Council has approved three contracts for three parcels of land.  Formal engineering has not been undertaken to design retention ponds for the property. 
  3. 3.                   No.  I think he was talking from a historical standpoint about changes that were made when the certain property zonings were changed from agriculture to residential many, many years ago.  I know he mentioned Riverwood and its original developers promising that the home sites would be 1 acre in size.  The home sites in Riverwood at less than 1 acre.    The Riverwood development began in the 70’s.  I do not know what he was talking about related to Industrial zoning.  What the Council desires to use the property for can be done without any zoning changes.  The City’s retention project will have to meet the requirements of Volusia County, since the property is located within Volusia County.  St. Johns River Water Management District will be reviewing the plans and must issue a permit before any construction can occur.  Finally, the proposed pond must meet our own City requirements as well. 

 

Ken

 

From: Port Orange Images [mailto:poimages@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 9:28 PM
To: Parker, Ken
Cc: Port Orange Images
Subject: Questions about 11 3 09 council meeting.

 

Nov. 3, 2009 at  9:20 PM

 
From Port Orange Area News
www.portorangeareanews.com  
Hank Springer, Publisher/Editor
poimages@cfl.rr.com
386 852 3178

 

Good Evening Mr. Parker,

I watched the City Council Meeting tonight.  Please clarify some items for me.

 

1.  Is the name for the new park "Seemore" or does parks and recreation have yet to come to a decision?

 

2.  Is it correct that the city is trying to buy 3 parcels of land at the end of Spruce Creek Road
to alleviate flooding problems, but does not yet have an engineering report that the flooding problems could be resolved by the purchase of this property?

 

3.  A speaker from the neighborhood where the 3 parcel acquisitions is being attempted, spoke of a proposal to change the zoning from residential to industrial?  Is this correct?  Is this a Port Orange proposal.

 

thank you -  hank

 

 

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11 3 09 Jamie Stewart and city council po

Video segment from the 11 3 09 Port Orange City Council meeting

as seen on POG TV, channel 199, Bright House

Have you noticed how Mayor Allen Green uses his longevity as a resident in

Port Orange, Fl., as a tool to diminish questions put to him by people who

perhaps were not born in Port Orange, Fl? I have noticed that - hank

 

Jane Stewart and the city council meeting

Correct name is Jamie Stewart. sorry - hank

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In the City Council meeting, 5 or more speakers went before the city council

to express their concerns about the city's plan to buy 3 parcels of land at the

southern end of Spruce Creek Road. These residents live in the area, in the volusia

county jurisdiction and expressed the following concerns:

They don't trust the city of Port Orange.

Believe the city wants to annex the area.

Believe the city wants to use the area for a park and boat ramp.

Fears of re zoning the area to industrial.

After hearing from the residents in that area, the city council voted to

amend the proposal to include that the area purchased by the city will

not be used for recreational purposes.

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[PDF]

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF PORT ORANGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ...

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Apr 24, 2001 ... City Cost Participation Request for Bonks Landing, Volusia County, Florida. 16. Revalidation of Sole Source Authorization to Purchase Water ...
www.port-orange.org/documents/meetings/regular/2001-04.../minutes.pdf

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Nov. 15, 2009

Jamie Stewaret to Dennis Kennedy

Dennis Kennedy Cityof Port Orange Councilman
 
  I took some time to sift through my public records request documents and scan some of them for you to save you some time and to move this along as quicly as possible in order for the city to save money by NOT buying unnecessary properties.    Attached you will find some pertinent documents that lay out the original plan for a retention area and  a drainage (pop off) into Spruce Creek using the 20 ft  (Nature Trail) easement that was granted to Volusia County for that purpose   As you can see this may have been started in 2006 and addressed again  in 2007 2008 and even 2009.  You will also note that -lack of funding- was mentioned as to why it did not go through.  I find nothing to say that it was not feasible.    It also shows that other pipes would be run along the southern border of River Oaks and connect with the drainage pipe on the 20ft nature trail easement which would also solve the Spuce Creek Estates flooding.    This original plan looks like it would solve the problem and not involve any land outside of land already in River Oaks and the city limits of Port Orange.  And that is exactly what we are looking for.   The retention ditch that we were standing in on Friday may need to be reconfigured for best usage and sufficient capacity but that is its purpose.  If it was not configured correctly  when the development was built then now is the time to correct the mistake.  this retention ditch must surely have taken all the homes and roads into consideration when it was developed.   Since River oaks is built out as far as it can go then how could it require any additional retention area.
 
 
Also dont forget that we talked about addionional swales in Palmas Bay (gated community in River Wood) .  These may not even be configured to their best usage and need to be looked at.
 
The City Manager and some coucil members are not plesed with our "attitude".  Do not let the decision be tainted by this.  Our attitude expresses our strong objection to what we are learning is a project that seemed to be headed in a clear and reasonable solution that has now been altered dramatically  .  Use the money wisely   
 
I thank you so much for your time on Friday.  I feel like we were able to communicate our needs and concerns in a great venue.
 
 
Jamie Stewart

POAN hank hopes to post all the documents here.

This will not be able to be done until all of the videos of the

Nov. 13, 2009 walking tour have been posted.

--- hank

Series of City of Port Orange documents

obtained by Jamie Stewart and provided to POAN.

Received Nov. 15, 2009

jan 08 memo