Several activities will take place during the next few days in Starke and Waldo. Please try to schedule all or as many as you can to help stop the proposed phosphate mine near the Santa Fe River.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017 the Citizens Against Phosphate Mining In Bradford/Union (CAPM) will appear before the Waldo City Council to request a Resolution to oppose the mine. This will take place at 7 pm at Yerkes Center, 14245 Cole St. in Waldo. We need all the support we can get, so please attend and if you are able, please speak briefly as to why you oppose the mine. Many surrounding counties and municipalities have already gone on record opposing this dangerous project; please come and help convince Waldo to do the same.
On Thursday, March 16, the regularly scheduled meeting of the commissioners takes place at 6:30 at 945 N. Temple Ave. It is always good to come and show your opposition to the mine. The commissioners cannot hear too often of the dangers, and of the mistakes of others. Phosphate mines destroy the land, leaving it forever changed for the worse– it can never be restored to its original state.
Also on Monday, March 20, at 6:30 pm there will be a special joint meeting of the Bradford and Alachua county commissioners, in Starke at the regular commission chambers at 945 N. Temple. Even though the mine is not on the agenda, this is an excellent time to pack the room with mine opposition. There is a chance the mine may be mentioned, and we know we have the strong support of the Alachua commissioners, so we have plenty of back-up here, if we want to make a little noise. Please come and bring a friend or three.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
