Business As Usual At Bradford, And Less. . .

Chairman Danny Riddick of the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners broke a record tonight, at least for the period your historian has been attending the commission meetings.  He whipped through all the county business in 28 minutes, freeing everyone to disperse for drinks, dinner or whatever it is that everyone does.  In our case, to go home.

No awards, no recognitions and only two short public comments, which were yours truly and Kate Ellison, who respectfully asked the board why they had not yet resolved the mine issue, and also that they reject the pending mine application and enact a moratorium on permits until the LDRs are revised.

Your historian told the commissioners about the phosphate mine in Mississippi which was taken over by the EPA last month.  It went bankrupt,  leaving 700 million gallons of radioactive wastewater which must somehow be disposed of.  The Trust Fund managing the mine used up all its funds, which were  being spent to the tune of one million dollars each month to maintain this mess.  It was emphasized to the board that this has already happened in Florida, and they, you and I have paid for it, while those responsible are off merrily conducting new businesses.  And it could happen to HPS Enterprises as well.

The chair mentioned at the end of the meeting the up-coming joint Alachua/Bradford commission meeting on Monday, March 20 at 6:30 pm.  Please note the time as it as been publicized as 6 pm in places.  It was mentioned that no agenda has been received by Bradford as of the end of tonight’s meeting.

Please plan to come to the Monday board meeting, and to the rally before at 3;30 to demonstrate your opinion of the mine.

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life:  once taken, it cannot be brought back-