Meetings at Starke last night July 20, 2017 began at 5:30 and ran a long time, with the regular BOCC meeting beginning after 7 pm.
Some high-powered testimony was given to the board by heavyweights John Quarterman (Suwannee Riverkeeper) and Whitey Markle (president of Suwannee St. Johns Group Sierra Club). Plus the usual hardcore grunts who keep reminding the board how bad the mine idea is—Kate Ellison and Carol Mosley of CAPM, and Jane Blais and your historian from OSFR.
Although not on the agenda, the mine was brought up by County Attorney Sexton. The discussion was about when to schedule a public hearing to begin the process to consider the mine permit application.
Kate Ellison of Melrose Carol Mosley of Graham
However, before that process can begin, the board will meet on August 17, 2017 to consider whether or not they want to hire the single consultant application before them. This meeting will be a legislative meeting where the public can speak their opinion. If events were to unfold at the maximum possible speed, the vote meeting could come in late September.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-