Dr. Bob Knight to whom credit is due for the fine Summit
Day two of the Summit was packed with panels and information with three panels and the delightful treat of Margaret Tolbert’s “Lost Springs,” directed by Matt Keene. As before, all was well organized and things went smoothly and as expected.
A powerhouse of advocates: Whitey Markle, Bob Palmer, Lisa Saupp, Jane Blais (OSFR) and Karen Chadwick.
Springs artist and now film star Margaret Tolbert of “Lost Springs.”
Gatherings such as these, with like-minded colleagues who have the same goals and battles to fight, always provide a sense of inspiration and encouragement. This was true as well at this gathering, but we also left with a feeling of anger.
Guy Marwick is inseparable from the name “Silver Springs.”
Anger that our state is selling our resources to industry instead of protecting them. Anger that our water managers act unethically, that our leaders in Tallahassee have no concern that future Floridians will not have the springs and rivers that is their rightful legacy. Anger that our lack of leadership results in giving away free water with no concern about the consequences. Anger that our DEP will not enforce our constitutional right to clean air and water. Anger that our DEP is more concerned about the letter of the law, than about the health of our citizens.
Silver Springs Focus Area Panel, moderated by Guy Marwick of the Felburn Foundation
OSFR president Mike Roth speaks about the eminent danger of the phosphate mine.
Lawyer John Thomas geologist Sam Upchurch and OSFR member Natalie Wright
Kudos to Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and John Thomas, who, quite explicitly, expressed this shame.
Although we must try to work together with our government agencies, we had the strong sense that when their representatives explain their programs, they know that their audience is aware that they are getting the runaround. They realize we are not buying their nonsense.
Our patience runs thin also, when we hear for the third time about the three-year multi-million dollar study of Silver Springs, by UF and St Johns River WMD. Scientists know the cause of the problems with the spring, but choose to dance and pussyfoot around because Tallahassee will not let them fix it. Instead they waste time and money and get nothing done about restoring it. And, more importantly, they continue to give withdrawal permits.
Rick Kilby Jill Lingard Kris Cathey
Brad Rimbey James Garey Brett Hemphill
Jacqui Sulek Bill Vibbert Ryan Smart
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-