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For more information on this project, contact Melissa Brock, Environmental Health Director, at the Gadsden County Health Department.

GADSDEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
January 2005 PACE-EH Progress Report

To:                 Daniel Parker, M.S., and GAL
                        Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

From:             Melissa Brock
                        Environmental Manager

Subject:         Gadsden County Environmental Health Community Project Monthly Progress Report


Project Summary:
On January 18, 2005 we held our second community meeting to introduce our environmental health community project, discuss environmental health issues, introduce a community health assessment team, and to encourage community involvement and networking with organizations that deals with environmental health issues.

There were 7 people who attended the meeting. Mr. Ed Feaver, Mrs. Marylyn Feaver, Officer Tom Murray, Rev. Cedric Spradley, Sharon Saulter, Vivian Howard, and Melissa Brock.

Based on community concerns and questions from last months meeting, 3 guest speakers were invited to attend the meeting. Mr. Earl Banks, Quincy City Manager was invited to address the city’s accomplishments and water quality issues. Mr. Tom Brown of the North Florida Water Management District was invited to offer some information in regards to the water and well usage with the new construction taking place on Highway 90 in Midway, Florida. Mr. Ken Stocks, Gadsden County Primary Planner, was invited to discuss Land Plaits Usage, restrictions, and regulations. Unfortunately, none of the guest speakers attended.

The community decided to continue the meeting and started discussing the best ways for educating the community on environmental health issues. We decided that articles could be posted in the town newspaper that captured main issues that were discussed in the monthly meeting. The articles could address a particular issue and discuss who the contact person would be for the particular issue. Also, we will contact the town newspapers and discuss creating an Environmental Health Section that is in a consistent location of the paper each addition. We are interested in making it a question/answer type article.

The other main issue at the meeting was possibly developing an environmental clean up task force. We will need to determine who would participate on the task force. We would like to approach the city and county code enforcement offices to include them in our ideas. A “Neighborhood Clean Up Day” was discussed. The community is looking into having neighborhood meetings to address concerns.

Booklets and pamphlets collected from Oliver Sellers, Hazardous Waste Office, were distributed at the meeting. Handouts addressed how to properly dispose of hazardous waste materials including paints, oils, etc.

Sharon Saulter, PACE EH Vice Chair, discussed with Bill Keiser, PACE EH Chair, to address developing a draft Animal Control Ordinance and present to the committee at next months meeting. Several existing ordinances were sent to Melissa Brock upon request from other Environmental Health Directors in the state. These ordinances will be reviewed when developing the draft.

We have collected 10 surveys. Sharon Saulter and Cedric Spradley have discussed passing out surveys to local churches.

PACE-EH Planning Process:

Note: Currently, we are in task seven and moving forward.

Issues/Problems:

Vivian Howard Sought employment and was awarded a full time position with the county office. She has resign from the PACE Coordinator position. I am currently working on advertising the position. We plan on continuing the meetings until the position is filled.

Updates:

PACE surveys are being distributed to the county health departments/clinics and city halls. Mr. Banks will be called to confirm his attendance at next months meeting. The community is interested in him addressing some issues of concern including code enforcement questions, excess trash, and water quality.

Gadsden County Environmental Health Leadership Team:

The Environmental Health Leadership Team will include additional members who represent the key agencies/organizations in the Gadsden County community.

Schedule of Activities/Meetings:

Past Gadsden County Reports:

August/September, 2004

October, 2004

December, 2004