For more information on this project, contact Bob Washam, Environmental Health Director, or Wendy Roberts, PACE EH Coordinator at the Martin County Health Department.
MARTIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
October/November, 2005 PACE EH Final Report
To: Daniel Parker, MSP, GAL
Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health
From: Wendy Roberts, PACE EH Coordinator
Date: November 29, 2005
Subject: October & November PACE-EH Report-Final Report
We had one meeting during the month of October due to the fact that hurricane Wilma was scheduled to arrive the day of our second monthly meeting and she did. The one meeting we had for October allowed the team to express how they are feeling about the progress. They would like to see something occur before our assistance from the Health Department expires. The intention was to have the October 24 meeting to give more opportunity for discussion with the team but the meeting was cancelled. We had the Deputy that covers their neighborhoods attend the October 10 meeting, as one of the issues is speeding. The deputy said he would take care of things from now on because we were not having much success with another individual that had attended a previous meeting. He wanted to know when the speeding was occurring. According to on the team members, the speeding is occurring all the time and that it's usually the same people. He does radar but he's only one person and wanted to make it clear that issuing a ticket is only a short-term solution to the speeding. Putting a traffic trailer on Pettway is not an option as the road is too narrow was confirmed by Deputy Foster. He thinks speed tables are an option but it's not his area. He was told that we are already working on that with the building department. He said he would try to adjust his hours to run radar when the speeding is occurring. He planned to have eight other officers help run radar later in the week in the early morning when the speeding seems to be occurring. He will attend a future meeting to let the team know how things have progressed since this meeting.
Bob gave a report on the water sample results. There seems to be no issues with the water. All bacteria levels were good, didn't find any chemicals except for one isolated incident of only one house. There's nothing in the ground water that could be hazardous to health. Well water is not an issue anymore.
For the month of November we had our usual two meetings. On November 14th meeting, we had two guests, Riley Jackson from Code Enforcement and Patrick Yancey from Nichols Sanitation. Mr. Jackson spoke about what issues code enforcement deals with, the exterior of the home, which entails weeds, trash, junk vehicles and commercial vehicles. They have no jurisdiction of the interior of a home. They deal with time frames which home owner's need to be aware of when they make a complaint. The person is given a reasonable amount of time to comply, they are given a compliance date, then it's re-inspected. If they fail to comply, they are given notice to appear in front of the magistrate to explain their case. There is a $350 fee for the person to appear. If the person still refuses another order is given and then fining begins. In a case of vacant land the owner is still responsible regardless of who dumps. If someone wants to give a complaint they can remain anonymous if they give their name it does become public record. One thing Mr. Jackson wanted to make clear is the fact they have time frames and things won't change overnight. Mr. Yancey did not attend the meeting.
An update was given about the status of the vacant houses issue. As of this meeting two houses have been demolished, one is being refurbished, one is appeal condemnation but the appeal was denied, another is trying to probate the property and the last house has not been deemed unsafe.
The issue of water lines was brought up to the team to ascertain if they would to pursue getting lines in the community at which they would have to pay for themselves. The team would like to wait and see if a developer will build and thus install water lines.
Our second meeting held on Nov 28 was a meeting with County Commissioner Lee Weberman.
Deputy Foster attended the meeting to give an update. He has run radar and he has been doing laser. If a person goes over 35 mph they receive a ticket. He hopes to do more in the next month. He emphasized to the team to call him about any issues.
Commissioner Weberman informed the team they would be able to get two community signs requested but could not guarantee a third sign. It would depend on the budget. He should know more towards the summer. The issue of water lines was brought up but Commissioner Weberman informed the team that the commissioners have nothing to do with the utilities so he could not assist with this issue. We gave Commissioner Weberman the petition to change the spelling of London back to Lundy. We were informed because we did not get all the names signed on the petition it would have to go in front of the Board of County Commissioners. He said he could possibly take care of it so it wouldn't have to through the Board.
Trash pick-up was discussed as there is a lack of consistency in the removal and pick-up. This seems to be a common compliant according to the Commissioner. The Commissioner would like to get a schedule from Nichols Sanitation and report back to the team about this. Commissioner Weberman emphasized that the team should call him about an issue and he will do the best he can.
We gave out certificates of appreciation to each team member as well as the fire extinguishers that had been donated from the home depot.
It has been decided to hold monthly meetings instead of bi-weekly meetings for the rest of the process.
February, 2005
March, 2005
April, 2005
May, 2005
June/July, 2005
August/September, 2005
Media Coverage (pdfs <1mb) |
March 1, 2006 - Hobe Sound street name change honors local family
February 28, 2006 - Residents of Hobe Sound's London Street want road renamed for black family
December 18, 2005 - Residents of Hobe Sound's Gomez neighborhood address concerns
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