Azalea Neighborhood Association, Inc.

Azalea Newsletter - WORKING BEHIND THE SCENE FOR YOU!

Aug 09, 2009

This past March (16 thru 20) your city council member Herb Polson and I had the opportunity to be in Washington DC at the same time. We met with Senator Bill Nelson and thanked him for taking the time to come to the Azalea Neighborhood and check things out for himself. However the highlight of our meetings in our nation?’s capitol was the fifty minutes that Congressman C.W. Bill Young was able to afford us. Representative Young is deeply troubled by the ground water pollution in the Azalea Neighborhood caused by the dumping of toxic waste by Raytheon and others. Young is committed to stay on top of things and has already spoken with several top government officials about the Azalea Neighborhood plight.
I have also been working with State Representative Rick Kriseman and State Senator Charlie Justice as they have been preparing and introducing legislation that would make it mandatory for homeowners to be notified of a toxic spill or of toxic conditions caused by any industrial complex. Sadly I must report the bill died in early May. (see bill SB114, HB 1229 entitled "Contamination Notification). However, we will not abandon the fight for the rights of the citizens.
Senate Bill 114 now goes to the Senate Education Pre-K through 12 committee.
Mr. Griesi- Thank you again for your time this morning. Senator Justice?’s bill, SB 114, is being heard in the Environmental Committee this morning. DEP is claiming that homeowners do not want to be notified of contamination, which is contrary to what we have heard at the community meetings.
Senator Justice?’s bill does the following:
1. Requires notification to residents living within 1000 ft of a contaminated area.
2. Requires notification to principles of schools living within a mile of the contamination source.
3. Requires notification to community leaders, including legislative representatives, when harmful contamination is found.

March 24, 2009
CONTAMINATION NOTIFICATION BILL MOVES FORWARD
TALLAHASSEE ?– Legislation to enhance the notification requirements for sites contaminated with harmful toxins passed unanimously through the Senate Community Affairs Committee today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Charlie Justice (D - St. Petersburg), is a direct result of a toxic plume affecting residents of Pinellas County. The plume was discovered in 1991, but residents were not made aware of the contamination until 2008, seventeen years later. During that time, the dangerous chemicals have migrated off site affecting two apartment complexes, three neighborhoods, community parks and schools. ?“If we had the kind of notification standards I propose in this bill, the situation in St. Petersburg would not have grown to the level of putting people?’s health, property value and trust at risk.?” Senator Justice said. Presently, the Department of Environmental Protection only notifies the county administrator and any residents that have contamination on their property. Senator Justice?’s bill will require notification to also be sent to residents living within 1000 feet of the contaminated area, elected officials and community leaders. ?“People have the right to know if there are dangerous chemicals potentially affecting their family,?” Senator Justice stated. ?“I am proud to work on this good legislation and ensure that we put a stop to situations like this from happening in the future.?”
"Contamination Notification?” - May 21, 2009
Rick Kriseman - District 53 in the Florida House of Representatives introduced the following bill in the just closed legislative session. HB 1229 was entitled "Contamination Notification". This bill was filed in response to an incident that occurred at the Raytheon plant in St. Petersburg. This bill would have expanded the Department of Environmental Protection's notification requirements when a significant contaminant was discovered. This bill was heard by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee, General Government Policy Council, and the Full Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care. The bill passed each committee and council unanimously, although significant amendments were made to the bill as it progressed from committee to council. While the bill was scheduled for second reading on the floor of the House, it was never placed on the Special Order calendar, and as such, was never voted on by the full House. As such, this bill died on the floor of the House (likewise, it died on the floor of the Senate).
Note: I urge you to call State Representative, Richard Kriseman and Senator Charlie Justice and tell them you want the bills re-introduced next session.
Senator Charlie Justice
District Office - Gateway Executive Center
8601 Fourth Street N. Suite 100
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Phone - 727-217-7970 ?– Fax - 727-217-7972 Capitol Office - 222 Senate Office Building
404 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone - 850-487-5075 ?– Fax - 850-487-5517
State Representative, Richard Kriseman
District Address:
1700 66th Street North - Suite 203
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Phone - 727-552-1380 Tallahassee Address:
1302 The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Phone ?– 850-488-9337