YAY! One county groks it—-I wish them well, and I hope they get their funds back FROM BP, who should rightly be paying for it. Dunno if BP’ll try avoid..."/>
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REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS
Stay out of the way on beach protection, Florida county tells feds
Monday, June 21, 2010 8:06 AM
NIKI2
Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...
Quote:If you live in Okaloosa County, Florida, or Destin on Florida's Emerald Coast and are wondering who's going to be calling the shots if black crude oil comes ashore -- wonder no more. It won't be the federal government. "I think there's a fundamental flaw in the federal response," said Dino Villani, the county's public safety director. "When you're down in the trenches trying to respond like we are, it doesn't work," he said. The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously this week to allow their emergency managers to override and overrule federal emergency managers and take on the responsibility of saving the sand and beaches that provide about 50 percent of their economy. Tourist bookings are down about 30 percent this summer, according to local officials. "This is our home, and in my home I have responsibility to take care of what is necessary around my home," said Okaloosa County chairman Wayne Harris. "I certainly don't expect someone from across the U.S. to come and save the day for us," he said. But they did wonder if they'd be going to jail for defying the federal government's cleanup operation. "We knew that was the possibility," Harris said. "In fact the Coast Guard had told us that, 'Commissioners, if you do that there's a potential you would go to jail,' and we said, 'Well, so be it, but we gotta protect our waterways and our people,'" he said. But on Wednesday, the National Incident Command told the county it could take control of the defense of its shores. So far, the area on Florida's panhandle has seen only weathered oil in the form of tar balls and tar mousse, but Okaloosa County, along with the city of Destin, have agreed to move forward with a unified plan to protect their beaches and waterways. They say they'll be spending about $5 million per month to protect their land, and they have one message to the feds. "Have our backs. Let us go out and do our jobs," Villani said. Florida had the luxury of being able to sit on the sidelines for a while as the gushing crude meandered around the Gulf of Mexico, plaguing beaches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. With constant criticism of the Obama administration's response to the spill, this small part of Florida may have just opened a political can of worms, especially if oil begins to push east. Will other counties also want to take over their local battles against crude? "I certainly hope they do," Harris said. "That's what you're paid for or that's what your responsibilities are when you are the leader."Quote: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/18/florida.county.no.feds/index.html?hpt=Sbin Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, signing off To our President: “Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar. Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.... oh, go fuck yourself, Mr. President” ...Raptor To Anthony, unquestionably the most civil person on this forum: “Go fuck yourself. On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you. ...Raptor To Frem: “You miserable piece of shit.” ...Raptor To Niki: “My guess is it won't just be your ugly face you dislike.....Well, it's true......if you had a soul.” ...Raptor To Kwicko:" You're the putrid slime which oozes between troll's toes, you're so low.” ...Raptor ...Remember, remember, the ugliest member...
Quote: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/18/florida.county.no.feds/index.html?hpt=Sbin Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani, signing off To our President: “Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar. Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.... oh, go fuck yourself, Mr. President” ...Raptor To Anthony, unquestionably the most civil person on this forum: “Go fuck yourself. On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you. ...Raptor To Frem: “You miserable piece of shit.” ...Raptor To Niki: “My guess is it won't just be your ugly face you dislike.....Well, it's true......if you had a soul.” ...Raptor To Kwicko:" You're the putrid slime which oozes between troll's toes, you're so low.” ...Raptor ...Remember, remember, the ugliest member...
Monday, June 21, 2010 1:32 PM
ANTHONYT
Freedom is Important because People are Important
Monday, June 21, 2010 5:17 PM
DREAMTROVE
Monday, June 21, 2010 5:22 PM
AURAPTOR
America loves a winner!
Quote:Originally posted by AnthonyT: Hello, I wonder what the Conch Republic's position will be. --Anthony.
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