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For more information on this project, contact Selva Selvendran, PACE-EH Coordinator,  at the Palm Beach County Health Department. For more information on this project, contact Robert Merritt, Environmental Health Director, or Mary Beverly, PACE EH Coordinator at the Escambia County Health Department.  All pdfs open in a new window

 ESCAMBIA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
September PACE EH Project Update
 

We had our second meeting on September 25, 2006, and we are still making progress. I had a total of 23 attendees. I gave another introduction to PACE since I had some new folks in the audience, but I got to the point of addressing what we have accomplished so far, and what we need to try and do next. We are continually making progress through maintaining contact with our elected officials, utilities, community redevelopment, and non-profits. We all agreed that the issues mentioned in the first meeting should still remain as items to be addressed. On Saturday, September 16th, a group of 10 volunteers and me went door to door in the neighborhood and distributed a survey. I was very pleased with the turn-out of volunteers. Breakfast was provided and ice water for the walk. The Escambia County Health Department also donated printed fanny packs to each volunteer as a token of appreciation for coming. Unfortunately, we did not get the response that we were hoping for on the survey, even though I sent out a flyer a few days before announcing that we would be coming into the neighborhood to address the needs of the community. Maybe that is why many folks weren?t home - who knows! A few of the neighborhood folks that are attending the meetings are wanting public sewer brought into the area, because they have been fighting failing septic tanks for years. They also want flooding to be addressed. At this point, I have only received a handful of surveys; about 20 out of a total of 75 that were distributed. The surveys are not reflecting that the majority of folks want sewer brought to them, and strangely, they did not reflect a flooding problem, even though I have photos to prove it! After much discussion, the CEHAT believes that this is probably due to a lack of education on the advantages of public sewer over septic tank and possible fears that the health department may fine them due to nuisances. Many folks were not at home, so we had to leave the surveys. In order for the Escambia County Health Department to make a public health argument in favor of public sewer in this area, we need solid data on failing septic tanks. It is also important to get more approval from the neighborhood folks to justify installing a very expensive sewer project. We are still currently trying to get in touch with the county engineers to address the flooding in the neighborhood. If we can have the County Engineering Division install storm sewers at the same time the Utility Authority installs sewer lines, the cost would be dramatically reduced do to a reduction in contracting; we are told. I was pleased that a representative of Mosquito Control came to the meeting and spoke regarding mosquitoes and the importance of folks reporting infestations to them. He was well received. Here are some meeting minutes to bring you up to date.

Survey Results

I am still concerned over the small representation from the neighborhood residents. Luckily, a couple of residents have volunteered to go door to door once again to speak on the subject of public sewer advantages and to get more surveys completed.

August Meeting Minutes

Survey for First PACE EH Meeting

PACE EH Introduction to Partners

Kupfrian Flyer

August, 2006

July, 2006