INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
June PACE-EH Update

July 1, 2004

To: Daniel Parker, MSP, GAL
Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

From: Julianne Renk, Environmental Specialist

Through: Cheryl L. Dunn, RS, Environmental Manager

Subject: June Wabasso PACE Grant Update

June 2004 PACE Progress Report for the Wabasso Environmental Assessment

June was full of amazing accomplishments, valiant victories, and excellent examples of how the PACE process can bring about actual improvements to improve the quality of life within a community. On June 1st, the County Commissioners approved the Utility Departments conceptual water project to supply county water to Wabasso, 5-0. Many residents from Wabasso came to the meeting and I was allowed to speak and show the commissioners a jug of brown water that was taken directly from a Wabasso residents kitchen sink. Their approval allocated $11,300 for the project area (Wabasso) to be surveyed, and gave the consent to continue with the design and drafting of easements. This step was a victory for the people of Wabasso, who have been fighting to get rid of the brown water in which they currently bathe, drink, and live with each day. By receiving the commissioners approval, the project will be drafted into a master plan that will be presented in the 2005 legislature.

The Steering Committee meeting took place on June 7th and was highly productive. Leaders of the community and concerned residents came together to further develop existing action plans. The community meeting took place on June 14th and updates were given on all projects with a general discussion at the end of the meeting. The meeting went very smoothly and the fact that people have been able to express their selves in prior meetings seemed to contribute to the serene tone of the June 14th meeting. About sixty-five people attended the meeting, and although this number is still high, I think it is worthy to note that keeping the momentum of involvement with the community is challenging and requires constant efforts. Thus, I plan to be relentless in my efforts to promote the next community meeting. The more individuals that attend, the more aware they are of what progress in being made and the better chance they will get involved in the process; therefore, it warrants my time and dedication as the end result is worth the increased effort.

June 16th was a monumental day for Wabasso. I scheduled a meeting in Wabasso between county commissioners, county officials, pro-football player Kenny Holmes, and community leaders from Wabasso. We discussed the possibility of Kenny donating money to expand upon and build new facilities for a community center in Wabasso. The county agreed to lease the land for $1/year and Kenny agreed to make the donation! The center will have classrooms, a gym, a library, and many other great things for the kids to enjoy. House Representative Stan Mayfield appeared at the closing of this meeting. We invited him to review the proposed water project in hopes of gaining his support. He pledged his support and gave us excellent advice on how to proceed with the project. He requested that I submit the line item description for the project to him as soon as possible, and after conferring with the pertinent county officials, the line item was submitted to him June 21st.

The Indian River County Health Departments Heart-to-Hearth program is allocating $10,000 for sidewalks to be constructed in Wabasso. The month of July will require a lot of community participation in order to get all the easements signed for the sidewalks and for the entire area of the water project.

Interagency cooperation is aiding in the success of getting these easements signed thus far, and is a shining example of great things can be accomplished through increased communication between agencies, departments, and the community so that needed improvements may be made to ensure a better quality of life for the residents of Wabasso.