To: Daniel Parker, MSP, GAL From: Herman Hale, RN Subject: Update - West Ocala Neighborhood PACE EH Project.
The funds secured by the Environmental Health Division of the Marion County Health Department will be used to facilitate a community-driven initiative. This project - West Ocala Neighborhood PACE-EH Project - seeks to collaboratively conduct an assessment, strategically plan and set priorities to address environmental health concerns. The goal of the project is to impact and improve the quality of life of the West Side community of the city of Ocala.
The Marion County Health Department's PACE-EH project is continuing its efforts in the community of West Ocala. After notifying each church in the community, the attention has now shifted to businesses within the neighborhood. The PACE-EH coordinator, Herman Hale, RN, has been going door to door discussing the project with business owners and asking for their support by posting flyers that give a description and brief history of PACE-EH in West Ocala. So far 21 businesses have been contacted, with 3 new churches being identified and contacted.
On Saturday October 14th, the PACE-EH coordinator also participated in a Youth Health Expo in West Ocala. This day long event (sponsored in part by the NAACP Youth Council) offered the opportunity to educate community members about this process and how it can be used as a vehicle of change. In addition, the PACE-EH coordinator gave a presentation at the Family and Community Partnership Advisory Council. This was a significant presentation, in that it not only allowed the chance to educate the participants about PACE-EH, but; additional community contacts were made, who voiced interest in attending meetings related to the current project. It is also significant, that the invitation to speak came directly from a community member that had received 'a flyer from a friend'. While the Marion County Health Department?s PACE-EH team continues to pursue our 'boots on the ground' approach to reestablishing this project, we are encouraged by the results. Dialogue has begun and opportunities are presenting themselves. A new group of community leaders is emerging and the next phase of our project will involve introducing those leaders to each other, through a community meeting. We look forward to continuing this project and establishing a working environmental partnership, with the neighborhood of West Ocala.
Past Marion County UpdatesMedia Coverage (.pdf files)August 1, 2006 - Royal Oak fined for violations May 20, 2006 - Unlikely Rebels Defeat Gritty Plant May 19, 2006 - Company Remains Silent May 19, 2006 - Air of Suspicion February 21, 2006 - Pollution concerns Royal Oak neighbors January 25, 2006 - Ocala to fund charcoal plant emission tests January 21, 2006 - Royal Oak says no to pollution inspection January 13, 2006 - Ocala may inspect Royal Oak site January 5, 2006 - Marion County PACE EH Project Wins Walter Driggers Award January 3, 2006 - Editorial: Once they are heard, they roar December 31, 2005 - Soot sleuths: Volunteers monitor industrial plant emissions December 2, 2005 - Royal Oak to close its Ocala plant: Plant to shut down in face of inquiry, resident complaints November 20, 2005 - Pollution risks? Agency finds what could be violations at Royal Oaks charcoal plant in Ocala August 24, 2005 - Coat of charcoal: Residents concerned with soot from Royal Oak April 10, 2005 - Unkempt properties, pollution cited in west Ocala survey August 1, 2004 - West Ocala's health to get a close look
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