To: Daniel Parker, MSP 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 PACE-EH team continues its effort to address environmental issues within the county. The PACE-EH coordinator, Herman Hale, RN, had the opportunity to attend the Department of Health Quality Showcase, which was held in Orlando. At the showcase, Hale visited the display of the Sarasota County PACE-EH project. There he met David Pouso, who is the PACE-EH coordinator for Sarasota County. The two coordinators spoke at length related to their projects; however, it was the time Mr. Pouso took to answer questions, which proved to be the most helpful (and greatly appreciated).
With his new PACE-EH contact and an expanded understanding of just what a successful PACE project could do, Hale set up a planning session with team member Tom Moore, the Environmental Health Administrator. During their discussion, they decided to expand the current project and visit other areas of the county. The current PACE-EH project has focused primarily on the neighborhood of West Ocala and while the team will continue to support this area, as in Sarasota, the Marion County team believes there are other issues that can be addressed throughout our county. Additional PACE-EH members within the Marion County Health Department have been identified and additional brainstorming sessions are being coordinated, with the intention of identifying environmental concerns outside the city of Ocala (during the initial talks issues related to flooding, problems with septic systems, and illegal dumping of garbage have already been discussed). The Marion County Health Department?s PACE-EH team continues to be excited about the possibilities of impacting the environment of our county. We look forward to assisting the citizens of West Ocala in their continuing efforts to improve their environment, as well as expanding our efforts to reach others in our county. 2007 promises to be an exciting and opportunity filled year. The Marion County Health Department?s PACE-EH team looks forward to exploring those opportunities and providing Daniel with some pictures!
Media 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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