Ken
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Ken Cornell County Commissioner Board of County Commissioners 12 SE 1st ST • Gainesville • FL • 32601 352-264-6900 (office) • 352-281-4000 (mobile)       |
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> Dear Commissioners,
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> I bought my original 10 acre property, 1830 SE 32nd Place, in 1988. Shortly after, I, and my former husband, bought 8 1/2 acres adjoining the 10. About 15 years ago my husband, Eric Amundson, and I, bought another 2 acres adjoining our property. We now own 20 1/2 acres, which includes two homes. Our north border neighbor is Paul Florence’s landfill, and we are fine with him running his business. We know it is in mediation, with a mediator hired by both sides. Our opinion is to wait for this mediation to end before you, the commission, make your decision.
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> The former owner of this landfill property was irresponsible, selling fill dirt illegally, and letting anyone dump anything in the holes. Several neighbors worked with me at getting him shut down. When Paul took ownership, he cleaned the area and began running an honest business.
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> The few times Eric and I have had questions or concerns, we’ve called and talked to Paul and the question has been answered or the issue corrected. (Similar to me calling Jordan Brown on the Family Farm about compost material smells.) Whenever we have needed heavy equipment to move something or dig a trench, Paul has offered to help. Many years ago he connected my house to city water. Before that, my water was tested several times a year and never was anything harmful found in those water tests.
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> He built a berm on the edge between our properties to block the view of the trucks and the work, and he keeps the fence line mowed. When we noticed invasive plants on the border between our properties, he hired Kestral Land Managers to deal with it. They come out somewhat regularly to check on the invasive plants on the landfill side and on our property.
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> Before he built the transfer station, we heard truck noises regularly throughout the day. Occasionally, I would host happy hour at my house for my fellow teachers at Williams Elementary. (I taught there from 1991-2006). When I planned these, I would call Paul a week ahead and ask him to drop the noise on those Friday afternoons. He always complied. Since the transfer station has been operating, we do not hear any regular noise from next door, only occasional truck sounds.
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> There is no dust that we notice coming from the landfill. We have large screened porches that I keep very clean, as I do with my entire house. We get the pollen residue during pollen seasons. We get dust on the porches if I mow nearby and the ground is really dry. Other than those times, I do not see any dust accumulating. We NEVER see clouds of dust coming from the landfill. We raise blueberries and other fruit that we pick and eat off the plants, never worrying about contamination.
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> Paul employs many people between the transfer station and the landfill, and quite a few have been with him many years. The person who has worked for years at the landfill, Les, has called me a few times when he has been worried about me and my property because of smoke he’s seeing or smelling coming from my direction. We do controlled burns on our property, as do the neighbors, and fire is always a concern for us.
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> Paul has been a good neighbor to us. When he decided to increase the height, he called and asked to take us on a tour to see what he was planning. He wanted our input. We are fine with the increase in height and a few more years of work next door.
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> We are in favor of the new permit. When people ask me if I’m in agreement I answer yes, because I’ve watched this business for decades and Paul has been a good neighbor. Eric and I use the transfer station for dumping odds and ends from building projects we’ve done. We don’t have to drive long distances to drop off old materials.
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> Paul has kept us informed of the permitting process and we know they are in negotiations with some of the people who have objections. The mediation process should be followed through before your final decision is made. Both parties have hired this mediator so it seems this should give the answer you need.
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> Please feel free to call, text or email me with questions. I cannot attend the county meeting due to helping my sister in law with a medical appointment.
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> Sincerely,
> Sherri Boyd Amundson
> 352-219-0811
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