Stop the East Pasco
County Landfill -
Newsletter

September/October 2007

Welcome
Welcome to the first issue of the Protectors of Florida’s Legacy’s Newsletter. This newsletter will serve as a way to share with you the latest information on our fight against a proposed landfill in East Pasco County. We hope that you will find this information useful, and will share it with others.

We welcome your feedback on this inaugural issue. Please e-mail any comments or suggestions to: newsletter@trashtoash.com.

Again, thank you for your support.

Thank You to Those that Support Our Cause

The Protectors would like to thank Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio for publicly stating her concerns over this landfill, specifically related to the potential negative impact it could have on the drinking water supply for the City of Tampa. In a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mayor Iorio wrote, “This situation would put the city’s water supply in harm’s way and cause serious consequences to the city’s ability to provide water to its citizens.”

The Tampa Tribune has also come out strongly against the proposed landfill. A July 26th editorial stated, “…it’s hard to see how a massive dump on the edge of the Green Swamp makes sense.” This is a significant victory for the Protectors and we are grateful that the Editorial Board at the Tampa Tribune supports our cause.

Check Out This Exciting Development  from Manatee County

We aren’t alone in our battle against massive landfills being built near waterways. The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners recently considered approving a 300-acre, Class 3 landfill just one and a half miles from Tampa Bay. Fortunately, the Commission appeared to hear the public’s outrage on this proposal. When it seemed apparent that the Commission was NOT going to approve the proposed landfill, the private company behind the landfill PULLED their proposal off the table completely, rather than have it defeated! Congratulations to the citizens of Manatee County who fought and won their battle. Hopefully, we too will soon be able to claim victory in our battle against a bad dump.

Have You Seen Them?

Have you noticed the anti-dump signs cropping up all around East Pasco? Thanks to our wonderful supporters for asking for these yard signs. Also, a big hand to John Floyd, Terry Freeman and Marvin Hall for all their efforts in filling the large volume of requests we’ve received for these signs. If you want a sign, we’ve just placed a new order and they’ll be in any day. Just call (800) 813-0191 and leave us a message that you want your own yard sign. We'll call you back!

How Big is it Really?

The landfill that Angelo’s Aggregates, Inc. is proposing will rise 220 feet above sea level! Dade City sits 107 feet above sea level, according to the U.S. Geological Service. So, this mountain of garbage will rise 113 feet above Dade City – the height of an 11-story building! Won’t that be a great marker for our community! Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Lutz has Idlewild Baptist Church and Dade City will have a pile of garbage from a private landfill.

Here is another comparison. LeHeup Hill – one of the tallest points in the entire state of Florida – stands 242 feet above sea level. That’s just 22 feet higher than the mountain of garbage they are proposing to put in our community!

How Can You Help!

There are several ways that you can help the Protectors in their fight against this landfill.

  1. Call or write your state and local elected officials. A list of these officials can be found on our website, www.trashtoash.com.  Tell them that you don’t want your region’s water, wildlife and economy threatened by a landfill.
  2. Put up a yard sign in your front yard or a bumper sticker on your car.
  3. Write a letter to the editor and send it to the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times, proclaiming your opposition to this proposed landfill.
  4. Make a donation to help pay for yard signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. However, because we are not a non-profit group, nor or we a corporation, we cannot accept contributions made directly to the Protectors of Florida’s Legacy. If you would like to make a contribution, please call (800) 813-0191 and someone will be back in touch with you immediately.

Who are the Protectors of Florida’s Legacy?

We are a group of local, long-time residents of Pasco County who oppose the proposed Class 1 Municipal Solid Waste landfill in East Pasco County.

 

www.TrashToAsh.com