Legislative delegation gets plenty to think about before next year's session

Franklin County’s legislative delegation was in Apalachicola Thursday night to hear from local leaders and residents.

State representatives Leonard Bembry and Jimmy Patronis along with state senator Bill Montford heard from residents on a number of issues ranging from septic tanks to water district expansion.

The purpose of the hearing was to let residents speak up about local issues in the hopes the legislature will address them when they convene in January.

While the Carrabelle health department took up much of the meeting there were some other important issues brought up.

Commissioner Pinki Jackel asked the legislators to help overturn a state septic tank rule that requires private homeowners to get septic tank inspections whether they have problems with their tanks or not.

Commissioner Jackel said this rule impacts rural counties much more than urban areas and needs to be reconsidered.

Commissioner Jackel also asked that the state consider a change in the way it uses oyster license fees.

Currently that money helps fund the local state lab, but local officials would like to see it put into a fund to help seafood workers.

The Alligator Point Water Resources District asked for the legislators assistance in a proposed expansion of the district, but the legislators said they want the county to sign off on the move first.

County commissioners have rejected taking any action on the proposed expansion arguing that the issue should be put before water district customers for a vote.

Sandi Hengel brought up the issue of local homelessness and how the lack of a local shelter makes the problem even worse, and Dan Tonsmeier from the Apalachicola Riverkeeper brought the legislators up to date on the ongoing ACF water war.

In case you couldn’t make the meeting but would still like to speak with your local representative, Senator Montford has an office in Apalachicola adjacent to the Gibson Inn.

He is planning an open house at the site on October the 13^th.

If you have an issue you want to discuss before the next legislative session you need to do it soon.

The legislature will meet beginning January 10^th next year which is much earlier than usual.

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