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An Open Letter to Forsyth County Commissioners
3 comment(s)
Originally Published Aug 25, 2008, 12:18pm
(Updated Aug 25, 2008, 12:35pm)
Following is an email written to the Forsyth County Commissioners. As of this publication, no response has been received from any commissioner:
Commissioners, I am a very concerned citizen about our water situation. Water levels in Lanier as you know are very low. Just last fall we were warned that our drinking supply was less than 90 days (some forecasts were much less than that). To remedy this, the state and county decided upon water use restrictions that are still in effect today.
Lake levels so far this year have set a daily record for the lowest recorded water levels since the lake was impounded in 1960. Current water levels are similar to what we had in the beginning of November when we were making national headlines on the lake drying up and Atlanta being without water. What perplexes me is that you, as a commission, are still allowing people to water three times a week and are not stiffening the current penalties for water abusers. The current structure of a warning, then $100 fine is rather meek. Violators should be fined $500 or more to start and a lock should be placed on their meter immediately, similar to what Douglas County did during the crisis last fall.
Businesses should also be held to higher standards. I have seen several around the county watering at 3 in the afternoon. What are the code enforcement folks doing about that?
I would also like to ask what are you going to do about this when the water recedes even more? I have tried to find information that a lower intake has been established but have not been able to find any. Please advise me if this is in place. Furthermore, what level does the lake need to fall to until you act?
Sincerely,
Stephen Smith
Since I wrote the email I have learned that the lake was actually impounded in 1956, but did not reach full pool (1071 msl) until the summer of 1959. Also, the current Army Corp of Engineers predictions show water levels falling to last December levels by September 19. I am sure all remember that we were truly in dire straits at that time. Yet our commissioners won’t answer simple questions about our predicament. Here is the Corps.’ website. http://water.sam.usace.army.mil
Click HERE for more info...
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Comments
3 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
Mr. Smith,
Your issue is with the state legislature, not the County Commissioners. The 3 day a week, odd even, schedule is allowed by the state. A bill, favoring the landscaping industry, passed in the last session of the legislature and was supported by the Forsyth legislative delegation. This bill restricts a local government from enacting stricter regulations than those imposed by the state. We cannot limit watering under the law as it now stands.
Mr. Laughinghouse,
Thank you for your quick response. I wonder though, why didn't you respond to my email that I sent to you personally? For that matter, why didn't any of the commissioners respond? Is it standard procedure to wait until questions come out in a public forum? You also didn't answer my questions.
You note that the state has set the water schedule, but who sets the fines? If the county is in charge of fining, the current system should be tougher than it is.
How does the county deal with rogue businesses that appear to water at whim?
Has or will a deeper intake been established? And what steps is the county taking to prevent further water crisies?
I look forward to your answers. Thank you.
Stephen...You are not alone!
I've never recieved an email reply-in-return from Commissioner-Chairman Laughinghouse...and I've addressed several issues directly to him over the last Eight months, including one as recently as last week addressing that "Lack of Communication" between Me and My Government--In a complaint alot like yours here--to the entire Board of Commissioner!.
That's not to say that I've never spoken to him, or that he doesn't listen...Quite the contrary, He is a man of great awareness and intellegence...He's just damn hard to "Nail Down" for whatever reasons, and I've gotten dissapointed with Our failures to communicate too lately.
Apparently I'm not the only one getting ignored...
Perhaps He and most of the other Commissioners are too busy?
For the most part, Commissioner David Richard repliies with the most regularity...Have you addressed him specifically?
Perhaps one of us should raise the issue during that "Public Comment" component of the next BOC assembly...
Hmmnnn....?
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