divers & ocean lovers - please read this [sort of OT]

[joec]

hi folks,

long time lurker here! still collecting info before taking the plunge, but i found something that might interest you...

please read and sign this petition... they are trying to cut funding for a major artificial reef in pinellas county. you can be located anywhere and still sign it, so please show your support!!!

Save the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program

Category: Environment
Region: United States of America
Target: Pinellas County Board of County Commisioners
Description/History:
Pinellas County has provided one of the most successful Artificial Reef Programs in the state of Florida. This program has existed since the 1970s, to provide a service to the fishing and boating community.

Due to the recent cuts in property taxes, Pinellas County has proposed eliminating its Artificial Reef program in order to save around $600,000 for the 07/08 budget.

This cut is unnecessary because the funding for this program comes from the Solid Waste facility budget.

This funding is part of an enterprise fund which is not effected by the tax cuts and cannot be used to supplement the general fund.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-pinellas-county-artificial-reef-program.html

 

[thor32766]

I signed it

 

[cschweitzer]

I'd like to sign it, but I need to read the full petition before I will sign it...do you have a link to the full petition? How do I know what the money will be used for if taken from artificial reef program? Will it go into other environmental causes and if so what are these causes? Maybe it is going into more efficient disposal of solid wastes which may have a greater impact on our environment than this program. If it would go directly into someone's pocket, than I would sign the petition, but I want to know where the money goes on either side. Any more info would be very helpful...it does sound like a wonderful program that is definitely deserving of our attention in a club like ours.

 

[joec]

i dont have any further info on this other than what i read about it, but judging by this line...

"Due to the recent cuts in property taxes, Pinellas County has proposed eliminating its Artificial Reef program in order to save around $600,000 for the 07/08 budget. "

it looks like the pinellas county govt. is just trying to save money by cutting funding on programs they feel are not needed in order to compensate for the loss of funding they used to receive before the property tax cuts.

i will search around and see if i can find any more info.

btw, i am not affilliated with this petition in any way, other than the fact i care deeply about our oceans, fish, and especially artifical reefs since i am a diver and they provide excellent locations for diving and seeing amazing tropical wildlife. just wanted to distriubute it to like minded individuals.

 

[flfirefighter13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10326884#post10326884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cschweitzer
I'd like to sign it, but I need to read the full petition before I will sign it...do you have a link to the full petition? How do I know what the money will be used for if taken from artificial reef program? Will it go into other environmental causes and if so what are these causes? Maybe it is going into more efficient disposal of solid wastes which may have a greater impact on our environment than this program. If it would go directly into someone's pocket, than I would sign the petition, but I want to know where the money goes on either side. Any more info would be very helpful...it does sound like a wonderful program that is definitely deserving of our attention in a club like ours.

good call on more info, Im sitting here reading our counties proposed budget for next year and wondering why we need to spend millions on off beach parking and new library parking lots when the same budget is cutting 3 firefighters from a already understaffed department............

 

[cschweitzer]

Yeah, Joe. I meant no disrespect. It looks like a worthy cause, but I just don't trust any government document anymore unless I either a) know who's behind it and/or their intentions
or b) get both sides of the story.

This is an extremely important issue and I hope to read more. I tried all their links and it just sent me back to the same document.

 

[Me No Nemo]

some articles regarding Pinellas reefs

some articles regarding Pinellas reefs

Well, I did a bit of reading on this and thought I'd share the info I found. I am going to sign the petition based on what I read tonight. I've been involved in many conservation group efforts and anything we can do at this point to preserve our environment seems a worthwhile cause. If they don't spend the money on this...it will probably end up in someone's pocket. Just my 2 cents!

From Florida Fisherman:

http://www.floridasportsman.com/features/reefs/

http://www.floridasportsman.com/casts/070709/

From U of F:


http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE649

From Pinellas County:

http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/reef/intro.pdf

http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/reef/default.htm

Other sources:
http://capmel.com/South_county_reef.htm

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-pinellas-county-artificial-reef-program.html