I too feel like we are getting hit with fees and additional taxes at
the wrong time. Unemployment is high now, and when that happens everyone will lose. Incomes drop, tax collections fall, and the government tries to make up for the loss by adding new fees, taxes, and even annexation.
I agree that water quality is very important for the future of not
only the Tennessee Valley, but future of the world in general. I have
been teaching people how we can make a difference, by installing rain
gardens and rain water collection devices, such as rain barrels.
I do think the city and county are running behind on bringing the stormwater quality up to the standards that EPA has set. But the city and county officials should also look at give homeowners and businesses
monetary breaks, if they can install provisions such a rain gardens
and bio-swales that will not only help retain stormwater run-off, but
can actually help filter out pollutants if the landscape is set up
properly.
Our parents and grandparents were very neglectful when it came to the
environment, but we now can make a difference. We are going to have to
pay something, but I would hope the elected officials would rather see
the public involved in helping with the problem and working as a group
to improve our valley, in lieu of creating a battle with the public.
Michael (Mike) R. Payne Sr.
Hamilton County Master Gardener
* * *
Mr. Payne,
Your ideas and recommendations are very commendable, and I hope in the future we will see these Rain Gardens, Rain water collection devices, bio-swales, check dams, head walls, diversion walls and anything else that would help resolve the problem.
I just can't believe knowing mandates are always coming from federal and state government, why our city and county leaders can't be prepared. Now federal and state environmental agencies are preparing fines and laughing at our lackadaisical or heavily medicated local government leaders.
Where is the money collected from storm water run off fees that were added to our property tax? I hope it didn't help pay for one of the modern art statues of an ax head being driven
through a steel beam. What's the next target for the loose cannons?
Bob Maxwell