Florida
A Florida Soil & Water Supervisor highlights California Water Crisis at Orlando community meeting
ORLANDO, FL (FNN News) – On Tuesday evening, State of Florida, Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales who represents Orange County held a community meeting on water quality to educate the public on conserving water indoors and outdoors in the wake of California water crisis.
The meeting was held at the University of Florida, Orange County Extension Education Center in Orlando and the guest speaker was Robert D. Teegarden, Vice President, Water Resource Policy, Planning and Permitting of the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC). OUC serves a population of about 430,000 water users in the Orlando area. Approximately 35 participates attended Supervisor Morales’ first community meeting since being sworn into public office in January 2015.
With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared a drought State of Emergency in January and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages, according to the State of California’s website.
Supervisor Daisy Morales, State of Florida, Orange Soil & Water Conservation District says conservation reliable way to preserve water.
Conservation is the cheapest, most reliable and quickest way to protect water sources in Orange County, Supervisor Morales stated in an interview with the Florida National News during the community meeting. She stressed educating the public on water conservation will help people rethink their water use.
Guest speaker Robert D. Teegarden, Vice President, Water Resource Policy, Planning and Permitting of Orlando Utilities Commission OUC at District Supervisor Daisy Morales community meeting on water quality in Orlando
Guest speaker Teegarden stated that he joined OUC in 2006 is responsible for water resource policy, planning and permitting. His 20 minutes presentation outlined the springs, rivers and lakes of Central Florida as some of our most valued and fragile resources. He discussed the challenges and prospects for water resources in our region. His presentation highlights freshwater for homes, business and agriculture, the importance in which water is conserved and reclaimed. He also highlight the importance of Florida Water Management Districts to Orlando.
The participants said they were astonished with Teegarden’s presentation by all the informative documentation on laws, regulations as well as the adding or removing of chemicals to make Orange County resident’s water safer.
The audience was very diverse that represents Orlando communities. The attendees were young and old: students, housewives, retirees, entrepreneurs and community advocates with one common concern to learn more about how to conserve our water resources.
The event was partially sponsored by 4Life Research, Inc. Ana Carvajal introduced Millie Atiles who gave a brief presentation.
The moderator for the event was Jocelyn A. Jones, President of Concerned Citizens to Combat Cancer, Inc., and Board Member of Orange County Government’s Sustainability Advisory Board.
Supervisor Morales is accepting nominations from Orange County residents, property owners and individuals who work in Orange County to serve on her volunteer advisory committee on Agricultural and Natural Resources. Nominations deadline is Monday, August 24, 2015.
Office of District Supervisor Daisy Morales | www.moraleselected.wix.com/news
See Community Meeting Photos at FNN News facebook page
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Senator LaVon Bracy Davis and Representative Mitch Rosenwald have filed legislation aimed at expanding access to the My Safe Florida Home Program by allowing homeowners to reapply when applications were previously deemed abandoned or withdrawn due to errors or omissions.
The measure, SB 1148/HB 1045, would modify program rules to permit subsequent applications when the original filing was rejected because of compliance-related mistakes, provided there is good cause and the applicant corrects the issue in a timely manner.
Expanding Access to Homeowner Assistance
The My Safe Florida Home Program is a state initiative that provides eligible Florida homeowners with inspections and grant funding to help strengthen their homes against storms while reducing insurance costs. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Current rules allow for reapplication if an application was denied or withdrawn due to errors or omissions. However, the proposed legislation would also allow reapplication when an application was deemed abandoned or withdrawn because of similar compliance-related issues.
Addressing Bureaucratic Barriers
“At a time when Florida’s families are struggling with rising insurance costs, we cannot allow bureaucratic technicalities to block access to affordability tools,” said Bracy Davis, a Democrat from Ocoee.
The bill responds to concerns from homeowners who were unable to submit a new application after their original submission was closed due to misunderstandings or reasonable mistakes regarding program requirements.
Focus on Seniors and Low-Income Homeowners
Rosenwald, a Democrat from Oakland Park, said the legislation is intended to help vulnerable homeowners who rely on the program for financial relief.
“This program can be a lifeline for seniors and low-income homeowners,” Rosenwald said. “In response to Floridians reporting that they were blocked from submitting a new application because of a misunderstanding or reasonable mistake concerning program compliance, I filed this glitch bill.”
If approved, the legislation would ensure more homeowners have access to financial assistance aimed at strengthening homes and improving insurance affordability across Florida.
