IN THE NEWS - LAKE HERITAGE
OCTOBER 4, 2004                                TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

Lake Heritage Neighborhood News Association - Keeping You Informed

One day I woke up to discover this big heap across the street.
And the smell... I knew it was getting worse, but it has become intolerable.
And what are they doing with all the asbestos?

Photo Essay by Mona Lisa Abbott - Tallahassee Photojournalist
DSCF0208DSCF0142
THE TWO PHOTOS ABOVE WERE THE "BEFORE SHOTS"
See the REVISED TRESPASS WARNING ISSUED AGAINST MONA LISA ABBOTT
and delivered to her on Friday March 12, 2004.


Telephone Interview with Norm Thomas - Director of Solid Waste for Leon County
Oct. 4, 2004
9:45 AM
By Mona L. Abbott - Resident Reporter - Lake Heritage Estates
Tallahassee, FL  USA - Across from Leon County Landfill

Mona:
I'm working on a story, and have a couple of questions.... I'm coughing, have a runny nose and sore throat most of the time, and wondering about how much money the landfill makes by sacrificing our neighborhood residents' health to continue accepting trash at the landfill. Do you have a profit and loss statement or how can I get this information?

Norm:
I have a meeting with the financial review committee on the 28th of October and they will be looking at the way to calculate (such information), a number of things will be looked at...

The focus has been on the transfer station. Such as, are the numbers being collected in such a way to provide to the auditors so the auditors can do their work without any hindrances.

Mona:
But can you give me some numbers, for instance, how much is being collected daily on average?

Norm:
You can take the tonnage and multiply it by $29 and that would be the revenue for the day. A number of customers pay monthly instead of daily. You have to look at it over a year, because there are some expenses that are incurred over the year.

Daily average receipts would be... let me call you back with that...

Mona:
What about the (class III planned burial in the) big pit across the street (from our homes)? We don't want that, and don't want to have to seek legal advice about stopping that from happening. We are already looking to purchase another home, because we are being run off . In fact I discussed the situation with a lawyer recently (who was wanting to sell his home), and he said this pollution is essentially a "taking" of our property.

Norm:
We are still planning to fill that in (with class III) as soon as we can.

Mona:
I think a lake would be beautiful... and while I'm dreaming ...how about put an island in the middle with the miniature horse farm (LOL)...

Norm:
Actually sheep have been sugested too to keep grass down.

I will say, we have been communicating with the arts community, there is a need in our community for potters to have a kiln, glass blowers too, and they are very excited that we are discussing the possibilities (of using the excess methane toward those ends...)


Mona:
BTW, If you know of any homes for sale, safe homes, in safe areas, please keep us in mind, because we can't take it (the pollution) here much longer.

Email the Reporter for this story:
Mona Lisa Abbott
(850)222-6662

Norm Thomas can be reached at:
thomasnoATleoncountyflDOTgov

Click here to see a PANORAMIC VIEW WAS TAKEN ON APRIL 1OTH, THE 4TH WEEK SINCE DEP RULED THE BIG HEAP MUST BE COVERED ONCE A WEEK COMPLETELY





DSCF2246

<---MARCH 20, 2004 PHOTO OF THE SAME AREA
This was the same area pictured above after DEP announced that the landfill would have to comply with the rule to cover the trash at least once a week.




<-------photo taken by Mr. Mona Lisa)            
Tallahassee, FL - Leon Co. Landfill - The lake heritage blogger was personally escorted by Tony Parks, Director of Leon County Public Works Department to see the covered trash heap. "Wow! What a difference. You can't even smell any garbage over here! today!" she said.


cap the dump



BUILD THE PARK!!!

Leon County Landfill -  March is the windy month and has brought residents across the street from this obnoxious heap of trash some blessed fresh air.

People have asked, "How can anyone stand living out here?" Well, according to Mona Lisa and Glenn Abbott, this situation has gotten entirely out of hand, but its been a slow progression, and it just kind of slips up on you, til one day you say, THAT'S ENOUGH of this crap!  We cannot tolerate this abuse anymore.

People also ask, do you ever think about moving away? Well duh, like everyday I dream of moving, but what would I tell the new people who would buy my home? That someday a park will be across the street, next to a stinking pile of asbestos laden trash and and toxic emissions?

The original buffer zone has been encroached upon. Toxic trash remains uncovered to save space. What is wrong with this picture.

DSCF0209SEE even MORE DETAILS AT
The Garbage Blog
at

http://tapple.org/~monalisa/garbageblog.htm


See Photos taken Jan. 15, 2004
Leon County Landfill at
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill


See Asbestos Being Buried Photos taken Jan. 20, 2004
Leon County Landfill2
(Asbestos Wrapped and Ready to Bury)
at http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill2
dscf0022
See Photos taken Jan. 24, 2004
Leon County Landfill at
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill3
dscf0122


See the Photos taken the Day the
Blogger got the
No Trespass Warning at
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill4



 birds swarming around baby bomag
See Photos taken Feb. 26st, 2004
Leon County Landfill at
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill6
LAKE HERITAGE - MEADOWS AT WOODRUN
FRONTIER ESTATES and AREAS SURROUNDING THE LEON COUNTY LANDFILL!!!
NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT!
As Tallahassee Residents were being told the Leon County Landfill was officially being closed to garbage... Dept. of Environmental Protection permission was being sought to continue accepting garbage, even though money had been appropriated to properly cap off the rotting garbage heaps . Now it seems the closing and capping has been delayed indefinitely!

CAN YOU BELIEVE
  SOMETHING
S T I N K S ???

Residents in the area have been led to believe that the garbage has stopped being buried here at the Leon County Landfill. They think only shrub/tree debree and grass clippings are being buried here. But this photo shows Class III (aka Construction & Demolition) waste is actually what the bulk of the accepted waste (seen above) still being welcomed into our neighborhood.



On 1/31/04 Mona Lisa Abbott, the photographer, and writer of this investigative website was issued a No Trespass Warning on Saturday Jan. 31, 2004 by Deputy Sheriff Debra Washington. Mona said she was told that official warning meant she would be arrested if she ever came back to the Leon County landfill for any reason. Deputy Washington said the reason for the no trespass warning was because landfill staff told Mona Lisa  _not  to take photos_ and to stay off certain roads at the landfill. Mona says NOT true! Complete analog video of this whole event is available for interested media by calling (850) 222-6662. For more details see http://tapple.org/~monalisa/garbage   blog.htm

UPDATE 2/24/04 Commissioners met at a regular commission and discussed Landfill issues, but did not vacate the trespass warning, but said she would be free to visit the landfill with an escort.

Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell informed Ms. Abbott that to do so would be an illegal act on her part until the trespass warning is vacated.

Leon County Sheriff attorney Allen Griner plans to meet with both the county and state attorneys on Monday to discuss this contradiction, because a trespass warning doesn't allow for coming on the property under any circumstances.

First Amendment Specialist Legal Counselor Greg Leslie of Arlington, VA  explained it this way to Ms. Abbott: If a landfill is there for the purpose of depositing trash, and say a person is loitering there without any known valid reason, then there is cause to wonder why that person is there, and to be suspicious perhaps and ask that person not loiter there. Because Abbott is a registered press photographer and there to document conditions of concern to the public, the first amendment law comes into effect to protect her from being asked to leave without just cause. For instance, if Abbott committed an illegal act would be just cause, but if she was there for the purpose of gathering information -  that would not be just cause to issue her a trespass warning.


You Can Now Communicate ONLINE with
Our Association of Neighborhoods
"Next to the Landfill" at:
parkplease@yahoogroups.com

Membership is free, to become a member simply send a blank email message to
parkplease-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Helloooo? Are You Awake Yet?



UPDATE!!! SATURDAY JAN. 17, 2004 we were told that Class I garbage would no longer be buried there, and that is really GREAT NEWS but... its only a good start because tons and tons of Class III (construction and demolition) wastes are coming into the landfill at an alarming rate. IT'S TIME TO END IT. We deserve our Park now.

We've politely and quietly taken this 16 year extension of the dump's lifetime for way too long, and our Leon County Commissioners say local residents need to unite and MUST complain IN VAST NUMBERS before they can take action.

Feeling Duped And Dumped?
Please call, write or email the Leon County Commissioners to express your dissatisfaction over the operations of the Leon County Landfill. You know that we have complained for years about the "landfill gases" and we all have on frequent occasions been known to experience significant odor problems for miles around the Leon County Landfill.  These gases can include flammable Methane and other gases called volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Oh, and then there is the asbestos... oh yes, it's not only a hazardous waste facility but also an area for commercial asbestos.  Hold your breath, it is true!   Not to worry..? Why there is even a special place to bury asbestos - but can we trust them to take proper care?

The new 5-year permit issued allows the Landfill to increase the household garbage waste mountain from 140 feet up to 170 feet.  Also, the Class I permits allow up to 20 tons of smelly waste per day. We may soon be the highest point in Florida! Go take a look. But be brave and beware, you may also be surprised to learn that Leon County prisoners work at the Landfill on a daily basis.  We pray that they are properly supervised and are hopefully non-violent.

Where is our promised parkland? ... Our long awaited park and landscaping we were expecting as a just reward for our long standing perseverance with over 10 extra "over and beyond" extended years of service? 

cap the dumpThe current operations of the Landfill adversely affect our quality of life, not to mention our property values.  The air quality is unhealthy and unpleasant.   We must do whatever is necessary to make them cease and desist. Call the County Commissioners and tell them how we feel we've been misled and lied to, and we want the landfill capped and attractively landscaped, with all means necessary to see that diligent care is taken to preserve the quality of life in our neighboring communities.
CALL EACH ONE AND tell them to STOP THE GARBAGE  and PROPERLY CAP THE DUMP! AND WE WANT OUR PARK!

Leon County Commissioners
Leon County Website http://www.co.leon.fl.us/

Jane Sauls (District 2) direct line (922-7190)
Assistant - Linda Summerlin (922-4029)

Cliff Thaell (At-Large) direct line (922-7188)
Assistant - Martin Green (922-7183)

Bob Rackleff (District 5) direct line (921-5555)
Assistant - Kate Brady (922-3948)

Email all county commissioners
and administrator

Tony Grippa (District 4) direct line (487-4747)
Assistant - Guy Thompson (922-2400)

Dan Winchester (District 3) direct line (410-2223)
Assistant - Judith Dougherty (487-1157)

Bill Proctor (District 1) direct line (922-2455)
Assistant - Ora Hall (922-7184)

Rudy Maloy (At-Large) direct line (922-4848)


PARKS AND RECREATION:
Tony Parks 488-8003

Southern Earth Sciences Inc
Contact: Roy Russell

870 Blountstown Hwy Ste 3
Tallahassee, FL 32304-2760
Phone: (850) 576-4652 



Other Methods of Communications
  
Letters to the Tallahassee Democrat editor or ZING at  http://www.tdo.com/

JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORS ON       
Leon County Landfill Transition Issues

Little time for meetings? Us too, so we've created this community email discussion group. If you are a yahoo group member you can participate in many useful free yahoo online benefits, like creating your own email lists, posting photos, other files, and even your own poll questions... But if that seems too complicated for you, no problem! Just join this list by sending an email to
parkplease-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You don't have to be a yahoo groups member to join this email list. And you don't have to be a member to post messages...
YOU are invited to Join our Yahoo Group List to discuss matters about the Landfill. Please Join and Participate!
Anyone can Post a message: parkplease@yahoogroups.com

These photos taken Jan. 15, 2004 show what appears to be the Leon County ASBESTOS area... Note the sign is turned upside down in one corner.
DSCF0132DSCF0133

Since this is adjacent or in the asbestos field, I guess this is a warning not to create dust here.
DSCF0130
This green dilapidated sign was replaced sometime in the last week after these photos were taken (Jan. 15, 2004).

DSCF0127DSCF0128
The bags you see in the field didn't appear to be asbestos bags, but I didn't see any way to get inside the rickety run down fence to get a close look. I thought it odd not to see any freshly covered areas, where recent asbestos waste would have been buried within the fenced parameters. It was hard to tell exactly where the asbestos field began and ended.

dscf0018


This huge hunk shows the Leon County's Landfill's Asbestos waste burial site. Mr. Tom Keister, the Hazardous Waste Manager there told me this 4 ton plus package of Asbestos shingles had been brought out by Big Bend Abatement Company.
dscf0020





According to Mr. Keister, Big Bend Abatement has a sterling reputation - Mr. Keister said they go overboard to protect these containers, by wrapping them in 5 layers, with plastic that is very very tough and resistant to tearing.






MORE LEON COUNTY LANDFILL PHOTOS AND INFO BELOW


1/15/04
Leon County Landfill

1/20/04 Leon County Landfill2
(Asbestos Wrapped and Ready to Bury)

1/19/04
The Garbage Blog

1/18/04
Neighborhood
Petition to Close the Landfill
(blanks - print your own, and call 222-Mona to have a pick up and we are trying
to have them by Jan. 26 to present at the Jan. 27th County Commission Meeting at the Courthouse)



5-19-05
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill12/
1/26/04 Garbage looking material dumped with the plant compost materials
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill3/
6/16/04
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill11
Mona's First Asbestos Being Buried Viewing
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill2/
APRIL 2004  Panoramic of the big heap
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill9
Mona's first discovery of what was happening
a few hundered feet from our home
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill/
4/5/04 At dawn
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill8
Garbage blog from March 30 to present
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/garbageblog.htm

3/20/04  First time the big nasty
heap was ever covered completely

http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill7
JANUARY 16 ----> MARCH 30TH BLOG NOTES
http://monalisaphoto.com/archivegarbageblog.htm
2/26/04 Mona's spy work
Stripe suited workers at landfill
 Images taken from outside the landfill premises over the fence

http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill6/
SOMETHINGSTINKS!
Our Lake Heritage Neighborhood News
http://www.tapple.org/~monalisa/somethingstinks/
2/15/04 Glenn Abbotts Tree shots - Showing the poor care
the early planted trees received
http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill5/

Photos courtesy of
Mona Lisa Abbott

 
For matters regarding this website contact Mona L. Abbott at (850) 222-6662


January 31, 2004 - What an ugly
mountain of trash and garbage

http://tapple.org/~monalisa/landfill4/
Another Dragonfire Production with over
.
.
 amonalisa@earthlink.net,mona@monalisaphoto.com