Who Says the World is Fair?

“Might Makes Right” in the world of government


This column presents a conservative viewpoint about items of interest in our community and our lives. Focus is on items impacting your pocket book, your personal freedoms, and your rights. I hope you will read the column regularly and it occasionally influences your opinions and actions. Now, let’s get to the subject of the week.


The unfettered, all knowing, all omniscient, all powerful federal EPA, and its state lapdog, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, are wielding their mighty swords of power against our county government in the name of protecting ‘Mother Earth’. They are ordering our county and its residents to spend what ever money is necessary to stop the old East Jackson Landfill which was sealed many years ago, from dripping any contamination into the underground water system.

I have no problem with that. First we must decide what is the least expensive, yet effective method of cleaning up the problem, and then it should be done. Left unattended it will probably continue to contaminate for another century, and will probably worsen.

My problem comes with the placing of all blame and thus all liability on Jackson County by an oppressive element of a higher government, the EPA. They appear to be punitive and unfair in their approach to rectification of the problem.

You see, the original permit the county received for the operation of the East Jackson Landfill was granted by the DEP. The county followed every procedure then prescribed by the EPA and DEP for the creation and subsequent operation of the landfill. They were regularly inspected by these authorities and were always found to be in compliance with the rules and regulations of that day. When the dump was closed, the county spent all required monies to close and seal the site in the exact manner specified by those authorities. We were always in compliance with their demands……Then they changed the rules.

It is a situation similar to that if a football team won a game, celebrated the victory and began preparing for the next contest. Then, at a later date they were notified that the win could not be counted, since they had scored two touchdowns by passing, and the league had just outlawed passing. They were thus penalized at a later date, even though they had complied with the rules which existed when the game was played.

Since the landfill was properly closed in 1991, the environmental movement has continued to gain power, and has thus continually expanded the scope and costs of environmental requirements on industries and on local governments. They have widened the application of rules, and have strengthened their degree of enforcement. What was once acceptable has been made unacceptable in today’s world. And, most unfairly, they are unwilling to accept any responsibility for their role in the past.

Since the DEP made all of the rules back in 1979 when the landfill was built, since the DEP performed all of the inspections, gave all of the approvals, and sanctioned all of the operations during the thirteen years the site was operated, they were complicit in any problems which might exist today. However, they have conveniently legislated immunity for themselves….thus leaving Jackson County holding the bag and shouldering the guilt….and cost of correction. This is grossly unfair! It isn’t the American Way…or what used to be the “American Way”.

The American spirit will not accept gross unfairness. It goes against our basic concepts and principles. Some of our local officials seem to be willing to merely “roll over” and let the big, bad EPA and FDEP place all of the liability on Jackson County….because that is “just the way it is”.

I can not accept that. If they have created laws for the purpose of evading any punitive damages for their bureaucratic stupidity, they have violated the constitution. If this issue comes down to huge expenses and burdens for the citizens and taxpayers of Jackson County, we should fight the process. These responsible agencies must also be held accountable. If we resist enough, and sound our protests loud enough, fairness will prevail…..and we will be “Getting it Right”!



Rudiments, Odds and Ends Worth Mentioning:

● I applaud the County Commission for carefully evaluating the fiscally responsible approach of purchasing properties which border the court house square. In the long run these purchases will prove to be wise, and at this time in this market, also frugal.

● I also applaud the volunteer committee which helped develop the new protocols for training and administering the Inmate Work Release Program. This approach saves thousands of dollars for local governments, and helps prisoners earn early release credits. It is a good concept.

● I applaud the Optimist Club for all they have done for Jackson County over the past forty five years. I do not applaud those whose decisions led to the club no longer being able to operate the concessions at MERE. The Optimist used all profits from the concessions to help our kids. Now the money will go to the private concessionaire, and into the City’s General Fund. The kids are the ones who lost in this unnecessary and unjustified change.

● I applaud the County Commission for considering modification of the existing ordinances at Spring Creek Park. I feel more reasonable approaches can be developed for keeping that beautiful creek clean of litter.

Note: The opinions stated in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Hatcher Publications.