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Name: |
Maverick
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Subject: |
My View of the World
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Date:
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9/20/2007 9:40:59 PM
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From what I can determine from my limited research on the dredging matter is this matter is not only about Lake Martin this matter is about all lake communities in and around the ACT basin from North to South Alabama and all local communities in between.
Therefore, if stand idle and allow all Alabama lakes on the ACT basin to drop say another 5 feet or so and the drought continues into 2008, which is currently predicted, hundreds of local lake businesses throughout the state may be no more, and hundreds if not thousands of local families may suffer. As most local lake communities in and around Alabama thrive on the economy produced by such. So this is matter is about all lake communities in and around the ACT basin, not just Lake Martin.
These special interest groups have alternative methods of transportation such as rail and freight, they will not shut down, they just make less money until the drought subsides. Yes, it is more costly, but so is alternative power more costly than hydro. And right now we are all paying the price for the drought, these industries through higher transportation costs and then all of us though increased utility bills.
What I am trying to say is we all need to share equally in this matter and if the ACT basin lakes are pulled down another 5+ feet to allow the dredging to continue and the drought continues through 2008 as predicted, then the lower Alabama River industry has gotten what they needed and all Alabama lake’s local economy are potentially left high and dry throughout the state. Is this what neighbors’ do for neighbors’ leave them high and dry in the time of need? As if we all do not voice our opinions on matters which could potentially have a detrimental effect on our local communities, then when the time comes who will be there to support these communities?
My point in short is – help thy neighbor in the time of need. And voice our opinion as needed from time to time, the time of need may be just around the corner if the water of the ACT basin lakes are pushed downstream. I am not opposed to helping the downstream industries with their issues, but we all must share equally as the drought is concerned.
Sure the lake levels will one day be back and sure the local businesses and homeowners will once again be happy and sure the economies will thrive. But it may be too late for some of our lake friends and neighbors.
Just my two cents on the matter.
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Name: |
SeaRayMan
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Subject: |
My View of the World
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Date:
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9/20/2007 9:49:48 PM
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Excellent viewpoint. Thanks...
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Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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Subject: |
My View of the World
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Date:
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9/20/2007 9:56:08 PM
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Good points and well spoken mav, but we are living in a time of variances. The lake will fill up. All of the powers that be are on board now so obtaining a variance on the refill schedule in the spring should be no problem. Spring always brings more rain than it takes to fill the lake, but most of it is sent through so as to maintain the 'curve'. Even this year, early on, we had some really good rains. If anyone had a crystal ball to see the future, that water could have been held and we would have gotten to full pool. I fell confident that we will get enough rain next year. Maybe not 'normal' rainfall, but like I said, early this year there was a lot of water passed through. I don't think that will happen this year.
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Name: |
rude evin
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Subject: |
My View of the World
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Date:
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9/20/2007 9:57:22 PM
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Ditto that SRM and Mav................you know what they say, breath by halitosis is better than no breath at all. Good point about the alternative transportation, they do have a secondary method to get there product to the market...........and on the issue of utility prices driven up by the lack of water, it is not that big of a deal for APC, hydro only makes up about 2% of their total generation. Don't think that drives their strategic thinking.
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Name: |
Maverick
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Subject: |
LTL Do not Disagree.........
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Date:
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9/20/2007 10:46:15 PM
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..........with anything you said.
The HOBOs overall concern is ,and one of the reasons the HOBOs were formed, if we all just stand idle and do not voice our opinions as needed those with the loudest voice can sometimes get their way at the expense of others.
Therefore, we need to let our opinions be heard on matters which need to be considered for the masses not just for the benefit of certain special interest groups. As this issue in theory could effect the entire ACT basin, not just Lake Martin.
Called Freedom of Speech and for Special Interest Groups it is called paying the Lobbyists - LOL.
Do not think you will disagree and I hope for the sake of all Alabama Lake communities your crystal ball is accurate, but do not think we can sit idle and not voice our opinion on matters that could potentially effect the vast majoirty of the Alabama Lake communities.
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PC Al
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Subject: |
Got my vote
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Date:
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9/20/2007 11:02:08 PM
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You've got my vote Mav. Thanks for your efforts.
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Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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Subject: |
MAV Do not Disagree.........
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Date:
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9/21/2007 1:07:10 AM
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....... with anything you said either.
The difference is you speak with voice of reason not hyperbole. Trust me, I understand the impact of the drought and lower levels on the local economy. As I have stated, these businesses are owned by my friends and neighbors. They are all feeling the crunch. One has put expansion plans on hold. He still intends to do it, just not this winter. He did not finish the season with the cash reserves he normally has this time of year, therefore status quo for another year. I expressed concern about one of the local marinas being able to make it through the winter for the same reason, no cash reserves I am sure. I have not even talked with them about it, but being a businessman myself it is easy to spot the signs.
Where I take issue is when some peoples desire to put our needs above others. For now things are normal for us. The water is always going away this time of year and any lake related business will tell you that once the first kick off is done, say goodbye till spring. A higher winter pool may help this somewhat because folks will know that the water will still be here. But that change in attitude will take years to accomplish after a change in the rule. For Jesse to come here and use the inflammatory language that he did today does you no good and plenty of harm. To use phrases like 'drain our lake just to float a dredge' and 'small not yet opened' mill, 'drain the entire ACT basin" is intellectually dishonest. It plays to the emotions of the reader. I understand and have stated that a press release is by its very nature propaganda, but to inflame passions with lies is not the answer to the problem. First off, nothing is being drained. Lowered yes, drained no. And do you not think that those folks that are depending on the new 'small not yet opened' plant appreciate being told by wealthy lake home owners that they don't matter. Those jobs don't matter. To them, they matter a lot more than us being able to launch our boats. And as mentioned, what of the recruitment deal that brought that plant here. Dredging the river was part of that deal. Quit now, and what happens to future negotiations? These are things that the reservoirs are here for. True, it has a greater impact on the economy now than in the past because the local economy has become dependent on the lake. That is one of the major reasons we NEED industry in the area. Yet the same ones hollering now were the same ones hollering when the new ethanol plant was announced. Diversity matters. You are an accountant. Do you EVER advise a client to put all of their investments in ONE account or stock? Of course you don't and this area needs to not have all of its eggs in the lake basket either. Maybe the drought has come to teach us a lesson the boweivel taught us decades ago.
In my opinion your organization has chosen the wrong leadership. You can not have a 'hot head' who flies off the handle at the slightest challenge in a leadership position. Especially one that will stoop so low as personal attacks on a total stranger just because they disagree, and do all of this in a VERY public forum. It does disservice to the group as a whole. Maybe you need someone to play 'devils advocate' or an ombudsman, if you will, to review material before it is released. But mainly you just need to muzzle Jesse. I don't know what the answer is in this regard. I realize it is real easy to disregard me as a lone (and I'm sure you think psycho) voice, but trust me, I am not. I get emails of support from folks that don't have the time or inclination to debate on the forum.
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