Comments on: Sundance, Reed and Staging … Chamber Stands By Integrity of Visit

By: Cherie Hare

Cherie Hare — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:21:02 +0000

Poindexter,
I don’t know where you live, but I have lived in Sundance 20 years. Like most homeowners, we hoped our property would increase in value. This was our retirement. That is now gone. Since the site for the intermodal facility was announced, property values have dropped 60% and no-one wants to buy here. We would have prefered CSX find another site as we love it here. That being said, I don’t want to live next to that.We just want what’s fair and to get on with our lives. I think you would feel the same.

By: Poindexter

Poindexter — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:32:40 +0000

Bob – this chain is becoming laughable. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black – the Sundance bunch is questioning your opinions as biased. Hahaha.

Aren’t we all biased/motivated by one thing or another. According to the Sundance bunch, your biased/motivated by your paycehck. I wonder what is motivating the bunch – could it also be financial gain? I think I have read somewhere along the way that all the bunch wants is to be “bought out.” Hmmmmmm…..not much of a difference as I see it.

By: Bob Gernert

Bob Gernert — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:19:09 +0000

Amanda,

I believe another person commenting used the phrase “environmentally friendly” though there is no reason the project cannot be compatible with the environment.

For the record, the City of Winter Haven does not “cut my check” or any other employee of the Chamber. We are a private organization funded through member dues, sponsorships and projects.

While we consider ourselves partners with our City we also partner with other area and county organizations as well.

By: Amanda Ryan

Amanda Ryan — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:05:41 +0000

Bob,

Please explain to me what you consider “environmentally friendly” about it. It is a honor to know that the County Commissioners are standing up for the people and their best interest.

Bon Gernert,
In all fairness. I would wager that you are somewhat swayed toward CSX and the City of Winter Haven. The reason that I say that is because the City of Winter Haven cuts your paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand that a person’s due responsibility might be to their employer. With that in mind, you should head caution with your opinions as they seem bias and unprecedented. Please be fair to Sundance Residents and to the County Commissioners that represent them.

With all sincerity,
Amanda Ryan

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:24:38 +0000

The 110 jobs to which you refer are from the ILC. The “hundreds” of jobs to which I am referring come from the adjacent business park.

By: Pam Childers

Pam Childers — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:34:53 +0000

Bob (Nickell), since when is 110 jobs “hundreds of good, environmentally-friendly and high-paying jobs”? Also, I do not ever remember hearing Ms. Reed say she was ‘against’ this project. I believe what she has stated is questioning if this is the best place for this project, as well as asking for the facts not opinions. Hence, the 110 jobs NOT hundreds.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:12:18 +0000

Ms. Reed, you have been against this project from the beginning. If you truly wanted to “protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents”, you would support a project that will lead to hundreds of good, environmentally-friendly and high-paying jobs. Polk County “deserves no less”.

By: Jean Reed

Jean Reed — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:44:29 +0000

For those who may not have watched the BoCC meeting, I pointed out that what was on the video was not what we saw during our trip to Alliance. The other commissioners who had been at Alliance nodded in agreement. I recall the guide at Alliance said it was a “slow” morning. I also know that Alliance is a larger facility than what is planned at the WH ILC.
It is my hope that the ILC in Winter Haven will be as well run as Alliance was when we visited and, as always,
I share the enthusiasm for economic development potential.
However, as your County Commissioner, I make every effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents and improve the quality of life we enjoy in Polk County. Sundance Ranch deserves no less.

By: Bob Gernert

Bob Gernert — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:49:53 +0000

Denny,

I’ve watched the footage you “edited” and would suggest this. If you’re going to show a train moving at Alliance, match it to footage of a train moving adjacent to Sundance Ranch Estates.

You see, I live on a lake in Winter Haven. A busy road runs between my home and the lakefront. I was aware of this fact when I bought the home. However, if I wanted to present a nightmare scenerio of lakefront living, I can video a semi going past – then edit in a string of motorcycles roaring by followed by a clip of a speed boat at full throttle on the lake. It is all a matter of what you want to present.

Our visit to Alliance was day-long and comprehensive. The footage you present in no way is representative of that facility. There were 20 people on the bus during our visit — 20 witnesses, if you will, to a very different reality.

All of this being said, the fact remains that the County Commission has asked CSX to work with residents of Sundance Ranch Estates to find a mutually acceptable solution to move forward. It is time for that to be the focus.

By: JJ Coleman

JJ Coleman — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:33:23 +0000

Poindexter,
The following is an excerpt from The Florida Times Union Newspaper which very clearly explains the events of the lawsuit.

In a November ruling, U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew wrote “noise, vibrations and lighting will likely seep into [Sundance Ranch] and may drastically reduce their property values.”

But Bucklew ruled federal law gives the Surface Transportation Board sole control over railroad operations. As a result, Sundance Ranch residents cannot sue by citing state laws that protect people from nuisances created by neighboring property owners, Bucklew wrote.

“At the very least, it highlights how federal pre-emption is preventing people from having their rights protected,” said Brent Geohagan, attorney for the homeowners. By David Bauerlein Story updated at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

You continue to imply that this judge gave this development her approval and is in favor of it and CSX. This is simply not true. Jason