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 Dixie Spehar Docs MC Property Appraiser Docs


Note: The names of the writers have been deleted to avoid any possible retribution.
February 29, 2008
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has expressed an interest in helping with the matter.
 
We all recognize that National Defense is one of our top priorities. There are few among us who do not support our military and their efforts to keep this nation free. At the same time, the military's primary responsibility is to defend the Constitution. Sadly, your Constitutional rights have been assaulted by the Navy, primarily by the introduction of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to NAS Key West, and exacerbated by the Navy's failure to address the resulting health and safety issues. The Navy has an obligation to train for our National Defense, but they do not have the right to break the nation's laws to do so. 
 
Many of your neighbors have questioned the truth of the 2007 Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) report that was published by the Navy. At the July 18, 2007 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, Commissioner Dixie Spehar put forth a "Commissioner's Item" intending to endorse the Navy's evaluation of the noise- and accident-potential-zones that affect your homes and property. Due to questions raised at that Board of County Commissioners meeting, the agenda item was deferred. It remains open. 
 
That July 18, 2007 Agenda Item read: 
 
"COMMISSIONER SPEHAR – Request that the Board of County Commissioners direct Growth Management Staff to immediately identify and initiate the method for adopting the proposed 2007 U.S. Navy Boca Chica Air Station AICUZ analysis and corresponding maps, together with analyzing which County Land Development Regulations and Comprehensive plan elements must be amended to accomplish the adoption according to the appropriate parts of State Law." 
 
At that meeting, it was revealed that there were serious questions about the noise and accident zones (which are part of the proposed 2007 AICUZ study) that have not been addressed. Comments by your neighbors revealed many anecdotal reports that the noise in the vicinity of NAS Key West was substantially greater than anyone had remembered, and certainly greater than reported by the Navy. Subsequent measurements using instruments donated by your neighbors have confirmed that increased noise. 
 
 Subsequent to that BOCC meeting, more research by your neighbors revealed that there were serious questions about the honesty of the Navy's AICUZ report and the "Environmental Assessment" that supported their claims. There is an official investigation by the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General into the matter. A nationally respected, independent Watchdog organization - Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) has expressed an interest in helping with the matter. PEER describes their organization thus: "As a service organization assisting federal & state public employees, PEER allows public servants to work as 'anonymous activists' so that agencies must confront the message, rather than the messenger." 
 
PEER has agreed to help your community, but there is the sticky issue of finances. The initial effort is not expensive, but it will be important to determine if the community is capable of sustaining the effort before the legal effort begins. This may be a long haul. Broad support is more important than the size of individual contributions. If you consider this important to you, you may wish to time or money to the effort. Your participation may make the difference. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
M20 Alliance

February 22, 2008 
Deed Restrictions on our Homes.


-----Original Message-----

>To: Spehar-Dixie
>Subject: deed restrictions on our homes
>
>Dixie,
>
>Why is it that you are speaking out about deed restricting properties in
>the current AICUZ contour map,  specifically in south Stock Island.  
>
>There has been some talk about the Navy helping to soundproof homes.
>There are no funds and there is no program that the Navy is impleting to
>do this.  Ron Demes of the Navy has clearly stated that they do not have
>a program for this,  it does not exist.  
>
>I know you were  involved with FAA funding to help homes around the Key
>West International Airport.  However,  there is no federal program to
>provide this service to other homes, and we are dealing with F 18 Super
>Hornets which are considerably louder than commercial jet planes.  The
>sound deadening done around the International Airport only detracts 15
>db of sound.   This is not enough to help protect the effects of
>prolonged exposure to this level of  noise.  Also,  replacing windows in
>a mobile home will not soundproof that home.
>
> I live in south Stock Island at Harbor Shores and when I bought my home
>and property I was not in the AICUZ contour map.  Why would I want my
>property devalued?  Why would I want my hearing permanently impaired
>without my consent?  Why can't we come to some kind of compromise with
>the Navy to try to fly south of our homes,  or a bit higher ,  or try
>alternate landing patterns?   
>
>Why aren't you speaking out on our behalf?
>
>sincerely,
>

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 2/25/2008 at 12:30 PM Spehar-Dixie wrote:

>>There are more islands than Stock Island that fall under the PROPOSED
>AICUZ. 
>I have had several meetings with Capt. Brown and Mr. Demes regarding
>this.  You are right, there is no funding program set for Monroe County;
>that is what I am discussing with Capt. Brown.  I cannot bring anything
>to the BOCC until something is set into place. 
>This attenuation and mitigation discussion will not affect Stock Island.
>I am very aware of the sound Dbls, the impossibility in soundproofing
>mobile units and, the clear fact that you were not in the original
>contour and should not be in the proposed contours.  Lastly, there is no
>comparison in the International Airport and NAS Key West issues.  
>I am meeting people as often and as fast as I can because I do not
>accept the sound contours but do believe that we must address the "crash
>zones."  I have no idea where the other commissioners stand but, we must
>be prepared if they vote to accept them.  
>In response to your concern about Harbor Shores; I leave for Washington
>DC on March 2nd and while there have asked for appointments with those
>that do have the authority to create the funding and will listen to my
>complaints about "reverse encroachment." 
>I do not think that I should discuss this with the public until I have a
>tangible thing to tell them.  At this point it is just heated discussion
>and ignored complaints.  
>Melody, I AM concerned and I AM trying to divert the flights from the
>path that they fly over Stock Island.  I have also found that you do not
>win a battle by backing a person to the wall; they only have one way out
>and that is to fight.  I do not want to fight with the Navy.  We need
>them as much as they need us.  What I am trying to do is to find a
>solution where we work together and our property rights are not taken
>away.
>Also, I just read your Letter to the Editor and find it sad that you are
>leading people to believe that I have spoken to Mr. Higgs about deed
>restricting properties.  Melody, you are entitled to your opinions but,
>I do not know who told you that.  It would have been must easier to do
>as you have done today and before; email me for the truth about my
>actions.  I have always answered your questions and will continue to do
>so to the best of my ability.
>
>Dixie M. Spehar
>Monroe County Commissioner
>District One
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

Dixie,
Thank you for your response .

I'm not understanding why the "crash zones" are such a priority for you.  There are no people living in these zones.  The only property affected by the crash zone in the new overlay would be the site of the proposed Enchanted Isle on Stock Island.  That is one person and one project,  as opposed to the many islands and peoples affected by the actual flights.

How the Navy can insist that these Super Hornets have no significant impact on our community is truly baffling and blatantly untrue.

I realize that the AICUZ is still proposed.  However,  the Navy IS  using this contour map .   Are you saying that if the county does not approve this new contour map that the Navy will change it's flight path?   I think not.   The only thing that would change is that if the contour map was approved,  the property appraiser's office would be able to tag those properties within the contours.  That is one big reason I bring up Harbor Shores a lot.  I believe we are the only community that is in the contour presently that was NOT in the map previously.  Naturally we are concerned,  for our health and our futures.

What is it that you are seeking funding for?  You do realize that if homes in south Stock Island, Geiger Key and Big Coppitt are purchased at market rates, that there is not enough affordable housing for any of these people to remain in the keys.  We are talking about nurses, teachers, mechanics, fishermen, retired veterans, artists,  service staff and others.  Property would have to be purchased at a comparable rate for relocation in our community----

In regards to your requests to the property appraiser,  I was reviewing county board meetings where you have several times requested this.  Also, the appraiser's office themselves have stated that you asked about doing this.  I sincerely hope that your response to me means that you have changed your mind on this issue.

Will other commissioners be also going to Washington?  If not ,  who will you be travelling with?   

I'm sorry to say that after hearing Sen Nelson speak at the town hall meeting here in Key West,  I doubt he can be of any help to us.  But,  I would truly like to know what kind of response and help the people you meet with in Washington might have.  Please keep me posted,  keeping an information highway open between public officials and the public is so very important.

thank you

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