Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority - An email thread and a bit of History

 Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority - An email thread and a bit of History 

Too often the lens through which we view the past becomes dimmed with time and fading memories. I post this email thread which took place on April 29, 2018, only in the interest of keeping the story straight. It is a series of emails between a few of the players in the early history of the PR/MRWSA that reflects a snippet of some the personalities and extraordinary decisions that made it happen. (Email addresses have been removed for the privacy of the senders.)

.... for history's sake.

The Players in this scenario:

Sonny Vergara, Exec. Dir., PRMRWSA

Pat Lehman, PRMRWSA Engineer, Executive Dir. (post Vergara)

Gene Schiller, Director Admin Department, SWFWMD

Thomas Tryon, opinion editor, Herald-Tribune Media Group

Ed Johnson, DeSoto County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of Directors

Charley Richards, Sarasota County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of Directors

Don Ross, Charlotte County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of Directors

Franz Ross, Charlotte County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of Directors

Ed Chance, Manatee County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of                          Directors, PRMRWSA Local Government Coordinator

Ray Pilon, Sarasota County Commissioner

Mabry Carlton, Sarasota County Commissioner, PRMRWSA Bd. of Directors

Patrick Lehman, Exec. Director, PRMRWSA

Sam Stone, PRMRWSA Permitting Manager

Jerry G. Hill, DeSoto County Commissioner

Charley Black, Chairman, Southwest Florida Water Management District

John Zimmerman, Manatee County, Water Manager

Mr. Wilford, Director Manatee County Utilities

Bucky Waldron, DeSoto County Manager

RV Griffin, DeSoto County Commissioner

Bob Allen, DeSoto County Commissioner

THE THREAD

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From: Gene Schiller 
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 9:34 AM
To: Gene Schiller 
Subject: Fwd: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article: Peace River

For your info

Subject: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article

Follow the link below to view the article.

Thomas Tryon, opinion editor
Herald-Tribune Media Group

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On Sunday, April 29, 2018, Sonny Vergara  wrote:

Gene,

Thanks for sending this.  Interesting how history gets writ by those who’ve apparently forgotten it. Pat Lehman wasn’t working with the authority when we, Ed Chance and I, spent weeks/months convincing all the governments involved (Char. Co., Mana. Co, Sara. Co., DeSoto County, SWFWMD Gov. Bd., Mana Basin Bd., City of North Port, and the City of Punta Gorda) to take the plunge and make the purchase from the failing General Development Corp.  

With Ed’s announcement (before he lost his next election) that maybe the Authority should buy the Peace River Plant from GDC using $50,000,000 that Manatee Co. Utilities had in is capital reserve fund, they all freaked. But then Ed and I met with Charlie Black (SWFWMD Bd. Chair.) and urged him to commit $2,000,000  toward the purchase, Charlotte and North Port, the harshest critics of the idea, had to back off and the Manatee County “threat” while always there eventually evaporated.  

This, after we convinced the Authority Board that Charlotte County, pursuant to their demand, could own the bond sale of $73,000,000.  (Behind that negotiated point was the lobbying of their bond advisors who suddenly became the bond sellers who then made millions (?) on the sale).   

Meantime, Ed lost his election.  I then hired him as my “local government coordinator” and we continued to negotiate the deal. When it was becoming clear the purchase was going to happen, I hired Pat Lehman who was just released from the City of Tampa (he was blamed for some things that were not his fault; classic political fall guy.) because I needed a competent operations engineer, and rehired Sam Stone who GDC had released a year or two before.  Sam had worked for years as the GDC plant’s permitting person dealing with SWFWMD, a respected, ethical and knowledgeable techie whom I knew would be invaluable.  

There were many very wise folks on the various commissions who were also Authority Board members in addition to Franz Ross who were instrumental in moving the Peace River toward a regional water supply leader such as RV Griffin, Bob Allen, Jerry Hill and Ed Johnson from DeSoto County, Mabry Carlton and Charley Richards from Sarasota, and Don Ross from Charlotte County.  

Pat L. has done a wonderful job navigating the treacherous waters of having to keep so many local governments engaged in benefitting all their interests rather than just their own and nothing here is to disparage that, but, to lay the historic success of the organization primarily at his feet is not accurate and disparages all else who also deserve inclusion.  

A last point while I'm at this, in order for the PR Authority to own the PR plant and be a regional water supplier, we had to negotiate and renegotiate water supply agreements with all the aforementioned entities who were so afraid one would get the upper water supply hand over the others that Don Ross once asked me how could one agreement be put before so many governments at one time so all could sign the same exact agreement at the same time.  Recognizing that would be impossible, each approved as their boards met but it would not take effect until the last party approved it, like a real estate closing.  

We went on to administratively reinstitute the plant from a private to public entity while maintaining in place the entire operations crew and begin the planning for a true regional water supply authority. I named the plan the Peace River Option which became the guiding blueprint for what Pat Lehman, all to his credit, built.

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From: Ed Johnson 
To: 'Sonny Vergara' 

cc  'Charley Richards' ; 'Tom Tryon' ; 'Don ROSS' ; 'Patrick Lehman' ; 'Jerry G. HILL' <; 'Ray Pilon' 

I appreciate the article.

Lots of water has gone through the pipes since the first shots were fired.  I’m the only living board member who remains that hired you and fought to protect my county from those who would have run rough shod over us except for this old Marine and few of his fellow county commissioners were game for the fight. I didn’t even get an honorable mention, much less an invite to the last Bar-B-Q; and my grandmother was born just a few yards south of that plant in March 1883.  And history is once again rewritten by those who were not there.  I guess we have to keep everything warm and fuzzy and politically correct, but that’s not the way I remember it.  I remember going up the beach, not watching from the boat.  I was there when it happened, I remember it well. 

I still remember Ed Chance, Mabry Carlton and Col Ross with deep respect.  Good men with honorable intentions and back bone enough to stay the course. 

Take care and stay well.

Thanks, Ed Johnson

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From: Tryon, Tom 
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 2:28 PM
To: Sonny Vergara 
Subject: Re: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article: Peace River 

PS please reconsider the “disparage” remark: I don’t believe that happened and it was damn sure not my intention. 
To be honest: I’m one of the few left who know most of the story and care.  

Tom

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From: Tom Tryon
To: Sonny Vergara 

I haven’t forgotten my history, Sonny, and I respect your contributions as well as those of others.
Unfortunately I had 425 words to explain 30 years. 
I hope to write the rest before either of us sign off.

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From: Sonny Vergara 
To: Tom Tryon

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 4:50 PM

Cc: 'Ed Johnson'; 'John Zimmerman'; 'Don ROSS'; 'Patrick Lehman'; 'Gene Schiller; Ray Pilon
Subject: RE: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article: Peace River

Tom, yes, I withdraw the inference as it relates to you, gladly, and apologize. I agree you were a great, true friend of Eddie’s and one of the forward thinkers who understood what was happening and supported us in all the important issues.  The focus of my comment was toward those who are surely in your ear today and would spin the history of this grand story toward the advancement of their own personalities and politics at the expense of those, some of whom are no longer here to defend themselves or at least set the record straight, who long ago worried and risked greatly to do the right thing for the people and the future of the region’s natural systems.  Please do write “the rest”.  Time is, as is said, flying.

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From: Tryon, Tom 
To: Sonny Vergara 

Thanks, Sonny.

 We should get together and have a beverage.

Trust me, please, no one is spinning or pissing in my ear. I checked in with Pat several weeks ago, thinking that it was time to remind that Charlotte would be up the canoe with no paddle or water without the project. He agreed to stop by my office and update. I added in today's board members as a strategy  because we need to get them to fight hard and publicly for Orange Hammock acquisition because for some reason Swiftmud is dragging on it. Can't even get a straight answer from Swiftmud these days and the board members' emails are not even public, best I can tell.

 I hope we get a decent governor and appointments moving past 18.

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From: Ray Pilon 
To: Sonny Vergara 

Glad you still have your memory! Great commentary

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From: Ed Johnson 
To: 'Sonny Vergara' 

Sonny,

Both you and I were there from the very beginning of any serious discussions.  You and I date back to a Desoto County Commission Meeting circa 1977-78.  The others are building on the beach head that was fought out in the late 1980’s and established in the early 1990’s.  Maybe they should read the plaque on the wall of the Water Plant to see who the “survivors” were.

Bucky Waldron asked me a couple of years ago now that I am older do I chose my fights.  I told him no, I was afraid I would miss out on a good one. 

Thanks, Ed Johnson

PS:  It is doubtful that there would be a Regional Water today, if it were not for the many hours of hard work, a few fights along the way and a diligent effort to make it work, long before these others ever arrived on the scene.  Hang in there Captain. Holler if you need help.

PSPS:  I wish I had all of the cut film on Honey Rand’s editing room floor.  There was a lot more history told than published.

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From: Ed Johnson 

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 5:00 PM
To: 'Sonny Vergara' 
Subject: RE: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article: Peace River

 Sonny:
 Did I miss something or are these just ricochets flying around?
 Thanks, Ed Johnson
 PS:  Is anyone other than you and I still standing from that 1992 Water Plant agreement?

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From: Sonny Vergara 

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2018 5:20 PM
To: 'Ed Johnson'
Subject: RE: Sarasota Herald Tribune E-Edition Article: Peace River

Sort of.  He reacted to my inference that his article didn’t exactly recognize others who should’ve been.  He’s a good guy so I apologized.  In reality, I’m a bit miffed that Pat is letting his “spinners” suggest the current crew, himself and the current pols, are the ones that achieved it all.  All the work of so many, such as yourself, appears to becoming systematically relegated to the latrines of history and unceremoniously buried. 

Sonny

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From: John Zimmerman 
To: Sonny Vergara 

Hi Sonny,

Thanks for that walk down memory lane.  I think you are right that Ed C. may have suggested that Manatee County should buy the GDU plant.  That was because our Director at the time (Mr. Wilford) was suggesting that to him.  We were reviewing the Water Supply Plan that the Authority had out in draft which actually suggested the Authority build a plant upstream of GDU.  We were telling Mr Wilford that was a bad idea with GDU downstream and thought it would be better if the Authority bought out GDU.  He liked the idea of having Manatee buy GDU’s plant and shared it with Ed C. and all is history after Ed took off with it.  Although I’m pretty sure Ed proposed it as a way to get the Authority moving.  At the time he used to tell me he thought of the Authority as a tumble bug which would never get its act together.  That was after years of focusing solely on emergency interconnects.  Best thing we did was hire that flower dealer - you - who knew how to negotiate. 

Have you visited the plant lately?  I’m not even sure where the administrative offices are now.  Making me think I need to attend a meeting now and then, to see how the Authority is doing.  BTW Your photography is awesome.

 Thanks again.
 John Zimmerman
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Trump's irrational rant - What does Google's Gemini say about his mental state?

Trump recently produced a remarkable rant that is, to put it politely, nothing short of unhenged, irrational and indicative of a man who perceives his world is beginning to crumble beneath his imaginary bone spurs. It is so demonstrably desperate of a person who is convinced his saying it will make it true, I asked Google's Gemini to analyze it. 

Here's the rant. After it, see my queries and what Gemini had to say:

"There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best. I’ve stopped Eight Wars, saving many millions of lives in the process, created the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country, brought Business back into the United States at levels never seen before, rebuilt our Military, created the Largest Tax Cuts and Regulation Cuts, EVER, closed our open and very dangerous Southern Border, when previous Administrations were unable to do so, and created an “aura” around the United States of America that has led every Country in the World to respect us more than ever before. In addition to all of that, I go out of my way to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, seen and supervised by top doctors, all of whom have given me PERFECT Marks — Some have even said they have never seen such Strong Results. I do these Tests because I owe it to our Country. In addition to the Medical, I have done something that no other President has done, on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know. I have been told that few people have been able to “ace” this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all. Despite all of this, the time and work involved, The New York Times, and some others, like to pretend that I am “slowing up,” am maybe not as sharp as I once was, or am in poor physical health, knowing that it is not true, and knowing that I work very hard, probably harder than I have ever worked before. I will know when I am “slowing up,” but it’s not now! After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean  “THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.” They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it. They have inaccurately reported on all of my Election Results and, in fact, were forced to apologize on much of what they wrote. The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful “source” of information. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Sandspur: What does it suggest in terms of Trump's mental state?

Psychological experts who have analyzed Donald Trump's language, including posts like the one provided, suggest it indicates traits consistent with 

narcissism, paranoia, and potentially cognitive decline. 

Key Suggested Traits

• Grandiose Narcissism: The post is rich with self-aggrandizing statements and superlatives ("hardest," "longest," "best," "Greatest Economy") that mental health professionals often point to as signs of narcissistic personality disorder. He expresses a need for constant admiration and has a very high opinion of himself, suggesting he feels superior to others.
• Paranoia and Defensiveness: Trump's strong reaction to criticism and his characterization of The New York Times and others as "Enemies of the People" who engage in "seditious, perhaps even treasonous" FAKE reports can be seen as indicators of paranoia. The heightened anger and quick reaction to criticism are also considered characteristic traits.
• Need for Control and Lack of Empathy: The text's aggressive tone, heavy use of capital letters, and focus on personal power and achievement are often interpreted as a desire for control and a potential lack of empathy.
• Potential Cognitive Decline: Linguistic analyses have noted an increase in "all-or-nothing thinking" (use of words like "never," "always") and a less positive vocabulary in his recent communications, which some experts link to potential cognitive decline. The use of rambling or unfocused statements and a focus on specific, concrete details like the "Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center" or the "large numbers of doctors and experts" could also be seen as potential indicators by some experts, as it mimics speech patterns observed in some patients with dementia. 

Sandspur - FYI

A Man tough to Describe

 Trump - a complex individual that can't be described in just a few words. 

But here's a try: 

Corrupt, Immoral, Deceitful, Dishonest, Unethical, Treacherous, Sinful, Hypocritical, Ruthless, Malicious, Arrogant, Selfish, Greedy, Liar, Narcissistic, Cruel, Callous, Vindictive, Manipulative, Spiteful, Jealous, Toxic, Abusive, Exploitative, Predatory, Bullying, Domineering, Intolerant, Oppressive, Untrustworthy, Devious, Angry, Bitter, Resentful, Hateful, Hostile, Cold, Vicious, Petty, Brutal, Villainous, Monstrous, Tyrannical, Criminal, Dishonorable, Inhumane, Malevolent, Destructive, Perfidious, Wicked, Nefarious, Odious, Execrable, Ignoble, Abominable, Depraved, Vile, Loathsome, Contemptible, Reprobate, Miscreant, Blackguard, Knave, Wretch, Scoundrel, Villain, Rogue, Fiend, Charlatan, Degenerate, Diabolical, Maleficent, Pernicious, Iniquitous, Heinous, Atrocious, Detestable, Abhorrent, Flagitious, Putrid, Apish, Pestilent, Abject, Sordid, Infamous, Crude, Con Man, Weak, Cheater, Uneducated, Felonious, Pedophile, Rapist, Flatulent, Unprincipled, Immature, Old, Stupid, Incompetent, Pigish, Deeply Flawed, Unfaithful, Base, Foul, Morbidly obese, Uses Face Paint, and Smells.

You're welcome,

PS. All gloves are off regarding this incredibly flawed human. 

MAGA, wake up for Pete's sake. Wait ... no ... wake up for America's sake.

Sandspur

Why Illegal Orders Must NOT Be Obeyed

 

Hank Honig posted this on Facebook a few days ago. It refers to and reprints a great explanation regarding how the U. S. Military defines and follows legal command orders as opposed to those which are not. As he says, it's offered as a "Public Service" in light of today's news concerning the United States Defense Dept. destroying boats and killing those aboard that MAY be involved in illegal drugs purportedly headed to the U.S. It's an important read.
November 29 at 2:21 PM 

Thanks to JoJo Liszbet for the best explanation of why illegal orders must not be obeyed

Good Morning! Just a PSA to those who have never been in the service and a “reminder” to those who have or are currently serving.

What an Illegal Order Actually Is —

People are yelling “treason!” at Senator Mark Kelly for reminding troops of something every recruit learns on DAY ONE:

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Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), U.S. service members must obey lawful orders — and must refuse unlawful ones.

That isn’t “treason.”

That isn’t “defiance.”

That isn’t “undermining the chain of command.”

That is literally the LAW.

It’s the cornerstone of military professionalism.

And since so many folks are pretending they suddenly don’t understand what an “illegal order” is, let’s do the work they refuse to do and walk people through it.

1. What the UCMJ actually says about unlawful orders

Under Articles 90, 91, and 92 of the UCMJ, troops must follow lawful orders.

But the military’s own doctrine is even clearer:

Troops must refuse “manifestly unlawful orders.”

If they follow an illegal order, THEY can be prosecuted.

“Just following orders” is not a defense. That principle comes straight from post-WWII law and is baked into every modern military on Earth.

The idea is simple:

The U.S. military follows the Constitution and the law — not the whims of a politician.

So what’s an illegal order?

Let’s be specific.

2. What makes an order illegal? (The real definition)

An order is illegal when it requires a service member to:

• Use lethal force where lethal force is not legally justified

• Harm civilians or noncombatants

• Break domestic criminal law

• Violate the Law of Armed Conflict

• Treat noncombatants as enemy combatants

• Use military power as law enforcement without legal authorization

• Engage in disproportionate or unnecessary force

• Commit acts prohibited by treaty or U.S. statute

These standards don’t disappear because a president gets angry, or because social media influencers yell about “toughness.”

The law doesn’t care about vibes.

3. When is it LEGAL to fire on vessels?

This is where it becomes obvious why people are suddenly uncomfortable.

Under U.S. and international maritime law, you can only use lethal force against a vessel if:

A. The vessel poses an imminent threat

Examples:

• It is firing on U.S. forces

• It is attempting to ram

• It is demonstrating clear hostile intent

B. The vessel is a lawful military target in an armed conflict

This only applies if:

• The U.S. is in a declared or authorized war

• The vessel is an enemy warship or armed combatant

We are NOT in an armed conflict with Venezuela.

C. The vessel refuses lawful commands and poses a threat that cannot be handled by non-lethal means

Even in law-enforcement situations (like drug interdiction), the rules are strict:

• You must hail the vessel

• You must attempt non-lethal compliance measures

• You must try to board

• You must escalate force only when absolutely necessary

• Lethal force is LAST resort and only if there is a threat to life

Drug smuggling suspicion does not make someone a combat target.

Ever.

4. What is NOT legal?

Here’s what is not allowed:

Shooting a boat because it “might” have drugs

Destroying a vessel because it fled

Using lethal force as a shortcut to interdiction

Treating smugglers as enemy combatants

Blowing up civilian vessels in international waters

Acting like the high seas are a free-fire zone

Using military force without congressional authorization

None of that becomes legal just because the administration spins it after the fact.

5. Now let’s talk about the Venezuelan boats.

The government is now publicly admitting that U.S. forces have shot Venezuelan vessels out of the water, with the justification that they were “drug boats.”

Even if they were, that doesn’t magically transform those boats into:

• Combatants

• Military targets

• Enemy vessels

• Armed threats

Drug smuggling is a CRIME.

It is not an act of war.

There is no legal theory under which drug suspicion authorizes sinking a vessel.

Which means:

If troops were ordered to destroy those boats without an imminent threat, that is a manifestly illegal order.

Exactly the kind of thing the UCMJ requires troops to refuse.

And this is why the people screaming “treason!” at Mark Kelly don’t want to talk about details. Because once you understand what an illegal order actually is, you realize this isn’t abstract at all.

Some of these orders may already be crossing the line.

6. Why the political outrage is backwards

Telling troops:

“You must refuse illegal orders”

is not treason.

Ordering troops:

“Shoot that boat even though we’re not in a war, it’s not a threat, and the law doesn’t allow it”

—that’s the thing the UCMJ is designed to prevent.

It’s not complicated:

• Lawful orders must be obeyed

• Unlawful orders must be refused

• Political fantasies do not override law

• Congress controls war, not the president

• The U.S. military is loyal to the Constitution, not individuals

If ExSeth’s Department of Defense is leaning into a “shoot first” posture that doesn’t follow maritime law, then they’re the ones issuing potentially illegal orders, not the people warning troops to follow the law.

7. Final point

You don’t fix the military by telling troops to obey illegal orders.

You fix the military by making sure the people giving orders understand the law — or are replaced if they don’t.

This isn’t treason.

This is civics.

And the people yelling the loudest are the ones most afraid you’ll learn it.