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New council members — From left, Gary Blair, William Crippen and Anthony Pupello pause for a photo after being sworn in Nov. 2 as new members of the Orange City Council. Before the swearing-in, former Council Members Jim Mahoney, Paul Rasch and Don Sherrill gave their final remarks as council members.
Exiting OC Council members share their last thoughts in office
posted Nov 15, 2009 - 1:17:14pm
Three newly elected City Council members took their seats on the dais at the Nov. 2 special meeting of the Orange City Council.
With the swearing-in of Anthony Pupello, William Crippen and Gary Blair, three council members stepped down: Jim Mahoney, Paul Rasch and Don Sherrill.
Each outgoing council member had a moment to make his last remarks.
“I’ve enjoyed serving here. I just hope the council continues to do good work and that we have independent voices on the council,” Rasch said.
Jim Mahoney had prepared a PowerPoint presentation about the city’s relationship with GEL Corp. over the past decade.
“I have had the privilege of serving for six of the last 10 years,” Mahoney said. “I’ve enjoyed being on this council, and I thank you.”
He said conflict existed because Orange City did not feel the Florida Department of Environmental Protection had been acting in the city’s best interest with regard to testing and monitoring GEL Corp.’s landfill and the water beneath it. Therefore, Mahoney said, it seemed reasonable for the city to have its own set of standards.
Mahoney noted, in the past, GEL Corp. owner Gene Evans expressed concern about serving two masters with two sets of standards: the DEP and the city.
“This is all in the minutes, folks,” Mahoney said. “You can look this up.”
He quoted some of the minutes, and made some observations about the 2009 council meetings.
“The city has spent nearly $600,000,” Mahoney said, referring to planning, engineering, discussion and staff time related to GEL Corp. “Nearly half of the meetings had some discussion of GEL Corp.”
While there had been contention, Mahoney said that wasn’t anyone’s desire. He said the genuine goal had been for people and businesses to flourish.
“We want to have trust, because it benefits both parties,” Mahoney said. “But we need the ability to verify should the DEP not act in an appropriate capacity.”
When his turn came, Don Sherrill praised the city staff, saying anyone would be hard-pressed to find a better, more dedicated, more talented group of individuals.
“It’s been a privilege and pleasure to serve the residents and the business people of Orange City for the last nine years,” Sherrill said.
He continued, “We’ve got some great parks in Orange City; we have an excellent police department; we have the finest fire department in the area. ... And things are just getting better and better in Orange City.”
Sherrill said he is proud of the people who ran for office, and told them there was still a long way to go.
“Congratulations to the newly elected council,” he said. “I wish you the best.”
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It has nothing to do with water.
Under the guise of it being a water concern , it was really about a former council member who chose to move near the landfill and he whined constantly about the smell. They also consider it an eyesore.
Water my arse.
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