By Representative Ivan M. Ivan
January 17, 1997

I RECENTLY REVIEWED THE LIST OF SANITATION PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT. THIS LIST INDICATES ABOUT HALF OF DISTRICT 39'S COMMUNITIES HAS STATE-FUNDED WATER, SEWER AND SOLID WASTE PROJECTS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE REMAINING COMMUNITIES. WITH A FEW MINOR EXCEPTIONS, VIRTUALLY EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT HAS SOMETHING GOING, EITHER IN THE PLANNING, DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION PHASES. IN SOME PLACES, PROGRESS IS SWIFT, BUT IN OTHERS, THE PACE IS MUCH SLOWER.

IN ORDER FOR A COMMUNITY TO FURTHER ITS PURSUIT OF WATER AND SEWER NEEDS, IT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP A GAME PLAN THAT NEEDS TO INCLUDE FUNDING MECHANISMS FROM BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE TIME WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US TO PURSUE THESE FUNDS WILL NOT LAST FOREVER AND WE HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW. I RECENTLY HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OFFICIALS REGARDING OUR DISTRICT'S SANITATION PROJECTS AND WHETHER THESE PROJECTS WERE MOVING AHEAD OR STALLED. IN MOST CASES, OUR DISTRICT IS MOVING FORWARD. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF YOUR COMMUNITY'S WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS, IT IS NECESSARY TO ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

• IS THE COUNCIL FOCUSED AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH LOCAL LEADERS ON THE SANITATION PROJECT?

• IS THERE HIGH TURNOVER IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY CLERK AND ADMINISTRATOR POSITIONS?

• DOES THE COUNCIL MEET REGULARLY?

• DOES THE COMMUNITY PAY ITS FUEL AND ELECTRIC BILLS?

• DOES THE COMMUNITY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ITS FINANCES?

• HAS THE COUNCIL ASKED THE LOCAL WATER PLANT OPERATOR TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE PUMP HOUSE IS WORKING?

• ARE THERE PROBLEMS WITH NATIVE ALLOTMENTS OR OTHER LAND ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN UNRESOLVED FOR YEARS?

• ARE OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN INTERESTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND ARE THERE COURSES AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM LEARN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT?

• IS THERE MORE THAN ONE FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

• IS SANITATION THE TOP PRIORITY?

THESE TEN THINGS TAKEN TOGETHER CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY'S SANITATION PROJECT. MONEY ALONE CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BOTH THE STATE AND OUR COMMUNITIES MUST WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO SOLVE OUR SANITATION PROBLEMS. THE RESOURCES ARE MORE AVAILABLE FOR US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMENTATES. WE MAY NEVER HAVE THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY AGAIN. BETTER SANITATION MEANS BETTER COMMUNITIES AND NO ONE CAN DISAGREE WITH THAT.

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