PIE's civic action is driven by the PIE Action Committee and is supported by the PIE Action Fund.
THE PIE ACTION COMMITTEE
MERYL SCHAFFER
(Co-Chair, Communications) |
|
KELLY LUBE
|
AMY McCULLY
|
JONI COLE
|
CANDY COHEN
|
DAVID COHEN
|
AMANDA SMALL
|
CENTRAL SEWER: The PIE Action Fund is OPEN for DONATIONS!
Dear Island Property Owner,
PIE has been working to ensure that the private for-profit utility company, Environmental Utilities LLC, (EU) will be denied approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to install and operate a central sewer system on our Islands.
For PIE to be able to continue this legal battle, we need all stakeholders on the bridgeless barrier Islands to contribute to the effort by donating to the PIE Action Fund. We are asking you to join us with a substantial contribution.
When this very same action was successfully opposed just two short years ago, more than 200 generous Islanders contributed $122,000. The average donation per household was $597.00. Roughly one-third gave multiple times with 40+ donors contributing $1000 and more. That is what it took to ensure that fairness and common sense prevailed.
To donate to the legal fund, go to DONATE Now! - Palm Island Estates webpage for a simple one-time PayPal transaction. Or you may send a check payable to “P.I.E. Action Fund” to P.I.E., PO Box 3151, Placida FL 33946. Note: a check donation eliminates the PayPal fees charged to PIE.
Working together, we have a powerful, united voice that will be heard by the Public Service Commission. But we can’t do it without your financial support. All donations are welcome. Please donate now.
Thank you in advance,
The PIE Action Committee
PIE has been working to ensure that the private for-profit utility company, Environmental Utilities LLC, (EU) will be denied approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to install and operate a central sewer system on our Islands.
For PIE to be able to continue this legal battle, we need all stakeholders on the bridgeless barrier Islands to contribute to the effort by donating to the PIE Action Fund. We are asking you to join us with a substantial contribution.
When this very same action was successfully opposed just two short years ago, more than 200 generous Islanders contributed $122,000. The average donation per household was $597.00. Roughly one-third gave multiple times with 40+ donors contributing $1000 and more. That is what it took to ensure that fairness and common sense prevailed.
To donate to the legal fund, go to DONATE Now! - Palm Island Estates webpage for a simple one-time PayPal transaction. Or you may send a check payable to “P.I.E. Action Fund” to P.I.E., PO Box 3151, Placida FL 33946. Note: a check donation eliminates the PayPal fees charged to PIE.
Working together, we have a powerful, united voice that will be heard by the Public Service Commission. But we can’t do it without your financial support. All donations are welcome. Please donate now.
Thank you in advance,
The PIE Action Committee
PIE vs. EU: The Central Sewer Issue
A brief history lesson: It all began back in 2002. Jack Boyer, along with the late Dean Beckstead (operator of Palm Island Resort’s wastewater utility) and his brother Gar Beckstead proposed a central sewer system for the island. PIE established opposition to the application by signing on as an intervenor. But the case never went to an Administrative Hearing. When asked to present their personal financials to support the application, the principals of the utility company withdrew.
Fast forward to 2020. Jack Boyer applied on his own with his LLC, "Environmental Utilities". His application for certification of the service area inclusive of our Islands was met with over 1,000 emails from people who were opposed. More than 100 people went to the Administrative Hearing and 50 Islanders spoke against it.
The PIE Action Committee organized the opposition and launched fundraising efforts, and the Public Service Commission denied the application. In 2020, EU presented no letters of request for sewer service and only a smattering of support letters. He provided no evidence that septic was polluting our waterways or damaging our environment.
No evidence of public health or safety issues from using on-site septic systems were presented or found. The Charlotte County Board of Commissioners did award Jack with a bulk water agreement to process wastewater once it was piped off the Island.
In 2020, the cost to fight this was around $120,000.00. It was estimated that EU spent over $200,000.00 in combined engineering, legal and application fees.
Now we will fight it again. EU has filed a new application with the Florida Public Service Commission to have another bite at the apple. With your help, we can prevent the certification of the service area which includes our Island.
Fast forward to 2020. Jack Boyer applied on his own with his LLC, "Environmental Utilities". His application for certification of the service area inclusive of our Islands was met with over 1,000 emails from people who were opposed. More than 100 people went to the Administrative Hearing and 50 Islanders spoke against it.
The PIE Action Committee organized the opposition and launched fundraising efforts, and the Public Service Commission denied the application. In 2020, EU presented no letters of request for sewer service and only a smattering of support letters. He provided no evidence that septic was polluting our waterways or damaging our environment.
No evidence of public health or safety issues from using on-site septic systems were presented or found. The Charlotte County Board of Commissioners did award Jack with a bulk water agreement to process wastewater once it was piped off the Island.
In 2020, the cost to fight this was around $120,000.00. It was estimated that EU spent over $200,000.00 in combined engineering, legal and application fees.
Now we will fight it again. EU has filed a new application with the Florida Public Service Commission to have another bite at the apple. With your help, we can prevent the certification of the service area which includes our Island.