Editorial: Hydro, neighbors must work together

Editorial: Hydro, neighbors must work together



Publication Date: 12/19/08


St. Johns County Commissioners tackled a tough issue Tuesday -- whether Hydro Aluminum could proceed with its planned unit development designation for its 104-acre site. The commission, after a four-hour public hearing, voted 4-0 to approve the rezoning.

Many nearby residents in St. Augustine Shores wanted the commission to deny Hydro's request.

Hydro's main spokesman, Matthew Dionne, vice president and general manager, Southeast Region, Hydro Aluminum North America. He said Hydro was as responsive as it could be to the residents' complaints. In some cases, Hydro was able to resolve complaints once they isolated the noise drawing the complaints. But Dionne said it will not be able to reduce all noise associated with the operation.

Working together is going to be a challenge Hydro and the residents have to work out. We encourage Hydro to continue to be as responsive and sensitive to the residents as it have been through the rezoning application period.

We encourage residents to call Hydro, be persistent, so that problems can be resolved as much as possible and as quickly as possible.

We also remind the residents that it is not a Realtor's fault if they feel they relocated to the wrong place. Who makes a big purchase such as a house without checking out the neighborhood on their own, talking to other residents, driving all roads around their potential home?

This expansion is important to the county's economy. Hydro's payroll is $20 million annually and it pays $1.86 million a year in taxes. We can't afford to lose Hydro.

We trust Hydro will continue its commitment to the residents. The County Commission and the nearby residents will hold Hydro to that commitment.

Traffic light's delayed

Regarding Thursday's editorial, "New traffic light in good spot," the new traffic signal at King Street and Malaga Street/Sebastian Harbour Drive will not be operational by Christmas after all, according to Monica Reifeiss, who is project spokesman. She said she learned Thursday that, because of the upcoming holidays the signal will not be fully operational until Jan. 5. However, starting this Monday, the light will go to the red/yellow flashing configuration. The light will flash yellow for King Street drivers, meaning caution, and red, meaning a full stop before proceeding through the intersection, for drivers on Malaga Street/Sebastian Harbor Drive.

J.B. Coxwell Contracting Inc. of Jacksonville is doing the job for $1.1 million. It includes a host of safety and drainage repairs, too.

What's a wait of a couple more weeks when we know the outcome is a safer intersection?


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