Initiatives such as the latest scheme for further Flood Plain Development along the 370 Corridor are precisely why we must continue to enact and enforce stringent Flood Plain Development policies in St. Charles County. (Please see the associated article in my Comments below.) Although the area in question is protected by a newly constructed levee system, we all know from experience that no levee system is invulnerable from failing given enough time and enough water. Do our county and city officials forget the impact of significant floods in 1951, 1973, 1986, 1993, 1995, and 2008? Catastrophic flooding in the proposed development is not a matter of if but when! Steve Ehlmann, our current County Executive, was a history teacher in the St. Charles School District for a number of years. Does he truly not understand the history and profound impact of river flooding in St. Charles County? Does Mr. Ehlmann fail to remember that over 42% of the land area of St. Charles County is in the floodplain? In this STL Today story, Steve Ehlmann states that his only objection to development in the floodplain is the impact from the influx of additional students on our school districts. While I am sure that is a valid concern, Mr. Ehlmann, how can you in good conscience, fail to consider the potential impact of catastrophic flooding on our future residents of this inherently vulnerable development? If you truly value the lives and safety of our city and county residents, you would adamantly oppose ANY future development in our St. Charles County floodplains! My position on development in our floodplains has been clear and consistent throughout my 20+ year career in emergency management. We absolutely CANNOT risk the lives of our residents or absorb the financial losses inherent in permitting any new development in the floodplain! These lands should be reserved for agricultural and recreational activities as they have for decades! Our ancestral families, engaged in farming the flood plains, truly understand the devastating impact of flooding and have adapted to the yearly consequences of such for over 100 years. Families moving into this proposed new development would likely be ill prepared for the devastating impact of a significant flood and hence,would face serious injury or even worse. St. Charles County residents, it is time to stand up to career politicians such as Steve Ehlmann and demand that we continue to enforce stringent floodplain policy. It is always regrettable to see our politicians succumb to the influence of big money developers when it comes to projects that could prove devastating to our county residents. My fellow residents , Its Time for a Change! Respectfully, Rod Zerr Candidate for St. Charles County Executive St. Charles County, MO Please LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE to help spread this message. This is VITAL for the future of public safety in our community.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 00:18:42 +0000
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