On May 14, Central Florida residents and visitors had a chance to view the historic last launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from the Kennedy Space Center.  Atlantis is one of three remaining shuttle orbiters, each of which was scheduled to have its final flight.  The mission designation for the flight is STS-132 (which stands for Space Transfer System mission #132).

Atlantis’ 12-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) delivered a 23-foot long, 17,000 pound Russian-built research module that will provides additional storage space and a new docking port. The module was to be permanently attached to one of the existing sections of the ISS and will carry important hardware on its exterior including a radiator, airlock and a European-built robotic arm.  Three spacewalks were planned to install spare components outside the station, including six spare batteries, a Ku-band antenna and spare parts for the Space Station’s Canadian-built robotic arm.

This and the other final flights of Discovery on November 30 and Endeavor will be the last opportunity to transport large components and spare parts to the ISS, which can only be delivered using the large cargo bay provided by the Shuttle.

This was the 32^nd flight for Atlantis, which lifted off on its maiden voyage on Oct. 3, 1985.   Later missions included the launch of the Magellan probe to Venus in May 1989, Galileo interplanetary probe to Jupiter in October 1989, the first shuttledocking to the Mir Space Station in June1995 and the final Hubble servicing mission  in May 2009.

Atlantis is named after a two-masted sailingship that was operated for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute from 1930to 1966.

In total Atlantis has logged 115 million miles of space flight has spent 282 days in earth orbit.

Prime launch viewing sites are along the Indian River on U.S. Highway 1 especially in Titusville, the Beachline Expressway Rt. 528 where it crosses over the Indian River, in Cocoa Beach off Route A1A, and at Jetty Park at Port Canaveral.  Plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours prior to launch.

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If you live in Celebration, there may be a kind of “time bomb” ready to go off in your house at any moment.  Thanks goes to a dozen or so residents who have called our attention to it, including Dennis Kennen (who started a thread on the Front Porch last month) and to Rick Amick (who posted a thorough explanation and warning).  The problem is sudden and unexpected water leaks inside the house.  The root cause: water pressure delivered to our homes that significantly exceeds County and Uniform Plumbing Codes, coupled with the omission by Celebration builders to install simple pressure relief valves.  

Just ask residents such a Thomas Muery, Renato Texiara, and William Abendschein.  All had expensive repairs totaling thousands of dollars.

The solution is relatively simple: a pressure relief valve installed in the water line just before it enters the home.

I just had one installed in my house in East Village, after I learned of the danger by reading the Front Porch thread started by Kennen.  Suddenly, recent incidents nearby suddenly became clear.  Earlier this year, my immediate neighbor suffered extensive water damage to the entire first floor of his house.  Three months later, his neighbor had a water pipe burst, flooding half his house and ruining the carpet.  A few blocks away, a friend had a burst water line just a week ago.  The next day I had a mysterious trickle of water form under our washing machine.

Kevin the Plumber verified my fear.  The pressure was about 120 psi, far exceeding the recommended maximum of about 80 psi.   In a bit over an hour, Kevin installed a pressure relief valve, his second such installation that day.  The water pressure time bomb has stopped ticking at my house.

But that raises an interesting issue.  Should not some public organization (such as the County, CCDD, or CROA) be warning residents of this danger?  Do the builders have an ethical responsibility to warn all the homeowners?  What about real estate agents who sell houses to unsuspecting buyers? 

Based on the talk around town, the attitude seems to be Caveat Emptor … Let the Buyer Beware.  The Water Department, CCDD, The Celebration Company, builders, and real estate agents all seem to be pointing their fingers either at the others or at the home owners themselves.

Thus it falls to the Fourth Estate (a term coined by Edmund Burke, meaning “the Press”). 

We urge you not to procrastinate.  Test your water pressure with a simple pressure gauge available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or a good hardware store.  If it exceeds roughly 85 psi, buy and install a pressure relief valve.  Or call a reliable plumber like Kevin (their repair costs reportedly vary between $150 and $250, depending on the size of house and other factors).

Even if the water lines in your house have held until now, the excessive pressure month after month may eventually produce a weak point, causing what could be inconvenience (at best) and catastrophic, expensive damage (at worst).

Just because our public servants haven’t waived a red flag, it doesn’t mean there isn’t danger.  Just ask the residents with posts on the Front Porch, category “Place& Community.”

Originally posted 2010-02-07 13:03:52.

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Nearly 100 members of the Celebrators Club recently returned from their second annual cruise to Nassau and the Bahamas aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ship. 

One of the highlights of the four-day cruise was an interactive Murder Mystery written by Earlyn and Con.  Suspects included Kenny Zisel, Jan McChesney, Pat Wells, Harold Kollman, Shearer Richardson, Bob Sublet, Sal Negro, Fred Bartok, Ann Fitzpatrick, Coach Rich, Pat McGoldrick, and Mary Orr.  The identity of the perpetrator remains a carefully guarded secret to protect the guilty.

Other activities included a treasure hunt organized by Susan Lovely and her mom Barbara, bridge, and a rousing series of mah jongg.  Said Ann Fitzpatick, “ Fun and fellowship abounded.  Everything about the ship was great, including the entertainment, shopping, and of course the food.”

To the disappointment of some of the more adventurous (such as Bill and Catherine Pelaia), no pirates in an 18^th century brigantine were spotted, and no buccaneers in leather cavalier hats and carrying razor-sharp cutlasses attempted to board the vessel.  On the other hand, guests were warned of piracy among the merchants of Nassau.

 The Celebrators Club is open to residents age 50 and over. Their mission is to continue life-long learning, do volunteering and socialize with others in Celebration, both young in age and young in heart.  They meet on the first Wednesday of each month, usually at Heritage Hall, at 9 am.

Among their next outings are dinner at Seasons 52 on Sand Lake Road on February 25, and another dining experience (location TBD) on March 25.  Those interested in joining should contact Herb Winfield at 407-566-8933.

Originally posted 2010-03-04 10:38:15.

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Located in Celebration, Florida, the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement (NCSA) was recently awarded $4.2 million by the federal government as part of the 2009 federal stimulus program.  The project was one of two earmarks requested by Congressman Allan Grayson that would have directly affected Celebration.  The House Appropriations Committee rejected the other, $750,000 requested to upgrade the planned Celebration library.

The Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement, located at Florida Hospital Celebration Health, develops and disseminates cutting edge surgical knowledge and techniques through state-of-the-art teleconferencing technology.  Participants perform minimally invasive surgical procedures at one of nine state-of-the-art endoscopically equipped stations, mastering invasive surgical skills.

The money will pay for the training of doctors and the development of robotic surgery techniques.  The money will create dozens of new high-paying jobs.  A primary goal of the project is to save the lives of U.S. troops in the field.  The directed spending (earmark) will come from the Department of Defense and is the largest single award in the 8th Congressional District for 2010.   

Doctors will eventually be able to use the technology to perform life-saving operations on troops in the field, long before they can get to a hospital, performed remotely by surgeons that might be located anywhere in the world.  The funding will lead to the direct creation of at least 50 high-tech jobs over a five-year period here.  The workers will make an average of $55,000 a year.

The award will help establish a new “Global Center of Excellence in Medical Robotics and Simulation,” which will be housed at the NCSA.

“It is our vision to expand the reach of the Nicholson Center and this grant will help us make this goal a reality,” said Lars Houmann, president and CEO of Florida Hospital. “The support of the local community and lawmakers has provided us with assistance that allows Orlando to continue on its path of becoming a medical destination.”

“It is so important that physicians have access to a training facility that advances the understanding of robotic and simulation technologies,” said Dr. Monica Reed, administrator of Florida Hospital Celebration Health. “Florida Hospital Celebration Health is so fortunate to house this outstanding facility where physicians from all over the world will have the opportunity to further improve their skills in robotic surgery.”

In a press conference following the announcement of the award, Congressman Grayson admitted that the award was an earmark that apparently did not have to pass much Congressional scrutiny, but defended it on the basis of 1) earmarks are such a relatively small percentage of congressional spending, 2) because it represented defense department spending that would ordinarily go to traditional defense contractors located outside the district, and 3) because it will be used to save lives of combat soldiers in the field.

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The long anticipated permanent library branch building for Celebration is moving closer to construction.  The County and The Celebration Company (Disney) reached an agreement on the terms of transferring the planned parcel of land to the County.  As reported previously, the site selected is in the civic corridor near the intersection of Celebration Boulevard, Campus Street, and Celebration Place.  Construction may start by the end of the year.

According to Osceola County’s Beth Knight, the County is now conducting a detailed due diligence assessment prior to the closing currently scheduled for April 1; they will be reviewing the many issues affecting site appropriateness. .  Looney, Ricks, Kiss Architects have been chosen to design the project.

The County has $1.55 million appropriated to build the facility.  Said Ms. Knight, “We anticipate this funding will be sufficient.”  This a fortunate, since the U.S. Congress House Appropriations Committee did not approve the earmark request by Congressman Allan Grayson for additional funds for the library as part of last year’s Federal Stimulus package.

On the other hand, Ms. Knight revealed that the County Staff recently discovered a half million-dollar grant available for new library construction.  The County is in the process of completing the application due in later February.  “We are excited about the possibility of receiving such a grant,” said Ms. Knight.  The funds would be used to enhance and upgrade the technology and other resources available to library patrons.

Once construction begins, hopefully in the late Fall 2010, the normal expected construction time would be 12-18 months, according to Ms. Knight.  That could mean an opening around the early to mid part of 2012.

Originally posted 2010-03-03 18:04:55.

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Florida National Guard Enjoys Family Holiday Party Hosted by Town of Celebration

Last Fourth of July the Town of Celebration signed a “Community Covenant” in support of our Armed Forces and decided to adopt a local Army National Guard Unit scheduled to be deployed overseas in early 2010. Recently, residents of the Town organized a combination Christmas and Send-off party for the soldiers and their families at the Celebration Community Center. The event was a resounding success that buoyed spirits and touched the hearts of those who attended.

The Unit being deployed is the Headquarters Company of the Second Battalion, 124th Infantry of the Florida National Guard, led by Captain Jason Craft.. Stationed at the Ferncreek Armory in Orlando, the unit has been activated for deployment in the Middle East Theater. Ferncreek Armory is about 20 miles northeast of Celebration, and a few miles north of the Orlando International Airport. But the soldiers are from all over Florida, not just the Orlando area.

South Village resident Karen Whelden spearheaded the planning and organization of the entire event for the soldiers and their families. Her spouse, retired Army Major General Craig Whelden, developed the Community Covenant Program now used to support all branches of the United States Military. Covenants with military units have now been signed by 400 American towns, communities, groups, and States across the country (www.army.mil/community).

The recent event held in Celebration was not only a Holiday party, but also served as a venue for awarding Unit commendations earned while the soldiers have been preparing for deployment. After a breakfast and other business, the Company’s 108 members assembled and marched smartly two blocks down Celebration Avenue to Founders Park and the Veterans Memorial. Family members followed along on the sidewalk, while residents lined the street to applaud their adopted heroes. With the Company in precise formation, Captain Craft and Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Ralph Ribas thanked the community and bestowed about 10 commendations to unit members. In particular, Captain Craft presented framed certificates of thanks to Katie Tamanini of Town Hall, Karen Craft, and Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Following that troop formation ceremony, the soldiers and their families (numbering about 220 in total) returned to the Community Center for a Christmas feast, entertainment, children’s games, and other activities. Later, children and their parents were transported by Mike Gaw’s Celebration Express train to the Santa Station on Front Street for a visit with Santa, photos, and a present.

Said Captain Craft afterward, “My soldiers and their families were absolutely overwhelmed by the visible and practical outpouring of care demonstrated by the people of Celebration and the surrounding area. Our children will not soon forget the great food, train ride, visit from Santa, presents, entertainment, and so much more. Our soldiers could not have been prouder as they paraded in the town. They and their loved ones could see, in a real way, the reason for their sacrifice. For a short time they did not have to think about deployments and separation; for a short time it was all about enjoying the season.”

Much credit goes to all those residents and groups that contributed time, materials, and food. They include CROA, Celebration Town Hall Staff, Joseph Judge, Hank Wake, Desiree Eastman, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Joe Magic, Mike Gaw, Family Fun Station, Lee Moore, Town Tavern restaurant, other local businesses and entertainers, and scores of resident volunteers.

Deployment date for Headquarters Company is now set for January 6.

We will be following the progress of both the soldiers in theater as well as families left back home, and we will be periodically reporting on how they are doing.

Originally posted 2009-12-31 10:06:25.

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According to their post, “We have made a decision to close the Family Fun Station at the end of the business day on December 31st. We have made this decision for several reasons. First, the business as currently structured cannot generate sufficient income to justify remaining open; second,we have not had success in any attempts for the addition of different activities that would generate revenue;and third, we no longer can afford to pay the rent, utilities and wages required to remain open. We are saddened by this set of circumstances, and the fact that our dream of providing a wholesome place for the community,young and old, to relax and have fun will not be realized. We fully accept the fact that we made a business decision to open the Family Fun Station in October 2007, but as it turns out like thousands of other small businesses the decision in retrospect was not timely. We had hoped that the economy would improve and business would be better, but we learned a lesson that I well knew from my military experience that hope is not a method. “

Mike and Pattie were among the first residents of Celebration, having had their name chosen during the original lottery held by Disney in November 1995.  A former army major general, Mike is one of the town entrepreneurs, and has served the community as a CROA board member.  Pattie is a successful real estate agent who plans to continue that business. 

The Gaws explained that they would be selling the contents of the Fun Station over the next few weeks, including games, vehicles, prizes and bikes.   That includes the popular Celebration Express train that has given thousands of passengers a mini-tour of Celebration around the immediate Town Center area.   Anything that is not liquidated would be donated to Give Kids the World, an organization that they have long supported.

Magnanimously, the Gawsacknowledged that many children have been saving redemption tickets and that they would do their best to redeem them for prizes, cash they can spend, or donations to a charity.

The Gaws can be contacted through the Front Porch posting thread or at the Fun Station while liquidation and clean-up proceeds.

Pattie and Mike concluded by noting, “We would like to sincerely thank each and every customer who has frequented the Family Fun Station, our long time immediate neighbors Kilwin’s Ice cream–the very best ice cream in the area, and our new neighbors the unique Spot Me Kids. We wish continued success to you both.”

Originally posted 2009-12-31 10:47:42.

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The Celebration community water company, formally known as the Enterprise Community Development District (ECDD), has recently announced steps to help residents with high/fluctuating fresh water pressures.   These steps will not only inform residents regarding how to reduce the possibility of water damage to their homes, but also will result in the installation of equipment that should fix the water high/fluctuation problem permanently.

This issue began attracting wide-spread attention of residents several months ago as a consequence of information exchanges posted by homeowners on the Front Porch website.  This thread revealed:

*  Many Celebration residents have experienced a variety of plumbing problems in their homes, ranging from blown seals to burst pipes.
*  Local plumbers, called to repair damaged plumbing, seemed to agree that many of these problems stemmed from unusually high or highly fluctuating water pressure entering the houses in Celebration.  They have recorded pressures over 100 psi and as high as 125 psi.  In contrast, the usual maximum recommended in building codes and standards is reportedly about 80 psi.  Home plumbing systems are not designed to withstand these higher or widely fluctuating pressures.
*  To remedy these conditions plumbers have been installing pressure reduction valves (as opposed to pressure relief valves) in many homes, at a cost of $150-250.  Unfortunately, many of these homes had already sustained considerable water damage and expense, as much as $50,000 to replace furnishings, carpet, drywall, and hardwood flooring.

ECDD’s Brian Smith explained to residents during and after a recent CROA meeting that on many occasions he warned builders to install pressure reduction valves on dwellings built in Celebration, consistent with established and well-communicated ECDD policies. Some people believe that such devices could have helped reduce the unusual rash of incidents involving water leaks or plumbing damage in Celebration dwellings.

Thankfully, the ECDD has offered to insert a warning in the next water bills mailed to homeowners, along with instructions on how to identify whether their dwelling has a pressure reduction valve (a relief valve is not sufficient).  They also agreed to consider sending an email blast to all residents.  Further, they have offered to measure the water pressure at the homes of any residents that call their office.

After the meeting Smith elaborated on planned actions to install variable frequency drives (VFD) in the water system, equipment that will reportedly control water pressure variation from one point in time to another within a much tighter range.  According to the ECDD, “Currently as the system demand exceeds the capacity of the jockey pump (which produces up to 500 gpm at 75 psi discharge pressure), the high service pump will start and the system pressure at the pump station would rise in the vicinity of 110 psi based on a suction pressure set point of 50 psi at the pressure regulating valve.   Based on this, the current range (of pressure delivered to residents) is generally 75 to 110 psi (plus/minus).  If the TOHO pressure drops below 50 Psi then the low end of the pressure will lower accordingly. With the (planned) VFD and pressure set point control, the system pressure range can be expected to be 75 to 90 psi depending on the desired operating set point. In addition to controlling the range, the variation in pressure with VFD will be much smoother.

The date when residents can expect the new equipment to be fully operational is somewhat vague.  In response to that question, the ECDD said, “We have evaluated two options for the VFD addition. One is to retrofit the existing panel to accommodate the new VFDs and the other would be to provide separate enclosures for the VFDs.  In both options, the motors will have to be rewound to make them compatible for the VFD.  We have been trying get the optional prices from the ECDD desired control shop since mid December.   Finally they have promised price early next week.  Per Florida Bearings, the retrofit option can be implemented in 3-4 week from NTP, while the other option may take 8-9 weeks due to longer delivery times.”

Until equipment installation is complete, local plumbers and other knowledgeable individuals recommend installation of a pressure reduction valve to help decrease the possibility of potential related problems.

The next public meeting of the ECDD Board is February 17, 4 pm, at the 851 Building.  According the ECDD charter, residents are welcome to attend and comment.

Originally posted 2010-02-14 05:49:51.

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Celebration, Florida, resident Roxanne Bras is another of America’s heroes soon to be deployed to Afghanistan to help fight the War on Terror.  But that’s not the only reason for the Town to be proud of her.  Having graduated in June with a degree in Economics from Harvard, the second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was recently named a Rhodes Scholar, a first for both Celebration and Osceola County.  Following her tour in Afghanistan, she will report to University of Oxford in October to pursue an M.Phil. in international relations, specializing in strategic studies.
After having attended the Celebration K-8 School from 1996 to 2001, Ms. Bras graduated valedictorian from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Kissimmee’s Gateway High School in 2005.  While at Gateway, she was on the tennis and cross-country teams.  Her mother, Karen Bras, credits the IB Program for “opening up the world” for her daughter, noting that IB commands a lot of respect among Ivy League Schools that otherwise might not consider graduates from high schools in Osceola County.  Last year, Celebration High School announced that it would also be offering an IB Program.

Having received a four-year scholarship from the U.S. Army to attend Harvard, Ms. Bras studied the economics of national security, with emphasis on counterinsurgency.  Her senior thesis involved the quantitative metrics in counterinsurgency, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan.  While an ROTC cadet during her freshman year, she met General David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, who has been her mentor ever since.  In addition to her undergraduate degree, she also earned her second lieutenant’s commission, as well as graduation from the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Air Assault School.

The famous Rhodes Scholarship Program was created in 1904 and is funded by a trust established by Cecil John Rhodes (1853- 1902), a British-born businessman and mining magnate in South Africa, and founder of the DeBeers Diamond Company.  Each year, the trust funds nearly one hundred scholarships to Rhodes’ alma mater, University of Oxford, about thirty-two of which are allocated to the United States.  This year there were over 800 final applicants for those thirty-two awards.  Winners receive up to three years’ of fees and living expenses while in graduate studies at Oxford; by some estimates that’s about $50,000 per year.

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential, and physical vigor.  Roxanne’s mother noted that her daughter distinguished herself athletically not only as a marathon runner, but also in the airborne and air assault schools.  “But the clincher, “ said Karen Bras, “may have been her thesis on counterinsurgency.”  The Rhodes Scholarship recipients for 2010 were announced a few days before Thanksgiving, no doubt adding to the blessings for which the family gave thanks.

In a December speech to the Middle School Girls Leadership Forum at All Saints Academy in nearby Winter Haven, Lt. Bras warned the girls against putting too much importance on being a woman.  “Don’t try to be the best female president,” she noted,  “ … just be the best president.”  She emphasized that hard work inside and outside school would some day pay off.

Lt. Bras is currently preparing for deployment at Fort Campbell (KY), and she is scheduled to leave in early February for Afghanistan, where she will serve as a combat engineer before reporting to Oxford in October.  She will remain an Army officer while she is studying at Oxford. 

Concluded her mother in an exclusive interview, “ We are proud of all our children.  We have urged each of them to follow their dreams.”

Originally posted 2010-01-29 11:41:59.

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Celebration, Florida and other area residents recently scrambled to cope with a water main break nearly ten miles east of Celebration near U.S. 192.   Although water pressure was reportedly quickly restored, the local water authority warned residents to boil water as a precaution for several days, setting off a run on bottled water at local supermarkets.  Such water problems have been rare in Celebration.  The episode was a reminder that abundant supply of fresh water is another modern convenience that’s easy to take for granted until it’s suddenly taken away.

About 12:30 pm on Thursday January 26, 2010, a major 20” water main break occurred near the corner of Carroll Street and John Young Parkway.  The main belongs to the Toho Water Authority, the organization that provides water to Celebration’s Enterprise Community Development District.  Construction of some sort was reportedly underway in the area of the break, but the cause of the break had not been officially determined as this issue went to press.

In a Friday evening interview, Toho’s Utility Information Coordinator Mary Guidone explained that within a half an hour of the break Toho had issued a press release and notice to many local municipal officials as well as the media.    News bulletins on local Orlando TV and radio stations did not specify Celebration as included in the affected area, causing initial uncertainty and confusion among residents.  She acknowledged that Toho had received many calls from Celebration residents on Thursday evening and Friday.  She explained that she and her Toho colleagues felt bad that so many Celebration residents had not received notification for so long after the break occurred.  A formal, all-residents notice was distributed to Celebration residents on Friday morning about noon as the lead story of the regular weekly Celebration Town Hall email newsletter.

The area affected roughly paralleled the U.S. 192 corridor, bounded by I-4 on the west, Osceola Parkway on the north, Michigan Avenue on the east, Orange Blossom Trail on the south, with some other limited areas in the southeast corner of that quadrant.

Asked why the County’s Reverse 911 System was not used to inform residents, Ms. Guidone explained that because the number of affected was so high (about 45,000), it was decided not to use it.  According to County sources, the system is capable of making about 1500 calls per hour, meaning that thirty hours would have been required, causing thousands to be called in the middle of the night.

The water main break was repaired by about 11 pm on Thursday night.  Early Friday morning, water-testing samples were collected at eight locations in the affected area, including a point at which Toho’s water flows into the Celebration system.  Results had been expected early Saturday afternoon, and it was anticipated that shortly thereafter Toho would issue a notice to its usual large distribution.  If appropriate that notice would have included further recommendations or cautions to residents.  If necessary, Toho might have flushed the pipes in certain areas or added more chlorine to the water.

By Friday evening, the bottled water shelves were bare at the local Publix supermarket.  By Saturday, Publix had restocked the shelves, in spite of strong demand.

Some residents reported that they learned of the Boil Water Alert on Friday evening from the Town’s internet website, called the Front Porch Forums.  Others were informed at work on Friday.

Reunion resident Peggy Samulowitz first learned of the alert in the Saturday morning yoga class at the Celebration Fitness Centre.  “As far as I know, there was no notification to Reunion homeowners.” she said.

Fortunately, Toho announced on Saturday afternoon about 1:15 pm that the boil alert had been lifted.   Life in the area with respect to water supply resumed to normal.

Originally posted 2010-02-15 06:16:54.

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