For years the Sprayfield Buffers issue has really been a crisis in our community... A crisis of candor, a crisis of conflict, and a crisis of confidence in our local government institutions. But now, at the end of this difficult process, I believe we have a solution before us that is just and fair, and allows us to meet our obligations to our citizens and to keep our promise.

So now, with all the history and hard feelings behind us, we have a proposed settlement, proposed by the City, to resolve the issue once and for all.

We have always said, and we've spoken with one voice on this, that if the City proposes a solution that is acceptable to the neighborhood, we would support it. Tonight Commissioners, we have just such a solution before us.

This agreement preserves 400 foot buffers around the Sprayfield, along Tram Road and along the eastern boundary nearest to the unincorporated County neighborhoods that we have for so long defended. The eastern buffer gradually transitions to a minimum of 200 feet well south of the existing county neighborhoods.

The agreement provides assurances that damaged buffer areas will be repaired and replanted with the same kinds of native species that were lost in the fire of 1998, and it gives neighbors input into the formation of a buffers management plan.

It also requires that offensive signage be removed from the fences surrounding the sprayfield, and prohibits primary or secondary treatment of sewage effluent anywhere at the Sprayfield site.

Most importantly, this agreement requires that any sewage effluent that is sprayed in what we now know as the protected eastern buffer will receive additional sterilization treatment to public access standards if the City ever decides to use the eastern buffer for sprayfield expansion.

It also requires that any future Sprayfield expansion shall be subjected to a Type B development review.

These guarantees are a victory for the neighborhood. It should also be noted, though, that this agreement is a victory for the City as well, because through it they will be able to use 100 percent of the expansion area they had been planning on since even before the negotiated City/County agreement of 1995. It is truly an example of a "win-win" situation that we can all be proud of.

In reflection on the history of this issue, and all the work that's been done, I'd like to express my gratitude to our staff who have carried the ball so far for us... Our attorney Herb Thiele and his bright young staff attorney Suzanne Schmith really closed the deal on this for us. Good job. Also Gary Johnson and the folks in his shop, John Kraynak and Tom Ballentine, really went to bat for us when it counted. Tony Park and his esteemed predecessor Mike Willett did their part as well. Thanks, guys.

Of course, I'll always remember the strength and determination of the neighbors on this issue. Their elected representatives are really a force of nature, and I hope I never find myself on the wrong side of an issue with them. Don Axelrad, Denny Gordon, Kitte Carter and Bill Carroll -- way to go. You are an inspiration to me, and your resolve in the face of impossible odds is a victory for neighborhoods everywhere.

I especially think of the young people of this neighborhood... kids like Sarah Axelrad and Carter McMillan, who sat through hours of meetings like this, and actually spoke before us. They've had quite a civics lesson over the past four years, and I won't be surprised to see them both sitting up here 20 years from now. Sarah, Carter, will you stand up please?

Thank you. I'm glad you're here tonight.... because this agreement is about you... because its about the future... and your families' property investments, which will now be protected forever.

I'd also like to thank my colleagues on this board for their resolve and constancy on this issue. I hope the neighbors will always remember the support they have received from this chamber.

It was the District 5 Commissioner Bob Rackleff and his aide that got this whole process started, and he and Kate were the keepers of the documentation that gave us the leverage we needed to fight this fight.

It was your other district commissioner, Bill Proctor, who's keen sense of justice kept us focused on what was important in this situation, and inspired us to carry on even during the darkest times.

Also remember Commissioner Sauls, while not your district commissioner, is a powerful neighborhood activist, and has stood by you throughout this process.

Also in your corner has been Commissioner Winchester, who as chairman was as solid as a rock on your behalf, and worked behind the scenes to craft the Type B development review provision that is now codified in this agreement. That is hugely important, and in the future, if the City ever does decide to expand into the eastern buffer, we'll remember Dan Winchester's contribution.

You may also remember that Commissioner Maloy, our longest-serving County Commissioner, has stood by you from the beginning, even back in the early 90s when the first Buffers Agreement was reached. It was thanks to his early support that the neighborhood had the traction to push for a fair settlement of the Sprayfield Buffers issue.

And I also hope you'll remember the leadership of our Chairman as well. Has been very creative in his support for your neighborhood, in public and in private, working to resolve this issue in your favor -- and in the future when scholars look back on the history of this issue, it will be his name they see on the final settlement -- and rightly so, because as Chairman and even before, he has been a strong supporter of your cause.

At this time I'd also like to recognize the contributions of former County Commissioners Lee Vause, Gary Yordon, Carol Green, and Ed DePuy. They supported you as commissioners, and have heroically come to your defense as former commissioners as well. We would not be here tonight but for their contributions. I also thank former City Commissioner Dot Inman-Johnson, who took a courageous and principled public stand on this issue.

I ask you also to remember community leaders like Gregg Patterson, Travis Potter, Dan McDaniel, Bob Fulford, Anthony Viegbiese, Richard Junier and Joshua Hicks, who for no other reason than because it was right, also took courageous public stands on your behalf.

And as you look back on this issue, I encourage you also to remember the names Marks, Mustian, Gillum and Katz. They represent a new way of thinking over at the City, on this issue and, I hope, on other issues as well. In fact, during the City Commission's debate on this settlement, you saw the Mayor of the City of Tallahassee actually fighting for additional protections for the neighbors in this agreement - a dramatic sign of how much things have changed over there.

I believe that through the leadership of the new City Commission we will see a new policy of candor and cooperation between our two governments, and I express my thanks to them as well... especially to my friend Alan Katz - a tough negotiator on the City's behalf, who nickle-and-dimed us to death, even on the little, nit-picky stuff... but in the end was the first person at the City to recognize their 'moral obligation' to resolve this issue fairly. I will always admire him for that. And even though it was sometimes tough going, it was a pleasure to work with him and his aide Catherine. As always, when people of goodwill set their minds to doing the right thing, fair solutions can emerge, even as divergent interests are protected.

Commissioners, I ask for your unanimous support of this settlement. With a unanimous vote in favor by this Board, and four out of five commissioners on the New City Commission, we can reject the hubris of the past and move forward together in a spirit of cooperation that will benefit all of the citizens of Tallahassee and Leon County.

In the end, Mr. Chairman, a promise is a promise. These courageous citizens have reminded us of that simple truth time and time again, and I will always remember it. I move option one.