Craven Askew

Marco Rubio latest lawmaker to call for the EPA to investigate St. Petersburg sewage issue

Published on September 22, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is the most latest Florida lawmaker calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate St. Petersburg’s sewage crisis. “It is important that residents know if their City leadership turned a blind eye towards the inevitability of a sewage spill at the cost of the local waterways and beaches,” Rubio writes in a letter penned to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “I welcome the EPA’s immediate assistance into this matter, and stand ready to work with you to fix these problems.” The aftermath of…

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Rick Kriseman accuses governor of playing politics with the sewage issue

Published on September 21, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Anne Lindberg

Gov. Rick Scott is guilty of political grandstanding when calling for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to investigate sewage overflows in St. Petersburg, Mayor Rick Kriseman said. “The Department of Environmental Protection is already involved in this issue,” Kriseman said in a written statement. “And given that the governor is singling out St. Petersburg and ignoring the actions of governments across our region, we have to chalk this up to politics.” Kriseman was reacting to the news that Scott…

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David Jolly offers protection to whistleblowers on St. Pete sewer spill

Published on September 21, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Phil Ammann

In addition to asking the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate St. Petersburg’s sewage crisis, David jolly is now offering whistleblower protection to anyone with information about the city wastewater spills. Charlie Frago of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Indian Shores Republican has been working with Craven Askew, the plant operator who warned the city about shutting down the Albert Whitted wastewater treatment facility. That closure led to the Northwest wastewater plant spilling nearly 60 million gallons of partially…

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Rick Kriseman suspends two city directors in wake of sewer tangle

Published on September 21, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Anne Lindberg

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has placed two mid-level city employees on unpaid leave in the wake of allegations that city officials knew that closing the Albert Whitted sewer facility could cause flooding. Kriseman said he plans to address the City Council on Thursday about the status of an independent review, the management study of the water resources department, and the plan for the two directors. Kriseman made the announcement in a short release Wednesday: “Mayor Rick Kriseman has placed…

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Mitch Perry Report for 9.20.16 — Rick Kriseman works on turning it around

Published on September 20, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

David Jolly seemed to take particular relish in last night’s debate, after Charlie Crist attacked him for being unresponsive to asking for federal help for St. Petersburg’s sewage problems post-Hurricane Hermine. “Because the mayor who’s endorsed you who oversaw this catastrophe did not ask for it,” Jolly responded, which received a loud cheer from the crowd, which seemed evenly split among Jolly and Crist supporters. It’s undoubtedly true the recent issues with sewage have become Mayor Rick Kriseman’s biggest challenge…

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Rick Kriseman calls for review of St. Petersburg water department management

Published on September 16, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Anne Lindberg

Mayor Rick Kriseman has called for a review of the management of the St. Petersburg water resources department. Kriseman’s call comes in the wake of accusations by water resources employee Craven Askew that city officials knew closing the Albert Whitted sewer plant could cause overflows and the subsequent dumping of wastewater into Tampa Bay. Kriseman issued this statement late Friday afternoon: “Included in Mr. Askew’s email is a consultant’s report that I believe has never been shared publicly or with…

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