This week marked the arrival of Orlando’s first significant new theme park in 26 years as gates swung open for visitors.
Universal’s Epic Universe,
leading me to inquire, is
Islands of Adventure
Really already 26 years old?
Time certainly seems to move quickly. That is, unless you happen to be among the multitude patiently standing for two hours in the blazing heat, enjoying an overpriced $14.25 Belgian ale just to go through a four-minute experience.
“Curse of the Werewolf”
Roller coasters. Oh, the thrill of a theme park in Orlando.
I clearly stand out as an outlier for not being enthusiastic about another excessively priced, overcrowded, and overly hyped theme park in Orlando. This week’s local and national news coverage has been full of praise for the new attraction which includes yet another iteration of Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, and what they call Celestial Park.
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
Many individuals are likely to attend, and quite a few might actually have an enjoyable time.
And I’m intrigued. Will you be part of their ranks? This leads us to our weekly Question of the Week:
Are you planning to visit the new Universal theme park, Epic Universe, before this year ends?
You can easily cast your votes on the ballots provided above.
You have the option to scan the QR code located on the print edition page or visit the website instead.
https://www./opinions-columns/
.
Kindly share your thoughts explaining the reason behind your vote. To have your remarks or emails featured on our website and in the upcoming week’s printed version, please ensure you provide both your full first and last names.
You can also
Send me an email titled “Theme Park.”
In the subject line. I’m looking forward to reviewing your replies.
Last Sunday I asked:
Should individuals compelled to switch from septic tanks to sewage connections bear the expense not subsidized by governmental aid?
Results:
- Yes: 57.66 percent
- No: 42.34 percent
It seems like your message might have been cut off. Could you please provide me with the full statement or passage you’d like me to paraphrase? Once I receive it, I’ll be happy to assist!
Certainly, the current residents ought to bear the responsibility. Anyone using the sewers has likely covered the associated costs at an earlier stage—whether through initial investments made when setting up these systems or via payments included in property purchases. It wouldn’t be fair for those same individuals to have to finance conversions from septic tanks to sewers with their own tax dollars afterward. Keep in mind that even grant funds originate from various taxpayer pools, including federal and state contributions. Hence, imposing additional charges could essentially mean double taxation.
— Ron Voll
There must be a method to calculate the expense for each house and subsequently divide the cost evenly between the municipality and the property owner.
— Jody Hatcher
Loans, grants, call them what you will, but this funding doesn’t come directly from the government; it comes from taxpayers like me. As such, I shouldn’t have to foot the bill for someone else’s expenses.
— Gerald Svrcek
Don’t count on receiving grant money anytime soon. We’re still working on obtaining funding for the train station. I spoke with a past council member who mentioned that 30 years back, the city estimated the cost to the property owners at around $8,000. Assuming an annual inflation rate of about 3%, this amount would now total approximately $18,852.51—though please verify my calculations. In cases where the property owner can afford these costs, they should go ahead. However, if the owner lacks sufficient funds, we ought to provide some form of financial aid.
— Paul Kamus
The expenses associated with implementing the sewer system for the 88 residences situated along the Indian River in Cocoa appear excessively steep, costing nearly $100K per household according to estimates ranging from $6.6 million to $8.2 million. Additionally, initiating an open-ended agreement that places this financial burden solely on the homeowners appears both unjust and potentially unconstitutional.
— Bob Socks
The individual bathrooms of riverside houses are off-limits to visitors, and should you incur any connection fees following the depletion of grant funds, they may be settled gradually. I myself covered such costs, and as a result, the surroundings saw significant environmental improvement rather quickly.
— Tom Smith
The inhabitants near the river have had ample time to prepare their budgets for this change. They understand it needs to happen due to improvements planned for the IRL as well as government mandates. They count themselves lucky that the municipality is dedicated to securing funding through grants. Therefore, they recognize it is not only a civic but also a legal obligation to participate.
— H.L. Singeer
As a snowbird owning property in Satellite Beach connected to the public sewer system, I’ve encountered issues similar to those faced during mandated sewage hookups in Pennsylvania:
1. Local authorities restrict homeowners’ choice of contractors; using unauthorized personnel leads to failed inspections unless corrected by approved contractors—often resulting in extra fees exceeding $1,000.
2. Final municipal approvals incur exorbitant permitting expenses as high as $500 merely for inspecting pipe connections and ditches—even certified contractors face these hefty reviews.
3. Approved contractors hike prices twofold right away due to this designation status.
4. Authorized contractors propose discounts when multiple residents collaborate under one agreement, fostering tension among neighbors over choosing preferred providers.
5. Towns opt to handle projects themselves yet command pricier rates compared to independent operators to prevent upsetting local businesses.
6. Financial aid from sources like grants may lack transparency regarding administrative expenditures such as street closures, traffic management, and processing fees deducted before disbursal to affected parties.
7. On top of all considerations, towns impose connection levies despite welcoming fresh clients.
To prevent such antics, local governments should establish and publicly disclose inspection and connection fee structures before implementation, allowing residents to provide feedback. Cities ought to solicit bids from various contractors and permit property owners to pick their preferred choice among those offering services. The bidding process should consider factors like the length of excavation work required as well as the price per foot of piping installation. It’s crucial that all information regarding public funds and how they will be utilized must remain transparent and accessible to everyone.
— Kevin Barwin
Although nobody enjoys the prospect of facing unpredictable costs, these connections represent an investment for the property owners that enhances the worth of their homes. When you also consider that grants will probably offset most of the expenses, it becomes quite a straightforward decision.
— Ross Miller
Although I don’t have children enrolled in Brevard County schools, I still pay school taxes. Similarly, many seniors who no longer drive continue to pay taxes that fund road construction and upkeep. There are also individuals who may not require police or firefighters’ services yet contribute their share toward these essential resources because everyone benefits from them collectively. By paying taxes, we uphold the common welfare and collective spirit of our country. Our contributions enable the functioning of vital institutions like law enforcement and government leadership, ensuring cleaner environments through initiatives focused on purifying our air, water, and streets. Transitioning from septic tanks to sewers comes with significant financial assistance ranging between $12,000 and $24,000 per household. This transition underscores our responsibility as Americans living near these cherished aquatic landscapes. Make no mistake—just as burning trash at home isn’t allowed nor should waste go directly into coastal waters via toilets. If one appreciates rivers, respecting and maintaining them involves connecting to sewer systems instead of relying solely on personal septic solutions. Since choosing inland locations wasn’t preferred, contributing financially towards communal environmental care becomes necessary. Connect to the sewage system!
— Laura Petruska
I believe that property owners should bear the cost of connecting their homes. Nevertheless, there ought to be a fixed fee, which they could pay off over either five or seven years based on the total sum required. It’s important to emphasize that after an agreed-upon figure has been decided upon and ratified, the municipality must honor that commitment. The requirement for compulsory connection has existed as a statewide regulation for quite some time now; hence, prudent homebuyers would have saved funds anticipating this eventuality.
— George White
As a homeowner within Zone J for Cocoa’s septic-to-sewage conversion initiative, I am supportive of this effort aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Indian River Lagoon. Nonetheless, I do not agree with the idea that only those directly impacted will benefit from this undertaking. This project offers advantages to all citizens of Brevard County; therefore, any extra expenses past what has been funded through grants ought to be distributed among everyone accordingly. In essence, considering it’s an ordinance set forth by the city of Cocoa, these surplus expenditures should minimally be borne collectively by all inhabitants of Cocoa.
In addition to setting up the new connecting pipelines and dismantling current tanks, various related expenses might be substantial for certain properties. Some locations could necessitate lift pumps to connect with the sewer system, while others face major expenditures due to disruptions of their existing driveways, retaining walls, and landscaping elements.
I completely endorse the primary aim of restoring the Indian River Lagoon and concur with the scientific evidence and professional views indicating that this initiative will aid in reaching that goal. Personally, I find the standard city connection charge and partial contribution towards the expense of removing tanks and establishing a new pipeline to connect each property to the municipal sewer system acceptable.
Nevertheless, I do not consider it equitable or justified that the approximately 88 impacted properties should shoulder the possible financial responsibility for any unspecified additional expenses incurred by the city, along with personal expenditures related to modifications that aren’t funded through acquired grants.
— Greg Henry
Contact
Torres
at
jtorres@
. You can follow him on Twitter.
@johnalbertorres
Multimedia editor
Rob Landers
contributed to this report.
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The article initially appeared on Florida Today.
Weekly Question: Are you planning to visit Universal’s newest theme park this year?
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