The portion of the line constructed on land will be single concrete or steel poles, 60 feet to 90 feet above ground. Poles may be taller when crossing roadways, waterways, or other electrical equipment.  Where the line crosses the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay, structures will be either single, self-supporting steel poles or H-frames.  Most poles will be replaced at or near their current locations and the majority of the existing foundations within Apalachicola Bay will be reused.
 
What to Expect: Installing transmission structures and lines is similar to a typical construction project, with numerous crews, trucks and other equipment. There may be lulls between the phases of activity, but in general, homeowners can expect these stages of construction:
 
Clearing and grading. Probably the most noticeable portion of construction is clearing and grading, which is the earliest step. The right of way must be clear during the construction process.
 
Foundations and installing poles. Property owners can expect large trucks with drilling equipment or a concrete mixer in the right of way. The concrete is poured at the bottom of a deep hole to form the foundation. The poles arrive in sections and may be assembled on the ground before being installed.
 
Stringing lines. Trucks carrying large reels of wire are typically used, with a winch to pull the wire through. Linemen attach the wires to the structures. Later, crews install “ground rods” to the structures. Property owner’s’ power is not affected when the line is energized.
 
Helicopters. Due to the unique aspects of construction activities within the bay, helicopters will be utilized for installation of the structures in the water.    

If you have questions about this project, please call Progress Energy at (888) 272-8133.  More information is also online at http://www.progress-energy.com.
 

Authors in Apalach Library Event Set for Oct. 7 & 8
The Apalachicola Municipal Library’s Friends group PALS’ (Patrons of the Apalachicola Library Society) are hosting an “Autumn – Authors in Apalachicola” October 7-8 that will feature local Florida Panhandle authors who write about the area through fiction, and a noted historical fiction author whose characters would fit into Apalachicola circa 1860. 

On Saturday, Oct. 7, local panhandle authors will spread out in the historic downtown to offer their books for sale and autographing.  The reprinted “Island Light” by beloved Apalachicola author Alexander Key, will be for sale at the home that still bears his name.    

A special sailing excursion, offered by the Apalachicola Maritime Museum, will set sail with author Robert N. Macomber. At 1PM Macomber will offer a program entitled: "GETTING INTO CHARACTER---Researching and Writing Novels around the World", followed by local storytellers and a local author forum.     

The Orman House State Park will host an evening reception with the authors. Macomber is an award winning maritime historian and novelist. His “Honor” Series, with protagonist Peter Wake, begins in Civil War Florida and portrays Florida from the 1860’s to the turn of the century. 

Ghostwalk - Historic hauntings will be the topic of conversation in Apalachicola on October 29 at the Chestnut Street Cemetery. From 7-9 p.m. local history enthusiasts from the Apalachicola Area Historical Society will don the garb and take on the personna of several of the cemetery's more notable inhabitants to tell their tale of life in Apalachicola more than 100 years ago. For more information, click here.

City Protects Trees
The City of Apalachicola took a green step forward earlier this year when Commissioners adopted an ordinance protecting trees and regulating tree removal activities in the City.

Grappling with the issue sporadically for years, City Commissioners drew a line in the sand in January after utility workers damaged several large trees as part of maintenance trimming. The resulting ordinance establishes protective regulations for tree preservation and a permitting process to insure good management practices on private and city-owned property - including utility easements.

Persons interested in removing trees from their property must first seek a permit. And not all trees can be removed. According to the ordinance, persons may not remove or modify “patriarch trees” – any regulated tree in which the trunk at 4.5’ height from the ground exceeds a diameter of 35”. Primarily this relates to the BIG trees such as the old growth oaks, magnolias, pecan and pines.

Now if your tree isn’t big but happens to be “protected” you must still seek planning and zoning approval and obtain a permit before removing trees. Protected trees include most oaks, magnolia, sabal palm and slash pine. You can download the City’s tree ordinance by clicking here. If you still have questions, you can contact Betty Webb, City administrator at 850-653-8222.