Each of us believes we have the answers to the problems besetting our county, state and nation. We are convinced that the other person’s ideas are not only wrong but dangerous. Some impugn the character and motives of people whose solutions disagree with their own. If an alternative solution contradicts their ideas, a few would rather see nothing done.

This denigration of motive and character of those with whom we disagree leads to paralysis in solving the problems that confront us. A good example of this is the problems affecting Florida’s waterways. From our natural springs to the Indian River Lagoon to the Everglades, there are no easy, quick or inexpensive answers. What we cannot afford is to continue a war among us which results in nothing being accomplished.

I would love to have the Kissimmee go back to what it once was. Imagine how pure the water would be if the ranches and farms along its banks would return to savannahs and the towns and cities would all disappear. Lake Okeechobee’s wall could come down, the canals disappear and the area south be returned to swamp instead of developments, farms and sugarcane. Do I really have an expectation that this dream will come true…sorry to say, the answer is no. That leaves two alternatives which is doing nothing short of achieving 100% of one’s own solution or working with others to have more modest yet realistic outcomes achieved.

To me it doesn’t mean we stop advocating and working toward restoring the natural flow to our waterways. In the interim we need to use any means necessary to prevent further denigration of those waterways. An example is the Caulkins’ Water Farm off the C-44 canal. Having seen the farm first hand, I now understand better the negatives and positives to moving forward with this use. The farm is on the canal and has the pumps and gates to allow the water to flow to the farm immediately. Their research shows that its 3200 acres can hold about 45% of the excess water in the C-44 from Lake Okeechobee releases. It would prevent that water from contaminating the Saint Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.

The water farm is not the final solution to this problem. It is a stop gap measure in the fight to save our waterways. An ultimate grand plan will only be achieved if we accept small steps in going forward. Let’s press on with the goal of moving the water south. The way to do so is by not making more enemies but by making and converting more people into friends for our cause.