TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Mermaids State Employees? Not So Fast, Says Weeki Wachee Springs

Tribune File Photo

Mermaid Stacye McConnell poses in front of the water park at Weeki Wachee Springs. She's been an underwater performer for 9 years.

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY MARRERO, Hernando Today

Published: December 18, 2007

WEEKI WACHEE – Weeki Wachee Springs is a step closer to becoming a state park, but attraction officials say they want to first explore the possibility of becoming part of the Hernando County park system.

County officials said Tuesday they are willing to consider that but are hesitant to jump into the middle of the ongoing, court-ordered mediation between the mermaid attraction and its landlord, the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The water management district, known as Swiftmud, owns the 27 acres on which the 60-year-old attraction sits. The two sides are trying to settle a longstanding dispute over the terms of the attraction's lease.

"We're still in mediation, and we're still hopeful for a resolution, but by law we can't discuss the details," Swiftmud spokeswoman Robyn Hanke said Tuesday.

Last Friday, Weeki Wachee Springs LLC signed a letter of intent to negotiate a deal with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that would make the landmark part of the state park system.

The letter outlines specifics about how the attraction would transfer to the state park system as a "donation" by Oct. 31, 2008. Several key employees – and the mermaid shows -- would remain, but the waterslides would have to go, according to the letter.

But Robyn Anderson, the general manager of Weeki Wachee Springs who signed the letter, said there are still details yet to be hashed out.

"If there is one issue we don't agree on, the deal could be over," Anderson said.

"This is just the first step in the process," said DEP spokeswoman Sarah Williams. "If (Weeki Wachee officials) decide they're not happy with it anymore we can talk about it more, and if they chose to go in different direction I think they still can."

Anderson said Swiftmud should officially invite the county to the bargaining table. The attraction is a "Hernando County jewel," she said, so the county should have the opportunity to explore the possibility of keeping the landmark in the county park system.

Joe Mason, a Brooksville attorney representing Weeki Wachee Springs, asked county officials on Monday to consider that.

County attorney Garth Coller said he told Swifmud general counsel Bill Bilenky that Hernando County does have an interest in being considered a possible party to the talks "once the legal issues are resolved."

If it came to that, there still would be a host of issues for the county to consider in order to determine whether it's a viable option to take over the park, county administrator Larry Jennings said.

County commissioners also said Tuesday that they don't want to interfere in the mediation but would be willing to participate in talks.

"I think we could run a park as well as the state could run a park," Commissioner Chris Kingsley said.

A benefit of Hernado County running the mermaid attraction is the revenue it generates would remain local, said John Athanason, public relations director for Weeki Wachee Springs.

Otherwise the money would go into a general state fund, he said.

"If we can save the attraction and have the money stay with the attraction and the county, it would better serve the residents," Athanason said. "The county needs the opportunity to speak. This is not a done deal."

Governor: "Are We Going To Keep The Mermaids?"

During the Florida Cabinet meeting today, Michael W. Sole, the secretary of the DEP, updated the states' progress on converting Weeki Wachee Springs into a state park. Governor Charlie Crist and Secretary Sole joked about the job title for the mermaids. Below is a transcript. Click here to listen to the audio. [Real Player]

Bill McCollum, Attorney General: "Before you get started Mike, I've got something to point out governor because we just did a license plate about protecting Florida's springs. I gather that you have some at least optimistic good news about Weeki Wachee Springs. I understand we might be along the way where, we can't nail it quite yet, but you're close to acquiring that for the parks service and that's kind of exciting to me since I grew up in that county and know a quite a bit about that springs. Why don't you tell us about what happened this week?"

Michael W. Sole, Secretary of the DEP: "General, thank you. Today, or actually yesterday, we received a letter of intent from Weeki Wachee which agrees basically to convert Weeki Wachee to a state park and donate that facility to the state. It is subject to some ongoing negotiations with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, but clearly this is a great opportunity, not only for Florida state parks, but the local area as well to help continue to operate that historical facility in a great way."

Bill McCollum, Attorney General: "It's a big springs and I'm sure governor you and the commissioner are aware that it is one of the great natural wonders of Florida. It's been around for a long time as a tourist attraction but has not been managed particularly the we like the last few years. I think ABC at one time owned it. It provided water for the city of St. Petersburg, which I think is your home town."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "It is."

Bill McCollum, Attorney General: "But it's a beautiful river that comes out of it. I just commend you for the work you've been doing on that and keep my fingers crossed that we do complete this and that we work with the water management district to resolve whatever those issues are and we get to execute on that letter of intent."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "That's great. That's great."

Michael W. Sole, Secretary of the DEP: "And general I do thank you for your leadership on this as well. This has been three years of ongoing discussions and hopefully, again I cross my fingers …"

Bill McCollum, Attorney General: "I'm glad to play a small role in that but it was you all that did it."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "Are we going to keep the mermaids?"

Michael W. Sole, Secretary of the DEP: "Yes, sir."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "Excellent."

[Laughing]

Michael W. Sole, Secretary of the DEP: "We'll need to create a new position title though."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "Ok. What?"

[Laughing]

Charlie Crist, Governor: "No. I think we need to stop. This is going down a bad slope. Please continue the agenda."

[Laughing]

Bill McCollum, Attorney General: "You can go down with some of the mermaids Charlie."

Charlie Crist, Governor: "No, no. I'll let you do that general."

Secretary Sole carries on with the meeting.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com. TBO.com Jason Odra contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT