It was reported that Hernando Countyfiled a counterclaim againstthe original contractor for the Hernando Beach Channel dredging project and the contractor's bonding company.

Their counterclaim states taht Orion Dredging Services LLC did not complete the work according to their work permit.

They also are suing the bonding company, Liberty Mutual, who they say had an obligation once Orion was found in default to complete the project or pay Hernando the additional costs it incurred to do so.

The county has hired anew contractor and is money that was planned for judicial space will be going to pay for the extra cost. They are hoping to recoup the money from the lawsuit.

"As a matter of practice, the county attorney's office does not comment on pending litigation,'' assistant county attorney Jon Jouben said Thursday. "That being said, we are confident that the county, by suing Orion and Liberty Mutual, will obtain compensation for the additional costs that it incurred as a result of Orion's abandonment of the dredge project."

Orion was hired in May 2009 to complete the project, which had been tied up in legal, financial and environmental concerns for more than a dozen years by that point. The dredging started the end of2009 and the state stopped it in January of 1020 because Orion was leaving too much sediment in filtered dredged spoils.

The county,Orion and the county's engineering consultant Halcrow Inc. attemped to figure it out, but as usual, the cost came into play and they didn't work it out.

Orion's original contract was for $5,040,385 but they were now saying they needed $12,855,615 to accomplish the new process.

Orion did not return to the project and asked fora hearing before the County Commission and in September 2010. The commissioners determined that the firm had breached its contract.

Everyone blames everyone else. Orion blamed a"defective project design'' by Halcrow. That design, Orion officials argued, "caused Orion to be delayed on the project resulting in damages including but not limited to significant time impacts and cost increases.''

The county then sought relief from Liberty Mutual, but that was denied later that month.

Everyone is fighting everyone else and the County has to the end of the year to get it done or lsoe $6 million in funding.

Why problems like these are not figured out before they start still amazes me.

Hernando Beach is a beautiful place to launch your boat but it is very low and needs dredging.

Why can't anyone get along any more?

We will always keep you posted.

Have a great day and enjoy!

ELSIE KEMPSEY & JULIE LUDOVICO

Team Tropic Hernando