Realtors stand along Summerlin Rd. in protest of ‘Lake O’ water releases

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LEE COUNTY, Fl.,- Chanting and holding signs against the Lake Okeechobee water releases, realtors stood in protest along Summerlin Road on Friday.

The realtors with Right Choice Realty are fed up with the brown water lining the Southwest Florida coast, and say people are backing out of deals because of the murky water in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We think that’s a direct threat to us, our industry, and our way of life,” said Jack Solloway, owner of Right Choice Realty. “We have to fix this in the next year or two or we are seriously going to impact our way of life and tourism.”

Many people driving by were supportive of the protest.

“I don’t think they should be releasing that water with all the mud and stuff in it,” said one driver.

Solloway says the dark, murky water is scaring buyers away and costing him money. He wants the federal government to send the water to the Everglades.

“We have had two cancellations of contract in the last two weeks, during their due diligence time frame, both with their experiences with the water, directly,” said Solloway.

Solloway says the water releases are a real threat to his business.

“It’s really about disappointment when your entire economy relies on water quality and weather, we can’t control the weather, but we can control the water quality. We are not doing a very good job, so it’s really hurtful.”

The realtors say they will protest every Friday until they see change.

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