Richard J. MatassaVice PresidentSamsson Construction, Inc.3176 Shoal Line Blvd.Spring Hill, FL 34607

Subject: Bayou Drive Bridge Project

Commissioner Nicholson, I was introduced to this project as a sub-contractor, to EDG/PaveAll as a concrete sub-contractor, contracted to construct the foundation and end walls per the FDOT index include by the design professional, GPI.  Upon the inability of the contractor to maintain a stable and dry work place to properly; form, steel and place the footings, with the pipe properly set and pinned to the foundation in place.  The contractor than presented me with a plan to do precast foundations and set them in place, this plan included your signature and seal making you the engineer of record. The design in my opinion requires perfect execution in what are clearly imperfect conditions, proper dry base placement, proper grading, potential pilings (FEMA Standard & County Ordinance).   As the contractor was not able to provide a dry pit to prepare base, form, steel and place the footings, how would one assume a dry base could be prepared?  This is a minimum requirement, overlooked with the design I was provided. With this we resigned from the project, requesting payment for time on the project and materials provided.  Frankly, from that point we at Samsson made a collective effort to be of assistance and require payment, the contractor pushed us away from the project and has failed to make payment upon payment as agreed.  To date the contractor although receiving payment for the material we provided has not provided payment. Further, I am aware of the workmanship and the issues on the job as some of my staff have been monitoring.  The construction is extremely questionable, water is moving between the shifting foundation and the slabs, steel is exposed to the elements.  This will fail rapidly, note it is not backfilled and already appears to be shifting. Please set a time to meet me on the project with all parties involved and discuss how as the design professional, your opinion of the construction, its progress and payment status vs. completion to date, it is your duty to provide the public with an honest report of the project, its status and its future.  Look forward to hearing from you on how we can deliver a quality project to the tax payer of Hernando County.  Please protect our public and stand behind your design and a quality execution of the design.  This is out of respect as a professional engineer, please let’s make this right.  The tax payers deserve our protection. Also, we can discuss at that time the status of payment. Sincerely,  Richard J. MatassaVice President