The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - January 19, 2011
From Inglis Town Hall
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Inglis at a Crossroads
At the start of a new year we all take stock of what we did not finish in the past
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
year and what planning needs to be accomplished in the coming year. The same is true of
business and government. The challenge for all levels of government this year will be how
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
to continue to deliver the services that are necessary with less revenue. From the Federal
No election - At the close of qualifying for the three council seats up for a new term,
Government down to some states and large cities, they find themselves running in the red.
only three candidates have qualified. As we had no other issues on the ballot, such a refer-
Inglis has sufficient reserves to carry on the business of the town for the foreseeable future.
endum question, there will be no election this February. Incumbents Mike Lineberger and
However we must start now to find ways to increase our tax base.
Jack Schofield as well as newcomer Tommy Sholes will be sworn in at noon on February 23
The best way to grow a tax base is to encourage businesses to locate in the town.
at the hall. I would like to Thank these individuals for their willingness to contribute to the
This will accomplish a number of positive things for Inglis. New business brings job oppor-
community.
tunities to the area and as our unemployed residents find jobs they will have more income to
Speaking of Politics - In 2008 a shooter burst into a Unitarian Church and opened
spend locally. This in turn means more business will want to locate here. Each and every
fire on the congregation, killing two people and injuring seven others. A search of the shoot-
new dollar spent in Inglis means that it will circulate seven more times in town. How is this
ers home yielded a number of political publications that appeared to demonize the perceived
possible? You ask? When we spend a dollar at a business in town that dollar goes to pay the
political beliefs of the denomination. Similarly, the tragedy in Tucson Arizona last week
employees and owner of that business they in turn spend the dollar at a different business
critically injuring a congresswoman, leaving others seriously wounded and killing at least
and soon the dollars are flowing in and out of the pockets in town. Now however a great
six, which sadly included a little girl, has given us pause to reflect on the political climate
many of these dollars flow out of the town and don’t come back because we do not have the
in our country today. Though the actual motive for the shooting has not been determined,
businesses here to buy everything we need. A diverse business community will change that.
the incident has sparked concern and discussion as to whether or not the vitriolic nature and
Each of these businesses brings additional tax revenue in various forms. The Inglis
lack of civility of much of the political talk and writings these days, on both sides, has had
portion of the gasoline tax, for example, will bring additional monies for road and bridge
anything to do with promoting such horrific acts. Demonization of ones opponents is an age
improvements. Down the road this equates to more money for fixing potholes and paving
old tactic, but it seems that lately it has reached a new height. Perhaps it can be discouraged
streets. Other business adds to sales tax revenue. As new business comes to town they
by not supporting it, and by researching out the accusations and statements that are made, so
need to build new buildings and that adds value to the vacant commercial property around
that false information is not perpetuated. One of the most interesting comments I’ve heard
town. This then adds to the tax base for the town and again provides the town with addi-
on the subject lately, is that much of the hateful speech and writings tend to present whatever
tional revenue to pay for necessary services.
the subject is, in a catastrophic light, as if we were facing Armageddon. This makes it hard
The lynch pin to bringing business to Inglis is a sewer system in our commercial
for some people to remain civil and incites some to extreme measures because they see the
Drinda Merritt, Inglis Commissioner
district.
situation as very dire. Perhaps we should all keep things in perspective. It seems to me that
the real goal of hate campaigns is to suppress any real and factual examination of the issues.
Letter To The Editor,
Only by well informed discussion can we make good policy decisions. Tolerating those with
Re: “Ouch”
different opinions, however difficult it may seem, would probably help too. Good Night and
Existing Inglis business was recently greeted with an un-friendly town meeting
Good Luck
about a sewer system with no means to comment or have any input. “Ouch”
Our Mayor, Bill Lake seems to be the architect behind this movement (supported by Com-
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
missioner Merritt) but in our last meeting he seemed to amend his position by saying that
unless costs come down it was not a sure thing. With this, he left everything to our Commis-
Where Customer Service is our Priority
sioners to figure out. “Ouch”. Was this a set up?
Owned & Operated by the Vorisek Family
Are we going from Elvis to Kevin Costner, in “The Field of Dreams” You know,
build it they will come????
Toll Free: 1-888-610-4947 Local: 352-447-6002
So let’s look at what Inglis Commissioners and Mayor are forcing on (existing)
business owners to fund; hoping that new businesses will bail them out before bankruptcy.
Enhance your Health
REMOVE Iron, Sulfur,
SERVICE
·
A sewer system without sound business base nor feasibility study to validate need for
with Reverse Osmosis
Chlorine,Hardness
the service “Ouch”
Drinking Water &
Bacteria, Tannin,
·
A tax break-- Nope, “Ouch”
Whole House Systems RENTALS
Odor & Cyanide
·
A specific unique trained work force. (Inglis should invest in training).
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Immediate access to a major interstate highway. No “Ouch”
Financing Available • 12 Months Same as Cash • FREE Water Analysis
·
A friendly political atmosphere. “Ouch”-- Just check the Newscaster audio of Inglis
Town Meetings.
(http://thenewscaster.com/inglis/audio.html)
ew! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
·
Our Commissioners and Mayor decided to raid our piggy bank under the pretense that
we are losing a tax base. What you should all know is that it appears that our Water Dept.
R&M
has levied a tax on us without permission. This Department generates more revenue than
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
real estate taxes.
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
So what about established Inglis businesses operating in our town? They are faced
Complete Auto Repairs
with the same unfriendly prospect of hard times and “Go out of Business” attitude. If you
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
think they are okay, we will not be surprised when they simply go away. Can we save them?
Computer Diagnostics
“YES” we can, by voting for “All New Commissioners and Mayor” at this March election.
In summary, would you open a business here if you knew it would cost you from 16 to 24%
Oil Changes While You Wait
more than outside the city’s limits, not including taxes & assessments??? “Ouch”. Plus all
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
the taxes on your utilities???? “Ouch” The same is true for all of us.
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
You get the picture; if we are a small quaint town and with reasonable tax rates for
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
all we can still enjoy our trips to the Food Ranch.
Accepted
A new position of Town Manager with no Commissioners and Mayor would solve
Fax Line 447-6040
William A. Monteverde, Inglis Tax Payer
this issue.
Captains Cove Outfitters
Computers dot Com
Todd Sumlin
39 W. Highway 40 - Inglis, Florida
Plant Manager
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Bait • Ice • Tackle
INGLIS QUARRY
Computer Sales & Service
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Authorized Heritage Kayak Dealer
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Phone (352)447-2209
P.O. Box 519
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Fax (352)447-0218
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