The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - January 2, 2013
From Dawn's Front Porch
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
New Year Starts Off with Legal Bent -Yankeetown VS Southwest Florida Water Manage-
Re: Mandatory Garbage Fee
ment District (SWFWMD) and Izaak Walton Investors. – At issue is a pending SWFWMD
At the December 11, 2012 meeting of the Inglis Town Commission-- the commission
permit to Izaak Walton Investors, a developer who had proposed a water front development
wants to REQUIRE EVERY PROPERTY OWNER who has a water meter to pay for man-
project on the Withlacoochee River years and years ago. It will be the subject of an informal
datory garbage pickup or the town will cut your water off. At this meeting, every citizen
meeting to be held at Lion’s Club in Yankeetown on January the 8th. YT has challenged the
who spoke was opposed to this fee. Yet, the mayor said that more than half of the citizens
district water management agency’s announced intentions to grant a permit which has been
want to pay this fee, which is clearly not the case since the town has 830 properties which
in the works for about 5 years and involves the surface water issues for the IWI project. YT
have water meters. There are currently 250 properties with water meters that have garbage
had requested an administrative hearing to resolve the matter. An administrative hearing is
pickup by Waste-Pro. This shows only 30% want garbage pickup.
similar to a trial and can be expensive. This hearing is currently scheduled for March at the
In 2009, the then mayor, Bill Lake, signed a contract with Waste-Pro before the Town
Southwest Florida Water Management District Brooksville office and will have a formal
Commission approved it. Because of his action, Waste-Pro threatened to sue the Town for
decision made by a judge at the conclusion. The January 8th meeting is billed as an infor-
$140,000.00 or be given a 5-year exclusive contract for garbage pickup in Inglis. Therefore,
mational and dispute resolution discussion with representatives from all three groups, YT
Waste-Pro currently has a monopoly on garbage pickup in Inglis. This contract runs out in
officials, SWFWMD and Izaak Walton Investors. It appears that this meeting is an effort to
approximately 1 1/2 years.
discuss a possible resolution to the conflict. The staff and attorneys for IWI and SWFWMD
In this meeting, the figure put out was approx. $19.00 mo. which is $228.00 per year
will be there as well as YT officials. The public is invited to attend, the meeting at 10 am.
for each water meter. With 250 properties with meters currently paying, Waste-Pro will
Vocational Training for Better Future – If you are looking for a new direction in the new
receive $57,000.00 per year. With all 830 water-metered properties being REQUIRED to
year by learning a skill, or know someone needs one, you may wish to consider the brand
pay for garbage pickup, Waste-pro will receive $189,240.00 per year. The Town will receive
new state of the art “Welding Technology Center” which recently opened at the College of
10% of that fee, being $18,924.00.
Central Florida campus in Chiefland. The campus which is also called the Jack Wilkinson
Friends, this is nothing more than another TAX that you will be REQUIRED to pay or
Campus, named for a benefactor who donated $2.5 million to the building of the facility,
have your water turned off. If you do not want this MANDATORY $228.00 placed against
held its grand opening in November. The welding program was offered at the Ocala Central
your property, YOU MUST COME TO TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY, JAN. 8 AT 6:00 to
Florida’s campus, but was moved. The center features a lab with welding stations and now
make your opinion heard by the mayor and the commissioners.
is able to accept more students.
Rhonda Kline, Inglis
Yankeetown Post Office In for Changes - The US Postal Service is looking at reducing
Inglis Public Notice
the hours of window service at the post office to 4 hours a day on weekdays but has sent out
a survey that also looks at other options. There will also be a meeting on Jan 22nd at the
Lion’s Club to answer questions.
WGP Program – The Friends of the WGP are hosting the program “Restoring Resiliency
The Town of Inglis is in need of volunteers to serve on the Inglis
in a Changing World, Oysters in Florida’s Big Bend” presented by Jennifer Seavey, Assis-
Planning Commission. This seven member board serves in an advisory ca-
tant Director of Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory at the Preserve on Saturday, January 5 at
pacity to help maintain the primary existing character of the town, guide
10:00AM. Good night and Good Luck
future growth and development, protect, and improve the health, safety
R&M
and welfare of the citizens of Inglis. The Town is in need of persons
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
in the professional field, such as Planners, Architects, Businesspersons,
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
Engineers, General Contractors, Subcontractors, Realtors or any persons
Complete Auto Repairs
interested in the welfare of the Town. Please do your part to ensure
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
the future of your town. You can make a difference by volunteering to
Computer Diagnostics
serve on this board. Inquiries may be made by contacting Inglis Town
Oil Changes While You Wait
Clerk, Sally McCranie at (352 447-2203). Please respond by February
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
1st, 2013. 5:00 P M.
.
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
Upcoming Activities at Inglis AmVets
Accepted
William Crow AmVets Post 447, 405 E. Hwy. 40, Inglis, invites the public to our
Fax Line 447-6040
many activities. We have the NFL Package, so come out and watch your favorite game! Our
phone number is 352-447-4473.
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
HAPPY HOUR is 1:00-4:00 p.m., Mondays - Fridays. On TUESDAYS, enjoy
Bingo with new lighted board at 5:00 p.m. On WEDNESDAYS, Games Night starts at 5:30
p.m. On SUNDAYS, enjoy breakfast for only $4.00 from 9:00-11:00 a.m., lunch from 1:00-
4:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m., bring your instrument and/or vocal talent for a fun, informal Jam
Session. On SATURDAY afternoon, Jan. 12, come out and enjoy a Seafood Boil, followed
CALL 352-447-6002 • Locally Owned & Operated
by our monthly Birthday Bash; call Post at 352-447-4473 for details.
MEMBERS MEETINGS: Riders meet on Thurs., Jan. 3, at 6:00 p.m., the Post
12 MONTHS
FREE WATER ANALYSIS
Executive Committee meets on Sat., Jan. 5, at 10:00 a.m., and the Sons of AmVets meets on
SAME AS
CASH
Mon., Jan. 7, at 5:30 p.m.
Whole House Iron, Sulfur,
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water
Hardness, & Odor Removal
Systems Great for Residential,
Services Available
RV & Commercial Use
SALT DELIVERY AVAILABLE
“WE BUY GOLD”
Captains Cove Outfitters
Lisa VanDeBoe
39 W. Highway 40 -
Inglis, Florida
Exceptional Jewelry • Custom Designing • Estate Buyer
(352) 447-5610
SPECIALTY GEMS
Broker/Owner
Call 352-634-0129
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
Email: plantationlisa@yahoo.com
Established 1985
Bait • Ice • Tackle
See all the Citrus County listings on our Website:
600 S.E. Highway 19 • Crystal River, FL 34429
www.plantationrealtylistings.com
Clean Family Friendly Atmosphere
HOURS:
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All Rods & Reels New w/Mfg. Warranty
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
21 lbs. of ICE FREE w/purchase of 100 Shrimp!