The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - November 4, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
Good News - The Judge has made a decision in the case of Izaak Walton Investors’
Re:We the people of Inglis need to take a long look at the bureaucracy of our town
challenge to Yankeetown’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment and the decision is in Yan-
government.
keetown’s favor! IWI had contested the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) intent
We pay county assessment taxes and city assessment taxes. The City of Inglis assess-
to find our Comp Plan Amendment “in compliance”. However Administrative Law Judge,
ments are not to pave Cason Acres roads or to put in sewers. We are being assessed to
J. Lawrence Johnston’s recommendation is as follows: “RECOMMENDED that the De-
balance the Town of Inglis budget. I am not even sure that this action is legal. By the way,
partment of Community affairs enter a final order finding the Plan Amendments to be “in
whatever happened to “cut the budget and lower taxes?” Our Town Commission does not
compliance.”” It has been a long haul, the comp plan amendment was adopted in March of
realize these times are very hard for most of the people of Inglis.
2008 but in April of that year the DCA found the plan not in compliance. IWI was granted
Our millage rate is higher than any other city in Levy County. Other cities with millage
intervener status and the case was put on hold while the parties attempted to settle. The town
rates similar to ours have city sewer systems.
was able to make remedial changes in April 2009 which brought the plan into compliance
The month the Town Commission voted to increase the assessment, the town was flat
in the DCA’s opinion and then it went to administrative hearing in August. IWI contended
broke. After raising taxes the Town Commission is spending money like deep spring fed
the comp plan amendment was not in compliance for several reasons. One, there was inad-
flowing water!
equate data regarding projected population growth and infrastructure needed to support the
The Town Commission has given the mayor $18,000.00 for a command center and
projected growth. However the judge disagreed and pointed out that IWI’s own witness had
$25,000.00 for park equipment. The 4 to 0 vote on a building CZAR after he was voted no
conceded that the town’s data was adequate for the residential land uses. As for commercial,
4 times before, this is so ridiculous I am even having trouble writing about it.
he stated that the revised plan designates the same areas for commercial as the currently
When I saw permitting on the agenda last month, I asked why this guy keeps feeding us a
effective plan with the exception of one parcel which was changed to light industrial. He
bunch of garbage when we say no so many times. I was told he would not be on the agenda.
went on to say that “there is no shortage of land available for commercial development in
The mayor made them put him on the agenda again.
the town”. IWI also had contended that the intensity standards were too strict, that the plan
In this critical time of financial disaster, we fund a command center, playground equip-
was not financially feasible, and a host of other complaints such as the level of service in
ment, and a building CZAR. Inglis citizens really need to check-out the power this outsider
storm water and drainage, and the lack of central wastewater system. The town addressed
has over the people of Inglis.
these issues very well at the administrative hearing and in the end the judge appears to
Two voting citizens came to my car lot after paying their water bill in town hall. They
uphold our approach to them. The subject is too diverse and there is too much information
told me the mayor of Inglis was screaming profanity at the town clerk, Sally McCranie. He
to adequately distill here but if you would like to read the judge’s recommended order it is
said, “It was her fault garbage contract did not pass making him look like an ass.” (The vote
available at the hall. It is a good read and it may help some people have a better perspective
by the Town Commission not to accept the contract of the Waste Company with mandatory
on the issues. The resolution of this will also have bearing on the commercial moratorium
pick-up and fees had been signed by the Mayor before the vote.) The Mayor was right about
which has been in place.
how it made him look! It was not Sally McCranie’s fault that the Mayor “put the cart before
A very big CONGRATULATIONS is owed to so many who have worked soooo hard
the horse”.
on this project over the YEARS. Special congrats to Larry Cohan, Planning and Zoning
Sally McCranie has for many years done a splendid dance around mayors and town
Commission Chairman, whose middle name is work, Ed Candela past P&Z Liaison on the
commissioners. She has always been courteous and respectful of both town officials and
council whose middle name is also work, our attorney Ralf Brookes who has skillfully
town citizens. To defame her in this way in public is unconscionable. A public apology if
guided us through the weird waters of the legal requirements on this, Rebecca Jetton our past
required! I am very interested in what our weak Mayor will request and receive of our strong
Zoning Official whose wealth of experience produced a very classy plan, Chris Fineout and
commission this month. Becoming unincorporated like Homosassa is looking better, and
all the P&Z members. Take a bow. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor
Drew White, Inglis
better and better.
of Yankeetown.
Response to Marsha Drew’s October 28th Letter to the Editor
shall be only the duty of considering the passing upon any proposed amendment or repeal
of this Ordinance as provided by law.
Commissioner Drew, had I been the attorney at your deposition I would have asked
You directed Jetton to make changes to her review of the proposed IWI develop-
you if you had an ethical fiber in your body, or are you just another politician who thinks the
ment that would result in its denial. To now claim that you could not remember doing so
truth is what YOU make it for your political convenience and personal gain?.
does not erase the fact that you did communicate changes to Jetton by e-mail and telephone.
The court documents clearly bear out my October 21 statement, “Drew’s deposi-
Numerous e-mails, available for public review, have been filed with the court which clearly
tion is critical because it revealed a continuing effort on the part of Drew to dismiss her
documents your involvement in the denial of the IWI development. Many of the changes
involvement by denying under oath that she had any communications with Rebecca Jetton
communicated by you to Jetton appear verbatim in Jetton’s final review and denial of the
during the time Jetton was reviewing IWI’s site plan applications.” The questions put to you
IWI development. The evidence is clear, you can’t hide it, it’s public record
by Forum’s attorney directly asked you about email and telephone communications regard-
Sally Price,Inglis
ing the IWI project made during Jetton’s review (12/27/06 thru 1/27/07), NOT, as you spin
it, if you had “talked with Jetton during her numerous visits to Yankeetown”. How could
you not talk to her when she was staying at your home??
William Crow AMVETS Post 447
The fact is you did communicate with Jetton by e-mail and telephone while seated on coun-
cil during this time, contrary to Town Code 21-16
33 Risher Ave. • Inglis, FL •
447-4473
(352)
•
“It is the intent of this Ordinance that all zoning or town permit related
questions arising in connection with the enforcement or interpretation of this ordinance or
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO OUR
other ordinances cross-referenced to this section (except as otherwise expressly provided in
Fundraiser Dinner & Open Karaoke
this Ordinance) shall be first presented to the Zoning Officer, and that such questions shall
be presented to the Board of Adjustment only on appeal from a decision of the Zoning Of-
Saturday, November 7
ficial, and that from decisions of the Board of Adjustment, recourse shall be to the Courts as
2:00 - 6:00 pm
provided by law”.
Dinner ($7 Donation) Includes:
•
“It is further the intent of this Ordinance that the duties of the Town Coun-
ut
Baked Ham,
cil in connection with this Ordinance shall not include hearing and passing on disputed
yO
rr
r Ca 4473
Macaroni and Cheese,
questions which may arise in connection with the enforcement or interpretation of this Ordi-
Fo 7-
Corn, Roll & Dessert
nance, but that the procedure for determining such questions shall be as hereinbefore stated
44
Dine-In or Carry-Out
in this section, and that the duties of the Town Council in connection with this ordinance
Inglis
The Newscaster by Mail
NAPA Auto &
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Truck Parts
Gun & Ammo Sale
subscription is $18.50 in Florida and $21.50 out of State.Mail
your check or credit card # with this form.
www.cino.com
Fax: 352-447-6099
Name_________________Add________________
Hours:
Taurus Judge
(352) 447-6000
__
Mon-Friday
3” Mag Stainless
7:30-5:30
410MAG/45LC - $539
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date______
Saturday
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
Newscaster Publishing
___
8-12
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (352)447-5595
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left