PAGE 10 - December 17, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Community Events
Community
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Holiday Decorating Contest
Who Is Ralf Brookes And Where Is He Taking Us?
The Recreation Advisory Board Activities Committee (RABAC) is sponsoring a
Guest Commentary by Jim Sherwood
holiday decoration contest for both residences and businesses.. There will be a first place
and honorable mention in each businesses and residences. Judging will be held on Decem-
In early 2006, Ed Candela founded a group known as SWAY whose stated purpose was
ber 20th from 7pm-9pm. The winners will be notified that evening. We are keeping the theme
to stop Izaak Walton Investors (IWI) proposed Yankeetown waterfront development project.
along the same line as the Christmas Parade, being "An Olde Fashioned Christmas". Places
As president of SWAY, Mr. Candela retained the services of Hometown Democracy advocate
will be judged on their interpretation of the theme.
and attorney Ralf Brookes and paid him for his services and consultation out of SWAY's
You do not need to be home to be judged. Winners will be awarded a plaque and all
bank account. Donations to pay Mr. Brookes were collected by SWAY's treasurer, Larry
the bragging rights they deserve. Applications must be turned in by Noon on Thursday,
Feldhusen from its membership which included Dawn Clary, Marsha Drew and Larry Cohan.
December 18th to be judged. Applications can be picked up at the Inglis Town Hall or call
Following the Yankeetown elections in August and October of 2006 where Clary, Drew,
RABAC Chairperson, Valarie Davenport at (352) 447-3323 to have one mailed to you.
Candela and Feldhusen were elected to Council, they voted to appoint their SWAY attorney
Ralf Brooks as Assistant Town Attorney for Yankeetown. Prior to or after the vote, none of
Area Book Signings
the newly elected Council members disclosed their prior association with Brookes. Mr.
There will be a book signing at the Book Basket on the Old Homosassa Trail in
Brookes accepted the appointment and also failed to disclose his prior financial relationship
Homosassa on December 20, 2008. The books being signed are:Horse Sense: Auction Action
with Candela, Drew, Clary, Feldhusen, Cohan or SWAY.
by P.J. Landsey,You're Never Alone by Phyllis Garland.
After the special election in August of 2006 where Clary and Feldhusen were elected to
Horse Sense: Auction Action is a family friendly action adventure, it is the first in a
Council, Mr. Brookes gave the retainer money he had been paid by SWAY for legal services,
series for young adults.
advice and consultation back to SWAY.
You're Never Alone is a collection of poetry, and there seems to be something that
As reported in a previous article, developer/attorney Tim Haines law firm, Gray Ackerman
fits everyone. For further Information; Phyllis Garland and Jerry Woolsey can be reached at
& Haines has and continues to provide extensive legal services free of charge or at signifi-
352-382-7734, or via the net at pjlandsey@yahoo.com
cantly discounted rates to many of the same elected officials. Meanwhile, Mr. Haines contin-
Betty Berger will be signing her "Back Roads" book in Dunnellon, "Our Florida
ues to develop the environmentally sensitive Chambers Island located off the end of Rt. 40
Book Store" on Pennsylvanic Ave. from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sat. Dec. 20. The book will be
with the full support of Yankeetown officials and has nearly completed construction of a 450
carried by Poe House Books, Crystal River, Food Ranch, Inglis and Our Florida Book Store,
foot long boardwalk. Mr. Haines submitted another application with DEP on Friday, Decem-
Dunnellon. Help keep the old stories from getting lost. Betty Berger (352) 447-2736 or e mail
ber 12 for a dredging and dock construction permit. Why do attorneys keep providing free
bberger@bellsouth.net.
or practically free legal services to Yankeetown government officials? (See
Winter Solstice Free Gathering
www.noseeumnews.net for further details)
Ceremony Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 11:00 AM. It's at the Wilderness Circle
Since being appointed to his new high paying job as town attorney, Mr. Brookes has
between Inglis and Dunnellon. Indian blood not required - just the Indian heart. A fire will
been responsible for crafting several controversial initiatives all with the sole purpose of
be built in the center of the Circle and prayers to the Creator will be offered. The Winter
stopping all commercial development in Yankeetown. All of these initiatives by design and
Solstice is when the days and night become equal. Days will begin to lengthen.
intent resulted in unnecessary law suits which continue to cost Yankeetown taxpayers thou-
Mackie Sanford of Cherokee descent is in charge. The colors (flags) will be raised
sands of dollars in legal expenses which directly benefits Attorney Brookes in the form of
by the Girl Scouts. A pot luck follows the Ceremony and then afternoon music. Call Betty
ongoing legal fees.
Berger (352) 447-2736 or e mail bberger@bellsouth.net
Mr. Brookes made significant contributions in the rewriting the town's Comprehensive
Plan to stop IWI development plans as well as any other feasible development that might
Inglis food bank needs monetary help for needy families
come to Yankeetown. After over two years and tens of thousands of tax payer dollars (not
Due to the extra need for food within the community, this year, the staff at Jesus Is!
covered by insurance) the amended plan was found to violate State law. What does that
Ministries in Inglis is donating the money they would nnormally spend on gifts for one
mean other than more money for Ralf? Well, it means that it does not comply with Florida law
another to the Jresus Is! Food Pantry, which provides over 75 food boxes each month to
and now must go through a very costly (not covered by insurance) legal administrative
individuals in need. The staff wants to make sure the Food Pantry is adequately supplied
hearing with the State. Nobody knows for sure if Candela found Ralf or Ralf found Candela.
during the Christmas Season, when food needs are at their greatest.
All we know for sure is that Ralf has found a golden goose in Yankeetown compliments of,
If you would like to assist the Jesus Is! Food Pantry in this worthwhile cause, please
you guessed it, Yankeetown taxpayers, because he is charging by the hour for each of his
call (352) 447-2731, or you can send a check for this purpose to Jesus Is! Ministries, P.O. Box
clever schemes, and is gearing up for what will be a very lucrative and extended battle in the
1110, Inglis, FL 34449
state court.
Newscaster online: www.newscasterarchives.com
Attorney Brookes was key in introducing and advising the newly elected officials in
implementing Hometown Democracy in Yankeetown by essentially rewriting the town's 70-
EL Ranchito
year old Town Charter. The amendments were secretly crafted behind the scenes and then
hastily presented to the residents under the guise of a "voter petition" which has never been
produced. The changes were pushed hard by the town government as a benefit to the voters
Mexican Restaurant
giving them a "voice" in any changes made to the Comprehensive Plan (go to
www.noseeumnews.net scroll down to bottom of page and click on “Breaking News” for
further detail). These changes to the Town Charter were passed by referendum in 2007 but
The Best Mexican Cuisine South of the Border!
were challenged by a Yankeetown resident in court and ended up costing the town thou-
sands of dollars to defend. Again, Mr. Brookes cashed in on more Yankeetown taxpayer
445 N.E. 1st Terrace, Crystal River
dollars.
Open 7 Days
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center
Mr. Brookes launched what may ultimately become the mother of all money makers, the
Yes, we have
Lunch & Dinner
North of Big Lots & East of Post Office
Moratorium, to prevent commercial development. This innocent sounding initiative was
Beer & Wine!
Served
approved by Clary, Feldhusen, Candela and Drew with the single purpose of stopping all
development planned by IWI or otherwise, from proceeding under the town's existing zoning
Monday-Thursday: 11am-2pm & 5-9pm Friday: 11am-2pm & 5-10pm
rules (Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance) while they changed and replaced the
Saturday: Open All Day-Noon-10pm
Sunday: Open All Day-Noon-9pm
existing rules with a new plan (Amended Comp Plan) that would prevent IWI’s project from
being approved, and coincidentally deny any economically viable development from ever
Dine-In or Take-Out
352-795-5251
occurring in Yankeetown. The thought is to adopt a new Amended Comp Plan that is so
Continued on page 11- Who Is
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