PAGE 8 - April 25, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
From Dawn's Front Porch
Squawk Box
Continued from page 1
that it would begin to hurt after the medication wore off, but as I write this, 10 days since
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
the operation, I still feel no pain in my knee.
History Repeats Itself At Inglis Spillway – A company called Inglis Hydropower LLC
I had a brace to immobilize the knee but, I was walking immediately and felt
has been issued a permit from Florida Department of Environmental Protection to build
absolutely no discomfort. My instructions were to limit my walking to short trips to the
a small hydroelectric plant at the Inglis Spillway on Lake Rousseau. The Environmental
kitchen or bathroom and otherwise keep the leg elevated for the first couple of days. The
Resource permit covers a 2000kW plant which is big enough to power approximately 2000
brace came off Sunday, just four days after the operation. At that time I started exercising
average homes. The water which now flows over the spillway would be diverted through
the knee. As instructed, I applied an ice-pack to the knee several times a day. My dear wife
the plant to drive turbines and generate electricity. The permit did not state whether a
made this experience much easier for me. The only drawback to her assistance was her
permit from the Corps of Engineers has also been obtained but said that separate authori-
tendency to be overly cautious. I refer to her as the “Warden”.
zation was required. Many are not aware that Lake Rousseau was formed around 1909 to
At my post operation check-up on April 23rd, Dr. Riley removed the stitches from
facilitate an early hydroelectric plant which was operated by Florida Power Corp up until
the three incisions and showed me pictures taken inside my kneecap during the opera-
the 1960’s. Almost no vestiges of the old unit are left
tion. The images look more like the planets Mars, Jupiter and Uranus than my knee. Dr
accept the dam and Lake Rousseau of course. How-
Riley showed me where the damaged cartilage was in the picture and explained how they
ever, some of the old turbines can still be found lying
“cleaned
on the Greenways property.
it up”.
They were apparently abandoned probably
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a great thing. It is minimally invasive and the pro-
due to their size and difficulty to move. For more his-
cedure only takes 30-45 minutes on average. We walked into the Ocala Surgery Center at
torical information and a picture of the original unit,
7:30 AM and I was home flipping the remote looking for a Gunsmoke rerun at 11:15 AM
visit the Newscaster’s History Archives. The idea for
that same morning: Had to settle for Gene Autry movies.
a new plant was first introduced some years ago and
Unlike the Indians in South Dakota at Wounded Knee, it looks like I will be run-
was controversial. There were concerns of environ- Abandoned turbine from early days
ning around again a while longer: But I won’t be kicking footballs. Honest, Warden.
mental damage to the aquifer and harm to fish by the
“WE BUY GOLD”
turbines. The FDEP permit is good for 5 years but at this time there does not seem to be
much info on what the company’s schedule is for the plant. There is an amazing amount of
detail and description of the proposed plant in the permit which can be obtained from the
FDEP or should be available at YT town hall as a public record.
Exceptional Jewelry • Custom Designing • Estate Buyer
Yankeetown ZO Resigns – Kurt Woerner resigned his position as Zoning Official at a
SPECIALTY GEMS
special meeting of the YT Town Council on the 16th. The YT zoning job includes Code
Enforcement which Mr. Woerner had previously stated that he no longer wished to perform
that portion of the job but at the time was willing to consider staying and performing the
other ZO responsibilities if something could be worked out. Woerner replaced former ZO
Established 1985
Chris Fineout when Mr. Fineout retired from the job almost 2 years ago. Mr. Woerner came
600 S.E. Highway 19 • Crystal River, FL 34429
highly qualified with a Degree in Urban and Regional Studies and 30 years of planning
and zoning experience. The Council tasked Mayor Hinson with beginning a search for a
HOURS:
replacement. It was discussed to explore options such as perhaps Inglis would be inter-
www.specialtygems.net
ested in an interlocal agreement to join with Yankeetown to perform the function in both
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
352-795-5900
communities similar to the arrangement we now have with animal control. For now, as I
Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
understand it, if you have zoning needs in Yankeetown, contact town hall.
Sadness in the Swamp – Mr. Bill Pate has passed on. Deepest Sympathy to his family and
friends. He will be missed. Good Night and Good Luck.
Original Hydro plant on early Lake Rousseau
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF YANKEETOWN
Notice is hereby given that Connie Asbell, Levy County Supervisor of Elections, will
hold a meeting to Test the Logic and Accuracy Equipment that will be used in the Town
of Yankeetown’s May 8, 2012 Election. The meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 2:00 pm
At the Inglis / Yankeetown Lions Club
22 59th Street
Yankeetown, Florida 34498
All Interested Persons May Observe