The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - April 30, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Real Estate Signs Under Review by
Inglis Planning Commission
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
By Newscaster Correspondent Sally Price
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
The Inglis Planning Commission met Thursday night to tackle the ongoing sign
The town's accountant, Mr. Beachamp, presented last years audit to the council and
ordinance revisions. Sitting on the evening's session was Catherine Lawhun, Darryl Dia-
town at the midmonth meeting. We got very good grades however there were some com-
mond, Dick Streeter, Ralph Walker, Mike Baker and Mark Davis. Width of signs and height
ments on the water system. Yankeetown has never compensated for depreciation of the water
started a discussion that turned a little lively when real estate signs and for sale by owner
plant, so this shows up as a loss every year. Essentially it means that Yankeetown never
signs became the subject of discussion. Larger wood signs were going to be looked into as
saves up to replace the water plant when it wears out. This has been a controversial subject
not desirable. The discussion approached permitting real estate offices with a once a year fee
for years. In the past it has been considered a paper loss since it wasn't a bill that was
of possibly $200 to be allowed to put signs on properties in the town. An additional cost of
presented. The thinking was that Yankeetown would get grants to replace the plant and
each sign being put up was considered but then By Owner signs were felt to be responsible
therefore saving up was not necessary, so the town has never elected to raise rates to cover
somewhere in the control factor as well. The possibility of the zoning officer trying to keep up
depreciation. It is a thorny question as no one likes to see their water bill go up. It is
with signs was beat around but it was decided it was impossible to track these time frames.
something the council will have to consider over the next year. Still, Mr. Beachamp was very
When properties were sold the signs should be down in 7 days.
complimentary of the job that the town has been doing financially and said there was great
One suggestion from the audience was if the town wanted more control over the real
improvement in the condition of our books from the last year. Our Town Clerk, Laura Coyle
estate signs, was rather than charging for and monitoring every sign and the realtors dates
got kudos!! We are lucky to have someone as conscientious as Miss Laura has been. Also
with listings and sales which would be a nightmare and need a whole new body for this job,
Councilman Norm Shannahan, affectionately known as the budget Nazi, also got credit for a
was to issue a set of rules when realtors got a permit. A spot check would monitor signage at
great job.
random intervals. If realtors or buy owners were caught in a random check either not being
The new water plant construction is on schedule. As an interesting factoid, I guess
permitted or breaking the rules, then possibly 2 varying fines and then disallowed on the 3rd
you could say that the first Yankeetown water plant was on 63rd street in between Harmony
violation as they had already considered. Board member Darryl Diamond, also a realtor, asked
Lane and Knotts way. In the 1920's it was a hand pump and supplied water to anyone who
that this issue be discussed later and he wanted to have input. Everyone who comes to
wanted it (Source, Steve Rajtar, Yankeetown Historical Trail)
meetings can have input. Signs nailed to trees or randomly placed all over town are called
Speaking of water, if you are interested in catching it, town hall has some very cool
snipes and several folks have been busy removing these signs the commission and some
booklets on rain barrels. It tells you everything from how to build a collection system to how
citizens felt were an eye sore. They are illegal according to the rules. A look at political signage
to keep mosquitoes out of your rain barrel. The book was produced by the Southwest Florida
is also being reviewed. With all the elections coming up, a jump start will make it an organized
Water Management District but it is Thanx to our Drainage Committee, headed up by Doug
election year for the town right of ways.
Dame, that we have them in town hall to give out. It's a Freebie. One imaginative, resourceful
Andy White reported his business on Hwy 40 and Hudson St is now in compliance
soul has said that if everyone put in cisterns, it would solve our drainage problem as well as
even though he truly was grandfathered in with the business starting in the early 60's. Those
conserving and having great water. It is a thought.
of us around here a long time not only remember it but back then there were no fences.
On another subject, the town received a courtesy visit from the Nuclear Regulatory
Commissioner Lake made a presentation on the 4 (formerly 8 lots) at the intersection
Commission last week. They are preparing to begin permit hearings on the nuclear installa-
of Risher Ave and S Inglis Ave. He has made a deal with the owner which could make this
tion planned by Progress Energy. The visit was only to stop by town hall and introduce
waterfront town with no waterfront property, the owners of 5 lots on the river.
themselves. There is a public meeting tentatively planned for June 5th at the Plantation in
Commissioner Lake was also approved to negotiate for the property in the storm
Crystal River, further information on it will be published in the newspapers as it evolves. For
water drainage project. The subject properties used in the grant were never purchased and
those of you interested in following this process they said that the permit application and
now putting the cart back behind the horse, Lake is trying to pull off the reasonable purchase
germane documents will be posted on the NRC's website,when available. The link is available
of the two lots to complete the grant for controlling storm water runoff. Planning commission
at www.thenewscaster.com. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yan-
meetings are open to the public.
keetown.
Inglis VFW Post Meeting Schedule
The Gilley-Long-Osteen VFW Post 8698 520 Hwy. 40 East Inglis Fl. 447-3495 ( One
Mile East Of Us 19 ). Men's Meeting The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 7:30 Pm At
The Post. The Ladies Auxiliary Meets The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 5:O0 PM
The Men's Auxiliary Of Post 8698 Meets The Second Monday Of Each Month At 7 PM.
Mexican Dinner
Saturday, May 3rd - 4:00-7:00 pm
BY LADIES AUXILIARY
GILLEY-LONG-OSTEEN VFW POST 8698
520 HWY. 40 EAST - INGLIS
Wet Beef Burrito with Rice & Beans
$6 Donation -All proceeds go toward community programs
Snooze Rack -With over one hundred locations for newspaper distribution in Levy and
The Public is Welcome
Dine-In or Take-Out
Citrus counties, we can report to you that Gobbler's Eatery in Inglis is the only place where
Call Ahead for Take-Out Orders 447-3495
our newspaper rack is used as a "snooze rack". Photo by Sally Price
NAPA Auto &
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