The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - May 6, 2009
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
Progress Energy has released a statement concerning the schedule of their proposed
Re:Tarmac King Road Mine paid ad
nuclear units in our area. The construction schedule for the nuclear project has now been
shifted by 20 months. PEF has said "... the company is adjusting the Levy County nuclear
Some people might be interested in their jobs available emphasis. I don’t blame you
project schedule to reflect the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) determination that
either, those who need jobs, but look at what they actually say, and don’t get your hopes up
the excavation and foundation preparation work originally scheduled to be completed at the
in that direction. Jeff Harris, plant manager said, “It is very obvious to me that we have a
same time the company was seeking a combined operating license (COL) for the plant - will
skilled and experienced workforce in this area that is anxious to get back to work.”
not be authorized until the NRC issues the COL." The full statement is available at town hall.
If you have blasting experience with certification they can use you. If you are certified to
It answers other questions such as what activities will be happening over the next 20 months
run heavy equipment that’s a plus. If you own your own dump truck you could haul their rock
and also gives job projections.
down the road. The numbers are puzzling stating 300 new jobs will likely be created and 30 to
Busy P&Z - Despite the fact that most of Yankeetown is slowing down, Planning and
60 jobs in construction and operations of the mine. They must have their own reasons for
Zoning is busy as always. P&Z Chairman Larry Cohan reports that the Department of Com-
making that statement.
munity Affairs (DCA) has published a notice of intent to find our Comprehensive Plan IN
Research gives some answers to their permit request, which are: 1.Rob Corbitt, Building
COMPLIANCE. The intent was published on April 27th. From that date there is a 21 day
Dept. states: Excations to reach 100 to 125 feet, mining 100 years, 40 acres each year. Special
window during which a petition to challenge may be filed. If a challenge is filed during that
exception approval required. The applicant is aware of the proximity of two springs and other
time, an administrative hearing would then be required. He also reports that commission is
environmentally sensitive natural features on the property and general area. Truckloads of
reviewing attorney comments to their revisions of the Land Development Code after which
aggregate will be 500 trucks/day from the site. Project is located within special flood hazard
they will schedule public hearings.
area. 2.There are 194 adjacent property owners within 1 mile of proposed mine. Levy regs
Garbage - There will be a special meeting of the town council on Monday May 11th at 1:00
allow a mine to go within 50 feet of a property. They have shallow water wells. 3.Tarmac permit
at the Lion's Club, to begin looking at the policies that address garbage collection. This is
requests 1000 truck loads and 30 employees exiting site on a daily basis. They have to come
meeting will be the beginning of an overhaul of the ordinance by examining policies. Eventu-
back, so that is 2000 trucks on Highway #19. EPA says it takes 500 feet to stop a rock truck
ally any changes will go through the public hearing process. One of the issues is the suspen-
after braking. 4.They need 22 million gal.water/day to wash the limerock. This could be
sion of service policy and when service would be required or not. Our accountant has
hazardous to the health of four public water supplies just south of them. 5.Swiftmud pub-
recommended that service be required along with water service however we have very special
lished a “Water Resource Manual.” Hydrogeologist Gerald Parker speaks of the “Hydrologic
demographics with so many snow birds and weekenders. There will be many more meetings
Divide.” He said neither surface nor ground water crosses a line across Florida from Cedar
but if you have opinions on the garbage collection policies you may wish to speak to your
Key to New Smyrna Beach. South of the Divide Florida totally depends on rainfall for fresh
favorite council member or write the hall. Garbage is addressed in Article III of Chapter 11 in
water, including ground water stored in aquifers. Only 44% of the state’s rain falls south of the
our town ordinances and can be accessed on the Yankeetown website.
Divide, but the area accounts for 75% of water use. ( Note: It’s not raining!) The Nuke plants
Mosquitoes - Speaking of snow birds, if you are heading back up north, don't forget to
will add to the water draw
walk down your yard and look for places that might collect water and try to not leave breeding
I have only pointed out some points for you to ponder in the above notes, and not to
spots for mosquitoes. Be kind to your neighbors.
influence your opinions on the merits of the proposed mine.
Betty Berger,Inglis
Racing Kayaks - Congratulations to our former Council member Marsha Drew for placing
Letter to the Editor:
third and all the other winners in the Kayak race last Saturday. It is great to have people willing
Re: Improving Estate Tax Law
to work on both planning and participating in fun activities in YT.
Like most Americans, family farmers and ranchers are affected by the current eco-
Mother's Day - Don't forget your Mom this Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms
nomic situation facing our nation. Unfortunately, farmers and ranchers face an added eco-
out there. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
nomic hardship: the federal estate taxes that come due when a family member dies.
We should all commend Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez for urging Con-
Why You Should Shop Local With Nature Coast Water
gress to improve existing estate tax law to allow farms to continue operating when a family
member dies. Sen. Nelson was one of only 10 Senate Democrats who voted to approve a
A dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent six to 15 times before it
crucial bipartisan amendment offered last week by Arkansas Democrat Blanche Lincoln and
leaves the community. One dollar generates or creates $5-$14 in value within the commu-
Arizona Republican Jon Kyl.
nity. From a dollar spent at a national chain store, 80 percent leaves town immediately.
Unless Congress acts, the estate tax exemption will drop to $1 million in 2011. The
(Source: a quote from Tom Mitchell of E Magazine, taken from Northwest Institute's Choices
resulting tax hit may force families to sell farm assets including land to pay the taxes when a
for Sustainable Living discussion course book.)
family member dies. Here in Florida, buyers are likely to be developers and the farm is ulti-
mately replaced with more intensive uses.
Compared to other sectors of the economy, federal estate taxes fall heaviest on
family farms and ranches. Family operations make up 98 percent of all U.S. farms. Freezing the
estate tax exemption at or below the current level is not an acceptable option for America’s
farming and ranching families. It is also bad for consumers, who rely on U.S.-grown farm
Restaurant
products to feed their families.
America’s farmers and ranchers will benefit from Sens. Martinez’s and Nelson’s
The Best Mexican Cuisine South of the Border!
leadership. So will the rest of us consumers.
Crystal Terrace
Terrace
Lots
Post
Cr
Shopping Center • N.E. of Big Lots & Post Office
Sincerely, John Hoblick,President-Florida Farm Bureau Federation
445 N.E. 1st Terrace • Crystal River, Florida
Herbicide treatments on Lk. Rousseau, May 11-15
HOURS:
Monday-Thursday
During May 11-15, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will
11 am - 2 pm & 5 - 9 pm
conduct aquatic weed operation in Lake Rousseau using EPA-approved (Environmental Pro-
Friday
tection Agency) herbicides. Boat trails will be maintained with the herbicides Aquathol Super
11 am - 2 pm & 5 - 10 pm
Ye s,
K and Glyphosate.
r
Saturday
ne
Beer We Ha v
Din
People using treated areas of the lake for domestic purposes or irrigation should not use
Noon - 10 pm
&
e
ch  v e d
&W
Sunday
Lun S e r
treated water Aquathol Super K-treated areas. There are no restrictions in Glyphosate-treated
ine!
Noon - 9 pm
areas. For additional information on the herbicide treatments, call the FWC Brooksville
Dine-In or Take-Out - Call 352-795-5251
biologist's office at (352)726-8622.
Shannon Adams,Realtor
The Newscaster by Mail
Inglis
NAPA Auto &
Office 352-794-0888
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Truck Parts
subscription is $18.25 in Florida and $21.25 out of State.Mail
Toll-Free 1-888-664-1951
your check or credit card # with this form.
Cell 352-220-9209 -Home 352-564-0707
Fax: 352-447-6099
Name_________________Add__________________
Hours:
730 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
(352) 447-6000
Mon-
FAX: 352-795-0282
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date_________
Friday
WEBSITE: www.ExitRealtyLeaders.com
7:30-5:30
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
E-MAIL: Kingdomrealty@yahoo.com
Signature__________________
Saturday
Newscaster Publishing
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated
8-12