The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - August 20, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
"For the Record"
A Response commentary by George D. Ross
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A growing number of residents are again confused by a paid commentary written by
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
a representative of Izaak Walton Investors/Sherwood Partners, published recently in The
More Good News! The Levy County Circuit Court has ruled in favor of Yankeetown
Newscaster. Many comments are not accurate, and it is my opinion that it is an attempt to cast
in the case filed by Forum Architects LLC asking the court for what's called a Writ of Manda-
doubt and blame to distract from that which should demand accuracy.
mus and Injunctive Relief concerning the towns' response to a public record request. A Writ
I can understand that some might be dismayed that an attorney would offer his time,
of Mandamus, as I understand it, is legalese for the court ordering a public official or employee
much of it without charge, to assist members of the community in their battle against frivolous
to do something. The dispute centered over records requested concerning former Zoning
lawsuits brought by the Izaak Walton development. I'm sure they were hoping for a much
Official Rebecca Jetton. It appeared from testimony that Forum Architects had preconceived
different result. Some of the original 29 people sued by Sherwood and his associated compa-
ideas about what documents should have existed, however, just because someone assumes
nies are elderly, ill, and many exist on fixed incomes. All are respected and upstanding citizens,
something exists does not mean that it does. The town had made all the records that it had,
belonging to volunteer organizations and community groups, and have dedicated a good bit
available to Forum. Some email correspondence between Jetton and the town attorney that
of their lives to helping others. Mr. Haines saw a people in desperate need, and ill-equipped to
had not been in the towns' possession had also been turned over to Forum. No further action
protect themselves from being bullied by a developer bent on getting his way, and he stepped
was deemed necessary by the court.
up to offer his assistance. It would follow then, that the developer would wish to crush the
On other legal matters, the First District Court of Appeal has returned to the Circuit
only help some of these people have by implying a conspiracy theory.
Court, IWIs' appeal of the Circuit Courts' decision concerning the Board of Adjustments'
Since the Haines family are property owners in Yankeetown, they have the same
rights to voice an opinion on the future of their property as any other land owner, including
hearing on Rebecca Jettons' zoning decision on the IWI waterfront project. This is not a
Sherwood Partners and Izaak Walton Investors. I have been told that Tim and his wife, Patti,
ruling on the merits of the case. The normal flow of actions in these matters is, a petition is
attended Planning and Zoning meetings and gave their input to be considered. I was also
filed, then a response answering the petition, then the other side replies back on that. In other
words, you make a complaint against me (the petition) I get to respond back and give my side
informed that developers' representatives attended these same meetings, and when asked for
of the story (the response) you then get to come back and comment on that (the reply). Sooo,
their input, they refused to give it. I understand that the Haines' intend to build a single-family
IWI filed a petition in the lower court contesting the BOA hearing, the attorneys for the parties
residence on an island they own, which is zoned residential. After asking town representatives
involved filed a response to the court answering IWI. IWI could then have filed a reply back
about the allegations of favoritism towards the Haines, I was informed that the new Compre-
answering that response. Instead of replying back in this last step, IWI chose to ask for a
hensive Plan amendment has added additional requirements to any application for building on
motion to dismiss. The Judge denied the motion to dismiss and then made his final decision
the islands, not made it easier to build, as stated in the paid commentary by a local developer.
on the case. The appeals court has not ruled on the whether the denial of IWI's petition by the
The fact of the matter is this, no Commercial Building is allowed on the islands of Yankeetown
lower court was correct on the merits of the case. It has only sent the case back to the lower
in the current Comprehensive Plan or the in latest amendment, and none is ongoing. Accord-
court with instructions to allow IWI to file a reply to one of the parties before making a final
ing to those I spoke to, Chambers Island, which is zoned for residential building, currently has
ruling. It is disappointing because it will mean that it will take more time to resolve the issue.
a permitted walkway project underway and nothing more.
Under rumor control, someone has apparently been saying that the Levy County
The deed restrictions of Waterway Estates do not allow commercial activities in the
Sheriff's Department has been advising people to arm themselves. I have spoken personally
subdivision. These restrictions were in place years before Izaak Walton Investors proposed
with Sheriff Jonny Smith and he has said that this is not the case. He said that there have been
their development. The commentary stated that the subdivision is somehow preventing Izaak
home invasions in the northern part of the county but not in our area. These cases have been
Walton's commercial building, and this is false. They will be held to the same standard as any
resolved and the majority appeared to not be random but between individuals who had issues
other land owner, including myself. Izaak Walton Investors proposes to erect 48 commercial
with each other or drug involvement. The overall statistics for crime are down significantly
transient condo units, not two "residences" as stated in the commentary, and a commercial
according to Sheriff Smith. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor.
high and dry boat storage facility for 176 boats, adjacent to the residential neighborhoods.
They then plan to use the land and waterways in the subdivision for their commercial venture.
Realty
Current subdivision residents purchased property in Waterway Estates knowing a project of
We’ve
this type could not take place. Is it any wonder that residents now oppose this non permitted
use of their subdivision and have hired an attorney to represent them?
Sally Price, Realtor
Moved!
I know of no Yankeetown officials or resident who have conspired to prevent anyone
(352) 302-8556 cell
from using their property for the purpose it was zoned or deeded. If people feel they can
circumvent the rules we all must live by and get their way by scare tactics and lawsuits, then
19 Hwy 40 W. Inglis (New Location Across the Street)
thankfully, we have people like Tim Haines ready to step up and help. I will be forever grateful
Gulf Hammock Management Hunt Camp furnished..just move in........................$34,000
to him, for his care, concern and community spirit. Tim Haines and his family are an asset to our
2/1 FURNISHED MOBILE, PLAYHOUSE & WORKSHOP INGLEWOOD $59,000
town, and we should be thankful that they've chosen to live among us.
2 Lots,Peaceful Acres, paved street, homes only, near boat ramps EACH. .........$23,000
If you want to know the truth about what is or is not allowed on the Yankeetown
4.70 ac Lot, high & dry, paved street Citrus County hills & horse country..........$160,000
islands, or have questions about what recent changes have been made to the Comprehensive
4.99 ac Lot between Palm & Mastadon Inglis paved streets.................................$79,900
Plan, then do what I did and go to the source for the real story; contact Town Hall or town
5 ac LOT ON RIVER Inglis 1225' borders Greenways & Trails REDUCED .....$218,000
officials. Any question you have will be answered in an intelligent and courteous manner.
Beautiful Home 3/2 split plan high/dry On Hwy 40 in historic Yankeetown........$259,900
3 Lots in Yankeetown on Hwy 40 all 3 buildable ..ALL 3 FOR ...........................$85,000
A paid announcement, paid for and approved by George D. Ross, Yankeetown
Dear Editor,
2 & 1/2 Lots in Yankeetown 59 St paved street can be divided .both for .............$70,000
The Board of Trustees, Staff and Consumers of the Levy Association for Retarded Citi-
3/2 LUXURY HOME ON RIVER 36X48 GIANT WORKSHOP deep water & slip $599,000
zens wishes to thank everyone who came out to and participated in the LARC Softball Chal-
160X170 HI/DRY LOT IN RIVER FOREST IN HISTORIC YANKEETOWN.........$75,000
2/1 MOBILE & SCREEN BLDG ON 1.6 AC IN HAMMOCK off Williams Rd.......$54,900
lenge game Saturday night at Strickland Park. It was a lot of fun watching the political
HAMMOCK MOBILE, SCREEN OUT BUILDING ON 1.6 AC CLOSE IN..........$64,000
candidates hit that ball and run those bases! A special thanks to Board member, Toni Collins
2/2 MOBILE WORKSHOP SCREEN PORCH CAR & BOAT PARK 1 AC........... $99,500
for organizing the event, and to Chiefland Athletic Association President, Wayne Weatherford
2/2 MOBILE SPLIT PLAN NEAR LAKE ROUSSEAU BOAT RAMP.................. $52,900
for providing the audience with a blow-by-blow commentary on the action. We also want to
GREAT 2/2 MOBILE FENCED CLEAN PAVED ST MAKE OFFER.................... $48,000
thank Ms. Winnelle Horne, Miss Sarah Gore, the members of the Chiefland Athletic Associa-
tion, Levy County EMS, and corporate support. The political candidates were good sports
Read The Newscaster online
and provided the audience with a lot of laughs as they struck out and dropped pop fly balls.
After the game, several players wondered what they were going to feel like the next day.
log on to: newscasterarchives.com
Again, thanks for your support. And by the way, the final score was LARC 6, political
candidates 4. Betty S. Walker, Executive Director
We Mow Grass
Shannon Adams,Realtor
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