PAGE 4 August 29, 2007
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
DOT Begins Survey of U.S. 19
for Right of Way Violations
About a dozen or so letters have been sent
White has since spoken with Cordero at
to Inglis businesses notifying them they are
the DOT District Two Legal Offices in Lake
in violation of the DOT right of way along
City. Cordero told White that he is awaiting
U.S.19. Orlando Cordero, district maintenance
their replies. White said Cordero told him that
engineer for the Dept. of Transportation said
no one would get any special exemptions. "If
surveying would begin to help those in viola-
anybody does, I get the same exemptions as
tion determine exactly where the right of way
anybody," he said. Cordero told The News-
property line lies.
caster that if these businesses don't respond,
Drew White, owner of White's Quality
the matter would be turned over to the FDOT's
Auto, located in Inglis at 123 Hwy. 19S, re-
legal department. Cordero also said in the case
ceived one of those letters in late April from
of White's car lot it was a safety issue. He
Kennth S. Davis, District General Counsel
said drivers coming out of Palm Point had dif-
with the Florida Department of Transporta-
ficulty with a clear view to U.S. 19.
This Inglis restaurant could lose its parking lot if the FDOT enforces its right of way issue.The
tion (DOT), complaining that White was con-
On August 17, the DOT surveyed the right-
utility pole is a close indicator of where the property line ends--Photo by Tom Russell
ducting a portion of his business on the state's
of-way in front of White's property. The sur-
Hydro Plant - Continued from page 1
right-of way, "property owned by the Depart-
veyor showed him the stakes already driven
ment of Transportation for the operation of
into the ground that the state uses as a guide
Berger.
U.S. 19," the letter said. White was informed
to the right-of-way area. The stakes are about
Berger recalls there were more reasons besides Hy Power not starting construction
that his business activity in the right-of-way
two feet long and have at "DOT" cap at the
on schedule. Inglis and Yankeetown town governments both filed objections that construc-
is illegal and to "cease immediately." White
top end.
tion would bring saltwater into their drinking water. Florida Rural Water did a study and
said he complied by moving back his busi-
Cordero told The Newscaster that he did
determined this to be a fact. Construction would also harm Dan's Mobile Home Park and the
ness operation, the four feet in question, to
not know of any widening project in their five
wells at the Buddy Risher Sport Complex. Citrus Audubon Society filed against the construc-
his own property.
year plan that would effect U.S. 19.
tion. National Marine Fisheries stated that special measures would have to be implemented to
Basic Computer Classes in English, Spanish at CFCC
protect the remnant population of Gulf Sturgeon in the river. (This could have cost them
(OCALA, Fla.) -- The CF Institute at Central Florida Community College will offer
thousands of dollars.)
computer classes for beginners in English and Spanish during September at the Ocala Cam-
According to Berger, "Hy Power had planned to dig 57 feet deep to bury their
pus, 3001 S.W. College Road.
powerhouse, which would have been below the footprint of the Spillway Dam. Their site went
Basic Computers is for individuals with little or no computer experience and will be held
through the west wingwall of the Dam thereby weakening that structure more. It was ex-
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on two Saturdays, Sept. 8 and 15. Students will learn the basics of computer use
pected that the Dam would collapse and we'd lose the river to the Gulf. The sudden flood
and use of computer hardware such as the mouse and keyboard. The course fee is $89 and
would wash out the houses along the river on it's way to the Gulf. Hy Power has no distribu-
includes materials.The same course will be taught in Spanish from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and
tion lines, which they had claimed, and no right of way to run them."
Thursdays, Sept. 6-13. For information in Spanish, call 352-291-4435.
The town of Inglis honored Berger with a plaque for saving the river. Berger said, "it
To register for either section, contact Marcey Mast at 352-854-2322, ext. 1301.
took me 10 years until they lost their permit from the FERC."
Hickory Island
"Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit"
Restaurant and Seafood Market
352-447-2520
LABOR DAY BASH
Drink
THURSDAY, August 30
Lighthouse Lounge
FRIDAY, August 31
Specials!
SATURDAY, September 1
352-447-2520
FOX 96 RADIO - LIVE REMOTE
FRIDAY, August 31, 4:00-6:00 pm
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
$2 Margaritas
THURSDAY, August 30
Rusty & Debbie, 8:00-12:00 pm
$1 Draft Beers
FRIDAY, August 31
The Wahoos, 3:00-7:00 pm
$1.50 Well Drinks
Emerald Gypsy, 9:00 pm-1:00 am
SATURDAY, September 1
Wear a Harley Davidson, Crystal River T-Shirt
Sonic Justice, 3:00-7:00 pm
and receive your first draft beer FREE!
Rusty & Debbie, 9:00 pm-1:00 am
48 Hwy 19 S. Inglis