PAGE 10 - August 6, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Yankeetown Joins Forces With One
NOTICE OF HEARING TO REIMPOSE
AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF
Developer To Stop Another
SOLID WASTE SERVICE
A Guest Commentary by Jim Sherwood
Waterway Estates Association (WEA) in its effort to stop developer Izaak Walton
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Investors, LLC (IWI) proposed development of the Cunningham Property has officially
The form and content of this notice is required by state law. Notice is hereby
retained Tim Haines, a developer and attorney with the law firm, Gray, Ackerman and Haines,
given that the Board of County Commissioners of Levy County, Florida will conduct a
P.A. (GHA). The Cunningham Property is located on the west side of the Cormorant Canal
public hearing to consider reimposing solid waste non-ad valorem special assessments
adjacent to the Waterway Estates subdivision. IWI plans to build a dry dock boat facility as
against improved properties located within the County for the Fiscal Year commencing
well as two residential buildings on the commercially zoned 5.17 acre parcel.
October 1, 2008, to fund the cost of closure, long term care, monitoring and associated
On July 14 attorney Tim Haines submitted a letter to Southwest Florida Water
services, facilities, and programs for the County Landfills as provided to such proper-
Management District on behalf of his new client WEA essentially trying to block IWI from
ties and to authorize collection of such assessments on the tax bill.
use of the Cormorant Canal as water access for its development.
The public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on September 2, 2008, in the
Attorney Haines is presently involved as defense counsel in three other separate
County Commission meeting room, Levy County Courthouse, 355 South Court Street,
lawsuits with IWI involving many of the same individuals that reside in Waterway Estates
Bronson, Florida, for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed as-
including Vice Mayor Marsha Drew, Vice Chairman of Planning and Zoning Mike Lineberger,
sessments. All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to file
Councilman Larry Feldhusen, Yankeetown clerk Diane Scheer, Yankeetown Emergency Fi-
written objections with the Board within 20 calendar days of this notice. If a person
nancial Board member Edith McCrimmon, George Ross, Steve West, Board of Adjustments
decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter consid-
Chairman James McDougall, and Board of Adjustments members Robert Kubisek and Ellie
ered at the hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to
Schiller.
ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon
Developer Haines recently acquired the historic Chambers Island which is located
which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
in Yankeetown at the end of Highway C-40 and is considered environmentally sensitive and
persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this pro-
protected from development under the existing Yankeetown Comprehensive Plan. However,
ceeding should contact the County Clerk's Office at (352)486-5266, at least seven days
drastic changes to the Comprehensive Plan have already been submitted by town officials to
prior to the date of the hearing. Hearing impaired persons can access the foregoing
the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for approval and if approved, will en-
telephone number by contacting the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8770 (Voice) or
courage the development of these environmentally sensitive barrier islands. While concrete
1-800-955-8771 (TDD).
is already being poured, exactly what developer Haines has planned for his island property
The assessments will be computed by applying the rate of assessment to
is still a closely guarded secret.
each parcel of improved property in the County. The rate of assessment for the fiscal
A quick review of public documents at town hall revealed at least one letter dated
year commencing October 1, 2008 and for future fiscal years shall be $25.00 per Tax
March 22, 2007 from Tim Haines addressed to his clients Larry Cohan, Chairman of the
Parcel. Copies of the Master Service Assessment Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2004-03),
Yankeetown Planning and Zoning Commission and former Zoning Official Rebecca Jetton.
the Initial Assessment Resolution (Resolution No. 2007-29), the Final Assessment Reso-
The letter appears to be written in the spirit of providing suggestions to Mr. Cohan and Ms.
lution (Resolution No. 2007-32), the Preliminary Rate Resolution initiating the annual
Jetton for changes to the Comprehensive Plan, under review at that time, which were subse-
process of updating the Assessment Roll and reimposing the Solid Waste Assess-
quently incorporated and submitted to DCA for approval, all of which worked to Mr. Haines
ments, and the updated Assessment Roll for the upcoming fiscal year are available for
advantage in his proposed development. These suggestions describe means and methods
inspection at the office of the County Coordinator, located at the Levy County Admin-
to facilitate development of Yankeetown’s barrier islands including Chambers Island and
istration Building, 355 South Court Street, Bronson, Florida.
School House Island which is also owned by developer Tim Haines.
The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in
Developer Tim Haines has been busy behind the scenes lobbying the town long
November 2008, as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the
and hard for the past two years to expand the commercial development potential of both
assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may
School House Island and Chambers Island while extending free legal advice and services to
result in a loss of title.
elected and appointed town officials that are charged with protecting Yankeetown through
If you have any questions, please contact the County Coordinator's Office at
its Comprehensive Plan.
(352)486-5218, Monday through Friday between 8:30 am. and 5:00 p.m.
When interviewed, some of Yankeetown’s citizens have declared that “it seems
somehow unfair that while the town government has gone out of its way to stop any eco-
nomically feasible commercial development by IWI, they took the opportunity to relax the
language in the comprehensive plan to encourage commercial development of these barrier
islands; which had been previously considered Yankeetown’s most delicate land resource”.
Apparently, a growing number of Yankeetown citizens are confused by these actions.
Paid Announcement Paid For And Approved by Jim Sherwood
You're invited to 'Meet & Greet'
Levy County Leaders
Have a question concerning Levy County government? Want a chance to give input?
Want to show your support? Here's a great opportunity, AND it's free! Party trays and
nonalcoholic beverages will be provided. Come and enjoy an informal, congenial gather-
ing on Tuesday, August 12, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the elegant, historic IZAAK WALTON
LODGE, located on the Withlacoochee River at 1 63rd Street in Yankeetown. Mix and
mingle with a great bunch of folks, including Levy County Commission
Chairman SAMMY YEARTY -
Levy County Sheriff JOHNNIE SMITH,
Levy County Appraiser FRANCIS AKINS, and
Levy County Clerk of Court DANNY SHIPP.
BOARD OFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEVY COUNTY, FLORIDA
Paid Political Announcement Paid For & Approved by Bill Cox
Published August 6, 2008
Important Toll Free Numbers
River Retreat Spa
New Bass Club
Citrus County Bass Masters
Citrus Cty Govt. Citrus Springs &
Men's & Women's' Hair Hair Color & Foils Nails
Dunnellon  489-2120
50
Facials Massage  Acupuncture
Looking for Boaters
Levy Cty Govt. 800-733-5389
Permanent Makeup
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
Rusk Matrix, Crew & Redken Products
Harold Beasley
352-447-2505
FHP Brooksville 800-500-1240
Tournament Director
FHP Gainesville 800-395-8248
Call for Information
Gym & Tanning Packages Available
The Newscaster 352-447-4588
(352) 447-3174
Lic. # MM19077
The Newscaster Citrus Co.352-621-4588
6015 Hwy 40 West, Yankeetown, FL.