The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 30, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
From InglisCustomers Hall
Town
Good news on the legal front - A ruling has been handed down in the lawsuit that Forum
Architects had filed against Rebecca Jetton, our former zoning official. The ruling is IN FA-
Letter to: Inglis Waste Pro
VOR of Jetton. Federal Court granted Jetton a “summary judgment”. Summary judgment is
granted “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to the interrogatories and admissions on file,
On August 13th, 2009, the Town Commission voted 4-0 to accept the contract from
together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact
Waste Pro which would have reduced your bill to $204.00 anually, thus saving you $51.48
and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law”. The key words here
from your current bill of $255.48. This was in connection with the enforcement of the Town
are “no genuine issue”. If it is determined that there is a genuine issue, the case continues to
Ordinance requiring Mandatory Garbage Collection.
trial. Jetton had asked the judge to rule in December of 2008.
The Town Commission, on Sept. 29, 2009, voted 3-2 to NOT PASS the required
Forum Architects, Pete Spittler, had accused Jetton of tortious interference with a
Resolution which would allow the enforcement of the Town Ordinance.
business or contractual relationship. The relationship would have been between Forum
As a result of that vote and after having authorized a legal binding contract, three
Architects and Izaak Walton Investors, most often represented by Jim Sherwood, concern-
of you commissioners, Robert Webb, Gary Mosher and Richard Kellman, voted not to pro-
ing services that IWI would have supposedly contracted with Forum, for support of IWI’s
ceed. This left the Town in a vulnerable position, which placed Waste Pro in an advanta-
large water front project in Yankeetown. Forum contended that the zoning official prior to
geous position of having a signed contract in the amount of approximately $140,000.00.
Jetton, Stanley Moore, had approved IWI’s project and that Jetton had essentially nefari-
Waste Pro was gracious enough to renegotiate the contract, asking for certain con-
ously overridden that, and disapproved the bulk of the project therefore costing Forum lots
cessions. These concession were a five-year exclusive contract and an increase of seven
of money. The Judge disagreed. He stated that Jetton had “properly exercised her duty as
percent in the rate. This will cost costumers $18.00 more per year. This new contract also
Yankeetown’s zoning official to review IWI’s zoning applications.” Concerning the alleged
contains a clause which allows Waste Pro to pass-on disposal cost, with no limitations.
project approval by Stanley Moore, the judge went on to say that there was no indication that
There are also legal costs which must be borne by the Town for this failed assessment.
the applications had ever been approved.
In conslusion, your Town Commissioners, Robert Webb, Gary Mosher and Rich-
Street whisperer’s have made much of Jetton’s contact with then town council member
ard Kellman, have succeeded in doing nothing more than causing you an increase in your
Marsha Drew and Jetton’s failure to remember that contact, years later. There was noth-
Waste Pro bill, while failing to solve the problem of clean-up for the Town. Should you have
ing wrong with any of the council members talking to their zoning official who worked for
any questions or objections, I suggest you contact the three Commissioners who voted to
them and it has always seemed odd that anyone would make that an issue. In law suits there
violate a Town Ordinance.
are essential elements of the law which must be proven. In this case the essential elements
As the Mayor, I urge you to attend the Town meeting, to make your feelings known
were: (1) the business relationship between Forum and IWI existed, (2) Jetton knew of that
and hold your Town Officials accountable. Monthly meetings are the second Tuesday of
relationship, (3) Jetton intentionally and unjustifiably interfered with that relationship, (4)
each month at 6:00 p.m.
Forum was damaged as a result of the breach of the relationship. As I understand it, neither
Regards, William J. Lake, Mayor of Inglis
Jetton’s contact with Drew or the failure to remember what appears to be a technical infor-
mation request, have any bearing on the elements of the case.
Letter to the Editor:
The lawsuit was originally filed in September of 2007, so its resolution comes after two
Re: “Muses of a Walker”
years almost to the day. It is another in very long string of wins for the town and staff. It
Each morning I walk one of our local highways around 7 AM. It never fails to
has been said that it is too bad so much money has been spent on these lawsuits that seem to
amaze me how many people cannot drive a car without a cell phone growing out of their ear.
have had no merit. This money could have been spent to do so many good and productive
I would say a good 95% of the “regulars” that pass me each morning are on their phone, 3
things in our community. It is too bad. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary,
out of 5 mornings.
Mayor of Yankeetown
I have gotten to recognize about 98% of the people who pass me, each day, dur-
ing the week. The majority of them are nice and friendly and give me a safety berth when
Letter to The Editor:
passing me. (I always walk facing traffic.) However there are a few that seem to think they
Re: Letter of Thanks
own the highway and want to see if I will jump into the weeds to avoid getting hit. They are
I wanted to let the people of Inglis to know what a great mayor Mr. Lake is and the
quick to blow the horn, shake their fist, and yell obscenities at me, as they pass too close for
other family that helped us across the bridge Sunday when our van stopped on the bridge.
safety. I spoke with one of the Levy County deputies, and he said, to his knowledge, there
Thank you very much, words can't say enough.
are no laws against me walking on the roadway. But you know how some people are. They
Rev. Marvin Cross, Homosassa
are just too rude and feel they are the only important person on the road.
Each day as I walk, I carry several Wal-Mart bags and pick up the garbage along
both sides of my 5 mile stretch of road. The road really does look much better. I have only
Realty
profited by finding one dollar bill and a partial roll of pipe tape. I don’t mind though, I am
keeping my little part of our world cleaner. It’s a shame more people do not do this. Unfor-
tunately, I find lots of evidence of illegal drug manufacturing going on in our area, several
Sally Price, Realtor
19 Hwy 40 W.
times a week. This really saddens me, to know that this is in our area, to such a great extent.
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
So if you see me out in the morning, please be sure to wave.
5910 SE 194 ST INGLIS $59,000
Linda Lyon, Dunnellon
Hit & Run - Continued from page 1
This 2/2 split plan newly remodeled 24x48 mo-
bile is in awesome condition. Nice tree shaded
Affairs Officer with the FHP, the FHP is still looking for the white pickup truck with a load
.87 ac lot bordering 2 paved streets (fenced back-
exhaust. “We have already followed up on other leads from citizen phone calls, and so far
yard) with community water system outside city
have not received a good lead,” said Kraus.
limits. Nice 30’ screen back porch, large double
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Sgt. Larry Kraus with the
carport, front porch with rocker for watching the
FHP at (813) 215-1867, FHP Tampa dispatch at (813) 631-4020, the Citrus County Sheriff’s
wildlife. Plenty of room for boat, RV, pool and
Office at (352) 726-4488, or Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, toll-free, at (888) 269-8477
toys. Near salt & freshwater boat ramps, bike
(1-888-ANY-TIPS).
path, equestrian trails and preserves. A MUST
Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your name
SEE AT A GREAT PRICE.
with a recorded message: 352-897-0381 Dunnellon
Inglis
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See page 2
947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left