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The Newscaster/Nature Coast News

PAGE 11 - January 18, 2017

Searching For The Truth

Editorial - Opinion - Commentary

Flood Alert...Jellyfish

Letter to the Editor:

Re: Overview of Florida Laws for Cyclists

Found In Wisconsin!

This may bring attention to both drivers of auto and cars! As a rider of the roads several

times I am yelled at ride the sidewalk. In fact what some may call a bike path in Inglis/

Wisconsin is home to a very important fossil find the

Yankeetown is nothing more than a sidewalk. To inform the public this is the law of Florida

jellyfish. So what's the big deal about a fossil jellyfish?

for bicyclists and automobiles. In Florida the bicyclist and auto driver have the same rules.

In Central Wisconsin, near the town of Mosinee, there

Jack Schofield,Yankeetown

is a rock quarry. But this is no ordinary quarry; it contains many

Letter to the Editor:

thousands of fossilized jellyfish. Why are they there? In the

Re: Citrus County Charitable Foundation 2016 Year In Review

oceans, jellyfish are squishy blobs of clear gel. How could

Happy New Year! As another year has passed and a new year gets underway, we

squishy jellyfish fossilize? Generally, hard substances become

of the Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation, Inc. wanted to take an opportunity

fossils not soft substances. Also, if you have ever been to the beach, you have prob-

to inform the citizenry of the Foundation's activities in pursuit of its mission. The Founda-

ably noticed seagulls eating things washed up on shore, maybe even a jellyfish. When

tion's mission is to award grants to groups and organizations that establish programs, re-

animals wash up on shore, there are predators around to eat them they simply do not

search, or initiatives that promote the health or satisfy the medical needs of the residents of

lie on the shore waiting to be fossilized. Furthermore, when a jellyfish washes up on

Citrus County.

shore, it pumps its bell, trying to get back to the water. This will leave behind little

For those who may not be familiar with us, the Foundation is a Florida private not-

rings in the sand. In this rock quarry, no evidence exists of fossilized rings around

for profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation created in October, 2014 to ensure that funds gen-

these jellyfish. A jellyfish is 96% water and would dry out and shrink if exposed to air.

erated from the lease between the Citrus County Hospital Board and HCA Healthcare were

There is no fossil evidence that these jellyfish have shrunk.

utilized in an effective manner for the benefit of the health of the citizens of Citrus County.

Moreover, these jellyfish were not found in just one layer but were found bur-

The Foundation was established by the Citrus County Hospital Board in accordance with

ied in seven layers of the quarry over a thickness of 12 feet. So, what does all this evi-

the provisions of Chapter 2014-245, Laws of Florida, adopted by the Florida Legislature.

dence tell us? These jellyfish had to have been covered and fossilized quickly and

Although the Foundation is a private organization, by law it must comply with

not just once but repeatedly to form the many layers. What event in history would

public records, Sunshine Law open meetings, code of ethics and conflicts of interest require-

have fast, quick coverage with mineral-filled sediment and no oxygen (the recipe for

ments generally applicable to public-sector and governmental organizations. To this end, the

making fossils), so the creatures could be fossilized? The Flood of Noah!

Board of the Directors participated in 4 hours of training provided by legal counsel so they

could be well versed in these requirements.

And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy

In accordance with its Articles of Incorporation, which are on file with the Florida

all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in

Secretary of State's Office and available online to the public, and its bylaws which are avail-

the earth shall die. - Genesis 6:17

able on the Foundation's website, the Foundation is governed by an eleven-member board

Based on, Inspired Evidence a book by Bruce Malone, 2011

of directors comprised of elected and appointed representatives from various segments

Presented by Bob Allen, Biologist-Paid Advertisement

of the community that include representatives from the City of Inverness, City of Crystal

Contact Bob at SFTT321@gmail.com

River, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, Citrus County Hospital Board, two

members from the general public, College of Central Florida, Chief of Staff from a lo-

Since this Foundation is entrusted with public assets, the Citrus County Clerk of

cal hospital, Well Care Alliance, Citrus County Medical Society, and Citrus County Public

the Court/Comptroller is an integral part of the function and actions of the Foundation. The

Health Department.

Foundation is not only subject to audit by the Clerk, but monthly meeting minutes, commit-

In the interest of transparency and to keep the community informed of the Foun-

tee meeting minutes and reports, banking activities, etc. are also filed with the Clerk's office

dation's activities, the Foundation hired a local independent Web contractor to design and

on an ongoing basis. In addition, the annual tax filing for the Foundation is public record.

maintain a website www.ccccf.us. The website contains information about the Founda-

The Foundation established a grants committee and an investment committee com-

tion's Board of Directors, its meeting schedule, the minutes of Board and committee meet-

prised of representatives from the Foundation's Board and professionals in the community.

ings, and the Foundation's governance and oversight documents including its bylaws. We

Committee meetings are noticed and open to the public. A full schedule of meetings can be

hope you take the opportunity to check out the website and learn about us.

found on the website and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Foundation is a volunteer Board, its directors receive no compensation, and it

The investment committee is responsible for recommending an investment policy

has no employees. However, it has retained the professional services of a bookkeeping firm

and for recommending an investment advisor. As of December, 2016, the Board has issued

and a law firm to work with the board on its financial and legal matters. With the assistance

a request for proposals to retain professional investment management/advisor services and

of these professionals, over the past year the Foundation has reviewed and updated its ar-

it anticipates awarding a contract in the early months of 2017.

ticles of incorporation and bylaws to maintain compliance with state statutes, and Internal

The grants committee is responsible for soliciting, evaluating and recommend-

Revenue Service 501(c)3 tax-exempt requirements. The Foundation has also implemented

ing grant funding for various projects. The grants committee has already been diligently

new policies and procedures on financial transactions, internal controls, conflicts of inter-

working to establish policies and procedures for the grant awards process. The Foundation

ests, and investments.

anticipates being able to award grant funding starting in 2017. Information about the grant

Until recently, the Foundation has only been receiving quarterly payments of the

application process, when and how to apply, and other details are available on the website

net gains from invested financial assets which provides minimal funding to cover adminis-

www.ccccf.us.

trative and operational expenses. However, as of November, 2016 the Foundation received

Several members of the public have attended board and committee meetings this

its first disbursement of principal assets valued at $4 million. The Foundation is limited

past year, and we are pleased to see interest from the public. Please feel free to attend our up-

to using no more than 80% of the net earnings of the principal assets to fund grants and

coming meetings, or send us an email to ccccf2015@aol.com with any questions, concerns,

operational expenses; the remaining 20% of net earnings will be reinvested as part of the

suggestions. The Foundation welcomes public input and feedback from the community.

principal. Any funding allocated for grants and operational expenses not expended within

This Board is group of volunteer public servants dedicated to serving the citizens

one year after the year in which they were allocated will revert to the principal balance.

of Citrus County. We are delighted with the progress that has been made in 2016 and we

Operational expenses for the Foundation for 2016 included those ordinary and

look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Citrus County by awarding grants in the

necessary expenses such as publication costs for meeting notices and advertisements, a post

forthcoming year.

office box, postage and mailing, basic office supplies, website design and hosting, licenses

Sincerely, Mike Gudis, Chair,Board of Directors

and registrations fees, bookkeeping services, and legal services.

Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation, Inc.

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