The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - January 5, 2011
Inglis atmany Crossroads as a community to insure a bright,
a needs and must come together
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Inglis has
vibrant future for all of its citizens. It was reported last week that unemployment in Levy
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
County is over 14%. For many residents of Inglis this comes as no surprise. They have
lost jobs through downsizing and business closings. There are limited job opportunities in
this area. The Levy County Food Bank is trying to make a difference by feeding the needy,
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
but without the help of those that are still working to donate food to them, the need cannot
Looking forward to the New Year, while it’s quiet, it’s time to think about New
be met. With Thanksgiving and Christmas behind us, many of us forget that the need still
Year’s resolutions for the town. What are our objectives for the New Year?
exists. Needy people are not just needy during the holidays.
Infrastructure – Some time ago, we surveyed the distribution system and generated a list of
Not only do we need to remember the less fortunate, but we must start to come
valves that needed attention or just plain replacing. We have been working them off over
together as a community, and start planning for the economic survival of Inglis. There
the years. You may remember that one planned repair of a critical valve required the whole
are many opportunities to get involved and help shape our future. By coming to Com-
town to be out of water and then the aggravation of boil water notices. That was the worst
mission and Planning Commission meetings to learn what is happening and volunteering
one. The project has been limited by funding as to how many valves we could do each year,
when volunteers are needed. Talking to your town commissioners or a town employee is
but this year it is our objective to essentially finish the list. Bringing all the critical valves
a great place to start. In general, get involved, and understand what is going on. A clear
up to snuff will reduce unplanned water outages and improve our isolation capability so less
understanding on the issues before each of the commissions will go a long way toward stop-
people will be out of water when we do have a break. We also are planning to finish replacing
ping the misinformation that runs rampant in Inglis. Staying informed also insures that you
the culverts that are rusted, collapsed, crushed or otherwise damaged.
understand why certain decisions on the future of Inglis are being made by those governing
Trees – With the help of volunteers, we are planning extensive tree replanting on
bodies.
the town’s right of ways. This will start in April, because it is supposed to be better to plant
Inglis received a Community Development Block Grant and is in the process of
trees in the spring. We don’t have a lot of money ear marked but you have to start some-
taking applications to help some residents fix or replace their homes. Along those same
where.
lines, the town zoning officer is working to identify properties in town that need cleaning
Parks – Fisherman’s Park will get a good design plan worked up for improvements,
up. Mr. George Obier is contacting the owners of those properties, and the cleanup has
compliments of a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The
started. Take a look around your neighborhood and see if your elderly or disabled neighbors
design work should be finished this year for a floating dock and bathroom facilities, and then
need assistance with fixing up their properties or picking up their yards.
we will apply for construction money. Actual construction probably will not happen this
Make time to come together as a community, get involved, care about what goes on
year but will be a goal for 2012.
in your neighborhood and the town will go a long way to starting the process of creating a
For the WGP it seems more great programs and getting the building open to the
true sense of community. A strong community is a very good foundation to build a vibrant,
public are their goals. So far they’ve planned a Manatee program for January, a Shark
bright town with a great economic future.
program in February plus an Astronomy Night. An increase in funding will see the building
Dinda Merritt, Inglis Commissioner
make progress toward opening to the public.
Goal of Normal - I think we’ve been so focused on big projects like the water plant,
Letter to the Editor:
the comprehensive plan overhaul, staff upheavals and legal battles that a lot of the normal
Re:Concerning Lake Rousseau
things have gone to lower priorities. Now it’s time to really get back to normal and put more
The next Task Force Meeting will be addressing the Lake and management thereof.
emphasis on the TLC of Yankeetown. Good Night and Good Luck.
The meeting will be on January 10, 2:00 p.m. at the government building in Lecanto….3600
W. Sovereign Path Room 166. I would appreciate any input you would like to have pre-
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
sented.
Each of us is a stake holder in this water body and there are many points of view
Where Customer Service is our Priority
depending on the recreational use dearest to your heart. Ideally we can come up with a lake
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management plan based on and encompassing all the uses for which this beautiful lake
provides….fishing, kayaking, canoeing, duck hunting, bird watching, boating, jet skiing
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and yes even water skiing (at least in front of my house where there are no stumps).
At the last meeting several professional fishing guides were present to vocalize
Enhance your Health
REMOVE Iron, Sulfur,
SERVICE
their displeasure at what seems a significant reduction in the number of fish in the lake
with Reverse Osmosis
Chlorine,Hardness
as well as excessive spraying, advocating no spray at all. Lake residents of course would
Drinking Water &
Bacteria, Tannin,
be locked in if we were to abolish spraying altogether in addition to having no lake at all,
Whole House Systems RENTALS
Odor & Cyanide
however a balance can be struck. The next meeting will include the results of recent electro
shocking on the lake by FFWCC.
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Many residents are unhappy with the growth of tussocks obstructing their water
ways and water flow while bird watchers applaud the growing habitat for wading birds. In
ew! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
order to ensure all stakeholders’ vested interests are met please e-mail me your thoughts
and concerns. This represents an opportunity for lake management based on public input
R&M
and if you do not respond I cannot help you or the lake so please take the time to give some
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
thought to your idea of what the lake means to you and what could be done to further any
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
efforts in that direction. You can e-mail me at sclodwick@aol.com.
Complete Auto Repairs
Sandra Clodwick, Dunnellon
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
Computer Diagnostics
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Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your name
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Todd Sumlin
39 W. Highway 40 - Inglis, Florida
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