'Newspg1' by The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

THE NEWSCASTER

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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher

Wednesday January 7, 2009

Inglis, FL 34449

Tom Russell - Consulting Editor

A Publication of

Permit No. 14

Mike Moore - Photojournalist

Newscaster Publishing

Sally Price Correspondent

Squawk Box

With Sally Price

Politics in the Sunshine

State - Read this and

weep...

Ever wonder how politics

really works in the Sunshine

State? Read this and weep! In the aftermath

of recent criminal indictments which left sus-

pensions in the Levy County Board of

County Commissioners (BOCC), I was vetted

for appointment to the BOCC by political

power brokers from Tallahassee. The pro-

cess left me sad and very angry.

Around Nov. 13, 2008, I was contacted

by Mr. C.W. Gilbert, a Republican State Com-

mitteeman from Bronson. I was asked if I

would accept an appointment to Sammy

Yearty’s BOCC seat by Governor Crist. Af-

ter thinking about it, I gave my positive re-

sponse, which was based on the sincere

belief that I could contribute to Levy County

and the fine people who live here. Mr. Gil-

bert said that I would be contacted by a

friend, Mr. Thomas Barnette from Tallahas-

see.

Mr. Barnette contacted me, within hours,

and made it clear that “they” had great influ-

ence in Tallahassee on the matter of this ap-

The antique show at the Crystal River National Guard Armory Sunday was packed with sellers and lookers/buyers. As I approached the Elvis

pointment, or if necessary, “they” could

display I asked visitor Dianna Boggs if she was an Elvis fan. The big smile and yes answer was followed with.. "January 8th is his birthday."

generate campaign funds, if an election is

Les Mayer, owner of the collection shared a bust of Elvis which was a signed piece by French artist Armond La Montagne. Many of the older

called. I made it clear that my vote would not

locals in Inglis and Yankeetown remember in 1961 when Elvis came to town to film Follow That Dream, the majority which was filmed on the

be bought or swayed. Arrangements were

East side of Bird Creek Bridge. Some of those locals were lucky enough to be a stand in--Photo by Sally Price

made for a meeting at the Plantation Inn in

Coast Guard stops 4 unsafe

Man

Crystal River on Nov. 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

I called Mr. Gilbert back and told him

that I wanted him at that meeting with me,

passenger vessel operations

Arrested on

since he'd arranged all this, and I did not

understand what was going on.

Upon my arrival to the Plantation Inn on

Homosassa – Boarding team members from

a boarding team from Station Yankeetown and

Child

Coast Guard Station Yankeetown stopped four

were also found to be operating in an unsafe

Continued on page 5 - Squawk Box

unsafe passenger vessels operating on the

manner. The first vessel was operating with

Adopt A

Crystal River and in the vicinity of

more than its six allowable passengers and

Pornography

Homosassa, Fla., Dec. 29, through Dec. 31,

without the required number of fire extinguish-

Pet

2008.

ers and personal floatation devices. Addition-

During random safety boardings,

ally, the operator was not enrolled in a drug-

Charges

crewmembers discovered two commercial ves-

testing program as required by federal law.

Page 2

sels operated by Stadt Aquatic Adventures

The second vessel was also cited for operat-

operating with more than their maximum al-

ing with more than its six allowable passen-

A 32-year-old Crystal

lowable passengers. Additionally, Yankee-

gers and failing to have a drug-testing pro-

River man was arrested by the

town crews discovered that the captain of the

gram. Both voyages were terminated and the

Citrus County Sheriff's Office

second vessel failed to properly report a ma-

Coast Guard will seek civil penalties and sus-

at his place of employment,

rine casualty involving one of its main en-

pension of the operator’s licenses.

Dec. 31, on 12 counts of child

gines. The Coast Guard terminated both voy-

"Coast Guard regulations require all

pornography. According to

ages for the safety infractions and will seek

commercial inspected vessels carrying more

the arrest report, Scott K.

civil penalties against Stadt Aquatic Adven-

than six passengers to successfully pass a

Babcock, 755 N. Skycrest Ter- Scott Babcock

tures. The Coast Guard will also pursue ac-

rigorous safety inspection to obtain a Certifi-

race, was arrested as the re-

tion to suspend the captains’ licenses for fail-

cate of Inspection," said Coast Guard Lt. Matt

sult of an undercover internet investigation

ing to comply with proper safety procedures.

Dooris, Sector St. Petersburg senior investi-

that was initiated in June by a detective with

Two commercial passenger vessels

gating officer. "The safety certificate attests

the CCSO's Internet Crimes Against Children.

Continued on page 4 - Coast Guard

Continued on page 4 - Arrest

were boarded in Homosassa, Wednesday, by