The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - October 1, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Letter to the Editor:
Re: Will Yankeetown be Able to Recover?
On September 22nd I read a statement into the record at public hearings speaking
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
against the comprehensive plan. I am one of many, long time residents of Yankeetown that
is fearful that the local government is methodically disrupting and destroying our once
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
peaceful town and it will not be able to recover.
I guess the biggest thing to happen in the last week was the hearing on the amend-
The comprehensive plan amendments these officials are forcing on us are destruc-
ment to the Comprehensive Plan. Yankeetown and the Department of Community Affairs
tive. They have set it up to close Yankeetown proper to any sort of improvement but give a
had worked out what is called a Settlement Agreement to remedy the deficiencies in our
lawyer/developer the go ahead to develop our islands. This is not good, common sense. But
original submittal of the large amendment that Yankeetown Planning and Zoning has been
much greater nonsense is the Town Council is purposely taking away our right to vote on
working on over the last year and half to overhaul the comp plan. The deficiencies basically
this plan.
were an error in the classification of our roads, (we had not been consistent in the classifi-
In October 2007 the Mayor and Council put amendments on the ballot to change
cation of our roads), we had no provisions for storm water improvements in our Capital
the Yankeetown Town Charter. These amendments were voted in. They become law on
Improvement plan and we needed more population data and analysis.
October 1, this year. The first charter amendment, and the most important by far, says that
During public input, one individual did not think that there was sufficient planning
we, the people, will vote on all land use changes. Why did we have unnecessary public
for the growth that would come due to the nuclear plants being proposed in Levy County.
hearings and a unanimous vote by council to adopt the comprehensive plan on September
The response was that build out is build out and that Yankeetown has a fairly finite amount of
22nd, only 8 days before our rights kicked in? 8 days!!.
room to grow. The Comp Plan addresses future growth whatever the cause. Another com-
They are rushing through and adopting documents that have not been signed or
ment was that there was no money for a sewer study. The response was that the capital
accepted by the state government. The state has said there is no deadline imposed by them.
improvements element is essentially for infrastructure. Also remember that just because
The state may not accept it for weeks or months yet. The only reason to rush this through
something is not in the plan does not mean that you can not do it. Also remember that if you
is to deny us the right to vote on this whole issue. Here is what our leaders said about the
put something in the capital improvement element, you pretty much HAVE TO DO IT.
charter amendments last year:
The settlement agreement and remedial changes to the comp plan were ultimately
The Mayor said ,and I quote "Sometimes you can have a council that's kind of out
approved by the council and will now be sent back to the DCA.
of step with the community, and this gave more power to the residents.", It put more checks
A short meeting was held before the hearing to address complaints that had been
and balances on everything,".
made concerning the handling of the Yankeetown islands in the comprehensive plan amend-
Councilman Dame said , and I quote “I'm inclined to agree with hometown democ-
ment. James Sherwood of Sherwood Partners had been invited to attend and air his com-
racy inspired efforts to make it harder to make changes in Comprehensive Plans and land-
plaints in a public meeting. The same courtesy was extended to attorney Tim Haines who
use rules.”
owns some of the islands within Yankeetown about which many of Sherwood's complaints
Former Councilman Candela said despite attempts by others using the legal sys-
seemed to center. James Sherwood did not show up but Mr. Haines did and he addressed
tem to, and I quote “deprive you of your opportunity for self-determination. Justice and the
questions from the public concerning his plans for the islands. The major misconception
rule of law prevails yet again.”
about the comp plan amendment seemed to be the implication that commercial use of the
Hollow words from bureaucrats? You decide.
islands was made possible. This was not true. A letter is available at town hall which was
It is an outrage that the Council that “sold” the town on the advantages of such an
written to respond to resident Carl Mazzuca who seemed to have a lot of the same com-
amendment, has been working behind closed doors to hastily adopt their misbegotten plan
plaints. This letter addresses at length many of the misconceptions, complaints and rumors
BEFORE this Charter Amendment kicks in.
in this area. If you would like more information, please stop by and get a copy.
It is obvious the town government has mismanaged this whole planning process. If
There will be a drawing for an American Flag at the next council meeting October
this is not so then why, after more than two years of effort, is the State of Florida still
the 6th. If you come to the meeting just put your name in the box
struggling to accept this misbegotten document. Now, out of total divisiveness, manipula-
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Steve
tion and contempt for the people they circumvent the very right they invented to give us a
West who passed away this week. He will be missed. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn
voice in these issues. A citizen vote would just not be “convenient” for this government
Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
right now. So much for the self-righteous precepts of Florida Hometown Democracy.
Dee Dixon,Yankeetown
Lake Yankeetown To Be Filled In
Letter to the Editor:
Re: Inglis Four Day Work Week
A Guest Commentary by Carl Mazzuca
The new 4 day work week in the Inglis
The breezes were light, the bounty rich for bird and turtle alike; big fat bugs for the birds and juicy, succulent delicacies for the
Town Hall has caused a lot of dissatisfaction around
turtles. All was peace and harmony on Lake Yankeetown over on CR-40 when…WHAM! What’s with all these dump trucks? Alas,
town. I for one find Mondays totally frustrating.
progress prevails. The Lake is no more. Something to do with a water plant.
After the weekend, I almost always have need of
Oh, pardon me, I should explain; Lake Yankeetown was originally purchased by the town council for $90,000 of tax payer money
either the zoning officer for a question or the need
to be used as a percolation pond for the new town water plant. It seems though that the only ones who could read the engineering reports
of an answer from town hall. The cut-off time for
that said the land could not percolate to the required specification and who brought this to the attention of Council on numerous occasions
me for the newspaper is Monday night. I need to
was a handful of citizens. Mayor Dawn Clary and Vice Mayor Marsha Drew argued vehemently that those pesky, disgruntled citizens were
have up to date answers and have no way other
only trying to spread misinformation and cause trouble. The Mayor and Vice Mayor, speaking for Council said there is no specification and
than to call employees at home.
the land works just fine. So there!
I wonder how commissioners can be well
So,,, what’s with all the dirt? How much will all the dirt cost us on our water bills? Why wasn’t it in the Mayors Report? Why has
prepared to serve the town when town hall is closed
it been done so quietly? Will all the dirt allow us to get full benefit of the $700,000 reverse osmosis system that we don’t need otherwise?
the 3 days preceeding the meeting. We need some
controlled growth in town but we are not there to
In all seriousness friends and neighbors, our $2.8 million water plant is now approaching $5.5 million (not counting the $90,000
not only service the tax paying citizens but we are
for the Lake) and going up from the look of things. We have to pay a significant portion of this loan back to the state. This is going to result
shutting out others who come to the town on Mon-
in serious financial pain for the residents of the town. Just keep an eye on your water bills. And rest assured it’s only the beginning. This
day thinking they are going to conduct business.
town government has NO idea where costs are going nor do they care.
Sure it may save 10 hours of air conditioning/heat-
Sadly the monumental ineptitude and mismanagement demonstrated by this Mayor and Council on the water plant project is just
ing on Monday but then the office is open 10 hours
warm-ups. Wait until you see the pain and misery Mr. Cohan’s Comprehensive Plan, the one being shoved down our throats now, will brings
longer during the week. Why not turn the thermo-
us. As Jack Benny (or one of those guys) used to say “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” Good Day and…..Double Good Grief!
stat up 1-2 degrees. I hope that the commission
e-mail your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
will reconsider and go back to normal business 5
days a week. Sally Price, Inglis
Shannon Adams,Realtor
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