'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

PAGE 2 - October 19, 2011

The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

Port Citrus - Continued from page 1

Pet Patrol

study to be done.”

(Florida Statues, provides that program funds will be used to fund approved proj-

ects on a 50-50 matching basis with any of the deepwater ports governed by a public body.)

Ubinas said the purpose of the Inglis meeting was to educate

members of the Inglis Commission about Port Citrus and how the town of

Inglis can benefit from Port Citrus and also educate them about becoming

members of the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority Board.

It should be noted that in 1982 Levy County formally withdrew from the

Authority.

There were also several other dignitaries there including several

Levy County Commissioners and Yankeetown mayor Dawn Clary. Com-

missioner Marsha Drew invited Commissioner Damato and Brad Thorpe

Thorpe

to their next commission meeting which was October 18, in Bronson.

Inglis Police Chief Steve Dixon said the Inglis police department would probably

serve as a back up for security to the port because,” we are so close.” He said the police

department would be looking for some sort of financial support, although nothing has been

said so far about financial support. Dixon said the proximity, just across the county line

would definitely bring a certain amount of stress to the police force. He reflected that it’s

“Ruby Baby is a 12# 7 yo s.f. brown dappled

not a matter of if, but when the port is built. The Citrus commission is awaiting a feasibil-

Mr. Tibbs is a very cute 18 pound Lhasa

Dachshund with a fabulous personality. She

ity study. February 22 of this year the Citrus commission felt it was worth trying to get port

Apso mix that looks like benji with long

is a large tweenie with darker brown dapple

status in the 2011 legislative session, and it voted to allocate $50,000 for a lobbyist toward

hair. Mr. Tibbs was in a very bad situation

spots on her back. Baby was rescued after

that end.

where the person had way too many dogs to

her owner passed but has adjusted to show

At that same meeting commissioners heard a proposal for Citrus County to become

care of them properly. As a result he is being

everyone loads of affection and an outgo-

host to a Florida Port. Attorney Fred Busack’s Tampa/Tallahassee law firm does work for

treated for a skin issue which should clear up

ing personality. She is crate trained, leash

the local governments (it recently created the Transportation Planning Organization, or TPO

with treatment. Adopt A Rescued Pet, Inc.

trained, and likes to go for walks or play

for the county). Busack gave a presentation that showed how the Panama Canal is being

does home visits prior to adoptions, there-

with other dogs. Cats are ok but no children.

enlarged to accommodate increasing larger container ships.

fore, we can only adopt to the Citrus County

See Baby at A Humane Society of Central

Because those container ships are the least expensive way to move goods globally,

and adjoining county areas. Call Adopt A

Florida Pet Rescue, Inc’s Adoption Event in

because the shipping activity is increasing dramatically, because Citrus has a barge canal

Rescued Pet, leave your name, number, and

Pet Supermarket, Inverness, Saturday, 10-

that Busack proposed could be developed as a port, and because that would-be port is al-

pet’s name, for a return call from the foster

12 PM, with other small dogs, phone AH-

ready connected to the CSX railroad system (the second cheapest mode of container travel)

mom, later, at 795.9550.

SCFPRInc at 352.527.9050.

that serves all the big eastern U.S. centers of commerce, the county is in a unique, once in a

Manatee AwarenessKings Bay please be on the lookout

lifetime position both figuratively and literally,

Busack said. Once the county received port status, it can get access to money to pay for

Boaters and visitors to our area springs in

planning and financing a port that could take a piece of that shipping business, he said.

and aware of manatees coming in as the cool weather approaches. Please show respect to

There is an urgency to get the status this (past) legislative session, Busack said,

manatees arriving early to area sanctuary sites that are not closed yet. Please act as you

because the other ports in the state and eastern seaboard will be gearing up for the expected

would during manatee regular season such as: Lower anchor slowly and watch for resting

shipping business through the Canal in the next few years. The expansion is expected to be

manatees below. Wearing polarized sunglasses helps people see in the water easier to avoid

finished in 2014.

collisions, especially during low tides. Keep noise to a minimum if manatees are resting

Citrus County Administrator Brad Thorpe said, “It’s all about creating jobs.” “Port Citrus

nearby. The U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service sign posted at the area springs indicates how to

seems like a viable choice.” “Hopefully you (Inglis) will be part of this project” “We need

properly view manatees. Manatees come here out of survival instincts, needing access to

you as a partner.”

warm springs is critical. Please be respectful and welcome the manatees as they make their

As Citrus County waits for the feasibility study to be completed, the southeast part

way here for the winter months ahead.

of the county has residents with little interest or knowledge of the project (See 10-19-11

Squawk Box by Mike Moore) and at the same time cautious observers with doubts about

the project have expressed their concern.

When county administrator Thorpe said they have no plans to deepen the canal and

will utilize what is currently there. Betty Berger, former Inglis commissioner responded

to Thorpe that the barge canal is not fifteen feet deep but twelve. Berger has stated that a

barge named Aiple which was only half loaded went aground in the barge canal and had to

be unloaded and later floated off at high tide. Berger also stated that Progress Energy does

have plans to deepen the canal five foot deeper for their cooling water lines but she does not

believe they can do it.

Continued on page 3 - Port Citrus

THE NEWSCASTER & Nature Coast News is published weekly by Newscaster Publishing, 19170

SE 136 Ct.Dunnellon, FL. 34431 Comment Line:352-388-1668, fax not available at this time. e-mail:

thenewscaster1@gmail.com. Bulk Rate Postage is paid at Inglis, FL Permit No. 14. Subscription Rates

are $32.00 per year in Florida, $35.00 out of state. The Newscaster is also available in news racks for 25

editorials or commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and or editors. Unsolicited

commentary and letters to the editor must be typed and signed by the author. Include a phone/address for

verification. Information can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. Newscaster Publishing accepts no responsi-

bility for lost or damaged manuscripts, or photos. Enclose return postage if you want material returned.

Bruce Logeman Carpentry, LLC

Home Improvements, Remodeling, Decks

WE ALSO HAVE

Quality Work

(352)465-1515

BIRDS, PUPPIES &

Reasonable Prices

Need a new area for outside entertaining?

TROPICAL FISH

Free Estimates

Give us a call!

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Licensed & Insured

NATURAL & Sun 12pm-4pm

Pet Grooming

PET

PREMIUM

20372 E. Penna. Ave.

PET FOODS

Cell 352-228-1352

SITTING

Dunnellon

Home 352-447-4579