'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

PAGE 2 - October 27, 2010

The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

Proposed Constitutional Amendments Sting - Continued from page 1

on Florida's Nov. 2 Ballot

arrests were made on Thursday, four on Friday, six on Saturday and ten on

Sunday. Seven vehicles were seized for forfeiture, along with a handgun, 26

NO. 1 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE VI, SECTION 7: Repeal of the

cell phones, 19 personal computers and 4 cameras. Eighteen of the 22 men

public campaign financing requirement. Proposing the repeal of the provision in the State

arrested brought condoms to the rendezvous site, in anticipation of sexual

Constitution that requires public financing of campaigns of candidates for elective statewide

activity with a minor. Additional arrests are anticipated. Search warrants

office who agree to campaign spending limits.

are pending on phones and computers taken into evidence, and forensics

NO. 2 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 3; ARTICLE XII,

analysis will be performed on the items.

SECTION 31: Homestead ad valorem tax credit for deployed military personnel. Proposing

The arrestees are facing multiple violations of the state’s Com-

an amendment to the State Constitution to require the Legislature to provide an additional

O'Conner

puter Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act, ranging from

homestead property tax exemption by law for members of the U.S. military or military

traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a child,

reserves, the U.S. Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida National Guard who receive

to transmitting material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equip-

a homestead exemption and were deployed in the previous year on active duty outside the

ment.

continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii in support of military operations designated by

Of the 22 arrests, several were in the local area: Steven Baker, 46,

the Legislature. The exempt amount will be based upon the number of days in the previous

Dunnellon; Matthew Pirie, 25, a visitor to Beverly Hills; James O’Connor,

calendar year that the person was deployed on active duty outside the continental United

41, Dunnellon; and Adam Steelman, 25, Sunset Beach, N.C. (who was

States, Alaska, or Hawaii in support of military operations designated by the Legislature.

working in Citrus County).

The amendment is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2011.

“This was the first operation of such magnitude conducted by the

(NOs 3, 7 and 9 were removed)

Citrus County Sheriffís Office, and it took the combined efforts of several

NO. 4 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE II, SECTION 7: Referenda re-

different agencies to make Operation Grim Reaper the success that it was,”

Baker

quired for adoption andamendment of local government comprehensive land use plans. Es-

said Lt. Dave Decarlo who supervises the agency’s ICAC Unit. DeCarlo

tablishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or

said he greatly appreciates the cooperation of the assisting agencies, especially the guidance

amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to

of the Polk County Sheriffís Office, the agency which created the template for these types

vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the lo-

of operations, and the resources that were available available from the Central Florida ICAC

cal planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

Task Force.

The amendmentís impact on local government expenditures cannot be estimated precisely.

The ICAC Task Force program assists state and local law enforcement agencies

Local governments will incur additional costs due to the requirement to conduct referenda

in order to adopt comprehensive plans or amendments thereto. The amount of such costs

in developing an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases, en-

depends upon the frequency, timing and method of the referenda, and includes the costs of

compassing forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim

ballot preparation, election administration, and associated expenses. The impact on state

services, prevention and community education.

government expenditures will be insignificant.

NO. 5 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE III, SECTION 21: Standards for

NONBINDING STATEWIDE ADVISORY REFERENDUM: Balancing the Federal Bud-

legislature to follow in legislative redistricting. Legislative districts or districting plans may

get. A Nonbinding Referendum Calling for an Amendment to the United States Constitu-

not be drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party. Districts shall not be

tion. In order to stop the uncontrolled growth of our national debt and prevent excessive

drawn to deny racial or language minorities the equal opportunity to participate in the politi-

borrowing by the Federal Government, which threatens our economy and national security,

cal process and elect representatives of their choice. Districts must be contiguous. Unless

should the United States Constitution be amended to require a balanced federal budget

otherwise required, districts must be compact, as equal in population as feasible, and where

without raising taxes?

feasible must make use of existing city, county and geographical boundaries. The fiscal im-

pact cannot be determined precisely. State government and state courts may incur additional

costs if litigation increases beyond the number or complexity of cases which would have

occurred in the amendmentís absence.

NO. 6 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE III, SECTION 20: Standards for

legislature to follow in congressional redistricting. Congressional districts or districting

Restaurant the Border!

plans may not be drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party. Districts shall

not be drawn to deny racial or language minorities the equal opportunity to participate in

The Best Mexican Cuisine South of

the political process and elect representatives of their choice. Districts must be contiguous.

445 NE 1st Terrace • Crystal River • North of Big Lots & East of Post Office

Unless otherwise required, districts must be compact, as equal in population as feasible, and

Crystal Terrace Shopping Center

where feasible must make use of existing city, county and geographical boundaries. The

fiscal impact cannot be determined precisely. State government and state courts may incur

Monday-Thursday

additional costs if litigation increases beyond the number or complexity of cases which

11 am - 2 pm & 5 - 9 pm

would have occurred in the amendmentís absence.

Friday

NO. 8 - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, ARTICLE IX, SECTION 1; ARTICLE

11 am - 2 pm & 5 - 10 pm

Saturday

XII, SECTION 31: Revision of the class size requirements for public schools. The Florida

Noon - 10 pm

Constitution currently limits the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher in

Sunday

public school classrooms in the following grade groupings: for prekindergarten through

Yes, We Have Beer & Wine!

Noon - 9 pm

Lunch & Dinner Served

grade 3, 18 students; for grades 4 through 8, 22 students; and for grades 9 through 12, 25

students. Under this amendment, the current limits on the maximum number of students

Dine-In or Take-Out

352-795-5251

assigned to each teacher in public school classrooms would become limits on the average

number of students assigned per class to each teacher, by specified grade grouping, in each

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

public school. This amendment also adopts new limits on the maximum number of students

136 Ct.Dunnellon, FL. 34431 Ph.352-388-1668, fax 1-800-385-6736,e-mail: thenewscaster1@gmail.com.

assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom as follows: for prekindergarten through

Bulk Rate Postage is paid at Inglis, FL Permit No. 14. Subscription Rates are $18.50 per year in Florida,

grade 3, 21 students; for grades 4 through 8, 27 students; and for grades 9 through 12, 30

students. This amendment specifies that class size limits do not apply to virtual classes, re-

Information, opinions and/or ideas expressed in this publication in guest editorials or commentaries do

quires the Legislature to provide sufficient funds to maintain the average number of students

not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and or editors. Unsolicited commentary and letters to

required by this amendment, and schedules these revisions to take effect upon approval

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 responsibility for lost or damaged

by the electors of this state and to operate retroactively to the beginning of the 2010-2011

manuscripts, or photos. Enclose return postage if you want material returned.

school year.

Quality, Compassionate

Todd Sumlin

Veterinary Care including:

WE ALSO HAVE

• Annual Exams & Vaccinations

Plant Manager

• Digital Radiography

(352)465-1515

BIRDS, PUPPIES &

• Microchip Implants

TROPICAL FISH

• Health Certificates

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

INGLIS QUARRY

155 Heights Avenue, Inverness

Sun 12pm-4pm

Animal Hospital

(352) 726-2460

10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.

NATURAL &

Phone (352)447-2209

Pet Grooming

P.O. Box 519

Your Family’s Other Doctor

www.tlccitrus.com

PET

PREMIUM

Fax (352)447-0218

Inglis, FL. 34449

20372 E. Penna. Ave.

Debra Moore, DVM

PET FOODS

SITTING

Dunnellon

Dogs • Cats • Ferrets • Rodents