The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - November 11, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to Editor:
Short Water Bills - Due to holidays and employee vacations in November, the only
Re: “In reply to Mr. White’s comments, I would like to provide a response.”
time that we could schedule reading water meters was earlier in the month than normal.
Related to Town Projects:
Therefore, billing for November will not include near as many days as usual so you will get
The Town Hall and Community Center were both rennovated with minimal fund-
a smaller bill. This will be the bill that you receive around the first of December. However
ing from Town Hall. Central Park was built with a grant of $135,610.84 from the Depart-
that means the next bill will have more days and I don’t want you to be surprised when the
ment of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreations and Parks, and donations from
December bill comes in January. I know, it would be nice if water were free.
Progress Energy, Plum Creek Timber Co., D.A.B. Constructors, Inc. and private citizens,
Garbage Ordinance - The Town Council has revised the garbage ordinance. This was
with Mr. White being one. We have constructed an Emergency Management Center in the
aimed at clearing up discrepancies between past practice and the ordinance. The old ordi-
storage room of the Community Center. It includes a generator, computers, satellite phone
nance allowed individuals to discontinue their garbage service if they were going to be gone
and a Ham Radio. This allows us to be prepared when (not if) a hurricane strikes, so that
for more than three months. However, some citizens were opting out of the service even
we can protect the citizens of the Town of Inglis. When the Town negotiated the transfer to
though they lived here all the time. Also the old ordinance allowed individuals to use other
the Town of the property between Town Hall and Capital City Bank, it included the area
garbage disposal companies despite the fact that Yankeetown had an exclusive contract with
behind the bank, which is now a picnic area, inclusive of picnic tables and grills. Capital
Waste Pro. The council reviewed all this in an attempt to align the ordinance with practice
City Bank’s only request was to be recognized for the donation. We applied for a grant,
and make decisions on whether or not to continue certain practices. The revised ordinance
through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, but due to financial restraints,
retains the practice of allowing the discontinuation of service if you are going to be gone for
all grants were denied. As a result, I felt we were obligated to fulfill our promise to the bank,
three months or more which should accommodate our snow bird population. The ability to
and the Commission agreed. We are therefore constructing an adult/teen exercise area at the
use another waste contractor was eliminated. This was a moot point pretty much anyway
cost of $25,000.00, a small price to pay in exchange for this property. Hopefully, we will
because the old ordinance specified that they had to be licensed in Levy County and as I
continue to improve the Town’s property and provide a gathering place that everyone can
understand it there are no other licensed waste contractors in Levy County. Call Sharon at
enjoy and be proud of.
the hall if you have questions, she’s the expert.
Mr. White is correct that other Towns that have Ad-Valorem taxes as high as Inglis’
Nitty Gritty of Everyday Stuff - Our Maintenance guy, Chris Howard has given the
have paved roads and sewers. The fallacy lies in the fact that those towns have over 90% of
Children’s Park (playground at the hall) a good bath and a new coat of paint. Also, a picnic
the properties paying taxes, while Inglis has approximately 20%. Also, they have properties,
table has been placed in Fisherman’s Park for anyone who would like to sit there and read
both residential and commercial, with higher assessed values. This translates to a higher
a paper or have lunch. Fire hydrants were inspected last week. They are inspected once a
dollar total of Ad-Valorem. Mr. White needs to understand the workings of the tax structure
year by an outside company.
and not throw out one part of a much larger picture.
FREE Drawing for SPORTS TICKETS - Two tickets for admission to all Sand Gnat
Relative to the cart before the horse comment, Mr. White is again correct, except
School sporting events will be given away. This is kinda like season tickets. To enter the
he has the wrong driver of the cart. The Town Commission approved a mandatory Garbage
drawing, write your name, phone number and the word “tickets” on a slip of paper and drop
Contract, which by Charter I am required to sign, whether I agree or not. The Town Com-
it off at town hall. You can put it in the drop box if after hours. The drawing will be held at
mission then reneged on this contract. AS a matter of public record, above my signature on
noon, November 30th at town hall.
the EXCLUSIVE WASTE PRO CONTRACT, it is noted. “UNDER PROTEST.” Certainly
REMEMBER OUR VETS - Remember all those who have served and sacrificed for our
the cart was before the horse, but it should be noted the Town Commission was in charge of
country. The flag at the hall has been at half mast for the days leading up to Veterans Day in
the horse and cart.
respect and remembrance of the fallen at Fort Hood. Good Night and Good Luck,
In regard to the quoted statement that Mr. White discusses relative to Mrs. McCran-
Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
nie, this statement was never made and was based on second-hand information. I would have
U.S. Census Jobs in Marion, Sumter, Levy and Citrus counties
assumed that Mr. White would have checked his facts before printing a libelous statement.
The Census Bureau is hiring in the four county areas. All applicants must take a
He personally did not hear it and simply wishes to print what others say and accept respon-
basic multiple choice test, administered throughout the area there is a national toll-free job
sibility for it. We should all be so irresponsible as to repeat every rumor we hear and assume
line 1-866-861-2010 that will put potential hires in contact with the local office for their area
we have no responsibility for the consequences.
where they can then schedule a test. For more information call the local office at 352-414-
It will be interesting, in the next election, if Mr. White runs for the Commission in
7230.
a town he would like to see dismantled.
ANNUAL FISH FRY AND YARD SALE
If anyone wishes to speak to me personally, you can call Town Hall or stop in any-
November 21st and 22nd, 2009 Fish fry 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Yardsale 8:00 AM
time during regular business hours. I am usually there working for the Town, trying not to
to 4:00 PM at the Inglis Masonic Lodge 324 located at 652 Hwy 40 West. Fried pollock or
Bill Lake, Mayor of Inglis
destroy it.
mullet, baked beans, coleslaw, hush puppies, grits and many homemade desserts, bottled
water and ice tea. Smoked mullet also available. $7.00 donation for our annual fund raiser
Sunrise Outpost
to help our many charities.
Veterans Day Rib Cook-Off
Kayak Sales & Rental
6027 Hwy. 40W, Yankeetown, FL
1st Annual Rib Cook-Off
447-5655
(352)
Inglis VFW vs. AMVETS
November Special:
Everyone Welcome
Full-Day Kayak Rental
VFW Post #8698
$4 Donation
at 1/2-Day Price - $30
520 Hwy. 40E
Saturday
Includes Vest & Paddle
1 mile east of Hwy. 19
Nov. 14
Delivery & Pick-Up Available
Inglis, Florida
Call 447-5655 for Reservations
(352) 447-3495
1:00 pm
Inglis
NAPA Auto &
Computers dot Com
Gun & Ammo Sale
Truck Parts
www.cino.com
Fax: 352-447-6099
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Hours:
(352) 447-6000
380 Auto Hollow Points $25
Computer Sales & Service
Mon-Friday
BRING THIS AD & Get Extra $2 Off Per Box!!
7:30-5:30
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Saturday
(Limited Supply. No Rain checks.)
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
We Recycle Computers!
8-12
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (352)447-5595
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left