The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - November 26, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
Hometown Democracy Might Just Work Afterall
The new water plant entered the start-up phase last week. To clear up some misunder-
standing about start-up, the whole plant is not started with all the systems going as if it were
(in a strange sort of way!)
Guest Commentary by Carl Mazzuca
in its final lineup to pump water into the distribution system. Pieces of the plant are turned on
separately with the vendor representatives here to check the performance and work out any
I and others here find the concept of Hometown Democracy (HD) abhorrent. Our
bugs. Start-ups are always lumpy, some people actually think it is fun. So far, so good.
system is based on representation. We hire and fire through the election process. Govern-
We are still in the process of reviewing applications for the vacant position of Mainte-
ment leaders are obligated to make decisions based on fact and analysis. Yankeetown’s
nance person. The task has proved more formidable due to the sheer volume of applications.
choose to throw it off to the uninformed voter and then blame their failures on us. The HD
In other employee news, Laura, our town clerk is taking a well deserved vacation over the
concept has failed everywhere on Earth that it has been tried. Still, I find myself in a position
Thanksgiving week.
of compromise that hopefully will benefit the community.
If you are looking for inexpensive entertainment, don’t forget that Yankeetown has a really
In the Mayor’s report in the Newscaster of November 19th, the Mayor states that “
dynamite library. The responsibility for the library is shared by the Yankeetown-Inglis Woman’s
On the legal front, Carl Mazzuca has withdrawn his appeal of the courts decision on the
Club and Levy County. You may not know, but they also have books on tape and movies.
amendments passed last election. As I understand it the amendments now stand.” What is
Computers are available. Their hours are Tuesdays 3PM to 8PM, Wednesday and Thursday
the reason to print this other than an attempt to discredit me? If the Charter Amendments
9AM to 5PM and Saturdays 9AM to 1PM. Watch out for library special functions January
surviving a legal citizen challenge is so significant to the Mayor and Council why then did
thru March. The library is at #11 on 56th Street.
they, with full malicious intent, execute two contrived hearings on September 22nd specifi-
If you are looking for a really different Christmas gift for that person who has everything,
cally to take away our rights under these amendments? This deception was even caught and
the Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve have a 1983 GMC Truck which used to serve
published by the States lawyers. The town has yet to answer why they did this. Any com-
as the fire chief’s truck, FOR SALE, they only want $1,200 for it. It used to have some ability
ment Madame Mayor?
to fight small fires but the water tank and pumps have been removed but it still has 4 wheel
The Charter Amendments are illegitimate. They were deviously conceived behind
drive and a heavy duty winch on the front bumper. Come on all you hunters out there. The
closed doors and were misrepresented to the community. They were railroaded onto the
money from the sale of the truck goes to help support the WGP and they have several
ballot. I ultimately took the case to the court of appeals in Tallahassee. Since Judge Glant, the
projects, such as painting the building that they are trying to help support. Unfortunately,
Levy Circuit Court judge who ruled against me in the local case has been overturned in similar
while there are a lot of grants available to do outdoor projects such as the boardwalk and the
cases I had a reasonable chance to prevail and overturn the charter amendments. But as much
picnic areas already at the park, there seems to be no money available for the building. There
as I despise Socialism being forced down my throat, I recognized that, in a most ironic way,
has been considerable progress made on the building, which used to be a private residence,
withdrawing might help us save the town from a destructive comprehensive plan. Sometimes
thanks to a generous donation from the Felburn Foundation. The goal is to convert the rather
the Lord does work in mysterious ways.
large building into a museum. Although the outdoor portion of the park is open to the public
Today the Charter Amendments are law. Item’s 10 and 11 of the amendments say, in
it is expected that the building will not be ready for perhaps another 18 months. Anyway, if
no uncertain terms that the people MUST vote in REFEERENDUM, on land use changes. The
comprehensive plan is all about major, destructive land use change. The Town does not want
interested in the truck, please contact Ellen Klee for details, at 447 -5439.
Special Thanx to all the volunteers who worked so hard on the Seafood Festival this year.
us to vote on these changes. They sent that message on September 22nd. But now they have
I think a good time was had by all. Happy Thanksgiving. Good Night and Good Luck,
no choice. The law does indeed prevail.
Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Bottom line; changes in the plan mean more public hearings and the public hearings
trigger the REFERENDUM VOTE. The vote will be our opportunity to influence law on many
issues; things like relaxing height restrictions on the islands where Developer Haines wants
to build taller buildings and increase population density.
The SAMPLE BALLOT for the REFERENDUM will be pivotal. Their historic behav-
ior dictates that the Town will attempt to distort the issues beyond understanding. Mr. Cohan
and some ex-council people are very practiced at this political art form. They better practice.
I was not alone in this fight. About 100 residents have provided support and the list
is growing. If the upcoming ballot does not meet STATE STATUTE to the letter, 100 or more
people will be marching to Bronson again and then to Tallahassee again if necessary. We
want the open, fair honest government promised. So far, it eludes us.
Good Day and…….Good Grief!
Paid Announcement Paid For And Approved by Carl Mazzuca
Letter to the Editor:
Re: Christmas Cards for Soldiers
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to the address below. If
we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful,
special people-- who have sacrificed so much-- would get! When you are making out your
Christmas card list this year, please include the following: A Recovering American Soldier c/o
Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
Hugs! Vera Ellen Rich Chiefland, FL
Dunnellon Man Arrested for DUI
The Yankeetown Inglis Woman's Club Honors Two Members for Years or
Service-Yankeetown Inglis Woman's Club Chaplain Nancy Lou Miller recognizes long-time
A Dunnellon man was arrested by the Inglis Police Department, just after midnight,
Club members Helen Czubacki and June Proffit for their contributions to Bingo and the Thurs-
Nov. 7, after an officer observed him spinning his tires when he left the traffic light at Hwy. 19,
day Kitchen. The ladies were the focus of a special tribute, created by First Vice President
traveling east on Hwy. 40. The officer reported that the car ran off the road several times. The
Leslie Dasch, that honored them for their more than 25 years of volunteerism. The presenta-
driver, Gregory Paul W. Budge, 24, smelled of alcohol, slurred his speech and stumbled, nearly
tion was made at the Club's Inspirational Brunch, which focused on appreciation of all of the
falling, according to the report, but refused roadside sobriety testing. He was charged with
members and their invaluable time and effort spent to raise money and resources for local
driving under the influence and transported to the Levy County Jail. His breath alcohol level
community organizations.
test confirmed the officer's suspicion.
The Newscaster by Mail
Shannon Adams,Realtor
NAPA Auto &
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Office 352-794-0888
Truck Parts
subscription is $18.25 in Florida and $21.25 out of State.Mail
Toll-Free 1-888-664-1951
your check or credit card # with this form.
Inglis
Cell 352-220-9209 -Home 352-447-1009
Name_________________Add__________________
(352) 447-6000
Hours:
730 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
Mon-
FAX: 352-795-0282
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date_________
Fax: 352-447-6099
Friday
WEBSITE: www.ExitRealtyLeaders.com
7:30-5:30
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
E-MAIL: shannondadams@comcast.net
Signature__________________
Newscaster Publishing
Saturday
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated
8-12