The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - December 2, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Guidelines for submitting Letters to the Editor
Disney Days - Walt Disney World is rewarding volunteerism with a program called “Give
a Day. Get a Disney Day.” They will give you a free ticket good for one day admission to
The Newscaster does not publish anonymous letters or commentaries. We receive letters from
a Walt Disney World or Disney Land theme park for volunteer service with a participating
time to time that do not meet our requirements (mostly unsigned and no address) and that's why they
organization that is providing a needed service. The Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf
don't get published. All letters must be typed, signed by the author, with a local phone number and
Preserve are presently working on becoming an eligible program. They have a very long list
current address. Letters can be mailed, faxed or emailed and not accepted at the Newscaster Classifieds
of projects such as repairing the screening at the museum building, cutting back the brush
drop box. Emailed letters may be delayed while verification takes place. Comments can be left on our
along the roadway, repairing the shed down at the dock, butterfly garden maintenance and
comment line at 352-897-0381. You must leave your name and phone number for verification.The limit
is 400 words(effective 11-26-09), no exceptions. For more information see page 2.
more. If you are interested in volunteering at the WGP, contact Ellen Klee, Jack Schofield
Letter to Editor
or Linda Cohan.
RE: Yankeetown’s Mayor: “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire!!”
Weird Wire- Speaking of parks, on Friday the YT Fire Department was called out to a
These days, most people expect “spin”, which is the polite way to describe a politi-
reported structure fire at the park at the end of the road. Someone had set the trash can in the
cian’s way of twisting the truth. Well, the Yankeetown (YT) Mayor’s Report NEVER lets
woman’s bathroom afire. At this time there seems to be no real damage other than soot all
me down. In the Sept. 16 “Mayor’s Report,” the Mayor totally misrepresented the circum-
over the facility. The incident is under investigation. For the record, the park is a county
stances surrounding the business sign issue. Either the mayor is misinformed or she is a
park and does not belong to Yankeetown.
“LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!!”
Christmas Lights- Staff got the Christmas lights up at the hall and we are working on
You choose, because either way she is doing her usual “spin” on the facts. Here’s
trying to light the tree at the beginning of the median of Riverside across from the hall. The
what she failed to explain in her “report” in the 9-9-09 Newscaster regarding the business
tree used to be lit every year but then grew too large and out of shape. The town opted to
sign issue. The entire saga began because the county asked the town to move the Withla-
light the hall instead. SPECIAL THANX to Gibson Tree Service, of Yankeetown who has
coochee Gulf Pathways (WGP) sign, which the town apparently erected without a permit or
offered to shape the tree and also try to hang lights at an extremely low cost as a Christmas
the permission of the county, who owns CR40.
present to the town.
The county met with an unnamed (cigar smoking) councilor and zoning official Fi-
Well Wishes and Patience Needed - Our thoughts are with our Deputy Town Clerk Sharon
neout about the WGP sign. The YT government reps apparently became quite agitated with
Mudge who has been out for a week and will be out for an extended amount of time due to
the county’s request to move their sign. Following that meeting, Chris Fineout immediately
a health problem. We wish her well. It is too bad to be ill anytime but especially so at this
fired off a testy e-mail filing a complaint, listing all the small business signs he claimed
time of year. Sharon is in charge of the water accounts and I would ask for patience with the
were violating the county code. That irresponsible action put things into motion. The county
pinch hitters filling in at her desk. Hanukkah begins this weekend, Happy Hanukkah to those
started sending out notices to the small businesses, directing them to remove their signs.
of you who observe it. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor.
Many of the town’s business owners called the county building and zoning office, wanting
to know why they were being asked to remove their signs.
I see a pattern of behavior here. Our elected and appointed town officials like to
make rules and ordinances, but think they are above the rules. Rules are for everybody else.
Are we surprised by their tack? Certainty not! They caused their own problem by not acquir-
ing the proper permits from the county to place their sign on the coUNTY’S ROAD. They
immediately pointed fingers at the YT small business signs (who, by the Way, pay property
taxes, and the WGP Park does not) on cR40 that have been there for probably 15 years or
more. If we have to move ours... they have to move theirs!’ Oh! But the town loves com-
mercial, remember? Let me assure you, if one of us attempted to erect a sign in town without
permission, the zoning official would be on us like a cheap suit. But apparently, the county
rules don’t apply to some Yankeetown Government elitists.
So, you see, the Mayor’s blather about an “anonymous complaint” (the county will
not accept nor act upon an “anonymous” anything) was just another mayoral S-P-I-N.
More “goodnight and good lucK” B-O-L-O-G-N-A the mayor tries to spoon feed
Annie Rosario, Yankeetown
everyone.
DEAL FELL THROUGH
Take advantage of
this 2 bdrm waterfront
“steal”. Title work is
Truck Takes A Bath - According to Manuel Cabrera, shortly before noon Monday his brother
completed we’re ready
Luis tried to launch Manuel’s boat that Luis had borrowed at the boat ramp at the end of Hwy
to close. Located on
40 Yankeetown. The tide was extremely low and had changed with a strong current flowing
north by the ramp.Luis’ friend Dennis was helping outside the truck with the launching and the
a canal leading to the
current started taking the boat, still on the trailer, north of the ramp. Manuel said his brother
Gulf with tile & berber
tried to pull the truck and trailer up the ramp but the tires were spinning on the slick ramp as
flooring and large Flor-
the tide pulled the truck with boat and trailer down into the water. Luis was able to get out
Fantastic steal: 2002 3/2 doublewide on well treed 1.25
of the truck.
ida room overlooking
acre lot. $30K gets this beauty.
“Fishing Joe” Hogan was returning from a fishing trip and came to the aid but the
the dock.
Another steal 4/2 on one acre lot $30K. won’t last great
truck was now under water and still attached to the trailer. Responding were Yankeetown Fire
rental or second get a away home
Department, U.S. Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, Levy County Sheriff’s Office and Florida
Diamond Investments, Inc.
352-447-4442
Highway Patrol. Risher’s Garage arrived with the tow truck. Risher, working with the aid of
Darryl A. Diamond
Fishing Joe, started to crank the truck and trailer in but the truck rolled over with the trailer
Licensed Real Estate Broker
still attached right side up. Joe got the boat off the trailer and towed the boat over to the dock.
Call Shirley at 352 400-0301
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Darryl & Vicki Diamond & Shirley
With the new Nissan Frontier in park, the tires were locked and Risher opted to pull the truck
www.diamondhomesandland.com
“The Diamond Team”
up on it’s roof. Photo & story by Sally Price.
Inglis
NAPA Auto &
Computers dot Com
Truck Parts
Gun & Ammo Sale
Fax: 352-447-6099
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Hours:
(352) 447-6000
www.cino.com
352-447-5595
Computer Sales & Service
Mon-Friday
7:30-5:30
Electronics Parts & Accessories
It’s Time to Lay-A-Way for Christmas!
Saturday
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
We Recycle Computers!
Tuesday-Saturday
8-12
947 Hwy. 40E, INGLIS
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
10am-5pm
1.8 miles E of Hwy. 19 on