The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - February 16, 2011
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary Inglis past week Cross Roads of Egypt protested in mass to
at a the world watched as the people
This
move to a more democratic form of government. So often in this country many take the
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
right to vote for granted. Around the world this is not the case and yet in this country many
do not exercise this right. On March 15th the voters of Inglis will go to the polls to vote for
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
two commissioners and a mayor. There are several things that the registered voters of Inglis
The End of an Era - The mid-month meeting on the 21st will be the last meeting
need to do before casting those votes.
for Councilman Doug Dame who decided not to seek reelection. It’s hard to believe that
Each voter needs to decide what they want for the future of Inglis. Weighing all
it’s been 5 years since the town experienced a near collapse and for a time there were only
the possibilities, decide how each of those possibilities will impact your life and the life of
3 council members to carry on. Doug was one of those original three elected in the special
your family. Armed with this information, one can then begin to come up with questions
election ordered by then Governor Bush, giving him a special spot in the history of things.
that you would like to ask each candidate.
He was subsequently elected two more times. He helped to get the town back on track, no
If you know one or more of the candidate’s and can talk one on one with them,
small task. He has served as Vice Mayor. He served as the Water Liaison throughout the
make time to do so. Question them on their position regarding the issues you are most
construction of Yankeetown’s new water plant. He created and served as chairman of the
interested in. Also ask where they see the future of Inglis and how they would solve major
Stormwater and Drainage committee. He did all this for no pay. He did all this while hold-
issues facing the town in the future. Inglis is a small enough community that seeking out
ing down a full time job at Shands HealthCare in Gainesville, which meant a long commute
the candidates and questioning them regarding their position on many of the issues is not
four or five times a week. Very well educated, with an M.B.A.with honors from the Univer-
that difficult to do.
sity of Florida and a double major in geology and anthropology from Dartmouth, we were
Next, get to know each candidate running for office. This can be accomplished by
lucky to have him. He always brought a different, new and sometimes unusual perspective
attending the Meet the Candidate’s meeting at the Community Center on March 5th at 2:00
to every subject. He always tried to see the other side and work with individuals who dis-
PM. Questions can be submitted to a moderator and then posed to the candidates. Giving
agreed with the administration. He was very good at detail even though it sometimes drove
careful thought to the questions you wish to ask will help you make an informed decision on
me crazy.
March 15th. The questions will be anonymous and unless asked of a specific candidate will
In his 2009 campaign he stated “I believe that Yankeetown is a very special place.
be answered by all candidates. This is a great opportunity to have each candidate answer
We all know it, that’s why we moved here in the first place, or stayed here. Or in some cases,
your questions and concerns.
were raised here, left to make a living, and came back much later. It will change, and it will
Last but not least, digest all the information that you have gathered on each candi-
grow and fill in, but it’s very important to me that we maintain a Yankeetown that we’ll still
date’s positions. Determine how that information fits with what you want for the future of
want to live in in the future, and a Yankeetown that we can still afford to live in”. He do-
Inglis. Once you accomplish this task, you should have a very good idea on the candidates
nated enormous amounts of his time to help his community in a time of real need. We hope
to vote for. Once your decision is made be sure to exercise your right and go vote on March
he enjoys his new extra time, he says he hopes to catch up on Honey-dos. If you would
Drinda Merritt, Inglis Commissioner
15th.
like to express your appreciation to Doug, please at least stop by the meeting on the 21st at
7:00. Refreshments will be served. Good Night and Good Luck
Letter To the Editor,
Re: Taxpayers Be Aware:
Today most families discuss issues and try to resolve them before they become a
NAPA Auto &
major deal. Not so, for Inglis. Our Officials are trying to put a City Park on Park St. without
involving RESIDENTS. Did they notify you? Instead, our Government authorized $1,500
Truck Parts
for our lawyer to do title searches on YOUR property. This underhanded strategy is not
unusual for this town. Show up on March 8th at 6 pm and have a voice. This plot of land at
Fax: 352-447-6099
the end of Park St belongs to the residents of the Withlacoochee River Estates. NOT THE
(352) 447-6000
Hours:
TOWN. YOU MUST FILL OUT A PUBLIC REQUEST FORM TO SPEAK.
Remember when Official’s spent $25,000 on outdoor exercise equipment without
Mon-
U.S. 19 - Inglis
your input. I HOPE YOU DO?
Friday
Our new digital sign cost taxpayers $12,300 with the express purpose of commu-
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
nicating Emergency info to residents. What did they do? Our Commission placed it on the
7:30-5:30
side of the Town Hall without checking to verify that we could all see it. Now we have a
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
Saturday
sign with obstructed view from parked vehicles at Capital City Bank and Town Hall. About
8-5
(352) 489-3391
10% of Inglis residents can see the sign now.
What they should have done was to install the software at the police station. This
Sunday
location should be the base station to manage our emergency sign near US 19. The addi-
U.S. 41 - Dunnellon
8-5
tional WI-FI cost, $650.00, IS MORE THAN OFFSET BY THE IMPACT EXPOSURE TO
Just North of Powell Rd
ALL INGLIS RESIDENTS. Besides, we could promote this sign as a Sales and Marketing
tool for our town. A three year pay back is a reasonable return vs. poor placement at town
hall.
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
Help! This is a very sensitive issue we need EVERYONE TO use their voice.
Last month Commissioner Merritt admitted that she did not know that her primary respon-
Where Customer Service is our Priority
sibility was to work with various agencies’ to improve our One and Only Natural Resource,
Owned & Operated by the Vorisek Family
“The Withlacoochee River”. Others confirmed that she would fulfill her responsibility. An
Toll Free: 1-888-610-4947 Local: 352-447-6002
official on 2/8/2011 reported that she knew all along about her responsibility. February,
Merritt reported that she is in charge of the Sewer System & is too busy to do her elected
job. Frankly her demeanor was very discouraging.
Enhance your Health
REMOVE Iron, Sulfur,
SERVICE
The Newscaster provides audio of our Commission Meetings which you can ac-
with Reverse Osmosis
Chlorine,Hardness
cess at. http://thenewscaster.com/inglis/audio.html click on Jan and Feb. Merritt can’t re-
Drinking Water &
Bacteria, Tannin,
treat to her favorites. WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION? HOPE TO SEE YOU ON March
Whole House Systems RENTALS
Odor & Cyanide
William A. Monteverde, Inglis
8th.
ew! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
Financing Available • 12 Months Same as Cash • FREE Water Analysis
N
Captains Cove Outfitters
Computers dot Com
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Plant Manager
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
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Fax (352)447-0218
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