The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - February 2, 2011
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary Inglis at aLevy County Economic Summit one of the speakers was asked the
Cross Roads
At the recent
following question. How does a community attract and keep new businesses? The answer
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
was that it takes the community to attract and keep businesses. How then can the citizens
of Inglis come together as a community?
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
The first step is to seize the opportunity this town has as a result of the new power
SHARKS! - The Friends of the WGP are hosting a program February the 5th on
plant coming to the area. Businesses will come to the area and the citizens need to decide
sharks, “Sharks of the Gulf of Mexico” will be given by Robert E Hueter, PHD, Director,
if they want those businesses with the accompanying tax base inside, or outside town limits
with the whole tax base going to the county. The answer should be clear even to those that
Center for shark research, Mote Marine Laboratory. The program is planned for 10:00 am at
don’t want things to change in Inglis.
the WGP however keep in mind that in case of really cold weather, lately they have moved
Once the first decision is made, the community must then come together to decide
their programs to the Yankeetown Library. Also they are working with the Chiefland As-
what we can do next to make Inglis more attractive to companies to want so they will locate
tronomy Club for a star program sometime in the spring. It should be a stellar opportunity,
within the town limits. There was a time when offering businesses tax incentives worked
literally, because the WGP has few lights around.
to bring businesses to a town. According to the expert that spoke at the Levy County Eco-
Could Use the Help - A reminder that there are always openings on the Yankeetown
nomic Summit, those incentives do not work in today’s economic climate. What does work
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, if anyone would like to really make a serious contri-
is having the services and the customers to support those businesses. Today, unless it one
bution to the community. It takes a significant amount of training to become a fully quali-
needs hardware, auto parts, or groceries most citizens go out of Inglis to purchase goods or
fied firefighter, now over 240 hours. However, volunteers can make an immediate positive
services, making Inglis a donor town. The dollars flow out and do not flow back. If existing
contribution because some fire scene activities can be performed prior to achieving full
businesses are to survive and grow, and new business are to come the citizens of must make
qualification. The town carries insurance on volunteers and does pay a small amount, $10 a
every effort to support local businesses.
call. The fire department is dispatched to structure fires, brush fires, vehicle accidents, and
The third decision that the citizens must decide is to get involved. Coming to town
EMS assistance calls. This amounts to over 100 calls per year. Ten dollars per call can add
meetings and contacting the commissioners or town employees to have questions answered
up. The Town also pays for the qualification training. This may be of interest to younger
go a long way toward helping those responsible make the right decisions for the town as
individuals considering a career in the fire service. Volunteers provide the town with a very
a whole. Often citizens hear only what they want to and the information is often distorted.
important service and the fact that they are volunteers keeps your taxes down. More mem-
Attending meetings or opening a dialog with commissioners or town employees only helps
bers would also mean that the load is spread over more people and thus makes it easier on
them make decisions that are in the best interest of all the citizens of Inglis.
everyone. It is not everyone’s cup of tea but if you or someone you know is able bodied who
Drinda Merritt, Inglis Town Commissioner
has some time to spare and would like to really make a contribution the community, the fire
Letter to the Editor:
department meets on Monday nights at the fire station at 7:00. Stop in for more info.
Re: Citizens of Inglis, Something to Think About
Meetings Again – After a sort of respite from meetings we will have our regular
For the last couple of months we have been hearing about how the Town needs to
council meeting on February 7th . Today is Ground Hog Day! The National Climatic Data
grow in order that we can afford our government and all its services. Further, that this can
Center reportedly has stated that the prediction accuracy rate of the rodents for predict-
not happen unless we get more businesses into the town and that this can not happen without
ing the length of winter is only around 39%. I still can’t help but hope he doesn’t see his
putting in a sewage system.
shadow. Good Night and Good Luck.
Makes you wonder how the existing businesses got here in the first place, doesn’t
“Just a Bunch of Old Ladies”
it? Of course the Commission has discovered that a sewage system is more expensive than
we can afford without another government giving us money to help out. Let’s see where
Recently, in the halls of the Levy County Commission, the above disparaging re-
does the State and Fed get their money?? Oh yeah, from us! Have you heard that the Inglis
mark and others were made by a commission official and were overheard by some neigh-
Police Dept. is in need of new cars? Would you like a new car, too? Oh that’s right, you
bors. The repugnant comments referred to the 45 Year Old Yankeetown/Inglis Woman’s
can’t afford one, but you can afford to buy them for the Inglis P.D. Right?
Club of which I am a member. After reading the YT mayor’s article stating: “It seems to me
I’ve noticed that around the country, towns bigger than ours are trying to reduce
that the real goal of hate campaigns is to suppress any real and factual examination of the
expenses thereby lowering property and other taxes by dissolving their charters and con-
issues.” I thought I would provide a “real and factual examination of the issues” so you can
solidating with their Counties. They still keep their names and identities, but now they are
judge the value of this “bunch of old ladies” for yourself.
unincorporated and cost less for the citizens. I know the nay sayers have tried to claim there
Since the town is only beginning to heal from the “war on development,” we have,
is no savings, but their arguments make no sense. Check with the towns in Citrus County
happily, seen a small but significant shift toward “building bridges.” It is unfortunate some
that are not incorporated (all but 2 are not) and ask them if they want to incorporate and pay
officials just can’t let it go. The question is why anyone, especially someone in local govern-
more taxes. The answer is obvious. Now if taxes are less, do you think we could attract
ment, would make such inflammatory remarks about the YIWC in such a public venue. The
more business and keep what we have? Again the answer is obvious.
perpetuation of ill will like this is petty and mean spirited.
Bob Allen, Inglis
Any attack on the YIWC and its members is an attack on our towns. For more than 45 years,
Letter to the Editor:
strong, community minded women have come together to work toward one common goal:
Re: Don’t Take Them for Granted
to improve our communities. They have done just that.
Last Friday evening, the house next door burned down, a total loss. While the
Let me tell you about this “bunch of little old ladies.”
house could not be saved, the actions of the volunteer firefighter companies prevented the
The YIWC has given nearly $80,000 in college scholarships to local kids;, started,
explosive flames from spreading to other homes and vegetation. On reflection, it occurred
owns and maintains the AF Knotts Public Library; sends food baskets and clothing to our
to me that I hadn’t thought much lately about those selfless and courageous men and women
neighbors who are in need; provides needed medical equipment at no cost; donates to the
who, at anytime day or night, drop whatever they’re doing and respond to whatever emer-
volunteer fire departments; supports children’s mental health facilities and the Sheriff’s
gency awaits. The emergencies often represent, as this one did, personal danger to those
Youth Ranch; provides incentives for Yankeetown School kids and the list goes on. The
individuals. Not once did they flinch or back off. And, they were on-site nearly six hours.
community contributions and service by the YIWC should serve as a reminder of what is
After that, they returned to their station to put in more hours to prepare for the next call.
possible when committed people work together toward positive goals. Instead of demean-
So, this message expresses profound gratitude and respect to all of the volunteer
ing comments, one would think officials would be proud and grateful to have such a positive
members of those firefighting companies who, without much if any compensation or public
community resource.
awareness, bravely go about their duties modestly and quietly.
You may not like us individually, but collectively we are the YIWC and we will
None of us knows if and when we might be the next beneficiaries of these unspo-
continue to support our communities long after your tenure is up. I feel that your disparag-
ken heroes. I encourage all readers to make the effort to render similar messages to these
ing, disrespectful remarks reflect on you… but our continued community service speaks for
wonderful people in your communities. The volunteers would appreciate also a check made
itself.Not bad for a “JUST A BUNCH OF LITTLE OLD LADIES”
out to the respective company, for much-needed equipment and other purposes.
Dee Dixon YIWC Member Since 1993
Edward Candela, Yankeetown
Captains Cove Outfitters
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www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
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Fax (352)447-0218
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