The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - February 27, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Letter to the Editor:
Re: "Levy County Under Attack"
Wake up taxpayers and property owners of Levy County. You are facing the most danger-
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
ous situation you will ever see, at this very moment - Tarmac, a giant from outside the United
States. This giant is plotting the destruction of your county. Do not be fooled by the promises
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
of wealth. They picked this county because it is a poor county. When they steal all your
This is one of those stories that in my opinion needs a headline in World War II type,
natural resources and destroy your water supply and leave, you will still be poor.
you know, that 2 inch high stuff. The headline would be YANKEETOWN WINS THE SAXON
Tarmac could not care less for you and your family. Mr. Townsend said, at the the last
PROPERTY ZONING CASE ENDING AN OVER DECADE LONG ZONING DISPUTE. The
meeting, that he didn't have to worry, because only hunting camps were in the area. I am
Judge has ruled in Yankeetown's favor in the lawsuit filed by Sherwood Partners against
certain that the good folks in Inglis and Yankeetown are glad to learn this about their homes.
Yankeetown over the zoning on old tank farm which has been owned by Vic Wickman for
Your county commissioners, your elected officials who are supposed to represent you, are
approximately 18 years. YT had maintained that the property use must revert to its original
going to vote on a Special Assessment to allow the destruction of our most valuable resource.
zoning use of Residential as the tank farm was abandoned and the nonconforming usage
This is the watershed basin of Gulf Hammock. With this special permit, Tarmac will be allowed
rights lost, but Wickman had fought the town for years claiming that the usage had been
to destroy Levy County.
continuous. This thing has been a thorn in the side of the town for a very long time. The town
Tarmac has, by hook and crook, made a survey of the wetlands and made the decision that
took it to court years ago but that never ran its course. Then there were thoughts that it could
only the deep ponds are sensitive areas. When in fact, all of Gulf Hammock is a flood plain. We
be resolved via the development agreement process. There were fears of excessive financial
must hold the county commissioners responsible. Every property owner in the county should
burden to the town if it was pursued legally. It eventually just seemed to stall. At any rate, it
call their commissioner and state their position on this urgent matter. Remember, they were
finally had its day in court. The trial, originally estimated to last 4 days, went only two.
elected by our vote, and they can be voted out. Sometimes they get into office and forget their
The lawsuit also sought to have the development agreement negotiations that were termi-
constituents. Maybe we need to remind them.
Sincerely, Hulon Futch, Inglis
nated last July continued, or kept open. The negotiations with Sherwood Partners on the
Letter to the Editor:
property had worked through the process, meetings were attempted, the project had been
"RE: The most frightening night in my life"
commented on by the Zoning official, a report was written and the council had approved the
A few weeks ago, I was visiting our son in Inglis, at his home at the end of Vicki St.
recommendation to terminate negotiations. The money for the deposit on negotiations was
When I left, I decided to go down S.E. Debra, (an unpaved road). When I got to Diana St., I
sent back. Sherwood Partners had failed to participate claiming that the negotiations should
turned right onto U.S. Hwy. 19. At the Propane Gas Company, I turned north onto Hwy. C40A,
not be held in public meetings. The court did not agree with their position and the negotia-
then I turned left.
tions will remain terminated.
After about a block down, a blinding light suddenly appeared. It was so bright it up
Also the decision from the court was received this week concerning the Carl Mazzuca
the whole car; I had to move my rear view mirror in order to shade my eyes and see the road.
VS Yankeetown Case. The court ruled in Yankeetown's favor and against Carl Mazzuca in his
The vehicle must have stalked, and then followed me, without lights. When it got close
attempt to overturn the charter amendments which all passed in the last election. The amend-
enough, he turned on his headlights; he was so close, I thought I was about to be rear-ended.
ments have become known as the hometown democracy amendments and were intended to
What went through my mind, at that time, was the thought of a carjacking in progress. I
give voters more say.
continued west on C40A, about a mile to Butler Road, where I turned right. The person behind
As a note, the Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting in Yan-
me didn't waver a bit, still close on my tail, with lights shining in my car. On this dark and lonely
keetown to take public comment on the pending permit for a Wastewater Treatment Plant
road, I thought, anytime now, I will either get bumped and pushed-off the road into a ditch, or
being sought by Izaac Walton Investors. This meeting will be the DEP's meeting and is
the person will pull in front and try to stop me.
presently planned for 1:30 PM at the Lion's Club on March 19th. The proposed plant has been
Not to make any fast or sudden moves, I reached into my purse for my cell phone.
denied by the YT Zoning Official and the project will not get a local permit to build. This
The phone was down at the bottom, but I did feel my gun; I took it out, put it in my lap, and
decision was upheld by the Board of Adjustment and its decision has been upheld by the
prayed I didn't have to use it.
Levy County Court. While the Levy County court decision has been appealed, it is doubtful
After going quite a ways north on Butler, I turned left onto our road. At that time, the
to prevail.
car made a quick u-turn - then I could see it was a police car. Since when did protect and serve
Speaking of meeting times, I notice that the No See'um News is back. While they
turn into frighten and terrorize?
Kathy Dutkiewicz, Inglis
urged people to go to the town meeting on the dock ordinance, unfortunately they gave the
Inglis VFW Post Meeting Schedule
wrong date, time and place for the meeting.
The Gilley-Long-Osteen VFW Post 8698 520 Hwy. 40 East Inglis Fl. 447-3495 ( One
Special Thanx this week goes to Dale Scott, our attorney who has done a stupendous job
Mile East Of Us 19 )
helping Yankeetown. I congratulate him on a job well done."Good Night and Good Luck,
Men's Meeting The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 7:30 Pm At The Post. The
Dawn Marie Clary Mayor of Yankeetown
Ladies Auxiliary Meets The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 5:O0 PM The Men's Aux-
El Ranchito
iliary Of Post 8698 Meets The Second Monday Of Each Month At 7 PM At The Post.
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