The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - March 11, 2009
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
News travels fast in the swamp but incase you're just getting back from Mars, the big
DOAH hearing February 26, 2009
news is that our former Town Councilwoman Marsha Drew is our new Levy County Commis-
Submitted by: Inglis Commissioner Edward Michaels
(part 1 of 2)
sioner. This is great news for our town as Marsha will take with her to the commission a deep
understanding of our end of the county and it can only mean good things when it comes to
It is more than coincidental that this DOAH process begins in this building, the
planning our future needs. I wish her the best of luck.
Inglis Community Center, because the subject matter of this hearing will forever affect the
Speaking of the future, if you missed the last town council meeting, you missed a
people that regularly frequent this building, and who have paid for this building, more than
good opportunity to get information first hand from Progress Energy Florida's Community
anyone else. Inglis is the nearest community to the proposed Progress Energy Florida (PEF)
Relations Manager, Carla Groleau concerning the impact of the proposed pair of nuclear
nuclear facility, and therefore Inglis is the community that will realize the most immediate and
plants in our neck of the woods. My main purpose in requesting her to speak was to respond
severe pressures on its infrastructure and life-style.
to the persistent rumors that Progress Energy would be involved first hand or give us infra-
Inglis is now at a precipice of transformation. Progress Energy Florida (PEF) is
structure such as a sewer system. She has explained it very well, Progress Energy would
seeking to expand its customer base and increase its profits by building this massive plant,
contribute to the tax base of the county, it is then up to the county and the municipalities to
and if it does, it will forever change the lives of all the residents that currently live here, and the
decide how to utilize the money. There have been considerable comments made that we are
ones that will soon arrive. Our town is not serviced by PEF, but we will be making huge
just not lobbying PE aggressively enough to get our share of the pie. It has been put that we
concessions in our life styles, dreams, and aspirations if their permit is granted; concessions
are "missing the boat" and should be pushing PE harder, however, the boat is sailing from the
that no one else will be making, including their customers.
Levy County Administration.
Not only is Inglis positioned within 5 miles of this proposed plant, Inglis is also 5
And soooo, what about missing the boat now that I think I have convinced every-
miles from PEF’s Crystal River plant. Since there is a federally mandated 5 mile no-fly zone
one which port it is sailing from? What are we doing with the county? Levy County has
around any nuclear plant, Inglis itself will become a virtual no-fly zone. That restricts certain
formed a volunteer committee called Team Levy to work on the issue of growth. The group
desirable development that Inglis might prefer, as it will be impossible for the town to ever
strives for diversification and has members from the County Commission, education, munici-
have a municipal airport near our boundaries. Airports generate great wealth and clean
pal and county planners and economics people. They are just now getting started and I could
commerce. Losing this possibility will be a huge concession.
do a whole column on them. The task is large but they are taking a logical approach. Patience
Our population of approximately 1700 residents, besides those making a living off of
is a virtue but seems to be in short supply.
the water and the land, includes: working class people that commute to nearby towns for
On the legal front, Yankeetown has received what is called a "pre-suit notice" for a
employment, small business owners, and an expanding number of retired people who are
Bert J. Harris claim, which as you may have read in the Newscaster last week deals with a
seeking the sanctuary of one of Florida’s great rivers, the Withlacoochee, and of the verdant
property owners claim that a governmental group has taken some action that reduces their
Gulf Hammock.
property value. The pre-suit notice starts a 180 day clock during which certain things must
Currently the ad valorum tax base in Inglis is supported by merely a quarter of the
occur such as notifying adjacent property owners which we are working on now. Our insur-
residents. The remaining home owners are exempt, because their properties do not meet the
ance company has agreed to support the town on this suit and has assigned an attorney. Mr.
threshold of value that warrants these taxes. The town struggles financially to serve its
Kohlmyer who is with the firm of Bell, Roper & Kohlmyer will be defending Yankeetown. Mr.
people with a safe water system, maintain its roads, and provide police and fire protection on
Dale Scott, who has successfully represented the town in enumerable suits, also is a member
an austere budget. Many of the streets remain unpaved and need frequent grading, from our
of this firm. The legal team is formulating a response. There is not a lot more that can be said
ancient grader.
about it at this time. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
The proposed nuclear facility will offer opportunity to only a few of our residents
Letter of Thanks:
that are physically and academically qualified to work there, and a few local entrepreneurs that
The family of Travick F Risher wish to thank everyone for the cards, flowers, food
will attempt to profit from new business endeavors. However, most of the people and busi-
and kind gestures show us during Travick's sickness and our time of loss. Special thanks to
nesses that will profit from the subsequent flash-development, will be outsiders migrating
the First Baptist Church of Inglis, as well as family and friends. Every thought was greatly
here, to compete for the available jobs and the circulation of new money. Inglis will be forced
appreciated.
Ollie Mae Risher and family.
to serve and protect them, just the same as for our current residents, only we are not in a
financial position to afford that.
To Be Continued in the 3-18-09 Edition
Letter to the Editor:
Dear Customers & Friends,
We'd like to extend a warm "thank you" to all our customers for your patronage and
friendship during the years we've run Gobblers Eatery in Inglis.
Home of the Deep Fried Turkey
Currently, we're in the process of selling the restaurant to Ted and Laura Growdon,
who will take over the overseeing of the restaurant, next week, possibly on March 18th. The
14 u.s. Hwy. 19 N. (S.R. 55) • Inglis, FL
menu and personnel will remain the same, and we feel that our customers will be well taken
EARLY BIRD
Phone: 352-447-6112
care of.
SPECIALS
As we'll still be in the area, we look forward to seeing you "out and about" the town.
Open 7 Days • 5:00 am - 9:00 pm
Monday-Friday 2-5 pm
MONDAY NIGHT IS
Sincerely, Mike & Lisa Flanders, Gobblers Eatery, Inglis
Your Choice of:
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION NIGHT
Pork Steak,
Missing Youth Returned Home Safely
Buy 1 Dinner at Regular Price & Get 1
Liver & Onions,
Meal of Equal or Less Value for
Country Fried Steak,
14-year-old Rachael Anne Warren, the missing Sugarmill Woods teen who ran away
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from home 10 days ago, was recovered safely at a residence in Crystal River on Thursday,
Open Face Turkey, plus
Excluded: All-You-Can-Eat Specials, Steamed Shrimp & Steak
March 5, just before 6 p.m. The girl was returned to the custody of her mother later that
Potato & Vegetable
Wednesday is STEAK NIGHT
evening.
OR
Grilled NY Strip or Delmonico Steak
Hard Landing - Continued from page 1
2-Piece Fried Mullet
Served with Potato & Fresh Corn on the Cob
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tion (FAA) was notified and will be responding at some future time.
Shannon Adams,Realtor
The Newscaster by Mail
Inglis
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