The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - March 18, 2009
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Friday is the Vernal Equinox. An equinox is a time when the Earth's axis is tilted
DOAH hearing February 26, 2009
neither away from nor toward the sun, and the sun is then vertically above the equator. For
Submitted by: Inglis Commissioner Edward Michaels
(part 2 of 2)
that time, days and nights are the same length. Then the earth will begin to tilt so that our
hemisphere will get longer and longer days. In other words spring is about to sprung, al-
Inglis’ fire and police departments, already stressed, will be first-responders to many who
though it appears it already has from the looks of the neighborhood Azaleas and the smell of
live outside the town limits. The county sheriff’s department, although they have a substa-
orange blossoms in my front yard. Enjoy the moment, as soon we will be worrying about
tion north of town, doesn’t always man it. If there is any emergency in the county, and an
hurricanes and be complaining about the heat.
additional deputy is needed, it is this “Zone 4” deputy who is summoned from his post,
Speaking, of hurricanes, as part of a National Weather Service program to improve
leaving our area without protection, other than the protection provided by the Inglis PD. If
the accuracy of our flood warnings, they will be in Yankeetown this week to set locations for
not for the Inglis PD, response time could be as long as 45 minutes, as has often proven to be
flood monitoring poles. This is similar to what Cedar Key has. The poles will then be
so in the past. The DVD I am submitting for evidence, will definitively show how traffic
calibrated so that everyone is using the same reference points when predicting storm surge
congestion on Rt 19, caused by the PEF plant in Crystal River during a shift change, necessi-
tides. The use of different reference levels such as using mean sea level verses low low mean
tates added traffic and police protection.
sea level has been a problem in communication. The NWS is now getting everyone on the
The vast majority of our residents will simply see their preferred life-styles change, and
same page. The poles are being installed at no cost to Yankeetown as a service from your DEP
without financial relief for the town from PEF, these residents will suffer from substantially
and the National Weather Service.
higher taxes or dramatically reduced services, or both.
The water plant has been running well. Plant staff has made some adjustments based
To be equitable, PEF must share some of their good-fortune of locating this long-term
on the initial testing and are preparing to perform another set of tests. The spray field has
investment in our backyard, with the people that will be sacrificing the most. PEF must com-
been working just fine. The plant will have its final inspection on today, the 18th with the
mit, in advance, and with the enforcement of government mandates, to fund the added re-
constructor, Beach Construction and our design firm Mittauer & Assoc.
sponsibilities and capital requirements that Inglis will be shouldering to secure the health,
On the legal front, Izaak Walton Investors has re-appealed the case concerning our
safety and welfare, of all the citizens in this area whose lives will be affected in perpetuity. It
Board of Adjustment's decision on the IWI water front project, which ran essentially from
cannot be simply left to Levy County to provide us with trickle-down tax money. Inglis needs
Izaak Walton Lodge to the Yankeetown Marina. You may remember that our zoning official had
and deserves, to become a separate taxing district for the sole purpose of surviving this
denied a large portion of IWI's project. (She did approve the portion which involved single family
corporate onslaught, or be awarded grants from PEF to stave-off an implosion of our re-
homes and also has approved the renovation package for the lodge itself). Anyway, IWI had
sources and capabilities. This project could bankrupt the town.
appealed the original decision of the BOA which upheld the zoning official's decision, to the Levy
The following documents provided by Inglis’ Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Head of Public
County Court who upheld the BOA's decision. IWI then appealed the Levy County Court deci-
Works will show exactly what the monetary ramifications of this proposed plant will have on
sion to the appeals court who sent it back to the lower court to allow for IWI to have one more
our community. Without a mandated commitment to fund these needs that PEF would create,
response. IWI made that response however it did not change the lower courts mind and they
they should not be given this golden opportunity to build next to our town. Nevertheless, let
rendered the same decision upholding the BOA's ruling. IWI is now re-appealing that decision. I
me state clearly that the town commission (unanimously) and a great many or our residents
know, it gets hard to follow.
are not in opposition to the permitting of this plant. We simply do not want to be unprepared
Don't forget the special election tomorrow, March 19th. I know everyone is getting worn
and overwhelmed by a tsunami that would devastate us financially.
out with elections but it is important and this is the last one for a while. There are 6 ballot items, all
Total costs that the town of Inglis will need because of the proposed nuclear facility:
dealing with the remedial amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Sample ballots are available so
Fire Department $ 555,000. (year one)
you can study up. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Police Department $2,131,000. (year one)
Road Department $1,484,209. (year one) Total (year one)
$4,170,209* *Note: These
Inglis Municipal Election ReCap (Mar.10)
figures will increase substantially over time.
Mayor
Letter to the Editor:
Bill Lake Ballots 148 Absentee Ballots 8
Total 156
Re: March 4 "Squawk Box" (D. Diamond on Levy Zoning)
Floyd Craig Ballots 95 Absentee Ballots 3
Total 98
The Newscaster allowed Darryl Diamond in the March 4 Squawk Box to sound off
Commission (Top two elected)
concerning denial of his personal zoning change request, and in doing so, he insulted both us
Bob Webb Ballots 175 Absentee Ballots 11 Total 186
(neighbors to the subject property) and our county commissioners. I hope you will allow us
Gary Mosher Ballots 147 Absentee Ballots 8 Total 155
neighbors an equal chance to tell the other side of the story.
Michael (Drew) White Ballots 109 Absentee 1 Total 110
Mr. Diamond's property is at the very entrance of the quarter-mile long road leading
Shine Volunteers Needed In Levy And Citrus Counties
past his property and to our homes; there is only one parcel of land in between his and the
closest of us neighbors. That parcel consists of approximately 13 acres and appears to be less
Help seniors and those soon to turn age 65 in your hometown community: Answer
than 600 feet wide on the county's website. Yet Mr. Diamond claims "these people are no
Medicare Questions and Resolve Problems Make Informed Choices About Their Health
where near my property," and "I have no neighbors." He referred to us as "paranoid growth
Plans Save Money on Their Prescription Medications Inform Them of Medicaid Programs
people" and called us "the usual protesters."
for Which They May be Eligible comprehensive training provided at no cost in June 2009.
We neighbors have a number of legitimate concerns and objections to the zoning
Mileage expenses reimbursed – Lunch provided. Basic computer skills needed; bilingual
change, and, thank God, living in America, we have the opportunity to voice these concerns.
persons are encouraged to apply. Call The Elder Helpline Today 1-800-262-2243 and tell them
And we did so before the Planning Commission on July 7, 2008, and before the County
you’d like to learn more about volunteering with SHINE.
Commission on August 5. Our specific concerns and objections are set forth in the record of
EDITOR'S NOTE On Submissions: Mrs. Johnson, we appreciate your voicing a response to
those meetings. The Commissioners also expressed some concerns of their own.
Mr. Diamond's article. The Squawk Box varies in authorship and content, week to week, and
In his article, Mr. Diamond accused the Commissioners of voting with a "herd men-
we often present the light-hearted content you mentioned. Anyone who would like to submit
tality" and stated that he had to "deal with police powers given to commissioners that obvi-
an article to the Squawk Box is welcome to do so. We welcome fresh perspectives and new
ously have about one tenth the experience and credentials" that he (Mr. Diamond) has. These
voices. The criteria is that the commentary be typed, preferably 500 words or less, and include
insults are uncalled for and unwarranted. I found the Planning Commission and the Board of
your photograph and name, which will be published, along with your phone number, address
County Commissioners to be entirely professional, well prepared and respectful.
and signature, which will NOT be published, to The Newscaster (see page 2 for contact
I would like to see the Squawk Box go back to the type articles it had previously, a
information). Letters to the Editor share the same criteria, only no photo is required. Multiple
light-hearted look at small town life, the olden days, teen life, our beloved Florida Gators, etc.
responses/rebuttal to articles is not allowed (one response per topic)and will be selected
Sincerely, Juanita Johnson, Inglis
based on length, timeliness and pertinence to the subject.
Shannon Adams,Realtor
The Newscaster by Mail
Inglis
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