The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - March 19, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Never Give Up Works Both Ways
A
Guest Commentary by Carl Mazzuca
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
For the past several months it has become a standing jibe with friends and acquain-
tances to rib me about "making the Mayors Report in the Newscaster ...again." On a more
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
serious note these same people ask, since I have been "quiet" for many months have I lost
The giant amendment to the Comprehensive Plan was finally adopted after the hear-
interest in affairs of the town or come to accept the current decision-making. It never occurred
ing which had been continued to a second night. The comp plan amendment had already
to
me to think of it
that way. But the answer on both counts is a resounding no.
been through hearings and had been transmitted to the Department of Community Affairs
Over the months those of us who are opposed to the destructive behavior of this
(DCA). The DCA reviewed it and then sent it back with objections, recommendations and
administration (about 40% of the voters in Yankeetown, based on last election results) have
comments. This report is referred to as the ORC. The amendment is then massaged again to
learned several lessons. The first is that, with some exceptions, elected officials protect votes
respond to the ORC and move to final adoption. That is what the recent hearings were on.
at
all costs and take care of one another. The second lesson, use the system, both legal and
One
of the more controversial issues in this amendment was Transfer of Development Rights
political to keep your government on track. . Work openly to change government that you
(TDR). TDRs are a mechanism by which someone who has property in the environmentally
don't like. Stating an opinion and voting are our only tools.
sensitive areas can transfer what they are allowed to build to an area less sensitive. As
an
About a year ago I wrote an article that is still relevant to today, titled "Who Are We
inducement, the units of transfer are increased for the "receiving" area by a factor of one and
Kidding?". In it I said that if you are not in lockstep with this regime or a good little soldier that
a
half. As with every thing there are pro's and con's. Some people see TDRs as an environ-
accepts the program, you will face their wrath. In Yankeetown, there is a price to pay for
mental good in that it protects sensitive lands by discouraging development. It is also
seen
having an opinion or point of view that differs from the Mayor and Town Council. This
by
some as a fair
policy by giving the landowner some compensation, in a
way, for not
includes attempts to humiliate and intimidate residents in town meetings and in the media.
developing. Those opposed see the policy as a way to dramatically increase density in the
The Mayor's Report is a good example. One of the primary functions of this report
receiving area. TDRs are in the current Comp Plan but what was perceived as a more logical
is
to keep the loyal few aware of who the traitors are so they can be isolated. Then when you
factor had been proposed. The current comp plan uses a factor of 1 to 1.5. In other words if
don't step up to be impaled on the spear of a vengeful government, you are accused of "not
you can build 1 unit in the sensitive lands then you can transfer or build 1.5 units in the
participating." We are damned if we do and damned if we don't. However, the Mayor's Report
receiving area. As it is hard to build half of a house, it was proposed to go to one to two. There
is
not the problem. It is symptomatic of the problem in that it reflects the attitude of the Town
were also other questions on the TDRs which seemed to require more research. Therefore,
Council.
this change was postponed and will be looked at again during the next amendment to the
Good leaders let their performance speak for itself. They don't have to resort to
Comp Plan.
defensive measures against citizen input. They value the input they receive. Have you ever
Another controversial proposal was the density allowance of 4 units per acre for
seen an elected official respond by attacking the resident that raised a concern? This type of
motels in the neighborhood commercial districts. This proposal had been debated exten-
thing does not happen elsewhere. Only in Yankeetown does an elected official respond with
sively during the Planning and Zoning meetings which developed the amendment. It also
public insults and accusations. Contrary to popular belief, critical input does not mean you
received a great deal of discussion from the Council before the original transmittal. A local
are against anything, it means you want to make it better.
business objected to this as they had presented a proposal in between the transmittal hear-
When government adopts the concept that "the end justifies the means", it aban-
ings and the final hearing which proposed 8 units. It appears that the current Comp Plan
dons law, reason, ethics and the responsibility to provide for the good of all the people.
would not allow the proposal either. It was decided that the issue could be addressed via other
That's what we have happening in Yankeetown. Be that as it may, I and dozens of others
vehicles such as perhaps small comp plan amendment. The feasibility of this is still being
would rather live in total isolation than give up our right to an opinion. We will use the system
researched.
that exists to legitimately pursue our beliefs and air our grievances. And if in the end the
There were many other issues, to numerous to address here. The Comp Plan is a
community is better for it, it's worth a little humiliation and embarrassment.
huge document and the town's citizens who have sat through endless hours of meetings on
Good Night and...good grief!
this to be knowledgeable, deserve credit. To have a credible opinion requires a lot of work.
Paid Announcement Paid for And Approved by Carl Mazzuca
Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Inglis VFW Post Meeting Schedule
Re:
Drought, yet
Yankeetown municipal water waste
The Gilley-Long-Osteen VFW Post 8698 520 Hwy. 40 East Inglis Fl. 447-3495 (
One
I
have to wonder: who is the bright spark who authorized the placement of the sign,
Mile East Of Us 19 )
"It's a Drought - Conserve," in front of the Yankeetown Town Hall? After a couple of years of
Men's Meeting The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 7:30 Pm At The Post. The
"off- and-on" rain, I expect most residents are well aware of our continuing drought.
Ladies Auxiliary Meets The Third Wednesday Of Each Month At 5:O0 PM The Men's Aux-
What is surprising is our town government's blithe acceptance of our never-ending,
iliary Of Post 8698 Meets The Second Monday Of Each Month At 7 PM At The Post.
monthly loss of 600,000-plus gallons of municipal water, due to a leaky distribution system. I
El Ranchito
believe that our town government is delinquent in failing to recognize this as a major problem.
I
further believe that our town's residents, as well as nearby residents of central Florida and
the Southwest Florida Water Management District, have every right to demand that our town
Mexican Restaurant
government finally organize a serious, properly managed and well-funded program to correct
our water problem. In closing I ask, "Who has the gall to ask our residents to conserve water,
Now Open In Crystal River
while Yankeetown wastes 30% of the water it pumps from our dwindling aquifer?"
Glen
Spetz, Yankeetown
Dine-In or Take-Out
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Beer & Wine
SATURDAY
begin at 3:00 Pm. We encourage everyone to attend.
FRIDAY
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Day
Inglis Mayor Carolyn Risher said there will be several special events throughout the
Lunch 11am-2pm
Dinner 5-10pm 12noon - 10pm
evening including a meet and greet of the county candidates along with entertainment by the
Dinner 5-9pm
nationally known glass family singers. Come join us in making this the best fireworks display
(352) 795-5251
OPEN SUNDAYS:
ever! Please bring your own chairs.
12:00 N - 9:00 P.M.
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