'Newspg10' by The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

PAGE 8 - March 19, 2008

THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News

Yard Sale Benefits School Field Trip

Inglis Commissioner Protests

The profits from the great yard sale Saturday at Yankeetown School went toward

Election Sign Tactics

the yearly field trip for students to visit Pigeon Key in the Florida Keys. A little history and

background is provided by teacher Genie Sturtevant.

Inglis Commis-

tions, they both individually stated that the

Pigeon Key is a 5 acre island, 2.5 miles west of Marathon. The island was the work

sion Roy Smith filed a let-

violators would be told to move and remove

camp for the the laborers building Henry Flagler's "Overseas Highway", the railroad con-

ter of complaint with town

any unlawfull signs. None were ever moved

nection between the Peninsula of Florida and Key West. At that time there was not even a

Attorney Norm Fugate

or excess signs removed. To make matters

road connecting Key

stating that several can-

even worse, election day the violators picked

West

the

didates had put out more

up most of their signs and lined the Right of

mainland. The build-

that the number of politi-

Ways right at curb edge in a steady stream

ings on Pigeon Key are

cal signs permitted under

from city hall out as many blocks as there

the historic buildings

an Inglis Ordinance.

many signs could be placed, making it look

used by the workers

Roy Smith

Smith lost the election

to passer-bys like only 3 candidates were

and foremen con-

with only 55 precinct votes and 3 absentee

running for the office. Again, absolutely no

structing the amazing

votes cast for him. The complete results is

reaction by city hall or code enforcement.

railroad connection to

available on page 10.

You may get a copy of the the papers that

Key West. They have

In an email letter to the attorney

were signed by each candidate from town

been renovated to be-

Smith Stated:

"I have a serious question

hall.

come dorms, class

about the method the election was run.

"My question is: Do I have the right to

rooms, and a museum

Three of the highest scoring candidates vio-

call for a legal protest of the election results

dealing with the his-

lated the campaign rules throughout the

based on the scofflaw tactics by two of the

tory of the rail

weeks leading up to the election by violating

winners and one of the close follow ups, and

road construction. Pigeon Key subsequently became a marine science study center that

the signage rules that each of us had to sign

NO enforcement of the rules???? Michaels,

has been used by the University of Miami Marine Science Program. On our trip last year,

when we paid our $25 fee to put out cam-

Goode and White were the scofflaws and 2

students learned about the history of the key, the coral reef ecosystem, Key Deer issues,

paign signs. The signed statements should

out of the three were voted in. If this is this

adaptations of reef and hard bottom organisms, and sea turtle issues as they visit the Sea

be on file at city hall."

does truly constitute grounds for a reelec-

Turtle Hospital. Our students even were able to observe surgery on turtles. This is a once

"The papers we all signed, stated that we

tion or simple disqualification of violators,

in a lifetime trip for many of these students. More money is needed and if you would like to

would be allowed to place up to Ten(10) signs

would you please inform the Mayor and Sally.

make a donation, mail it to Yankeetown School Pigeon Key Trip 4800 Hwy 40 W Yankeetown

for our fee. Further it stated that signs must

If not please at least give your interpretation

FL 34498.

not be placed on the road right of ways and

of the law both to me and city hall."

Disturbance At Forestry Youth Camp

that the private properties they were placed

Town Clerk Sally McCrainie, in a re-

on, must have given specific permission for

ply email informed Fugate that since Smith

Inglis__On March 10, 2008 the Levy County Sheriff's Office responded to Forestry Youth

placement on their property. The signed pa-

did not have permission from the Inglis com-

Camp and arrested seven (7) inmates for various charges including riot, Battery on a deten-

pers specifically stated that any signs placed

mission to ask for advise, he should pay the

tion officer and criminal mischief over $1000.

illegally would be picked up. I must have

attorney's fee.

Corporal Bubba Wells with the Levy County Sheriff's Office responded to 14251 S.E.

been one of the only candidates that followed

Fugate replied: "As Town Attorney,

Glass Road Inglis, Fl in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival he made contact with the

the rules, because three of the highest vote

I cannot advise you regarding your individual

Detention Officer at the Forestry Youth Camp and he stated that the inmates walked out of

scoring candidates put there signs right on

rights as a candidate, other than to inform

there rooms with their shirts over the head and started beating on other inmate doors at-

the edge of the roads; mostly within the first

you that there is a very short window of time

tempting to incite a riot. The defendants knocked down a Detention Officer during the

ten feet of the curb or road edges and the

to initiate legal action concerning the out-

disturbance and started throwing books, benches and broke pool sticks and a microwave.

two receiving the most votes put out far more

come of an election. You should immediately

The damage was over $ 1,000 dollars worth of damage and the defendants were arrested for

than 10 signs. Mr. Michaels in particular must

seek legal counsel." Fugate said since he

the charges mentioned and transported to the Levy County Jail.

have had 50 signs at the curbs of about ev-

could not advise Smith, there was no charge.

ery property and intersection in town. This

McCrainie said it is common knowl-

Custom Woodworking

blatant violation completely eclipsed the

edge that in the past candidates had put out

noticeablility of those who placed their mea-

more than ten signs, but the number was not

"Your Plans or Ours"

ger 10 signs legally, at least 15' off the right

enforced. She said the intent of the ordinance

of ways. When George O'bier and Sally were

is to insure that the signs be picked up within

Antique Furniture Refinishing

told of the violations over a week before elec-

ten days of the election.

Bookcases

e-mail your news to: newscast@atlantic.net

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