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THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - March 2, 2011
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Restaurant, Lounge
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
& Package Store
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
New Guy - The “swear in” for the upcoming term on the council went well last
Wednesday and we now have a new guy on the scene. Tommy Sholes made his debut that
253 Hwy 40 W. • Inglis, FL
night at the hearings on several ordinances. Next week I hope to write something on his
bio. For now we wish him a happy term.
1/4 mile west of Hwy. 19
Help Wanted - The library is looking for help with constructing a new handi-
In a Hurry? Call Ahead (352) 447-2406
capped bathroom. Check with the Friends of the Library if you can offer some assistance.
Serving 11 am - 10 pm • Closed Tuesday
Also new members are needed for the Storm Water Drainage Committee. Ex Councilman
Everything Made to Order
Doug Dame has agreed to stay on as a member, however the committee has had a hard
time meeting its quorum numbers lately and at the moment we would need every member
presently on the committee to attend to maintain a quorum. With seasonal members, that is
Fresh-Made Salads: Antipasta, Chicken, Chef & Shrimp
not always possible. It would be really nice if someone with a technical background would
donate some time. The committee attempts to look at the drainage problems in town and
Specials, Homemade Soups, Chowders & Chili
advise the council on fixes, and looks for funding.
Want Some More Education? - We are trying to organize another GED class. The
Steaks & Seafood Pasta Dishes with Homemade Sauces
original sign ups and testing will held at the library, but after that the class would be on line.
Hand-Pressed Hamburgers Cooked Your Way
Don’t forget that the library has computers for public use so even if you don’t have one at
home you can still take the class. At this time the start date is not set because unless we get
enough people it may not happen. If you are interested please call the library or the town
Wings, Subs & Clubs
hall and give us your name and number and we will get back to you. Hopefully we’ll have
Pizza, Calzones & Oven-Baked
enough interest to make it go. It could help in this tough job market.
Drawing for YT Sorts Tickets - This year we were on the “ball” and have already
Subs after 4 pm
gotten our 2 season passes to all athletic events at the Yankeetown School for the next sea-
son. They don’t expire until March 2012. We will have a FREE drawing for them at the
Saturday: Prime Rib after 4 pm
April regular meeting. Circle the basket ball on the back of your water bill and return your
bill to town hall by March 20th. From the numbers of Robins coming through, spring must
Special Drinks Made to Order
be not far behind. Good Night and Good Luck
Inglis at A Cross Roads
Letter to the Editor:
Information from the 2010 Census is being released with some startling results.
Re: Response to Commissioner Merritt’s letter of two weeks ago.
One in four counties in this country is dying. Citrus County topped the list of dying coun-
The expressed opinion of Commissioner Merritt that Inglis was at a crossroads
ties in Florida. Levy County on the other hand has grown. Inglis and Yankeetown both saw
was correct, but for other reasons.
increases in population.
The biggest issue facing this town now is the proposed mega-mine. If it is permit-
Growth is coming to Levy County and Inglis is in a very good position to profit
ted, Inglis will not attract business. Our town will become a dirty truck stop for dusty, oily,
from this growth. To do so we need to come together as a community and work toward
and noisy dump trucks, and that is all.
putting the necessary infrastructure in place that will encourage business to come to Inglis.
Inglis and Yankeetown have been sleepy little towns where style of life has de-
Many of the dying counties in this country are in areas where businesses have ei-
fined the essence of existence for all. Quality of life here is predicated on the sleepy, unclut-
ther moved or just closed their doors. These counties had many causes for this, but because
tered, ambiance that only our section of route 19 can boast of. Every other town from here
the jobs went away the young people were forced to move to find work leaving only older
to St. Petersburg is an example of the geography of nowhere. Here, we are different.
residents. As these populations age, the counties become classified as dying. This will not
An extremely detailed study was done by Dr. Richard Weiskoff, one of the world’s
happen in Levy County with the new power plant however it can in Inglis if we allow that
preeminent authorities on the economic effects that mines have on communities. He has
growth outside our town limits.
determined that this proposed mine would cost us jobs as well as destroy the unique life-
It has been stated in the paper that this commission and one commissioner in par-
style that we all enjoy. Please read the study at: www.thenewscaster.com and click on
ticular is not doing anything to protect or clean up the river. First and foremost the river
“Economic Study”.
does not belong to Inglis and there is nothing that the commission can do to get the limbs
Town hall should concentrate its efforts on getting garbage pick-up for all instead.
trimmed or derelict boats removed. Many have tried and failed to accomplish this it is up
That would improve quality of life for everyone immediately. Edward Michaels, Inglis
to the state and all requests have fallen on deaf ears. There is, however, one thing that this
Levy County's Blue Springs open for Spring Break
town can do to clean up the river and that is to move forward with a sewer system which
Blue Springs Park will be open, located outside of Bronson for Spring Break this
this commission can do.
year. The park will be open from March 12th through March 20th daily from 10:00 a.m.
There are many good reasons to move the sewer system forward and make it a pri-
to 8:00 p.m. Admission is still $1 each and kids under 5 are free. Come out and enjoy the
ority for this and any future commission. There is a window of opportunity now to change
park during this week!
the course of Inglis for the future. Many here do not want this community to change, but
There is no life guard on duty so you swim at your own risk. Children must me
change is inevitable. How we embrace that change will determine if Inglis is a growing
accompanied by an adult and dropping off of children is not allowed. Law enforcement
community in the next census, or we join the dying side.
will be notified if unattended children are found in the park.
There was a food distribution this Saturday at Town Hall. Food was distributed to
Both Blue Springs Park and Henry Beck Park in Gulf Hammock will officially
70 households. This is a huge increase from previous food distributions by the town. One
open on April 1st for the summer and be open each day until September 30th.
can deduce that the new sign contributed to those in need knowing about the distributions.
STILL A GOOD DEAL - Although the price for a First-Class Mail stamp in the U.S.
Drinda Merritt, Inglis Commissioner
remains the same, prices have increased in other countries. The price of a First-Class stamp
in Japan is 97 cents, up 32 percent from 2009. In Germany, a First-Class Mail stamp cost 77
cents a year ago. Now, the same postage costs 79 cents. And in Norway, it now costs $1.50
to mail a letter — up 25 cents from a year ago.
Goto: http://thenewscaster.com
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39 W. Highway 40 -  Inglis, Florida
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50 Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
#24 Highway 40 East
Tim
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Inglis, FL
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352-447-2074
Authorized Heritage Kayak Dealer
Electronics Parts & Accessories
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Clean Family Friendly Atmosphere
We Recycle Computers!
All Rods & Reels New w/Mfg. Warranty
INVESTING IN THE F  UTURE OF LEVY COUNTY
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
22 lbs. of ICE FREE w/purchase of 100 Shrimp!