PAGE 12 - March 4, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
VOTE “YES” ON THE MARCH 19
REFERENDUM FOR “HIGHER TAXES”
A Guest Commentary by Jim Sherwood
For all of you that missed last week’s town council election, nothing changed, the
challengers were handily defeated and we still have the same old government in place. The
same government that quadrupled the town’s operating budget since it took office in 2006;
doubled your water bill and denies that it will double again; hired 2 new zoning officials and 2
new attorneys to stop all growth; denies the existence of elevated levels of arsenic in the
ground water located less than 500 feet from the town’s water supply; imposed a moratorium
in 2006 that has killed all economically viable business and redevelopment in town to date and
in the foreseeable future; preaches open government while routinely violating Sunshine Laws
with impunity; opened a 400 acre park for your passive enjoyment that will demand hundreds
of thousands of dollars to maintain over the next 10 years while your water pipe system rots
under your feet; built a new $5.5 MM water plant, but you still can’t drink the water (they
don’t); simply refuses to work with Progress Energy, Levy County or even Inglis on mutually
beneficial community interests; provokes litigation rather than negotiation; illegally denied
you your right to vote on the Amended Comp Plan under the town’s newly adopted Home-
town Democracy form of government and is fixing to do it again!
The Amended Comp Plan was illegally adopted by the town council without a refer-
endum vote and forwarded to DCA for approval but was rejected by DCA because you were
denied the opportunity to vote on it. Now the town government is being forced to hold a
Quick response by Inglis Fire Rescue extingushed this shed fire and prevented neighboring mobile
Referendum on March 19 to allow you an opportunity vote it up or down. Now why would the
homes from being damaged. The state fire marshal is investigating the origin of the fire which
town council attempt to do such a thing, particularly when they were the ones that wanted
witnesses said started from a nearby trash pile. Photo & Story by Debbie Russell
Hometown Democracy in the first place? Maybe it was because they thought you might not
Fire Marshal Investigating Trash Fire
approve of their plan to destroy your town. And unless you have studied the plan in depth
you will not have the faintest idea what the 7 questions you are asked to vote on even mean.
That Destroyed Storage Shed in Inglis
Because your government has already adopted (Sept. 22) 99% of their proposed
Comprehensive Plan changes just days before the mandatory Referendum vote requirement
took affect (Oct. 1). Incidentally, under the rules you have the RIGHT to vote on all proposed
Late morning, Wednesday, Feb. 25th, proved to be a busy time for law enforcement
land use changes. There are over 50 such changes in the plan. But you will only be allowed
officials in Inglis, when a burning trash pile at a residence raged out of control, taking out a
to vote on 7. Why? This is an open violation of the town charter. But they will do it anyway.
storage shed and threatening a second shed and a nearby rental residence.
The March 19 Referendum questions that you do vote on are of minor importance but have
The first fire truck arrived on the scene, a lot located on Rose St. behind the corner
been meticulously crafted by Mr. Hometown Democracy himself, former SWAY legal counsel,
property at 87 Cove Rd., sometimes before 11:45 a.m. Firefighters soon had the blaze pretty
and assistant town attorney Ralf Brookes. He has taken special care to confuse you by using
well under control, when a second fire truck raced to the scene. According to bystanders, a
lots of good lawyer words but doesn’t really say anything to help you understand the conse-
woman on a three-wheel bicycle was blocking the second fire truck's entry onto Rose St., and
quences of your vote.
firefighters on the Unit 2 truck were screaming, "Move over! Move over!" At the same time,
The Amended Comp Plan is a very complex document to understand and the town
the driver of a black Dodge Dakota pickup truck, that was traveling north on Cove Rd. at the
government has gone out of their way to make sure you don’t know the details. Many
intersection of Rose St., quickly pulled over onto the shoulder of Cove Rd., to allow the fire
experienced people outside of town hall have studied the plan and find it to be a nightmare.
truck access to the road. The fire truck squeezed through to turn onto Rose St., clipping the
Here are some hints: If you vote “YES” for the referendum you will be voting for a mandatory
truck's left rear bumper, then clipping a stopne-Init raced to the fire, according to witnesses.
Di sign as
10% increase in your ad valorum taxes every year for the next 5 years. Mandatory! If you vote
The pickup truck ended-up being stuck on a large landscaping boulder, and was freed from
“YES” for the referendum you will be voting for a mandatory storm water management fee;
the boulder by bystanders who jacked up the truck. The driver of the truck, who did not want
another tax. It will start small and get big, fast. If you vote “YES” for the referendum you will
her name released, said of the woman on the bike, "She was taking her time, as if she were
be voting to relax the development restrictions on the barrier islands. This provision is kind
taking a leisurely ride through the park on a Sunday afternoon."
of a “thank you “ to developer Tim Haines from the Mayor and town council for all of the free
Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) soon arrived on scene to cut power to the area,
legal services Mr. Haines has provided the town officials in an effort to gain approval for his
along with the Inglis Police Department, the Levy County Sheriff's Office, and another fire
Chambers Island development. You have the right under law to vote on the entire Amended
truck.
Comp Plan. If you want that right, vote “NO” to all 7 questions and force them to show you
Kevin Young, a neighbor, said that his aunt, Dianne Roberts of Ocala, is the owner
the entire plan and allow you to vote on ALL the issues that will directly affect you; not just
of the properties involved in the fire. When the fire was totally extinguished, the resident of
7 trumped up, tricky questions that have no meaning.
the nearby, threatened residence, 86-year-old James Striker, could finally breath a sigh of
A paid announcement, paid for and approved by Jim Sherwood
relief, although he'd remained amazingly calm during the blaze. Mr. Striker said that he, his son
Nature Coast Civil War Reenactment
Phillip, and their dog, Pakita had moved into the residence in December, and that he does not
carry rental insurance to cover his property that was destroyed by the fire, including a freezer,
M a r c h 14th & 15th 2009
a refrigerator, an air compressor, 4 butane tanks, along with tools, fishing equipment, an
expensive rod and reel, and his landlord's washer and dryer.
Mr. Striker said, not long before the fire, he'd seen another neighbor outside, who
The public is invited to the Nature Coast Civil War Reenactment held on March 14th
told him that he smelled smoke, and soon, the brush fire was raging out of control, and the fire
and 15th at the Holcim Mine property, 8 miles North of Crystal River on US 19. The gates open
department was called.
at 9:00 AM, and there is a battle each day at 2:00 PM. Entry fees are $5 for adults and $2 for
The incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall, according to Inglis
students ages 8 to 17. Children under the age of 8 are free. You can learn even more about the
Police Chief Steve Dixon, and it is unknown if charges will be made. Due to a severe drought
event at our web site at www.crystalriverreenactment.org. This is a non profit event.
index, Levy and neighboring counties are currently under a No Burn Ban.
Sea Forest Gifts
Todd Sumlin
Mountains of Shells - Huge Discounts
Plant Manager
20 Hwy. 40 E
Plaza 40 • Inglis, FL
(352)
447-5015
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