The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - March 5, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Editorial
Letter to the Editor
Re: Response to a Letter by Betty Berger
I believe it is time for the good people of Inglis to hear the truth about property taxes
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
and the future (or lack of) for the town of Inglis. The recently passed Amendment 1 has rung
a potential death knell to many small towns like Inglis, which had very low income to start
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
with. It has reduced the tax for people paying tax, and by increasing the homestead exemption,
has reduced the number of people in town paying tax. Together this lowers the town's ability
There has been a great deal of confusion about the permitting on Izaac Walton
to provide basic services.
Investors' waste water treatment facility. One source of confusion is that there are several
We are not a rich town with money to squander on extravagant projects or excess
different permits that have similar sounding names but are for different parts of it or other
employees as Tallahassee has implied. All of the town's income goes into maintaining our
aspects of their project. For instance they have received the permit for storm water. This
basic services. People choose to live in a town rather than out in the county, specifically for
sounds similar but has to do only with storm water, not the actual domestic sewage waste
those basic services. By cutting funds for bare essentials, Amendment 1 threatens to change
water plant. Also there was a separate permit for the piping that collects the sewage from their
the services that people have come to expect from their town government.
proposed projects but is a stand alone permit just for the piping that runs along the side of the
We have two choices. One will keep the status quo, eventually leading to bank-
road. This permit is separate from the major facility of the package waste water plant. Then
ruptcy. The other is to find additional sources of revenue to keep the town afloat. As it is, only
there is a permit just for the waste water plant itself. This permit is still pending and it is the
27% of Inglis properties support the rest of the population. Soon less than 20% of the prop-
subject of the Department of Environmental Protection meeting that as planned for Yankee-
erties will pay tax.
town. This meeting was planned for March but has been moved to April 14th. The DEP will
Through the years, a small but vocal group of folks, has succeeded in preventing
hear public comment at this meeting.
diversification of our tax base. By fighting all new development, we will have to keep cutting
A second source of confusion is that people who aren't familiar with the system,
services as costs continue to go up. This is a sure way for our town to go bankrupt and cease
don't understand that there are several different permitting agencies and it appears that the
to exist. Any candidate for commissioner who thinks this town is extravagant with our tax
agencies do their permitting on a stand alone basis. So the DEP may grant a permit but a local
revenues and could better handle our limited funds, is advocating the eventual demise of our
agency such as the town's zoning may not grant a permit. In other words, a project may meet
town. On the contrary, commissioners who are dedicated to saving our town by encouraging
the rules of one agency but not meet them for another. An example may be that the county may
development and growth are working to save the town. At the March 11th election, it's your
allow you to cut down all the trees in your yard but the town has regulations that don't allow
chance to let your voices be heard. Please choose wisely.
it. IWI's waste water plant proposal has been denied by Yankeetown's Zoning Official. This
Incidentally, Mrs. Betty Berger in her letter to the editor told one outright lie and one
zoning official's decision was then upheld by the town's Board of Adjustment. The BOA
half truth about me that I would like to clear up.
hearing was then appealed to the Levy County Court who upheld the BOA hearing. IWI has
1.I never ever set a quota of tickets to write and this can be verified by the chief.
now appealed the court's decision. I need to point out that IWI is challenging the process of
Apparently Mrs. Berger thinks traffic should be allowed to fly through our town at 15 MPH
the hearing and not the decision itself. So even if they win their appeal, it appears that we
over the limit, which is what most citations are written for.
would have to have another hearing, but the zoning official's very through report still stands.
2.Mrs. Berger stated was that I was the only person voting against sending a letter
A third source of confusion has been that there have been a few administrative
of condemnation to the County board about the mine. This was taken out of context as I also
errors in the permit that gave the wrong address for the physical location of the waste water
wanted further investigation about new jobs for the area and compensation for any sizeable
plant leading some to believe that IWI was now applying for an onsite waste water facility on
increase in traffic. We will never know if we aren't willing to discuss it. Roy Smith,Inglis
Riverside Drive. Although the geographical coordinates of the plant were correct, the street
address was given as an office location for the applicant. Hopefully this helped to clear up
Letter to the Editor:
some of the questions on this whole situation.
Re: Increase in drug activity
Special Thanx this week goes to Dan Oates for his beautiful photo on the front page
In recent weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in drug activity in the city and in
of the Newscaster last week. Nothing is more uplifting than the thought of spring.
specific areas of Cason Acres. Both recent notable drug arrests have either been arrested or
Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
observed in these areas. Citizens should be aware that officers will be in the area, not in an
Taste Of Travel
effort to "frighten, terrorize, or stalk," but in a pro-active effort to deter the flow of illegal
The Citrus County Historical Society, Inc. is pleased to announce a tour of the Yulee
narcotics that is poisoning our children and destroying many families across the nation.
Sugar Mill, Chinsegut Hill, the Heritage Museum, and the Train Depot in Brooksville. The
With the recent increase of drugs and burglaries, officers will be out investigating
Heritage Museum is located in the May- Stringer house a 4-story, twelve room antebellum
vehicles that may be out at unusual hours in high crime areas and will take appropriate actions
home built in 1856. The bus departs the Inverness Fairgrounds 9:00 a.m. and will return at
to prevent these crimes. Officers often may attempt to read license plate numbers, but under
approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2008. For more details please contact Judy
normal circumstances do not attempt to blind drivers with bright light. The
Schmutzer at (352) 560-3784.
patrol vehicle mentioned in a recent Letter to the Editor (Feb. 29th, Kathy Dutkiewicz, "The
El Ranchito
most frightening night in my life") is not equipped with a spotlight or any bright, non-factory
lights that would illuminate a vehicle any more than other vehicle on the roadway.
On February 26th, the Inglis Police Department arrested William Gerard Walsh, of
Mexican Restaurant
Inglis, on felony drug distribution charges and resisting arrest. The vehicle operated by
Walsh had recently fled from officers in the Diana and Debra Street area.
Now Open In Crystal River
Pro-active patrols have ultimately led to the arrest of four individuals for distributing
drugs and the seizure of a Cadillac Deville, a Dodge Caravan, $3600 in drug money, and a
Dine-In or Take-Out
substantial amount of drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine.
Lunch and Dinner Served
On another note, any citizen who believes they are being followed by someone who
The Best Mexican Cuisine
445 NE 1st Terrace, CRYSTAL RIVER
may be planning on car-jacking them, please contact 9-1-1 immediately. Do not attempt to take
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center Across from Big Lots,
justice into your own hands. Although some citizens may have legally concealed firearms, law
Yes! We have
behind Circle K, WEST side of Hwy. 19
enforcement is properly trained in these areas and will handle these types of situations on a
Beer & Wine
need to basis. Placing a firearm on your lap or in your hand could inadvertently be mistaken
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
MONDAY - THURSDAY
as an aggressive move by a criminal or law enforcement and could lead to a very dangerous
Lunch 11am-2pm  Open All Day
Lunch 11am-2pm
situation.
Dinner 5-10pm  12noon - 10pm
Dinner 5-9pm
The citizens of Inglis should rest assured that the fine officers of this police depart-
(352) 795-5251
ment are out to protect and serve this community.
OPEN SUNDAYS:
Timothy Bible, Inglis Police Chief
12:00 N - 9:00 P.M.
NAPA Auto &
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