The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - April 14, 2010
Squawk Box
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Continued from page 1
septic systems for a living.
From Yankeetown Town Hall
But then Yankeetown bought it’s spray field property before it was tested for per-
colation. Testing showed the land did not percolate sufficiently. To cover this major goof
the town brought in a certified, graduate engineer; an expert . He said there is no suitable
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
percolation in Yankeetown; the place is notorious for “poor soil drainage.” It’s a flood plain.
Veteran’s Parade Volunteer Needed - Police Chief Douglas of Chiefland is organizing
At the same time the Town has removed a requirement for central sewer from the town
a Veteran’s Day Parade. Although it is in November, a ways off, he has admirably started
Comprehensive Plan. A requirement for which tax dollars were collected.
early, the key to a successful event, and contacted all the communities to get a representative
Now the Town has amended it’s comprehensive plan to allow broader development
to help. The council voted to participate and is looking for a volunteer to work on this. In-
of our islands. When the town had the chance to put major restrictions on the islands, they
volvement will include working with both Chief Douglas and Yankeetown Fire Department
decided to relax them.
Won’t Chambers or any other island look great with a fifty foot
to coordinate an entry into the parade and may include helping organize the event itself. If
building smack in the middle of it? And a nice big septic system?
you’re interested in working on this, contact Larry Feldhusen or call the town hall.
It’s not too late to attempt to save our islands and gulf waters. Every citizen of
RE-UPS - Councilman Doug Dame was re-elected by the town council for another
south Levy county needs to let the county government and the Town of Yankeetown know
year as Vice Mayor. Ed Candela agreed to serve another term on the Yankeetown Board of
they want our islands preserved as they are. We need tighter laws to protect them. Not give
Adjustment, and Genie Sturtevant volunteered to serve another term on the WGP Board of
them away to private interests.
Trustees. The council approved them both at the last regular meeting.
So, can it really look like it did those many years ago? Well, that’s what Earth Day
Garbage Contract - Council voted to renew the garbage contract with Waste Pro. Waste
is all about. It can happen if we all want it to but it seems to me Earth Day needs to be every
Pro is not asking for a rate increase which was good news. We keep our rates as low as pos-
day for that to happen.
sible by doing our own billing and not asking for a franchise fee.
So. Levy Residents Protest
Good Audit - Our accountant, Robert Beauchamp, presented our audit at the April 5th
regular meeting. He seemed to think we are in pretty good shape. As of this writing we had
not yet gotten it on the website but anyone wishing to peruse it or request a copy, contact
Levy County Selection Process
the hall.
Many South Levy residents attended the April 6 meeting of the Levy County Com-
Levy County BOCC - Yankeetown presented a letter to the Levy County Commission
mission in Bronson to witness the appointment of Kathleen Burke of Yankeetown to the
at their April 6th meeting, requesting an explanation of the perceived lack of enforcement
Planning Board. Commissioner Marsha Drew recommended Burke for the job when the
by the Commission of the Levy County Land Development Regulations regarding a special
agenda item came up. When the second to Drew’s motion brought silence, Commission
exception for the King Road Mine. The letter was written by Councilman Lineberger along
President Nancy Bell passed the gavel to Commissioner Danny Stevens and made the sec-
with council comments included. It was approved at a town council meeting on March
ond herself. Burke’s appointment failed with Bell and Drew being the only two votes cast
15th. It was to be presented by a town representative that was undetermined at the time of
for Burke. Immediately Stevens made a motion to reappoint Thad Barber of Gulf Hammock,
the Commission’s Agenda posting. Apparently the commission declined to address the situ-
the former outgoing Planner, with a second by Lilly Rooks. Commissioner Chad Johnson
ation. Quote of the week - How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four;
cast his vote with Rooks and Stevens, reappointing Barber back on the board for 4 years.
calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg. - Abraham Lincoln. Good Night and Good Luck,
Yankeetown Councilman Larry Feldhusen started the procession of South Levy
Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Sentencing for Former Levy
residents getting up and complaining about the process. Feldhusen said he “humbly request
the commission to reconsider their action.” Burke’s attributes were emphasized by Paul
Commissioner Set for April 14
Tobergte. Former Inglis Commission President Edward Michaels said “three members of
this board are telling us they don’t want our votes in the next election. It’s a form of taxation
without representation, your silence is deafening, a back door effort, our man is out, yours is
The sentencing by U.S. Federal Judge Stehpan P. Mickle of Rob-
in.” Michaels wanted an explanation as to why Drew’s choice for her district lost the vote.
ert Anthony “Tony” Parker, former Levy County Commissioner, formerly
Commissioner Chad Johnson explained that the Planning Commission is a filter for the
scheduled for April 5th, has been delayed until April 14.
Commissioners and that his vote was not a vote against Burke, but he supported Barber but
Parker had been convicted in December on a federal charge of
believed they needed to establish a procedure and policy for appointments. Rooks said she
soliciting a bribe in what he believed to be a development project for Levy
Continued on page 12 - Selection Process
County.
Owner financing on these 2 lovely homes
Former Levy county Commissioner Sammy Yearty was also con-
victed on the same charge, along with an additional charge of lying to a fed-
eral agent, but Yearty’s sentencing had already been rescheduled for May
NEW ON THE MARKET this 3 bedroom 2 bath
3rd.
home features ceramic tile through out, open kitch-
Both men were part of a federal investigation that started in Dixie County in 2004.
en with bar overlooking living area. Master suite
Two Dixie County men who were found guilty in federal court on the same charges
features screen porch, bath has dual sinks with
are also scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Mickle on May 3: Marcellus Dawson (for-
separate tub & shower, 2 car side entry garage with
mer Cross City Police Chief and suspended Cross City Town Council Member)and Johnny
opener. New side by side refrigerator and glass top
Miller Greene, Cross City Public Works Superintendent.
range. Offered at $158,000
BRAND NEW 3 bedroom 2 bath in Peace-
Alton Land and John Driggers, former Dixie County Commissioners, have begun
ful Acres, split plan with interior laundry.
serving federal prison sentences of three years and one month for their convictions of con-
Community offers private boat ramp to
spiracy to commit a bribe, in a related case. They were also fined $10,000 and sentenced to
Lake Rousseau & Rainbow River. Offered
3 years probation.
at $114,900 Call today for your personal
Billy Keen, Jr., former Dixie County Building and Zoning Inspector, was sen-
tour.
tenced in November to 6-1/2 years in federal prison and 3 yrs. probation for federal pro-
gram fraud, conspiracy, bribery, and making false statements. He was also ordered to repay
Diamond Investments, Inc.
Darryl A. Diamond
$32,000 in grant funds.
352-447-4442
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Pamela Williams Blair, former executive director of the Nature Coast Business
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Development Council, was charged with giving a false statement to the FBI. Her trial is set
Darryl & Vicki Diamond
www.diamondhomesandland.com
to begin on June 1. For an update on this story visit our website: www.thenewscaster.com.
“The Diamond Team”
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Computers dot Com
Todd Sumlin
42 Hwy 19 N. - Inglis,FL - 352-447-2600
Plant Manager
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
is Now Doing Business
INGLIS QUARRY
Computer Sales & Service
at the New Location
10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Phone (352)447-2209
42 Hwy 19 N. Inglis
P.O. Box 519
We Recycle Computers!
Fax (352)447-0218
Inglis, FL. 34449
Food Ranch Plaza
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy