The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - April 29, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Letter to the Editor:
Re:House and Senate Bills HB 1111 and SB 2424
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Thank you to Mr. Robert "Bob" Kerr of Fanning Springs, FL for catching that loop-
hole in Florida's 2009 House and Senate Bills HB 1111 and SB 2424! All of us in the North
Every now and then something that seems normal and routine becomes of surprising
Central Florida area need to be paying special attention to these legislative Bills.
interest. Elevation Poles are being installed at various locations in Yankeetown to help with
I am outraged that these Bills contain a 'back-door loophole' which allows Florida
predictions of storm tide levels in town. The poles will be telephone poles with brass rulers
legislators to attempt, yet again, to remove our natural resources from North Central Florida
installed on them which are calibrated in feet to correspond to a standard elevation reference
and send it to other areas of Florida! What happened to their promise to implement conserva-
point. The purpose of these poles is to help in assessing the levels of flooding that may occur
tion measures?
based upon the height of the predicted storm tide and improve information in regards to the
Once such legislation is passed, who is going to pay attention that, despite the
possible impact of a higher than normal tide and/or the need for evacuations. We will now have
Suwannee's present flooding, the river and its tributaries have been at all- time lows in recent
more accurate information on what property will be affected by a certain elevation of tide. The
years? Who pays attention that low-water levels will return as soon as the water flows into
locations were selected based on areas of "first point flooding". Poles will be placed at the
the Gulf of Mexico? Who will pay attention when sink holes threaten our homes and property
Yankeetown Yacht basin, 63rd and Riverside, 64th and Riverside, Yankeetown Marina, and Hwy
when water tables remain so low? Once our water is gone, is the Florida Legislature and
40 and 40A. That the poles were being installed was printed in the March 18th article. The poles
Governor Christ going to pay for our sink hole and property damages and/or having to drill
are part of a program through Levy County Emergency Management and the National Weather
deeper wells?
Service. They are at no cost to the town. Human safety is the highest priority. Well informed
This was attempted and voted down some years ago! Yet, here comes the Committee
citizens make better decisions concerning their safety. If you have more questions on this please
of 100 again to attempt the same thing by the small print in these Bills. Yet, elected officials
call Mark Johnson, Levy County Emergency Management Coordinator at 352-486-5213.
wonder why the general public has so little regard for them???
Extended hours at the WGP- At the midmonth meeting, Town Council voted to extend
Are new limestone and mineral mines included in this small print? The phrase "natu-
the hours of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve from closing at 3:00 pm to closing at Sunset
ral resources" is all inclusive. Does this allow the state to override our hard-fought local and
HOWEVER these hours will NOT be in affect until we can get signage in place and also complete
county ordinances which rejected limestone mines near our protected areas such as state
arrangements with the individual who will be doing the closing. Mr. Phelps, who works for the
parks and natural springs?
county and closes the park at the end of the road, has offered to do our park also for a reasonable
Please, email your concerns and opinions on this issue to your State legislators
price. The current hours are 9:30 am to 3:00 pm and with summer coming on and the days getting
http://www.congress.org/ , enter your zip code on the left and then, half-way down the page,
longer, people will want to enjoy the park later. Please bear with us until we get the new hours in
choose Federal or State elected officials, then enter your address (required- no anonymous
place.
emails!). Then, tell Florida Governor Christ and Florida Legislators that we WILL remember
Garbage Ordinance - Over the next couple months we will be revamping the garbage
their actions in this matter when we vote in the next election. Vera Ellen Rich, Chiefland.
collection ordinance. Issues such as suspension of service requirements may be revised. At
this time the ordinance requires written notice if you wish to discontinue your garbage service
Letter to the Editor:
and you must be gone for at least 3 months.
Re: Inglis Independence Day Celeberation
Cinco de Mayo - Spanish for the Fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo is this week. It com-
We wanted to write to you because there was an article in the paper last week that had
memorates the Mexican victory in 1862 over the French in the Battle of Puebla. where the
some people up in arms. It is about the fireworks for our community Independence Day
Mexican Army was out numbered 2 to 1. A common misconception in the United States is that
Celebration. The fireworks are supported completely by donations from the businesses and
this is the Mexican Independence Day, it is not, their Independence Day is September the 16th.
residents of our community. In years past, our previous Mayor, Carolyn Risher, has taken this
Many here enjoy Cinco de Mayo as a cultural holiday such as St. Patrick's Day. Good Night and
responsibility upon herself to collect these donations. RABAC has taken over the planning
Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
and executing of this fun filled event for this year. We have just started the process of calling
Citrus Fire Service reports 18 illegal burns last week
businesses and past supporters who have donated to fireworks in the in previous years to see
if they are willing to support an event again this year. Whether we have fireworks or not will
The Citrus County Fire Rescue Service said there were 18 illegal burns reported during the
depend on the community and local business leaders.. We can adjust our plans to have a more
week of April 19-25. County fire officials have been urging all residents to abide by the burn
modest show than previous years and still have the family activities; bouncy houses and
ban because of the extreme danger of wildfires due to the extraordinarily dry conditions.
water slides etc.
Citrus Fire Chief Larry Morabito said the recent occurrence of some rain in various parts
RABAC has also discussed that if we cannot have the fireworks this year, we could
of the county have had little, if any effect on the dry conditions, as vegetation very quickly
still put together an Olde Fashioned Family Picnic to celebrate the holiday. Some ideas we
dries out again, putting the drought index right back at the upper end of the scale.
have had are to have the patriotic baby and children’s pageant, a hot dog eating contest,
There have been 483 illegal burns reported since the burn ban was put into effect by the
watermelon seed spitting contest, sack races, three legged races and more. We would love to
county commission on Jan. 9. The only outdoor burning allowed is in a barbecue appliance.
hear from the community to hear what your ideas might be or if anyone wanted to donate to
help sponsor this event. Please contact RABAC Chairperson, Valarie Davenport at (352) 447-
El Ranchito
3323 for any ideas or donations.
Valerie Davenport, Chair RABAC
Mexican Restaurant
Letter to the Editor:
445 NE 1st Terrace, Crystal River , FL
Re: Law Breakers
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center
I am a resident of Inglis and I would like to know why the Inglis police and the Levy
North of Big Lots & East of Post Office
Co. Sheriff's office are letting law breakers go unpunished? I am refering to the multitude out
The Best Mexican Cuisine South of the Border!
of state workers that have children in our public schools and have been working in our
community well over a year and still have out of state license plates. There are two such
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Us
families in my neighborhood that make jokes about our law enforcement for just that reason.
Tuesday, May 5
I am mainly refering to the people here from Alabama. They brag about making fools of the
Open All Day, 11 am-9 pm
Inglis Police Dept. and vow to never abide by Fl. law when it comes to changing from AL.plates
to Fl. I am very proud of our town and think these law breakers should be delt with.I hope
Beer & Wine • BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
somebody reads this and takes some action. Thank you, Jimmy Hill, Inglis
All Day!
The Levy County Tourist Development Council Meeting
Mon - Thurs: 11 am - 2 pm & 5-9 pm Sat: Noon - 10 pm
Lunch and Dinner Ser ved
The Levy County Tourist Development council will meet Thursday, April 30th at 6
Fri: 11 am - 2 pm & 5-10 pm
Sun: Noon - 9 pm
Yes, we have Beer & Wine!
p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 620 N. Hathaway Ave.Bronson, Levy
Dine-In or Take-Out
352-795-5251
County Visitors Bureau office.
Shannon Adams,Realtor
The Newscaster by Mail
Inglis
NAPA Auto &
Office 352-794-0888
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Truck Parts
subscription is $18.25 in Florida and $21.25 out of State.Mail
Toll-Free 1-888-664-1951
your check or credit card # with this form.
Cell 352-220-9209 -Home 352-564-0707
Fax: 352-447-6099
Name_________________Add__________________
Hours:
730 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River
(352) 447-6000
Mon-
FAX: 352-795-0282
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date_________
Friday
WEBSITE: www.ExitRealtyLeaders.com
7:30-5:30
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
E-MAIL: Kingdomrealty@yahoo.com
Signature__________________
Saturday
Newscaster Publishing
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated
8-12