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es in the number of unemployed, and expansion of the labor force, with the exception of a

slight dip in Levy’s County’s labor force.

Marion County posted an unemployment rate of 10.8 percent, down from 11.4

percent over the month; Citrus County dropped to 10.6 percent following two consecutive

months at 11.3 percent; and Levy County fell from 10.5 to 10.1 percent.

Out of a regional labor force of 204,692 there were 21,808 unemployed, 1,273

fewer than in January. The regional labor force expanded by 1,141 and the number of em-

ployed increased by 2,123 to 182,884.

“This is a positive report that shows good job growth and holds potential for the

future,” said Rusty Skinner, Workforce Connection s chief executive officer. “This is very

good news.” We’ll have to see where we are with March and April

Here’s how each county fared:

Citrus County’s labor force expanded by 126 to 55,270, the number of employed

increased by 535 to 49,431 and those unemployed dropped by 409 to 5,839. The unemploy-

ment rate in February 2011 was 12.2 percent.

Levy County’s labor force remained virtually unchanged, shrinking by 39 to 16,753,

employment is up for 34 jobs to 15,056 and the number of unemployed decreased by 73 to

1,697. The unemployment a year ago was 11.5 percent.

Marion County’s labor force is up by 763 to 132,669, the number of employed rose by

1,554 to 118,397 and those without jobs fell by 791 to 14,272. The unemployment rate fell

over the year from 12.8 percent.

Rebecca Rust, chief economist Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, not-

A good number of South Levy residents and interested persons showed up for the

ed that even as jobless rates fell, a component of the unemployment rate is that “more people

April 2 Levy County Planning Commission meeting with Development Director Rob Corbitt to

are re-entering the job market.”

hear Petition No. SE 1-12. Eng. Denman & Associates representing C & M Ranch West Levy- 180

“When you see employment gain growth and unemployment loss, you can say



LLC & 200 LLC(Knight Farm Sand Mine), petitioning the board for a Special Exception to allow

most people are finding jobs,” Rust said.



a mining operation. Parcel located in portions of Section 6 & 7, Township 16S, Range 17E, in

In February 2012, total nonagricultural employment in the Ocala metropolitan sta-

Levy County. Said parcel project area comprised 380 acres more or less and is located in a “F/

tistical area (MSA) was 91,200,up 700increase of 0.8 percent over the year.

  jobs for an 

RR” Forestry/Rural Residential zone. Parcel No.’s 03841-000-00 & 03846-000-00.

This meeting was not at the stage to include public input. Several general questions Six out of 10 major industries gained    and health services (500 jobs);

jobs, led by education

were allowed. Concerns of some were the mine location next to the Historic Cedars of Lebanon manufacturing (400);warehousing and (300);and leisure and hos-

 transportation, utilities  

Cemetery and on either side of the road leading down to it as well as 3 gas lines abutting pitality (200).

The Ocala MSA, however, continued to post the second highest unemployment

these parcels under the power lines.

Pictured are: County Attorney Anne Brown with Planning Commissionmembers•behind Coast 12.7percentand ahead •

  Ron rate among Florida’s 22 MSAs,  Palm •with   just  of Port

Grant, Thad Barber, Chair Thomas Harper, Vaughn Lee and Phil Parker. Director Rob Corbitt St. Lucie10.7percent.

 at  

Rust noted that “long-term weakness in construction and losses in information,

stands behind Zoning Codes Specialist Grace Romero and Clay Sweger at the podium. Motion

was made by Grant to grant a continuance to the applicant with time for this being set by the government, and retail trade contributed to the high unemployment rates in these areas.”

Among Florida’s 67 counties, Marion County dropped from seventh to eighth, Cit-

applicant and Corbitt. (could be 3 months or more) For an email copy of the review notifylevy-

rus County fell from ninth to 11th, while Levy County ranks 14th highest.

zoning@bellsouth.net .Newscaster/Sally Price Photo

DO YOU OWE MORE THAN





According to The Florida Association of Realtors, under US law a home-



owner with an “underwater” mortgage, who goes through a short sale has part of

his/her debt forgiven by a bank. The amount forgiven is legally considered income,



as if the lender gave the owner a monetary gift by saying “you no longer have to





As a gift, that money is income and taxable by the IRS when the owner files



his yearly income taxes. However, a temporary law effective through 12/31/2012,



nixes that amount as homeowner income, making the debt forgiveness tax free. A





short sale in 2012, then allows a homeowner to walk away free of debt.



As it stands now, that rule expires next year and the underwater homeowners who





go through a short sale could be taxed on the amount forgiven. If you would like



more information on short sales please feel free to contact our office. We will





share our knowledge in confidence with you.



Diamond Investments, Inc.





Darryl A. Diamond

"Big or small we sell it all"



Licensed Real Estate Broker

Double D Auction Services, LLC

Lic. Florida Auction House#AB3141

www.diamondhomesandland.com

Licensed Florida Auctioneer#AU4300

“WE BUY GOLD”

Carl Roof, Inc.Ad Proof for Display Ad, 5” wide by 3.5” deep

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Carl Roof, Owner

Expiration date for ad coupon: 4-10-12

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Established 1985

Inglis, FL 34449

Four weeks, paid in full: March 21 & 28 and April 4 & 11, 2012.