The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - April 6, 2011
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: From the “Tangled Webbs”
In his March 30, 2011 letter to the editor, Andy Eiland deals with two issues -- the
provision of law enforcement services by Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) if the Inglis
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
Police Department (IPD) is disbanded and the lack of public confidence in the IPD. Re-
garding his first issue, we listened to the tape of the February 9, 2010 commission meeting
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
which he references. Sheriff Johnny Smith responded to questions about law enforcement
coverage if IPD were dissolved. He stated, “If the city chose to do away with the police de-
Arbor Day – National Arbor Day is April the 29th. I am hoping to organize an
partment, I am required, by state statute, to provide law enforcement service to the citizens
event to plant some trees in town. Over the years there has been great opposition to taking
of Inglis. However, keep in mind that in doing that the citizens that live in Inglis are going
down any tree but not as much emphasis on the maintenance and replacement of trees. Even
to be at the mercy of my south end zone man.” (Zone 4 runs from Withlacoochee boat ramp
simple things like keeping the place mowed, unwittingly prevents young trees from coming
to Marion County to CR326 to Cedar Key.) He talked about delays in response time and
up which is nature’s way of renewing the tree population. Also, with such a small govern-
not being able to have an officer here 24/7 and clearly stated that he could not provide the
ment, there hasn’t always been enough staff to follow up on issues like the replacement of
level of protection we currently have. He said he could not give the town 19 percent of his
trees that are “owed to the town” by people who take them down for some reason and then
resources, which is what it would take to provide 24/7 coverage in Inglis. He said that if the
agree to plant some in mitigation. Hopefully this year we can fix that. We also need to adopt
city dissolves the IPD and wanted to contract with LCSO, they could, but the cost would
a rational approach to trees, it is sometimes better to take down a weak, dying or diseased
be high and it would hinge on cooperation from the county commission; they would have
tree and replant for a healthier little forest. At any rate, it is time to do something, there is
to look at his budget, but might not increase it. Mrs. Eiland asked, “If IPD was dismantled
always a multitude of complaints but a shortage of positive help. If anyone who wishes to
and you hire them back on the county with benefits, etc, you are going to get an increase
donate a tree for planting, please contact the town hall.
in money and in individuals applying for those jobs, is that correct?” Sheriff Smith said
Meeting Postponed – In case anyone was interested in attending the Town Council
“Yes” but then added a correction: “Currently we do not have funds and we would be at
regular meeting which is usually on the first Monday of the month, it was moved to second
the mercy of the county commission. As far as giving us money to put deputies, that could
Monday of the month on April 11th to facilitate those council members who wished to at-
work, what you said; however we ... operate under the county commission and last year
tend a County Commission meeting.
we had a 5% decrease ... I am afraid of next year.” Ms. Eiland suggested IPD putting its
Good Time – If you missed the event at the WGP last weekend “Wonders of the
money with LCSO and keeping cars, manpower plus benefits.” Sheriff Smith responded, “If
Salt Marsh”, you missed a nice experience and the chance to get some good info. The
money given to me, I could not guarantee those officers would remain in town.” Nothing
weather was perfect and the speakers were knowledgeable. I was most interested in the dis-
we heard at, or in reviewing the tape of, the February meeting led us to believe that there is
cussion on Dragonflies by Dale Halbritter from the University of Florida, because I’d heard
any benefit to merging our law enforcement services with LCSO. We learned that all our
Dragonflies eat sand gnats. If it would reduce the little demons I was going to recommend
law enfoircement money would go to the county for distribution and we would be at their
that we start raising dragonflies by the thousands. Sadly, I was told they are “generalists”
mercy as to what we got back. Even if we contract with LCSO, they cannot guarantee the
in their eating habits. This means that they eat all kinds of bugs, sometimes even small fish,
officers would stay in town. Regarding the second issue, we have confidence in IPD; we
but don’t target any one particular bug. They may eat sand gnats but probably not enough
want police protection by officers who are here 24/7 and not by one officer who covers an
to make a difference. The Friends of the WGP did a wonderful job of organization and
area from Yankeetown to Marion County and Hwy 326 to Cedar Key and might be 50 miles
planning the 2 day event which was made possible through a grant from SWFWMD. Good
Bob & Betsy Webb, Inglis
away when needed.
Night and Good Luck
Editor's Note: This topic is now closed
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