The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - May 19, 2010
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: Central Sewer System vs. Yankeetown
Worthy of comment is some of the more ridiculous misinformation coming out
of town hall recently regarding the questionable claims made by interim Zoning Official
From Yankeetown Town Hall
Fineout to perpetuate the myth that existing septic systems in Yankeetown are working fine
and are safer for the environment than a central wastewater system.
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
I could only shake my head in disbelief when I listened to a recent tape of a P&Z
The town hall has, as most everyone, been preoccupied with monitoring the status of
meeting and heard Mr. Fineout say, “A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS
the oil spill in the Gulf. The Governor has issued an Executive Order declaring a state of
THING”, while discussing the septic system issue. Mr. Fineout would be well advised to
emergency for 13 counties along the Gulf, of which we are one. The Coast Guard in St.
heed his own advice and educate himself as to the facts before offering his advice as the
Petersburg, called Sector Seven is in charge of the contingency plan in or area. Yankeetown
self-proclaimed authority on septic systems to an unknowing public.
sent a representative to St. Pete last week to meet with the Coast Guard to be brought up to
The problem seems pretty self-explanatory to me. A central sewage system pumps
speed on the response plan. The meeting was helpful in shedding light on just how much is
the septic waste away from the river and streams to a central location for treatment as op-
being done at the upper levels. Councilman Larry Feldhusen, as the Fire Department Liai-
posed to the current onsite storage of human waste underground in individual septic tanks
son, is our Emergency Response person and he has been attending meetings with Emergency
that leak into the groundwater and river or wait for the next high water from the river, sea-
Management in Bronson and devoting a lot of time to gathering information. However, there
sonal rain or hurricane to strike and scatter the diseased affluent across the landscape only to
is not a lot that we here in Yankeetown can do at this time, except wait. Emergency Manage-
be consumed by the river, wells, wildlife, pets and unknowing small children playing in the
ment does not feel that we need to mobilize now nor are they calling for us to solicit supply
aftermath.
donations at this time.
It doesn’t seem possible that Mr. Fineout could be ignorant of the fact that over
Volunteers- People here are very interested in the environment so many questions have
3,500 Florida cities, municipalities and private developments have chosen central sewage
been asked about volunteering. Right now, they are not planning on using volunteers in our
treatment facilities over individual septic systems as the SUPERIOR means of effectively
area accept to do a water front clean up before the oil gets here, should it head our way, to
removing and treating domestic sewage. Locally there are packaged plants in operation at
reduce the amount of oil covered debris. Bird and animal handling, will only be done by
the Yankeetown School, the River Lodge RV Park, Cedar Key, Inverness, Crystal River,
trained individuals. For information about volunteering, go to WWW.Volunteerfloridadi-
Sugar Mill Woods, and most recently in Fanning Springs. These are but a few of HUN-
saster.org.
DREDS of such plants operating in Florida in “high hazard zones” and yet Mr. Fineout, with
BOATS - There may be a need for volunteer boats to assist in the response such as help
his vast knowledge of this subject continues to argue in favor of the inferior septic system.
pull booms or other water related tasks. If you have a boat that you would volunteer to help,
In a recent discussion with Inglis Commission President Bob Webb, we both agreed
call 281-366-5511.
that Inglis would need a central sewer system to survive. With the economy like it is, some
There are many websites that give the daily response efforts, volunteer information and
commercial growth is necessary to give tax relief to residents and raise the funds needed to
facts about what has been done, such as there has been over1.2 million feet of containment
continue to run the town. Meanwhile, Yankeetown is in its 4th year of a commercial mora-
boom deployed. The number of overall personnel responding is more than 17,000.
torium which prohibits commercial development of any kind.
No one knows where the oil will go, so much depends on variables such as wind and
The Withlacoochee River is Yankeetown’s greatest natural resource and yet the
weather, that it is impossible to predict. We just have to wait and see and hope for the best.
town has gone out of its way to threaten this natural resource by promoting the continued use
Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
of antiquated, dysfunctional, leaking septic tanks and stormwater runoff. It has removed
YanYaneeeotwo iwpnr eAnn ainmbaalk of Dlsempter among the raccoon popula-
k k et n s ex e i nci g out re Ai te r
central sewer from its Comprehensive Plan and now requires the use of the more expensive
high performance septic systems over a less costly, more efficient central system in a thinly
veiled attempt to prevent ANY commercial development from occurring in Yankeetown at
the direct expense of the residential taxpayers.
tion. Should you encounter an animal that is acting strangely, do not approach it. Call the
So Mr. Fineout, I agree with you; a little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing.
Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) at 386-758-0525 or Town Hall at 447-2511. If you
Take a lesson. Yankeetown needs to come up out of the muck, so to speak, and join the
have pets outside or inside please make sure your pet gets the vaccination for Distemper.
modern world at some point.
Any veterinarian can give this shot or they are available at many feed stores. Town Hall also
Sally Price, Inglis
has a list of licensed wildlife trappers. If you are a licensed wild life trapper who works in
this area, contact town hall if you wish to be put on the list.
A Paid Announcement, Paid for and Approved by the Author
Patrick E. Kerns, Inglis
Letter to the Editor:
A day of fun in the sun could have turned into a day of tragedy had it not been for
Patrick E. Kerns of Inglis, FL passed away on May 10, 2010. Private cremation
the fast actions of 3 volunteer firemen from Inglis, and a boat with their friends in it. A fam-
will take place under the direction of Brown Funeral Home & Crematory in Lecanto, FL.
ily of 6 were on their way in after a day of fun and swimming when their boat capsized not
For more information contact Brown Funeral Home & Crematory Lecanto, 352-795-0111.
far from the firemen and their friends were camping. The quickness of their actions saved
Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your
lives. We would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their daring rescue. We
didn’t get the names of the family, but I’m sure if they read this they will know who we are
name with a recorded message:
talking about. Thanks! Carol Boatwright, Inglis
CFCC to Celebrate will become College of Central Florida on
Name Change
352-897-0381 Dunnellon
R&M
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
Central Florida Community College
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
Tuesday, May 25, and celebrations are planned collegewide.
Complete Auto Repairs
At 9 a.m. an Official Unveiling Ceremony will be held at the CFCC Citrus Cam-
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
pus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway. A caravan will move to the CFCC Hampton Center, 1501 W.
Computer Diagnostics
Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala, for unveiling at 11 a.m. and then to the Ocala Campus, 3001
Oil Changes While You Wait
S.W. College Road, at noon. Festivities take place outdoors near the main entrance sign at
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
each location.
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
On Wednesday, May 26, a celebration will be held at 9 a.m. at the CFCC Levy
352-447-0704
Center, 114 Rodgers Blvd. in Chiefland.
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
The name change follows a year-long process that included a survey of the com-
Accepted
Fax Line 447-6040
munity, approval by the CFCC District Board of Trustees and the State Board of Education.
During the five-week survey, 580 distinct names were sorted from 1,480 submissions.
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
New Location
INGLIS QUARRY
Computer Sales & Service
42 Hwy 19 N. Inglis
10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Phone (352)447-2209
P.O. Box 519
Food Ranch Plaza
We Recycle Computers!
Fax (352)447-0218
Inglis, FL. 34449
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy