The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - May 5, 2010
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: Inglis Draft Resolution
I feel that I must respond to Sally Price’s article in The Newscaster of April 28,
From Yankeetown Town Hall
2010. In her article in the “Squawk Box” Ms. Price stated that she had some concerns about
a draft Resolution R2-10 that relates to protocols at Town Commission meetings.
A Guest Commentary by Chris Fineout, Yankeetown Zoning Office
During the last six months at commission meetings various individuals have pro-
There have been over 20 lawsuits, appeals and hearings filed against Yankeetown,
ceeded to the podium after every agenda item to voice their opinion on the subject. In fact,
town officials, and town citizens by the developer and associates [hereafter called IWI].
in many instances other residents have been allowed to come to the podium several times
None of these cases has been adjudicated in favor of IWI, even upon appeal. They have cost
to talk on the same subject and have at times begun to waiver from the topic at hand which
the Town’s taxpayers serious money, numerous person-hours, and increased yearly fees for
requires them to be redirected back to the issue being discussed. As our town has grown,
insurance. The Town could have better used this money for necessary infrastructure main-
our commission meeting agendas have grown as well and topics are complex and require
tenance and upgrades. The Town is not treated like an individual when sued. We cannot file
extensive discussion by the commission and the mayor. This being the case, constant and
suit for harassment or get our legal fees back. IWI still owes the Town a significant sum for
redundant discussions following each issue have become time consuming, to no purpose.
public records requests that it has never paid.
Hence, the introduction of the draft Resolution R2-10, Meeting Procedures. Since the com-
Additionally, IWI has intervened in the comprehensive plan process with the DCA.
mission meeting of April 13, 2010 each commissioner and the mayor have reviewed the
Their suggestions were noted and where appropriate incorporated into the comp plan. This
draft document and have submitted their comments to the town clerk to be placed on the
did not satisfy them and they requested an administrative hearing when the DCA noticed
agenda at the May town meeting.
approval. They lost this hearing and then appealed to the Director of the DCA. The Direc-
It is my sincere desire that Resolution R2-10 will add structure to our town com-
tor ruled in favor of approving the comp plan. IWI has now appealed this to District court.
mission meetings. I cannot speak for the other commissioners or the mayor, but I will go on
There are no new compelling arguments, only a tired rehash of the same points.
record saying that our constituents should be allowed to comment at the proper time about
If there is a group of concerned citizens, why are they unnamed? Why didn’t they file the
issues that are before the commission. Unfortunately, that is not the case in other commis-
appeal? They have this right. Is this the same group of unnamed concerned citizens that
sion meetings in our state. At some of these meetings no one, I repeat no one is allowed to
tried to stop the Town’s citizens from voting and published misleading and incorrect infor-
speak to the commissioners during meetings. This I believe is an unacceptable practice.
mation in letters to the Town’s residents, on websites, and in possibly statute-violating paid
However, I do not think public comment should be allowed after every agenda item
political advertisements? This group of citizens has had three town elections to get their
or that individuals be allowed to discuss topics that are not relevant to the specific being dis-
viewpoint heard. In each election about 65% of the voters rejected their ideas and vision
cussed. I hope that this has added some clearity regarding Resolution R2-10 and encourage
for Yankeetown.
any and all constituents to attend our commission meetings.
Most legitimate groups concerned with environmental issues do not hesitate to
Inglis Commissioner Bob Webb
Hamilton Elmore “Hamp” Mashburn Jr. - Inglis
contact the body that is allegedly creating the problem. I have received no contact from any
group identifying them as concerned. I would welcome contact so that they can receive ac-
Hamilton Elmore “Hamp” Mashburn Jr. passed away at his home in Inglis Sunday,
curate information.
May 2, 2010. He was a pioneer of this area born Feb. 26, 1921 and was 89 years old. Hamp
Attorney Haines has never provided free legal services for the Town. He did pro-
was a WW II Navy Veteran and saw action in the Pacific Theatre. He worked at the old
vide pro bono service to most of the group of persons named in the SLAP suit filed by
Inglis Power Plant for many years and then retired from Crystal River’s Units 1 & 2 as Chief
IWI. Sally Price was one of the members of this group. Anyone with questions about Yan-
Power Plant Operator in 1982. Hamp had many friends who have since passed on and will
keetown ordinances or comprehensive plan is welcome to contact me at 447-5435.
Yearty Sentenced - Continued from page 1
be sorely missed by his family, friends and people who knew him from the Inglis area.
Hamp is survived by his wife “Justine”,four sons and their wives, William & Shir-
ley, James & Shawn, Danny & Connie, and Thomas Mashburn, many grand children and
Mickle told Yearty, on Monday, that he’d taken a large amount of money and
great grand children. Hamp loved the simple home life and cherished times he spent with his
worked to keep it secret, and the self-dealing of officials damages the public’s faith. Mickle
family at their Gulf Hammock hunting camp. He was a member of the Inglis Baptist Church
said Yearty’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his offense. The judge entered a recom-
and is now receiving his heavenly reward in the care of our Savior Jesus Christ. Roberts Fu-
mendation that Sammy be incarcerated in a facililty as close as possible to Levy County.
neral Home, Dunnellon is in charge of the arrangements. Inglis First Baptist Church: Thurs-
A number of Sammy's friends and colleagues stepped forward to tell the judge
day May 6, 2010, Viewing 10:00 AM Services 11:00 AM,12:00 noon Graveside Services
about the many acts of kindness and good things Sammy has done during his 30 years of
Military Funeral at Cedars Of Lebanon Cemetery with catered meal at church following
service to the people of Levy County.
graveside service.
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