The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - June 11, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
"A
Mind, It's A
Terrible Thing to Waste"
A Guest Commentary By Fred Clark
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
The United Negro College Fund has been using this statement to raise funds for
college scholarships for longer than I can remember. It's a great slogan! Unfortunately for
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
many children it is a reminder that is 15 to 20 years too late to benefit them. Why is this, you
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission held a meeting last Thursday night at the
ask?
Plantation Resort in Crystal River to explain the permitting process for the proposed nuclear
The time to start saving minds begins as soon as birth to ages seven or eight; this is
plants in Levy County. It was especially hoped that Yankeetown and Inglis residents would
when their minds are the most receptive. It is awakening to every stimulus and will be ac-
have a chance to get their questions answered directly by the group who is charged with the
knowledged and remembered, whether it is good or bad. Hopefully, the experiences children
review and ultimate approval or denial of the permit for the plants. While the meeting was well
have are positive, frequent and varied because it is this early stimuli that determine the mind's
attended, a great many of the attendees appeared to be from the surrounding area. The NRC
growth and development. This is the time period to get children excited about learning. Start
is
tasked with reviewing the application and determining the safety of the proposed plant from
reading to them everyday from birth, as often as you can. Use simple books with pictures,
a
technical standpoint. Contact your elected governmental representatives in Washington
or
shapes and colors along with words. Let them see these as you read to them. Point out the
Tallahassee for discussions of policy on nuclear energy. I did pick up extras of the hand outs
pictures and talk about them. Remember that the point is to enjoy books together, not to read
at
the meeting and have them at town hall if people would like more information on the
every word and get to the last page. Each child will develop in his or her own way. As your
permitting process and how to participate in that process if you wish, please stop by and get
child masters one book or concept, introduce a new one that is a little more challenging. Allow
copies of them.
the child's preferences to guide your choices whenever possible. You want reading to be fun
By
now everyone is aware of the huge fire at the corner of CR 40 and 40A which
and exciting, not a chore. Remember too, that children learn through repetition, they will want
burned an estimated 12 acres Thursday night. At this time we do not know what started the
you to read their favorite stories again and again.
fire. It is a sobering reminder of how important it is to avoid burning right now. Fire Chief Paul
Reading can open the world and all of its wonders to these young, hungry minds. It
Shearer had investigated the possibility of Yankeetown implementing a burn ban on our own
can
set them on a
path to a successful, fulfilling life of learning. Don't wait, start now because
but it appears that it is essentially impossible for us to do it on our own. Please be careful with
a
mind is a terrible thing to waste!
fire and ignition sources.
Fred Clark is the Community Development Coordinator for The Early Learning
CONGRATS TO ALL OF OUR GRADS IN THE CLASS OF 2008!
Coalition of the Nature Coast. He can be reached at: fclark@elc-naturecoast.org , 352-
To
Stephanie John Young, who sent the town hall an invitation to the Dunnellon commence-
563-9939 x231 or 800-922-0651.
ment exercises, we wish her and all of the grads from Yankeetown a great future. May your
Letter to the Editor:
futures be so bright, you have to wear shades.
Re: "Injustice done to Tim Bible"
YOU'RE INVITED! Town Hall is having a flag raising ceremony on June 14th at noon
I've lived in Inglis over 20 years and have seen many changes, good and bad. I
to
install a new POW flag which was donated to the town by Dave Gatelein. The VFW will
remember when we didn't have police coverage in town. Our drug problem became larger and
perform the presentation and Laura is even gonna get refreshments.
larger. I personally had a "meth lab" across my street. I watched the police force remove the
It
seems that this time of year is full of changes in status, zillions of people get
lab, and we now have lovely neighbors. This was no small or easy feat!
married, people graduate, and this year the U.S. Coast Guard Station Yankeetown changed
The reason for this editorial is the terrible injustice done to Tim Bible (former Inglis
command at a very gracious and stately ceremony. Yankeetown should welcome our new
Police Chief). He was harrassed, slandered and forced to resign from the police force. The
member of the community, Officer in Charge, Charlie F. Salls. Officer Salls was stationed in
individuals crying the hardest were the ones who broke the law. His crime? Trying to fight for
Cape
May New Jersey, where he was responsible for the administration and execution
of
our country in Iraq! That is not a vacation spot, people! Would the ones screaming his
operations for the second largest Station in the Coast Guard including its subordinate units.
wrongs go there? I think not. It was not a ploy to shirk his duty in Inglis. We should have been
We
hope that he will enjoy his tour here. I would also like to thank the outgoing officer
Sean
proud for him to return, not treat him in the manner he was given.
C.
Benton for coming to Yankeetown and serving here. I wish him luck at his new assignment
During one meeting, a woman (whose name I do not know) stated that Tim Bible was
and station. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
a
loose cannon and that she was fearful to leave her home. And what would happen with
a
Dear Citizens,
smaller police force?
I
wish to thank Tim Bible and our police force for keeping our family safe and
I
thank you for the honor and privilege of serv-
combating the crime in our town. I wish him the best in his future endeavors and wish him a
ing as your Levy County Property Appraiser.
future without the stress of having to defend himself for doing his job. Sheila Stone, Inglis
As
your Property Appraiser, is my continuing
Four
Levy County Students Awarded
goal to value properties fairly and equitably, and to ad-
minister exemptions to those who qualify. This is of the
Tarmac America Science Scholarships
utmost importance to you, me, our communities and our
county!
It
is my pleasure to
serve you, to listen and an-
INGLIS -Tarmac America, in conjunction with the Levy County Schools Foundation, has
swer questions and concerns you may have about the
awarded four science scholarships to area students. In a series of award presentations that
value of your property, how it was assessed and explain
took place in May, Tarmac America awarded each student a $500 scholarship.
to
you how your value was derived.
The 4 winners were Janarelys Rosario Rolden of Bronson High School, Hannah
In
my experience as
your Property Appraiser, cre-
Swanson of Williston High School, Hans Velasquez of Chiefland High School and Bryan
ating an assessment role is a team effort that requires the
Villeda of Cedar Key School.
Francis Akins
skills of an experienced staff. My staff and I are willing to
Each recipient was required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have successfully com-
help you in a friendly manner; the way you should expect
pleted course work in science and math, with plans to study science or math in college, and
from your public office.
have demonstrated leadership and social responsibility by participating in extra-curricular
All of us work for you!
activities.
I
ask for you to vote for integrity and experience. I ask for your vote and support
"As a member of the Levy County community, Tarmac is pleased to be able to
as I
strive with the law to continue to improve the quality of service that you deserve.
contribute to the continued success of these bright and energetic young people. We wish
Let experience continue to work for you!
them all the success in the world," said Jeff Harris, the company's plant manager in Levy
County.
email your news to:
newscast@atlantic.net
Respectfully, Francis Akins
Paid Political Announcement Paid For And Approved by Francis Akins, Candidate for Property Appraiser, Democrat
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