The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - June 12, 2013
From Dawn's Front Porch
“Searching for the Truth”
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
Lightning Bug-ology
Where Is The Bottom? – Every year the Levy County Property Appraiser sends
The process of making light from chemicals is
out the estimated taxable values of our communities for the coming year. These projected
called bioluminescence. The most common example is the
values are used to plan the budget for the next year by showing how much income the towns
light produced by fireflies. But there are dozens of vastly dif-
can expect from property taxes. Despite the fact we have already sustained a huge drop in
ferent creatures which have this ability. From single-celled
property values over past years, the trend in our area is still downward. It was hoped that
organisms called dinoflagellates to glow worms found in
maybe things were on the upswing. Every district in Levy County showed a decline in
caves; from deep-sea fish to googly-eyed glass squids; there
value from one year ago, though some not by much. Cedar Key and Fanning Springs were
is a vast array of creatures with an ability to mix varying
essentially the same. Inglis is relatively close, with the 2013 taxable value $60 million dol-
forms of luciferin and luciferase to produce light at will.
lars compared to last year’s (2012) value of $61,177,876 which is a small drop of less than
It turns out that each of these creatures uses a
$2 million. Yankeetown dropped by slightly over $3 million going from a little over $54
slightly different variation of the key chemicals to pro-
million to $51 million. For Yankeetown that’s a change of about 5 and a half percent. Data
duce light. One would think that closely-related organisms
from the Florida Association of Counties show individually 42 of Florida’s counties are
should have similar luciferins and luciferases, while crea-
projecting some amount of decrease in revenues when compared to the previous year. The
tures farther apart on the evolutionary sequence would have
remaining 25 counties are anticipating some level of positive growth. YT budget workshops
much different versions of such chemicals. NO SUCH PATTERN EXISTS. Thus
will be starting. So far, the first one is planned for June 17th @6:00 at the Lion’s Club but
according to those who have extensively studied this subject, “bioluminescence is es-
check the towns sign or contact the hall to be sure. More are planned, if you are interested,
timated to have evolved independently at least 40 times.” It is difficult to believe that
come to one of them and see your government at work.
even one creature happened upon the ability to produce light by producing and mixing
New Hours – The YT Council decided to expand the hours that the Yankeetown
two complex chemicals. But to believe it happened independently 40 different times is
Town Hall is open to the public. Two additional hours were added to the open time in the
beyond credibility. Furthermore, these chance happenings far exceed mankind’s ability
afternoon, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. In the past, staff was there from 7AM to 3:30 PM but the
to reproduce the same results. A firefly’s luminescence is 88% efficient, while the light
Hall was only open to the public from 9AM to noon. This seemed to make more sense when
produced by the best luminescence reaction developed by mankind is a mere 23% ef-
there was only one full time employee who was there in afternoon. The Deputy Clerk was
ficient.
only part time. The town has since made the Deputy (Water) Clerk a full time position so
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
there are now two people there for the day. Things have also calmed down quite a bit from
- Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)
the past. The new hours will be tried for one month and then the council will evaluate the
impact and see if the world came to an end. There was also a discussion of the need to hire
Based on, Inspired Evidence a book by Bruce Malone, 2011
a third person. This is a difficult issue. YT is a very small town. There is worry that the
Presented by Bob Allen-Paid Advertisement Contact Bob at SFTT321@gmail.com
government will just become too much overhead for everyone to accept. Good Night and
Good Luck
Letter to the Editor:
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
Re: WGACC
In 2011, the University of Central Florida did a study of economic development
opportunities in the Inglis/Yankeetown area. They provided an extensive study and the
major conclusion was that to promote local business, we must market the area. Marketing
requires two main aspects: an active Chamber of Commerce and a specific focus.
CALL 352-447-6002 • Locally Owned & Operated
The Withlacoochee Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce (WGACC), which had been
dormant for several years, resurrected itself in November of 2012. The newly constituted
12 MONTHS
FREE WATER ANALYSIS
WGACC Board conducted a strategic analysis of the area’s strengths and weaknesses. This
SAME AS
effort led to a focus on ecotourism – “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the
CASH
environment and improve the well-being of local people”. Ecotourism mainly supports lo-
Whole House Iron, Sulfur,
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water
cal businesses and the preservation of the natural environment. It is big business! In 2011,
Hardness, & Odor Removal
outdoor recreation in Florida:
Systems Great for Residential,
o
Generated $38.3 billion in retail sales;
Services Available
RV & Commercial Use
o
Provided $10.6 billion in salaries and wages;
o
Created or supported 329,200 full and part-time jobs; and,
SALT DELIVERY AVAILABLE
o
Generated $2.5 billion in state sales tax revenue.
Realty
In addition to a new focus, the WGACC has:
o
Partnered with the Town of Inglis to host the Music Festival last January;
o
Received a grant (in partnership with the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve) from the
Sally Price, Realtor
Felburn Foundation to replace the Chamber sign on RT 19;
(352) 302-8556 cell
o
Designed a new interactive website;
email: pricesally@yahoo.com
o
Designed new promotional materials; and
1 AC SAPP ST INGLIS $10,000 VACANT LAND
o
Polled the members to determine which educational programs would be most help-
Make an offer on this one acre lot. Located
ful to their businesses.
3 lots from the Am Vets Post 447 on Sapp St
The area businesses have responded positively to the revived Chamber and the
near the Bike Path. Make your home on the
membership has grown from 19 members to over 40 members so far this year.
Nature Coast of Florida and enjoy all the
Our goal is to use electronic media and events to bring tourists to the area. This
benefits the area has to offer. Salt and fresh
will improve the local business climate. If you haven’t joined WGACC, we welcome your
water ramps nearby, as well as Greenways
membership.
and Trails multi use trail on the barge canal.
Equestrian trails and some of the best fishing
Dr. Richard Streeter, President WGACC
in the state.
Diamond Investments, Inc.
Darryl A. Diamond
Lisa VanDeBoe
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Broker/Owner
Call 352-634-0129
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Email: plantationlisa@yahoo.com
Darryl & Vicki Diamond
See all the Citrus County listings on our Website:
Auction Service
www.plantationrealtylistings.com
352-447-4442
SHORT SALE! 5BR/2BA on over 10 acres,
www.diamondhomesandland.com
close to Progress Energy. Steal at $119,900!