The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - June 13, 2012
Inglis Fire Merger Talks With
Levy County Continuing
There have been talks over the last year of turning the Yankeetown, South Levy
and Inglis Fire Dept. into a county fire department while maintaining a station in all 3 areas
through leasing, a move the county is pushing for with all the towns that are interested. Levy
County Public Safety Director David Knowles appeared before the Inglis Commission re-
cently to explain just how this process would work and answered many questions.
Knowles said the county is considering building a safe structure to house the am-
bulance and workers at the old Highway Patrol Station north of Inglis. If they do this the
county could add on a fire department with it and the funding for Inglis could be on its own.
Knowles said that if Inglis went with the county and worked out a deal through leasing or
other methods there is a possibility that the county could ad ambulance housing at the Inglis
fire station.
Thirty year Levy employee paramedic Steve Severance said this would make re-
sponse with the ambulance 2 1/2 minutes closer and in cardiac cases this could be the dif-
ference in survival. He also said if fire and ambulance were housed together they could do
more combined training. A full time fireman would be at the station seven days a week and
ten hours a day.
Knowles said that Morriston, Montbrook and Gulf Hammock merged with the
county about 5 years ago and every thing has worked out great. Fowler’s Bluff will sign
U S Naval Sea Cadets at Yankeetown are met for pickup from regular training by parents
with the County Commission at the June 19th meeting. Rosewood is working on the docu-
Saturday at the U S Coast Guard Station Yankeetown. Boys and girls age 11 to 17 meet
mentation. Yankeetown is in discussions (see page 8 for an update) and Bronson is in the
under the leadership of LTJG Todd Dunn, NSCC. According to Dunn this was a monu-
preliminary stages. Being under the county umbrella removes liability, and record keeping.
mental moment this weekend when the group picked up the 25th recruit. Dunn said, when
Financially, it’s better on budgets where insurance is 30%, standardized equipment, surplus
the group reaches 25 members the group can become a commissioned unit. It is reported a
transfer and many other benefits. Inglis already has a fire assessment and it would go from
number of the Cadets will be going to Belle Glade to recruit training (boot camp). If you
$30 to about $40 and be a county assessment but all the cost and liability to Inglis would
have a youth in this age group that is interested give Dunn a call at 352 212-5473. Dunn is
shift to the county.
elated his Sea Cadets finally reached commissioning strength.
Knowles said this is not something that can happen over night and it will take ev-
email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
eryone working together to make this positive change happen in South Levy County. The
Inglis Commission will meet in a public workshop Thursday June 14th at 6:00 PM to talk
further about options to merge with Levy County. Inglis budget hearings begin in July and
Knowles said if everything goes smooth, he could have a person in Inglis by October.
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
Assistance may be available for
damages From orTropical Storm Berylas
CALL 352-447-6002 • Locally Owned & Operated
Any Citrus County resident business owner who sustained property damage
12 MONTHS
a result of recent Tropical Storm Beryl, please contact Bob Wesch, deputy director of emer-
FREE WATER ANALYSIS
SAME AS
gency management, at 352-249-2708 and report it.
CASH
There may be a chance of some financial assistance coming from the state of Flor-
Whole House Iron, Sulfur,
ida; however, there are no guarantees that Citrus County will qualify for any kind of aid. If
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water
you have insurance that will cover the damage, still report it to Wesch, but also contact your
Hardness, & Odor Removal
Systems Great for Residential,
insurance company.
Services Available
RV & Commercial Use
SALT DELIVERY AVAILABLE
R&M
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
Complete Auto Repairs
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
Computer Diagnostics
Oil Changes While You Wait
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
Accepted
Fax Line 447-6040
“WE BUY GOLD”
Captains Cove Outfitters
Brandell Campbell
39 W. Highway 40 - Inglis, Florida
Exceptional Jewelry • Custom Designing • Estate Buyer
Quarry Mgr.
SPECIALTY GEMS
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
St. Catherine Quarry
Bait • Ice • Tackle
Established 1985
Aggregates Division
600 S.E. Highway 19 • Crystal River, FL 34429
Authorized Heritage Kayak Dealer
Office (352)793-4526
Florida Region
Clean Family Friendly Atmosphere
HOURS:
www.specialtygems.net
Fax (352)793-5682
Bushnell, FL. 33513
All Rods & Reels New w/Mfg. Warranty
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
352-795-5900
Cell (352)427-6664
brcampbell@cemexusa.com
Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
21 lbs. of ICE FREE w/purchase of 100 Shrimp!