The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - June 29, 2011
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Yankeetown Mayor's Report
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A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
fieds drop box. Emailed letters may be delayed while verification takes place. Emailed letters must be
received from the author's valid email address. Comments can be left on our comment line at 352-388-
BURN BAN IN EFFECT - The Yankeetown Town Council has voted to place a
1668. You must leave your name and phone number for verification.The limit is 400 words, no excep-
mandatory burn ban on the incorporated area of Yankeetown. This is in conjunction with
tions. For more information see page 2.
the ban now in force in Levy County. The ban is in place until August at which time hope-
Letter to the Editor:
fully we will have had sufficient rains to alleviate the very dry conditions. Despite the
Re: Levy County Commission
fact that Yankeetown has a water system in the urban area, there is no water support for
The BOCC showed there true colors June 21, 2011 when Commissioner Ryan
the wooded lots north of C40. This area has very thick growth with few breaks such as
Bell pulled a last minute non agenda item for the removal of Toni Collins from the Planning
roads. Should a fire begin in this area, it would be difficult to fight and has the possibility
Commission. It was interesting how two commissioner’s Chad Johnson and Danny Stevens
of sweeping through a large area before it is brought under control. Please be respectful of
felt that it was Commissioner’s Bells district so he should be able to remove and replace
the ban, the house that is lost in a fire could be your own. One Yankeetownian suggested
as desired. It is interesting how when Commissioner Marsha Drew had an agenda item on
that anyone violating the burn ban be made to join the fire department. That’s an interesting
this same topic to replace Mr. Barber these same two commissioners felt she had no right
thought.
to do this. In the request by Commissioner Drew, Ms Collins had made a loud verbal com-
YT Challenges State - The Florida State Legislature has passed a growth bill called
ment stating to Commissioner Drew “have you lived here long enough to be making deci-
HB 7207 which surprisingly prohibits a vote (referendum) by the public on any compre-
sions”. Now I wish no ill will to Ms. Collins but she had no idea what was about to happen
hensive plan amendments or development orders going forward in their own communities.
Tuesday and no opportunity to express her desires. What this shows is poor judgement by
Yankeetown, by referendum, has already placed a requirement in its charter that changes
Commissioner Bell.
which affect 5 parcels or more must be put to a vote. This brings up many questions such as,
Commissioner Ryan Bell in talking to a reporter was heard to say we have no set
are we grandfathered? My question is, is it constitutional for the state to tell a municipality
policy and procedures on this matter of appointing or requirement to advertise the position
that they cannot vote? At any rate, the YT Council has charged our town attorney to file
although I believe we should. What a statement to make, basically he is saying I am not
legal action called a Declaratory Action, asking the courts to review the newly adopted bill
required to do it, and even though it should be a requirement I am within my rights to do as
to see if it was legally adopted and is what they did legal. If not then the courts would strike
I please. At least Commissioner Drew put it on the agenda and it was well known she was
it. The next legislative session could then address any issues raised through amendments to
looking for a replacement.
the bill and readopt. We may be joined by other communities in this effort. Long Boat Key
Being a resident of Levy County for six years it is easy to see that some of our
has apparently shown interest in this action.
Commissioners have a separate secret agenda, which in my opinion shows a contempt for
Next Meeting - The next Town Council meeting was moved due to the 4th of July
the citizens of the County. The lack of policy and procedures has been brought up many
holiday on Monday. The meeting is now scheduled for July 11th, at 7:00. Have a safe 4th
times over the past few years, and yet I do not see any of the commissioners working with
of July, Good Night and Good Luck
the attorney to get a standard policy and procedure manual for appointments and ensuring
Inglis youth jailed for shooting fireworks at vehicle
development department submittals to BOCC are complete. This is another issue, why are
we paying an exorbitant amount of money to Ms. Brown what are we getting for her ser-
Stephen Michael Baker, 19, of Elizabeth St., Inglis, was arrested by the Inglis
vices? Why does she not take the initiative and get the ball rolling and make sure that the
Police Department, at 12:31 a.m., June 19, charged with assault with a deadly missile. The
County has policies and procedures that does not allow for cowboy law to be the standard in
arrest report stated that Baker shot lighted fireworks from his residence, specifically Ro-
the county.
man candles, toward a moving vehicle that was occupied by two people, which could have
Citizens, we have commissioners running for office in districts they do not live
caused them great bodily harm had the flammable projectiles hit them. He was transported
in, commissioners that do not require standards to be set and upheld, we have a group of
to the Levy County Jail.
Burglary Crime Spree Ends In Hernando
Commissioners that has done nothing to develop the economy of Levy County. It is time
to re- evaluate who you vote for and not continue to elect the same old politicians that milk
the taxpayers dry because of there lack of vision and short sightedness.
A burglary crime spree was solved when a roommate of the alleged burglars spoke
with Citrus County Sheriff’s Office detectives about information related to the crimes. Ac-
Jack Schofield, Yankeetown Councilman
cording to the arrest report, the roommate had been living with John Ruley, 23, and Dean
Saulmer, 26, at 6720 N. Carl G. Rose Hwy. in Hernando, for several months. He said he
Newscaster Letters to the Editor
noticed that both men left the residence on several occasions and returned with such items
06/25/11
as car alarms, a pair of luxury Kicks shoes, Hifonics sub woofers, and a Sentry safe. The
roommate said both men had stated, “Look what we got from the house.” He said Ruley had
Dear Mr. Russell,
worn the luxury shoes for some time, before selling them.
The witness was able to positively identify a car alarm and DVD player that Ruley
I am writing to thank you for the excellent web page you have made from last
and Saulmer had allegedly been attempting to sell.The witness provided a statement that
week’s edition. As a retired St. Petersburg Times staff writer, and a former managing editor
the two men had been to his neighborhood several times trying to sell these items that were
of the Dunedin Times(weekly) I appreciate the well-handled and easily usable links to both
located in the trunk of Saulmer’s vehicle. He said they had boasted to him that they’d broken
sides of the Levy BOCC/mega-mine issue. This is commendable and another reason why I
into several houses in the neighborhood.
enjoy the Newscaster. Thank you.
On June 21, a search warrant was executed of Ruley’s residence. The Hifonics sub
Betsy Bolger-Paulet,Crystal River
woofers, Sentry safe and dvd player were recovered. Both men were arrested on the charges,
June 21, and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Each was charged with
Toddler - Continued from page 1
burglary of an unoccupied residence, grand theft ($300 or more, but less than $5,000), and
trafficking or endeavoring to traffic in stolen property. Their bond was $12,000 each.
Tiffany pulled the little girl from the water and immediately started CPR on the
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
child. Suddenly the toddler began breathing on her own. When EMS arrived on scene and
42 Hwy 19 N. - Inglis,FL - 352-447-2600 Est. 1983
began administering to the child, the youngster even cried a little bit. Hayliegh was airlifted
June Special-
to Shands in Gainesville for further treatment. Her condition improved greatly at Shands in
Super Slick Stuff - Lube
Gainesville and he prognosis for her complete recovery is very good.
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Plant Manager
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
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