PAGE 8 - June 6, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
From Dawn's Front Porch
Squawk Box
Continued from page 1
mitment to either party as candidates want it both ways. They run under their party’s banner
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
and seek the endorsement of their party while trying to woo voters from the other party. It
OPPS Correction – Every now and then I make a mistake. In last week’s column I wrote
is almost like eating your cake and having it too.
that the first budget workshop was planned for June 16th. This was NOT correct. The
I am the product of a family that were staunch Democrats. In fact, one of my
date as of now is tentatively scheduled on the Yankeetown calendar for June 18th. Always
Grandfather’s brothers reportedly voted Republican once and he was disowned by my
check the web site or look for the info on the sign at the water plant for the for sure dates.
Great Grandfather for many years: Or so the story goes.
Sorry for the error. I hate it when that happens.
If my “Yellow Dog Democrat” Grandfather were alive today he would probably
Water Spout – Yankeetown got approximately 4 inches of rain over the last weekend
vote for a Republican as often as he would support a Democrat. The parties have polarized
according to my little backyard water
and neither embody the philosophy that most of us adhere to. Republicans will destroy our
gauge, Thanks to tropical storm Beryl.
earth to put money in their lobbyist’s pockets and Democrats will abandon our Christian
Luckily we were spared any serious
roots and promote cultural diversity to an extreme. That will not unite our country: It will
weather however a really big water
divide it. If you think having more than one language or dialect in a country unites it go
spout was spotted off the end of the
to the Middle East and see how thats working out for Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Lots of
road. The photo was taken by Ms. Lon-
different dialects and religious sects there.
da Love on May 29th at approximately
We have allowed the impasse that has developed in our state and federal legis-
2:15 pm. It was forwarded compliments
latures to grow and fester because we are unwilling to sacrifice. We want the easy way
of EOC Mark Johnson who said we re-
out and politicians are not being elected to office because of their character or what they
ally dodged a big one.
stand for, but how well heeled their campaigns are and how effectively they merchandise
Sunsets – The Friends of The WGP are
themselves to the electorate. This phenomenon starts at the city level and works its way to
holding a series of evening events at the
Washington.
Preserve on Sunday, July 1, and Friday,
I’m not voting Republican or Democrat this year. I’m going to write in a vote for
August 10. On these dates the gates, which usually close at sunset, will be left open for
my neighbor's old yellow dog. He’s not the brightest creature on earth, but he is darn sure
45 minutes to allow the of unique opportunity to photograph the Withlacoochee Gulf Pre-
loyal. Only drawback is he will be easy to influence with a dog biscuit. Not too much dif-
serve’s panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, coastal salt marshes, and islands. The
ferent than it is now.
Army Corps Hears Public Comments
WGP is located at 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown. Amateur or professional photogra-
phers have an opportunity to take sunset photos from the thirty-foot observation tower. The
events are open to all with a $10 donation.
There was a full room last week at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) pub-
Beautiful Donation – A fan of both the WGP and Bill Pate has donated a beautiful paint-
lic hearing on Tarmac King Road Mine and for the public input on the Draft Environmental
ing of the WGP done by artist Eleanor Blair. The Gainesville artist works in oils and has
Impact Statement (EIS). From the USACE handout:: To evaluate potential impacts of rock
done many scenes from the WGP and other spots in Yankeetown. The painting is donated
mining in wetlands in Southwest Levy County FL. The mining area is located 5 miles north
hopefully to hang in the building in memory of Bill who spent a gazillion hours trying re-
of the Town of Inglis, and includes approximately 4,800 acres of which 3,900 acres would
store and convert the facility to an educational center. Good Night and Good Luck
be impacted. The National Environmental policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to
conduct an EIS for major federal actions that could have significant impacts on the envi-
$8.12 per ton, The cost in Florida in 2010 was $11.77 per ton. Thus importing would be a
ronment.
cost savings to the citizens of Florida. With import impacts on environment are none and
The meeting opened with sign up for speakers and registration. Exhibits and in-
cost to take care of land after the mine is gone is none.
formation were available. Osvaldo Collazo gave the Introduction of Project and Ed Sarfert
One out of town person who comes here to enjoy nature and kayaking will no
made a presentation on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process and Draft
longer come here. Mayor Fred Ward of Dunnellon spoke on his concerns and finding out
EIS.
how this will impact Dunnellon.
Citizens were then given the floor for comment and additional time was given at
Everyone who spoke was polite putting their feelings across and the meeting was
the end for those that did not finish in their comments. Of major concern was the issue of
very informative on the concerns of the locals. Strict attention was paid to the speakers and
“water”. (drought, sinkholes, springs drying up, area recharge by rainfall, wells going dry,
notes taken by the USACE and a good job was done formulating a draft and managing the
lakes down a foot or more or dry, how private and public wells would be affected, water
public meeting. Story and picture by Sally Price
Home Invasion - Continued from page 4
quality, mining 100 foot below the surface, salt water intrusion, hurricane surge, off site
wetland, marsh and estuaries impacts) Effects on nature and endangered species includ-
ing near 20 documented panther sightings and wood storks, indigo snakes, black bears,
of the homeowner and one of the occupants. The five victims in the home included a 4
roseated spoonbills, Truck safety issues and carcinogenic exhaust from 1000 diesel trucks
year-old girl, two adults aged 32, and two other adults ages 30 and 58. The homeowner
a day going through Inglis and Crystal River, vibration and foundation cracking, effect on
stated that her medication, $140 in cash, and Nintendo gaming discs were stolen during the
millions of tourism dollars, There are 46 mines within a small radius and the need for ag-
home invasion.
gregate is way down.
One of the women present identified one of the men as Smith, whom she d known
Jack Schofield, Yankeetown resident presented a study on importing aggregate
for years; she said she recognized his voice and manner, knew his dreadlocks and recog-
stating the cost from Mexico in 2010 was $6.52 per ton, Caribbean $8.53 per ton, Alabama
nized his clothing as the same he was wearing when he was at the house earlier to purchase
medication around 11:00 p.m., May 11. She said she called his name and he looked directly
at her.
Detectives arrested Smith at his residence around 6:15 a.m., May 12. He was
charged with one count of home invasion robbery and 5 counts of aggravated assault with
intent to commit a felony; his bond was set at $85,000.
A warrant was obtained for the second suspect, Zavier Jarvis Johnson, 25, 9782
N. Jourden Dr., Dunnellon, who was located in Inverness on May 29 and arrested outside
Joe s Deli located at 234 S. U.S. Hwy 41. He was charged with one count of home inva-
sion robbery and five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to
kill; his bond was set at $225,000. At the time of his arrest, Johnson had in his possession
0.5 gm. of cannabis; he was additionally charged with possession of cannabis less than 20
grams; bond $500.
Jack Schofield, (right)Yankeetown resident told The Newscaster, "The only candidate present was
Noel Desmond & no county official. I find this very disturbing that elected officials and candidates
did not attend. If elected officials were advised not to be present by the County Attorney that
was bad advise. What the citizens lost here was an opportunity for new candidates and current
elected officials to hear the voice of it’s citizens express their concerns. Obviously these officials
and candidates do not appear to be interested in citizens comments or opinions."