The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - July 4, 2007
Yankeetown Pond Property
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Doesn't Percolate
Letter to the Editor:
RE: Water Distribution Losses in
Yankeetown
A Guest Commentary by By Carl Mazzuca
When I resigned from the Yankeetown Town Council in Sept., 2006, in the face of
action that the town would have full right of
It
has come to the
attention of a
num-
upcoming town lawsuits, I did so with the full confidence that our proposed new water plant
due diligence and unquestionable right to re-
ber of residents that the property recently
project had reached the point that State funding was assured and that the start of actual
ject any property that failed test requirements.
acquired by the Town of Yankeetown with
construction was a matter of a few months away, rather than years. Sadly, I'm now beginning
The right to refuse the property is part of the
taxpayer money for a percolation pond for the
to
doubt that such is the case and have begun to think that I'd been misled by my own wishful
public record documentation.
much needed water plant, does not meet the
thoughts, aided by some deviously-guided local influences.
So, the questions are; did we not
mandatory percolation requirements. More
I
visited Town Hall, recently, to review the recorded minutes of the Town Council
complete the due diligence and testing to as-
delays? More cost? Your guess is as good as
meetings over the past six months. (Note: I'd missed several meetings because of ill health.) I
certain the suitability of the property or, did
mine.
was
particularly interested in getting updated on the current status of our new water plant, i.e.,
we
know that the property was not suitable
What is at issue here however is not
to
learn what actions Town Council had taken on Yankeetown's number one problem, namely,
and purchase it anyway? If so, for what rea-
how small or large the technical problem is.
pure, potable water. Perhaps you'll appreciate my surprise to find NO MENTION AT ALL of
son? And why has the public not been in-
More taxpayer dollars can usually solve any
our long-awaited new water plant. There were, however, two entries relating to the "botched"
formed of this important turn of events?
technical problem and camouflage govern-
purchase of land for a viable percolation pond for disposal of the effluent from the new water
I
am sure there will be many glib an-
ment ineptitude simultaneously . Rather, the
plant.
swers from Town Hall to these questions. I
question is WHY DID OUR TOWN GOVERN-
I
was initially at a
total loss to understand the sudden disappearance of this impor-
do
not anticipate any truthfulness in any
of
MENT PURCHASE A PROPERTY THAT
tant project from Council's deliberations. After pondering, long and deep, over this strange
them. Our water quality is at all time lows.
DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM STAN-
change in course, I finally came to the conclusion that, in the minds of our town's elected
Our money has been spent for questionable
DARD FOR THE INTENDED USE??? Having
leaders, problems like clean water and decent drainage are but minor distractions compared to
land. I cannot get comfortable that my health,
served on the water committee with Glen
their number one SUPER problem, namely, the crusade against Isaac Walton Investors. It
safety, welfare and tax dollars are under com-
Spetz, I and others were assured beyond any
would appear that the health and welfare (physical and financial) of town residents are, at
petent stewardship. Can you?
doubt by the lawyer who handled the trans-
most, only tradeoff considerations in the battles with Isaac Walton Investors.
I
recommend that the Yankeetown Mayor and Town Council come down out of the
Leter to the Editor:
murky clouds and give some serious attention to expediting action on:
Re:
From What
Signs
(1) WATER PURITY/NEW WATER PLANT - The DEP (Department of Environmental Protec-
The new "From What ?" signs demonstrate questioning by some to better under-
tion) June, 2007, Water Quality Report lists an excessive level of a new lethal contaminant, in
stand the current complicated issues facing citizens, property owners and officials of Yankee-
addition to the now-familiar trihalomethanes. Measured levels of both haloacetic acids and
town. So in the current air of openness and questioning we are so fortunate to currently have,
trihalomethanes in our drinking water are now in excess of DEP's "Maximum Contaminant
this is my understanding of "From What?".
Level." The health and lives of our residents continue to be in jeopardy, because of impure
From an increase in transient population turnover on any given day of 750-1500 people
water.
From an increase in parking overflow that will fill our streets
(2) WATER DISTRIBUTION LOSSES - Yankeetown's "Monthly Water Financial Report" indi-
From an increase in infrastructure needs that will cost YOU the taxpayer because develop-
cates that 30% of the water pumped at our water plant is "lost" - never reaches a customer. I
ment doesn't pay for itself
attribute this loss to leaky, aged pipes (mainly iron) and estimate it to be equal to $3000-$4000
From an increase of 300- 500 more cars per day on our streets
of
monthly water sales. Our problem, here, is not unique in Florida - what is unique is our "do
From a proposed sewage treatment plant sure to flood from both storm surge and rainfall
nothing" attitude. Miami-Dade County, upset by its 10% water loss, is spending millions on
From an overtaxed delivery system for water and supplies dwindling due to drought
replacing its aged water mains. NOTE TO MAYOR CLARY:
In your campaign, you promised
From the view of a 3 story Condo rather than our Outstanding Florida Water Way
("Water, Water, Water!") to help us get decent water - please help us NOW!
From lawsuits filed by those claiming to have the best interest of our town at heart.
Glen
Spetz, Yankeetown
From a dramatic increase in boat traffic sure to impact all species in our river
From displacing Commercial Fishermen because they don't fit the new plans
email your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
From a huge dry boat storage, in a Velocity zone.
From a few people that will profit at the expense of everyone around them.
Newscaster by the
Current and proposed Zoning and Ordinances are portrayed as robbing a property
Vehicle Towing
owner's rights. Quite the contrary, it's one of the few protections we have and if you ask "from
Numbers:
Specialist
what?" just read again from the top.
Genie Sturtevant, Inglis
352 447-4588
352-621-4588
Inglis Public Notice
Fax: 352-489-0100
The Town of Inglis Commission is in the process
of
OFree Removal of Unwanted
establishing a new Town of Inglis Code
Enforcement
Cars, Trucks, Scrap Metal
Board. The function of the board will be to assist
the
OInc.Tax Receipt for Donated
Next
to the Coast Guard Station
Vehicles, Cars/Trucks of Value
Town Land Use Officer and Code Enforcement Officers
in
Sunday School 10:00 am.
OAuto/Truck Transport
violations of the Town of Inglis Code Book and to
also
Worship Sunday 11: 00 am.
Small dual wheel & RVs
serve as an avenue for appeal for residents. If you
are
OTow Dolly Rentals
Come
& See What
God is Doing
$45/Day, Winch for Dead Vehicle
interested in serving on this board, please
contact
5850 Riverside Drive Yankeetown (next to
352-476-4392Andy
Coast Guard station) Worship: Sunday, 11AM
Sally McCranie, Inglis Town Clerk at
Pastor: Dr. Walter Radulovich Office: 352-
(352) 447-2203 Mon-Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00
pm
447-2506 Home: 352-489-1180
352-422-5644Wendal
s7-27
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