'Newspg11.indd' by The Newscaster

Sally Price's letter to the editor in the last Newscaster was so inaccurate as to do

great harm to our local communities. Prior to 2012, under her leadership, the Chamber was

indeed flailing around. In fact, because it hadn't filed the proper forms with the IRS since

2007, the Chamber lost its tax exempt status. The membership was down to 19 and was

However, in 2012, the Withlacoochee Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce (WGACC)

was brought back to life by myself and a handful of hard working citizens. A Board of Di-

rectors was appointed and officers were elected. It took us two long years to straighten

out the mess that was the Chamber, but we were finally able to have our tax exempt status

renewed. The Chamber now has 49 members, an active web-site and Facebook page, a fully

integrated database which facilitates mailings to members and an on-going membership

After several planning sessions with local business members, we initiated a mar-

keting strategy based on eco-tourism. The campaign has produced the new billboard on Rt

19, rack cards for State-wide Florida Visitor Centers, a new area map for visitors featuring

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

Chamber members and recreational locations, and a Welcome Center that is open Monday

Phone: (352) 489-4588 Fax: (727) 362-4788

through Friday from 9am 5pm.

We are partneringil, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.comIEmail, Debbie Russell, Editor: debbienewscaster@gmail.com

Ema with the towns of Inglis and Yankeetown in a number of activi-

ties--the Healthy Communitiessites: thenewscaster.com ·the community garden, sev- · history.newscasterarchives.com · thehealthcaster.com

Web Initiative, the farmers market, newscasterarchives.com

eral planned music events, and the Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure. This latter event will

bring about 130 participants to the two towns for 3-4 days.

Wake up, Sally. Our Chamber of Commerce is alive and well...active and grow- The Citrus County Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) organized a Field Day operation for 24

ing. And, that's the truth!



hours this week end in the parking area of Crystal River Mall and was conducted from 2:00

I don't normally respond to letters in the paper, but I am tired of people using let- PM Saturday until 2:00 PM Sunday. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)



ters to the editor to tell lies and half-truths.

of Citrus County took part as well as the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) which

Dr. Richard B. Streeter,2012 -2014 Chamber President

  

is tasked to provide emergency services during a wide spread disaster. Canada was also

Speak Up that Florida is one of theEnergy prohibitsthesaleofparticipatingintheevent.actionswere to practice response to an emergency with ham

for Solar four states that

included in the field day. The Salvation Army set up a food truck to provide food for those

     The    

  solar       

radio operators. In a major disaster regular cell phones, radios, computers, and the internet

energy from a third party power producer directly to customers?Although has an could down   radioswould be relied on for all communications. Four different

our state    all be  but ham   



abundance of solar energy waiting to be harnessed, Florida is not a leader in this field due groups, complete with overnight cover, were set up and operating at the same time. This was

to the imposed barriers which include government regulation of local solar electricity sup- a national challenge and points were given for contacts that were completed. Bonus points

   

plier's rates, service and territory as well as unfavorable electric rates, charges or terms of were given in several categories and Citrus County Commissioner Ron Kitchen netted the

service imposed on solar customers.

group 100 extra points by dropping in. There were no rewards, just bragging rights and the



The League of Women of Citrus County is joining the efforts of Floridians for contact points were still being tallied. Kids as young as 11 took part during the day and

Solar Choice in conducting a petition drive for an amendment to the Florida Constitution there is a scholarship program for students who do ham radios. Join any of the groups and



that would limit or prevent government and electric utility imposed barriers to supplying enjoy a common bond around the world as well as helping in an emergency. Amateur Radio

local solar energy.This would appear on the 2016 election ballot.



Relay League (ARRL) is the nation wide umbrella organization providing structure and

If you are interested in signing a petition, please stop in the Visitor Center of Ho- rules for the event and providing information to all ham radio operators. Participating were



mosassa Wildlife Park where the LWVCC will have a table and petitions to sign on July 4th Lee Paulet and Alan Wentzell of CCARC and Ronnie King and Jerry Martin from CERT.

and 5th from noon to 3:00 pm. Help us give Florida a voice and an energy choice.

Photo/story by Sally Price.

And while you are there you will be able to enjoy the featured Bald Eagle dis- 

Do I Need a License to Operate

play at Visitor Center .Have a happy and safe holiday weekend.



Amateur 

 Radio Equipment?

For more info please call 352-382-0032 or visit lwvcitrus.org. .

Crystal River Health Dept. closing July 6 The NewscasterAlanWentzell WE4AL

Special to   By 

According to the Florida Department of Health, Citrus County is closing the Crys-

a operate amateur radio equipment? Yes, you do, unless the

Do I need license to

tal River Health Department office, located at 117 NW on  

Hwy. 19,  July 6. All medical re- station is under the supervision of a licensed control operator for the frequency band be-



cords will be moved to the Lecanto or Inverness office.continue as usualthe ing used. There are basically three classes of licenses; Technician, General and Advanced.

Services will   at 

Lecanto and Inverness offices, as well as with the mobile medical and dental units. If you Each license adds additional benefits to those of the lower class license. This license is a

   

are a client currently using the Crystal River office and need to schedule an appointment, requirement of the F.C.C. (Federal Communications Commission). This is a good require-

please call 352-527-0247. If you have questions, you can call 352-795-6233 until July 6, or ment as it prevents misuse, confusion and disruption on the various operating modes. How

352-527-0068 after July 6.

do you obtain a license? Self Study using various books available for purchase OnLine. In

Although the Crystal River office will be closed, the Mobile Medical Unit will be Citrus County the Citrus County Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) offers free classes when

available at the Crystal River location (117 NW U.S. Hwy. 19) on Tuesday and Wednesday, sufficient interest is shown, The Citrus County Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) partici-

each week, providing walk-in services from 8:00 am 3:00 Walk-inservices will be pated in the national ARRL's (Amateur Radio Relay League) Annual Field Day this June

until  pm.    

available in the Lecanto office, each week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

   

27th & 28th at the Crystal River Mall in Crystal River. We were operational from 2 PM

Citrus County, FL Health Department locations: Lecanto Main Office, 3700 W. Saturday afternoon until 2 PM Sunday afternoon. Members of the amateur radio commu-

Sovereign Path, Lecanto (phone352-527-0068);Inverness HealthN niy(Ham and run emergency communications for local and

 and   Department, 120    

 

Radio Operators) volunteer

Montgomery Ave., Inverness (phone 352-726-1731).

Continued on page 12 - Do I need a License?



River Coast Realty, Inc.





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Serving Levy, Citrus & Marion Counties

Voters of Citrus County

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