The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - July 13, 2011
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Yankeetown Mayor's Report
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A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
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Budget Time - The Council will have the second budget workshop tonight, July
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13th starting at 5:00 pm. Since we have had only one workshop so far, there are still a lot
1668. You must leave your name and phone number for verification.The limit is 400 words, no excep-
of areas to cover. Unfortunately there will be a significant drop in monies received from
tions. For more information see page 2.
Letter to the Editor: (portions from comments on http://thenewscaster.com)
the state in revenue sharing. Many people are unaware that we get a significant amount
Re: Inglis Cason Acres Paving
of money from the state form things such as gas taxes that are shared. We also get income
“$100K is just the start of the cost to pave those roads which was the responsibility
from the Communication tax, and a portion of the ½ cent sales tax. Due to the downturn
of the Cason estate to pave before the estate was disolved. The plan itself will likely cost
in the economy, the estimates of revenue numbers that we have been getting from the state
$100K to develop and get approved by the applicable agencies. Buying used equipment
have been disappointing but we’ve been able to cut a significant amount from areas that
at auction begs me to ask the question as to who is going to maintain this used equipment,
have not been as active such as legal expenses and comprehensive planning costs.
certainly not the members of the Commission nor the Inglis PW Maintenance group. A plan
Trees- Some people aren’t aware that as a Levy County service, they will take
to pave Cason Acres in this economy is just plain stupid and proves that no tax payer funded
down trees, if needed, on 63rd and Riverside Drive. We therefore contact the county after
project is too idiotic for the government of Inglis to approve. “
the Council approves the removal of a tree. This saves us money, but sometimes the county
I am amused and amazed by the Mayor and the Inglis Town Commission. FYI,
is a bit slow. Many people aren’t aware that town hall cannot just take down a tree on town
the town was going to pave the circle we live on in Inglis last May. The contractor arrived
right of way without the Council’s approval. As this request cannot be approved accept at
with all of his equipment with no plans, no surveys, no elevations and NO PERMITS from
a meeting, it can take time. Another problem is determining whether or not the tree is actu-
anyone. We asked some questions, called SWFWMD and got the project stopped until
ally on town right of way. Because roads don’t always run down the center of right of ways,
planning/permitting was in place. The Town applied to SWFWMD for and received an
it can sometimes take a survey to determine if a tree is the town’s responsibility or that of
exemption to permitting and are now supposed to start ‘sometime’. Interestingly, being a
the property owner. Also determining whether it is an emergency is difficult at times and a
contracts guy, I got a copy of the contract and found that the award was likely improper as
matter of opinion. Factoid, we have spent over $4000 in tree removal and maintenance this
the contractors proposal did not meet the terms and conditions of the solicitation and yup,
year.
signed by the Mayor. In any event, now “they” are going to undertake a far greater project,
Tarmac BOCC Special Exception - The court has set a hearing date for the Writ
on the cheap and with no greater knowledge of what the heck they are doing and in the face
of Certiorari that Yankeetown has filed asking the court to quash the County Commission’s
of the fact (IMHO) the town should not be paving Cason in the first place.... I think the town
decision to grant a special exception to the Tarmac mining project. The hearing is set for
needs to get some adult leadership or it should go away.... more comments on paving of
10:30 July 18th at Bronson. Unfortunately the hearing is to be held in the Judge’s cham-
Cason Acres...
bers so there probably won’t be a lot of room for people to attend.
I expect the town will have to hire a ‘paving expert’ to even get going or more
Quote of the decade - “Opinions appreciated, informed opinions appreciated more” The
likely decide to hire a contractor to do the whole thing at big bucks. The two guys who
Chicago Council. Good Night and Good Luck
read our water meters from their little electric vehicle certainly won’t be able to do it.
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Maintaining used equipment.... The town has only a minor vehicle maintenance
capability, no facility or tools for heavy equipment, no repair parts, no technicians and it
42 Hwy 19 N. - Inglis,FL - 352-447-2600 Est. 1983
is unlikely that the used equipment will come with much if any of a warranty. Again, here
July Special-
Select Case Knives
comes a contractor at a cost.
They will need surveys, elevations, plans meeting current environmental require-
ments and finally permits from at least SWFWMD. This process is likely to take some time
William Crow Am-Vets Post 447
and at significant cost as at least some portion of Cason is wetlands and I bet the original
405 E. Hwy. 40 • Inglis, FL
Cason Acres development agreement either ignored environmental regulations or more like-
352-447-4473
ly the regulations have changed and whether or not they would be grandfathered for such a
WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR LOCAL HEROES
project might take a court of law to decide. An environmental contractor might be able to
If you have a mom, dad, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, grandchild,
help the town work their way through the process but I expect the process will be expensive
niece or nephew serving in the armed forces, please call or stop by our
and in the long run much greater than $100K.... This is better than TV....
post & give us their name so we may acknowledge him/her.
Gene Trimpert, Inglis
AM-VETS MONTHLY MEETINGS
Inglis Cason Acres Paving, (comments from http://thenewscaster.com)
AmVets Post Meeting - 2nd Thursday at 5:30 pm - July 14 & Aug. 11
Mr. Trimpert is correct Inglis gteatest mistake was to annex Cason Acres in the
condition it was and having the tax base it did. The $100,000 being discussed actually came
Sons of AmVets - 2nd Monday at 5:30 pm - July 11 & Aug. 8
for the most part from taxpayers other than Gason Acres. Comm. Webb some time ago sent
Ladies Auxiliary - 2nd Thursday at 4:30 pm - July 14 & Aug. 11
a letter to residents of Cason Acres asking if they would be willing to pay to have their roads
AmVets Riders - 1st Thursday 5:30 pm - July 7 & Aug. 4
paved The answer was NO Has Inglis become a welfare state ? Where those who pay taxes
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
must support those who do not The Commission should contact the homeowners to see if
*Next Band “Better Than Ever,” Playing Saturday & Sunday, July 23 & 24
they would at all contribute to the project. I bet I know the answer.
Bill Lake, Inglis
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE ONGOING
Join now and dues will be paid until December 2012 !!!
Sexual Offender Address Change
RED SHIRT FRIDAYS
In accordance with Florida Statue 775.21, this is a mandatory notification of the
Bring our troops home! On Fridays, wear a red shirt and bring two
changing of address of a registered sexual offender in Alachua County.
Brian Hodge was convicted Alachua County in 2002 for lewd and lascivious bat-
(2) non-perishible items to help stock AmVets Food Bank for our Thanks-
tery on person between 12-15 years of age and in 2006 lewd & lascivious battery for lewd
giving and Christmas baskets for families in our local community.
and lascivious battery. Hodge is residing at the below address in Levy County.. 2791 NW
w! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
75th Terrace,Chiefland, Fl. W/M, 07/02/1981. For a complete listing of all registered sexual
predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.
flde.state.fl.us.
Captains Cove Outfitters
Computers dot Com
Todd Sumlin
39 W. Highway 40 - Inglis, Florida
Plant Manager
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Bait • Ice • Tackle
INGLIS QUARRY
Computer Sales & Service
10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.
Authorized Heritage Kayak Dealer
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Phone (352)447-2209
P.O. Box 519
Clean Family Friendly Atmosphere
We Recycle Computers!
Fax (352)447-0218
Inglis, FL. 34449
All Rods & Reels New w/Mfg. Warranty
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
21 lbs. of ICE FREE w/purchase of 100 Shrimp!