The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - July 2, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
PLANNING COMMISSION
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
A public hearing on each petition as described below will be conducted by the Planning
Commission on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
be heard during the course of action. The hearing will be held in the County Commissioner's
Yankeetown officials have been meeting diligently with the Department of Community
Meeting Room. The Levy County Courthouse, 355 South Court Street, Bronson, Florida.
Affairs (DCA) to resolve six minor technical issues raised by DCA with regard to Yankeetown's
The Planning Commission is not bound to consider the petitions in the order listed in this
recent amendments to the Towns capitol improvements element and comprehensive plan. A
notice. Any of these petitions may be considered as soon as the meeting commences.
public hearing will be held to approve a settlement agreement allowing the Town to adopt
FP 3-08 Croft Land Surveying representing James Harper, petitioning the board for a Final
remedial amendments addressing the issues that the DCA has raised. The public will have an
Plat of "Harper's Subdivision," a subdivision located in the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of
opportunity to speak to the settlement agreement and proposed remedial amendments at
Section 23, Township 11S, Range 15E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 40 acres more
public hearings that will be scheduled within the next few weeks.
or less and is located within an "A/RR" Agriculture/Rural Residential zone. This subdivi-
Izaak Walton Investors, LLC (IWI), which has been seeking approvals for additional
sion will consist of four residential lots ranging from 8.8 acres to 9.7 acres.
developments in Yankeetown, filed a petition to intervene in a formal administrative hearing
FP 4-08 Croft Land Surveying representing Kenneth and Martha Tafoya, petitioning the
on the comprehensive plan amendments. On June 18, 2008, an administrative law judge struck
board for a Final Plat of "Angelina Farms," a subdivision located in the E ½ of Section 3,
portions of the IWI, LLC petition. The Administrative Law Judge also entered an order
Township 13S, Range 18E, in Levy County. Said parcel contains 70 acres more or less and
holding the case in abeyance pending approval of a settlement agreement between Yankee-
is located within an "A/RR" Agriculture/Rural Residential zone. This subdivision will
town and the DCA resolving DCA's minor, technical concerns. Once a settlement agreement
consist of seven 10 acre residential lots.
is approved and the DCA finds the plan "IN COMPLIANCE", the DCA will then appear on the
CZ 1-08 Darryl Diamond, petitioning the board for a Change of Zoning from "RR" Rural
same side of the case as Yankeetown. Yankeetown will help DCA defend the decision to find
Residential (single-family) to C-2 Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District, Pursuant to
Yankeetown's amended plan "in compliance" with state growth requirements against any and
an Approval of SSA 08-01 to allow offices, retail sales, self storage units (any permitted
all claims and issues raised by IWI.
uses) on a parcel of land located in Nineteen Subdivision, Lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 all lying in
The Town of Yankeetown believes the new amended comprehensive plan will greatly
Section 26, Township 16S, Range 16E in Levy County. Said parcel contains 4 acres more or
improve growth management in Yankeetown and welcomes the continued input of its citizens
less. This parcel is located within the Inglis Municipal Service District.
in the upcoming public hearings.
Copies of said petitions with complete legal descriptions and subsequent staff reports will
Friday is the 4th of July. It is a celebration of democracy and respect for ones
be available for review at the Levy County Development Department. For Information call
country. Over the last couple years, Yankeetown has seemed to be democracy in a crucible. It
352-486-5203. Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard regarding the
has become clear that some people only support democracy when they are in the majority and
proposed petitions. Any person requiring reasonable accommodations to participate in
therefore getting their way. There are cases where the government has to take the minority
this meeting should contact the County Commissioners Administration Office at 352-486-
position. Civil Rights in the nineteen sixties was such an example. Were the majority to have
5218.
ruled, in many places an entire group of people would have continued to be oppressed. I think
SHOULDANYAGENCYORPERSONDECIDETOAPPEALANYDECISIONMADEBY
that with hindsight, almost everyone would agree that the government did the right thing.
THE BOARDWITH RESPECTTOANYMATTER CONSIDEREDATSUCH MEETING,
However the case of Yankeetown does not seem to fall into that category. Yankeetown's small
A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, A VERBATIM
government is weathering an onslaught of legal actions. Taken to the extreme, excessive legal
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE
action has the potential to topple the government and the town. However, the Yankeetown
TESTIMONYAND EVIDENCE UPONWHICH THEAPPEALIS TO BE BASED.
government continues, they seem to do it because they feel they are representing the priori-
ties of the majority and upholding the town's codes, rules, comprehensive plan and protection
of the environment. So far democracy is still alive and well in the swamp.
Enjoy the fun side of the Fourth of July, the hot dogs and watermelon, and also
reflect on the serious side, the hard work, and sacrifice of those that went before us and those
here now. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Letter to the Editor July 2, 2008
Re: Remember what Independence Day, July 4th stands for
In the Declaration of Independence "All men are created equal that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness"
When you "Pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for
all."
The Inglis Commission is our Government and is a good Government. They represent
you the people come to the meetings to let them know what Life, Liberty, Justice and the
pursuit of happiness means to you. The next one is July 9 at 7:00 PM.
Now they have agreed to annex Progress Energy property the conditions to be set by
Published 6-25-08, 7-2-08
them are not known. Their CEO, Jeff Lyash told me the trade-off is ability to build a generat-
ing unit if they want to. Their last letter says it's not in their 10-year plan. The Public Service
Stepped Up Traffic Enforcement For The Holidays
Commission tells me they can amend that plan every year.
From July 1st through July 6th, the Inglis Police Department
When they are annexed they will come under "Utility" zoning and NO generating unit
will be stepping up traffic enforcement efforts throughout the city in an
is allowed there. It was taken out when you, the people, said you didn't want it. There are
effort to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July week.
many reasons not to want the noise of a gas turbine in our residential neighborhood. All of
Motorists are reminded to obey all speed limits, wear your seat
them involve the health, safety and welfare of the people. Future Commissioners could put it
belts, and use a designated driver if you intend on consuming alcohol
back in, or a Special Exception could be asked for. There have to be Hearings so you would
over the 4th of July holiday week.
know the plans.
Deputies dressed as Uncle Sam in Orange Co. near Orlando were nabbing speeders
There's an EPA report that I have, on that 44 acres. It says it was part of the Barker
this week. Starting Tuesday the fine for speeding goes up. Drivers will pay between $101 and
Chemical Plant and the soil was not removed and was not even tested, when EPA removed
$226 for a ticket.
Inglis contamination. (Property was in Levy County.) Betty Berger,Inglis
NAPA Auto &
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