The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - August 1, 2007
LEVY COUNTY HISTORY
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
75 Years Ago
From the Levy County Clerk of Court Archives and History Dept
YANKEETOWN MAYOR'S REPORT
Minute Book "N" - 1932-1933, Special Session of July 8, 1932, p. 12
At a Special Session of the Board of County Commissioners, in and for Levy County,
On July 17th, Yankeetown Town Council at a special meeting, met with Professional
held in the County Commissioner's Room, at the Court House in Bronson, Florida, on this 8th
Engineer Joe Mittauer of Mittauer and Associates and made the final decision on the process
day of July, A.D., 1932 the Chairman announced that the Special Meeting was called for the
for Yankeetown's new water plant. The council selected the final configuration from three
purpose of holding an investigation pertaining to the acts and doings of A. P. Markham, a
alternatives presented by Mr. Mittauer, all of which would meet our requirements and the
Road Over-seer working on and repairing certain roads in County Commissioner's District No.
capacity of our percolation pond land. This is a major milestone in continuing to secure a grant
1.
Mr. Markham was present accompanied by his counsel, Zach H. Douglas of Gainesville,
which was granted 2004. The three alternatives were made up of various combinations of a resin
and T. R. Hodges, of Cedar Key, who announced that they were ready for the investigation.
system, reverse osmosis system and a lime softening system. Each had its pros and cons.
The affidavits of Louis Richardson, Jim Kerney, Sam Clemments, Clarence Hodge
While the lime softening system was inviting because it dramatically reduced the hardness
of
and O. W. Wroten, were filed in evidence. Also, the pay rolls made up by A. P. Markham and
our water, it had the highest cost and produced a significant amount of sludge which would be
the County warrants which had been issued and paid by the Bank to balance said pay rolls,
a
disposal problem. The configuration finally
selected included a resin system and the reverse
were also filed in evidence.
osmosis. This alternative solves the Trihalomethane problem, and provides for an improvement
After making a thorough investigation of the alleged fraud, by affidavits and current
in
our water quality.
statements having been made, the County's Attorney, John R. Willis, announced to the Board
I
would like to clear up one major piece of misinformation concerning the percolation
that as their Attorney, he did not feel that sufficient evidence had been shown to place any
pond capacity. This misinformation was that the capacity of the percolation pond was known
criminal intent upon Mr. Markham, and that he did not believe that the cause was sufficient to
in
March. This is not true. To determine the capacity, one must do
two types of tests, boring
warrant the Board of County Commissioners prosecuting Mr. Markham. It appearing, how-
samples and filtration tests. The boring samples entail digging into the earth and taking samples
ever, from the testimony that checks to the amount of $20.00, issued and payment received by
of
the soil so that the type of soil and depth that it is found can be determined. This test also
A.
P. Markham, that no work was accounted for. Mr. Markham, however, made a statement
as
determines water table depths. The second test, an infiltration test, measures how fast water is
to
the $20.00 received, saying it was for transporting hands to and from the road by himself
or
absorbed into the ground. Essentially it is as simple as pouring water into a ring on the ground
paid for by himself and checks issued in lieu thereof, and cashed by him.
and
timing how fast it is absorbed into the ground. These tests were done for the Town
of
It
was, then upon motion, by Commissioner M. C.
Clyatt, that upon Mr. Markham's
Yankeetown (TOY) in March, HOWEVER, once these tests are performed, they then must be
paying back to the County the $20.00, said investigation be dismissed, and that no further
analyzed. It is similar to having a blood test done.
action be taken, it being distinctly understood, however, that the services of A. P. Markham be
Yes
you may have a test which tells you all the stuff that is in your blood but until
a
discontinued by the County. From the Archives and History Center, Levy County Clerk's
doctor looks at it you haven't a clue whether it is good or bad or just what it means. It may even
Office Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court
take a special doctor to truly evaluate it. In our case that special doctor would be an engineer
Inglis teen earns CNA
certificate
who specializes in Geotechical work. Yes the TOY tests were done in March but the ANALYSIS
was
not completed and transmitted until June. This misinformation has been used to criticize
Special to The Newscaster by Doug Johnston
the perc pond acquisition which is unfortunate. As was discussed in the meeting with
Joe
Mittauer, it was the best decision that could be made based upon the information at the time
Jenny Lynn Risher knew she had a full plate starting her senior year at Dunnellon
about both our property and the surrounding property. At this time the water plant project is
High School last August. Not only was the Inglis teen a member of the DHS
proceeding, thanks to a doggedly dedicated council. It ain't easy building something like this in
Drama Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and president of the DHS chapter
the swamp. Good night and Good Luck. Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown.
of
the Health Occupation Club, a position she held for two years; she also
is
active in her church and has held a part time job after school and on week-
Letter to the Editor:
ends at Food Ranch Supermarket in Inglis for nearly 3 years. Despite a workload
Re: Ron & Radie, Who in the World are You Listening to???
that would discourage many youngsters at Miss Risher's stage in life she
Your letter in the July 25 Newscaster would have been absolutely frightening if I didn't
handled all of her responsibilities and graduated this past May with honors
know it to be totally false. Where in the world are you getting your misinformation? This
at
DHS. She continued nursing classes this summer at DHS and did clinical
administration has never proposed making people on the water, or anywhere else for that matter,
classroom work at Munroe Regional Hospital in Ocala and was rewarded on
replace their septic systems with $20,000.00 aerobic units. I certainly would have been con-
the 16th of this July with her Certified Nurse Certificate. That's quite an
cerned, being one of the waterfront property owners.
accomplishment for an 18 year old girl only two months removed from high school.
The title of your letter to the editor implies that it's a copy of the letter you sent to the Town and
"I
was happy to
earn my CNA", said Miss Risher, "but I still have four years
of
the P & Z Board. Why didn't you submit the response that the town returned to you along with,
school left before I obtain my RN license. That is my goal".
or
in place of, your letter? I suspect readers would have found it more instructive and factual.
Miss Risher, the daughter of J.T. and Jeannie Risher of Inglis, will enroll at Central Florida
In
your letter you make assertions - unfounded, but no matter; then you build on the
Community College in Ocala in late August and after two years there she hopes to enroll at the
assertions, as if fact, and accuse the Town of doing something that is "not right." Specifically:
University of Florida to complete her education.
You claim that it is your "understanding" that Chapter 4 of the Comp Plan targets residences on
our waterways and requires conversion of septic systems to new Aerobic Treatment Systems.
Sales Tax Holiday - Continued from page
1
Then you opine that it is "not right that the Town is imposing this requirement" Have you
attended a P & Z workshop? Read the minutes? Listen to the tapes? Probably not,
because
chains, umbrellas, handkerchiefs; and skis, swim fins, roller blades and skates, or other sport-
your "understanding" is not founded on anything factual that I could find.
ing equipment.)
The facts are these: Chapter IV of the Comp Plan applies to sanitary sewer and solid
A
LAYAWAY sale qualifies for the sales tax exemption, if the sale is made during the
waste so it's absolutely appropriate that sewers, septic tanks, and such be discussed in the EAR
Sales Tax Holiday on an item that qualifies. If a final payment is made on a layaway order that
process. Furthermore, since water quality in our Outstanding Florida Waterway ranked high
qualifies for the sales tax exemption during the exemption period, this item also qualifies for
among the concerns of residents in the EAR survey it's doubly important that it be a point of
the exemption. Qualified items purchased by MAIL ORDER or over the INTERNET will re-
discussion. But so far that's all that has occurred - open discussion. Hopefully there will be
ceive the sales tax exemption, if the order is placed during the exemption period for immediate
more good discussion and input and eventually the Town will come to a consensus and, after
shipment. SHIPPING and HANDLING charges are also included as part of the sales price of
proper hearings, will complete the Evaluation and Appraisal Report as mandated by the DCA.
the eligible item, however, if numerous items are shipped on a single invoice, the shipping and
If
you have specific concerns I hope you will get involved, inform yourself, and con-
handling charge must be proportionately allocated to each item ordered, and separately iden-
tribute to the discussion - the more good-faith participation, the better. We don't need rumor and
tified on the invoice. RENTALS of eligible items do not qualify for the sales tax exemption.
misinformation. If you hear something that sounds questionable call the Town Hall, the Mayor,
Additional information can be obtained via the website - www.MyFlorida.com/dor
-
the Vice-Mayor, a Councilman or a P & Z member. I'm sure you'll find someone anxious to help
or
by calling the Tampa Dept. of Revenue Service at (813) 744-6344.
you get the correct information.
Larry Feldhusen,Yankeetown.
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