'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

PAGE 2 - August 1, 2012

The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

Citrus Commission approves

Pet Patrol

$12 Million BudgettheReduction mill-

The Board of County Commissioners passed

motion to set the tentative

age rates for Fiscal Year 2012-13 by a 3/2 vote. On the average home in Citrus County,

residents will now see a $20 dollar reduction on their property taxes for the new fiscal year.

Chairman Winn Webb and Commissioner Rebecca Bays voted against the adoption of the

millage rate based on a request to further reduce the budget. Chairman Webb wants to see

more reductions from the Citrus County Sheriff s Office and Commissioner Bays wanted

the board to consider other alternative means of funding and a long range plan for balancing

future budgets.

County Administrator Brad Thorpe started the meeting referencing the status of

the current local economy. “These are challenging times for government statewide and

nationwide. But, with the efforts of County staff, we’ve been able to put together another

balanced budget. But, as I’ve said before, we will still need to address this problem next

year. As for this budget, we are listening to the citizens and we will keep services the way

they are currently.”

Director of Management and Budget Cathy Taylor started the presentation with

budgets from the Constitutional Offices. Each Constitutional Officer addressed the board

giving an overview of their individual budget. Ms. Taylor then went through each depart-

ment and gave a brief overview of each item. Board members ended with a lengthy and

Max is a very cute Chihuahua mix about 2

“Shiloh is an adorable little deer type Chi-

positive discussion about the proposed budget and the fiscal challenges they face next year

years old. He is sweet and affectionate. He

huahua. He is only 5 yo, white with blond

before the final vote.

would probably do well with children and

patches on his head, ears and base of his

The next Budget Hearing is set for September 13, 2012 at 5:01pm at the County

other dogs but likes to chase cats. He likes

tail. He is about 7 # and a little shy but sooo

Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Room 100 in Inverness.

to play and would be a great family mem-

Dignitaries Heap Praise on

loving and friendly, obedient, housebroken,

ber. Adopt A Rescued Pet, Inc. does home

crate and leash trained. No kids. Will be neu-

visits prior to adoptions, therefore, we can

tered, UTD with vaccines, micro-chipped,

only adopt to the Citrus County and adjoin-

We Care Food Pantry

HW tested. $150 donation request. A Hu-

ing county areas. If you are within these

mane Society of CENTRAL FLORIDA Pet

areas, please, phone Adopt A Rescued Pet,

Rescue, Inc. does home visits prior to adop-

which was the only request of the donor who

leave your name, number, and pet’s name,

By Deborah Russell

tions, therefore, we only adopt to the Citrus

wishes to remain anonymous. The other

for a return call from the foster mom, later,

Newscaster Editor

County and adjoining county areas. If you

plaque was to Herb and Mary Stenger for

at 795.9550. All of our dogs have been ster-

are within these areas, see this dog and other

their continuous support.

A large crowd braved the heat for

ilized, tested negative for heart worm, on

little dogs at our WEEKLY SATURDAY

Florida Sen. Charlie Dean received

the long anticipated grand opening of the We

heart worm prevention, on flea prevention,

Adoption Events, located at Pet Supermar-

a thunderous applause, looking every bit the

Care Food Pantry, on Wed. morning, July

up to date on vaccines, wormed, ID chipped

ket, Inverness,10-12 PM. If you must give

good old boy cattle rancher, tall and com-

25. The 7200 sq. ft. food distribution center

and vet checked. Check http://www.adop-

up your little dog phone 527.9050 or a Do-

manding in a white cowboy hat, pale blue

located at 5259 Cardinal St. , Homosassa, is

tarescuedpet.com/for our other pets and the

berman Pinscher, phone 352.302.9251 and

shirt and khakis. “First things first, Diane, I

half of the $1.2 million building project. In

ADOPTION CALENDAR with locations,

leave your name, number and information.

brought the check!” he exclaimed. He com-

Nov., the neighboring twin building will be-

dates and times. Come see the pets!

mented that he seldom writes things down,

come the new home of the Community Food

but he had for this special event because he

Bank of Citrus County.

didn’t want to leave anything out. He praised

We Care Food Pantry president Di-

Toto for her commitment to helping those in

ane Toto said the facility is the the culmina-

the community and called the pantry “a so-

tion of a vision that will “eliminate hunger

lution to hunger.”

in Citrus County.” Toto thanked those who

Sweetbay Supermarkets had do-

had been instrumental in bringing this vision

nated a 53-foot truck filled with food, which

into reality and introduced Tom Slagel with

volunteers began unloading with forklifts

Nature Coast Ministries, who opened the

while SweetBay spokesperson Nicole LeB-

ceremony with a prayer.

eau presented Toto with a check for $5000,

Toto told of becoming discouraged

Toto introduced Grace Nelson, wife of U.S.

at the beginning of the project, due to slow

Sen. Bill Nelson, and Mrs. Nelson began

progress - and of praying to God for help.

speaking.

She said God soon answered her prayer

Mrs. Nelson spoke about her intro-

when a woman came into her office and of-

duction to hunger, “a worldwide problem,”

fered to donate the property for the building.

when she went to Africa with her husband

At that point, she said, “doors opened at ev-

during the 1985 famine. She was deeply

ery turn.”

moved and returned to the U.S. , compelled

Toto gave a special thank you to

to help these people. She returned to Africa

secretary/board member Francesca Paar and

with the first arilift of food to the drought-

presented two plaques. One, Toto said, was

striken area and continues as an advocate to

already hanging in the new office to honor

Continued on page 3

combat hunger.

the memory of the property donor’s mother,

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