PAGE 8 - August 1, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
From Dawn's Front Porch
Squawk Box
Continued from page 1
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
or use it as a final grade for passing?
Scrap Season – Yankeetown is in what used to be scrap season. I have been here so long I
Each sheriff candidate should explain what they would do differently, if anything,
remember when Yankeetown was actually a commercial fishing village. There were quite
in Levy County. Do any of them have plans for different law enforcement tactics or poli-
a few families here who made their living, although at times a meager one, catching mul-
cies than what we have in place now? Do they want tougher drug enforcement, more tickets
let. They used nets. The nets were long, sometimes as more than 600 yards piled on
for traffic violations, just what would they do differently?
the back of a skiff ready to be launched in hopes of filling the ice box with pounds and
County Commission candidates need to fill us in on what direction they would
pounds of mullet. The best skiffs were hand made by a little company called Tremblay in
like to see the county move forward in. Do we try and grow and if so how? Do we balance
Chiefland. What is now called the Yacht Basin was called the “government slip” and it
growth with strong environmental protection policies or just throw that out the back door
was lined with mullet skiffs as they could park there for free. There was run season when
for the sake of new growth? And how do we pay for growth? Do the citizens who are al-
the mullet were plentiful and big and you got a good price, as much as $1.95 a pound at
ready here have to pay the lion s share? Whats the plan? How does it differ from what we
times. The high prices were fueled in part by the Asian market which for some reason was
are doing now?
crazy about mullet roe. That was in the winter. But in the summer, the mullet were small
Too often candidates are able to shake a few hands, kiss a baby or two and waltz
and the prices weren’t good. It was called “scrap season”. Money was scarce. It was not
through a political gathering without having to open their conscious and detail their beliefs
uncommon to pawn your stuff, like your TV, to make it through scrap season. You would
to the electorate. That and the fact that candidates with the most money are in the most
bail it out again after run season. One family cooked dinner over a makeshift grill made out
favorable position to win is a large part of why our country is in the shape it is in.
of a wheel barrow when their electricity was cut off. But there was always a good time,
I don t blame a candidate for political office for saying what they think is politi-
a pot luck at the end of the road, or a swamp band of guitars and washtub bass, seriously.
cally expedient. But with the enormous economic, moral and environmental problems we
Then things changed, newcomers to Yankeetown clashed with the fishing community’s
are facing today it is time for our leaders to step up to the plate and tell us like they see it,
culture. Our planning consultant at the time suggested that we rename the park in front of
even if it may not please everyone.
Izaak Walton Lodge, “Fisherman’s Park” so that people would be aware of the town’s basic
nature when considering moving here to help avoid the hard feelings. The Florida sports
fishing community launched a strong campaign to get the nets banned which was success-
ful. Fishermen, with their vocation made illegal within six months of the passage of the
net ban, slowly drifted away. Tremblay went out of business. Yankeetown became almost
entirely a retirement town. Now in the summer when all the snow birds have gone and the
weekenders have better things to do, I look around and think it’s our new scrap season.
Sometimes when I look at Fisherman’s Park, I can still hear the guitars.
Sadness in the Universe – Sadly we see the passing of the first woman in space, Astronaut
Sally Ride. “She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought
tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in
our schools. Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I
have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come.” – President Obama. Good
Night and Good Luck
Inglis Postmaster Walter Rutherford announced his retirement from the Inglis Post Office ef-
fective July 31. Yankeetown Postmaster Barry Gaslewski was checked in July 18th replacing
Rutherford as Officer In Charge of the Inglis Post Office until a new postmaster is appointed.
The Yankeetown office will be run by Jeanne Schodde who was recently appointed as Post-
master Relief and stepped up as Officer in Charge while Gaslewski is in charge at Inglis. Judy
Kennedy, who has served as Postmaster at the Gulf Hammock Post Office well over 30 years
will join the ranks of the retired soon as well. Pictured are Barry Gaslewski, Inglis Postal
Clerk Ruth Ruppert and Walter Rutherford. We hear that Ruth has a birthday this month & wish
her a happy birthday celebration.
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Inglis, Florida
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