The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - August 11, 2010
Former Yankeetown Resident &
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Councilman Dies at Age 90
From Yankeetown Town Hall
Former Yankeetown resident Glen Rudolph Spetz, 90, passed
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
on Friday afternoon. Glen was born in Duluth MN and was a first
When it rains it pours. Lots happened this week. First of all:
generation American from Swedish parents. Glen and his long time
Moratorium lifted – The moratorium on commercial building which has been in
English bride, Charlotte Ellen (Peg) Spetz bought a weekend home
affect for more than three years has been lifted after the Town Council voted to adopt the
in Yankeetown in 1980. The couple permanently moved here from
Land Development Code revisions made to reflect the vision of the new comprehensive
Bellaire Bluffs after 34 years in 1991 when they replaced the small
plan amendment. With these changes now in place the Planning and Zoning Commission
home on Riverside Dr with the new stilt home.
recommended that the moratorium be lifted. While the moratorium affected commercial
Glen served his country during WW 2 as an Army medic x-ray
property it was never applied to residential building. The P&Z revised Chapter 21 to cover
operator. He met Peg while serving in England where she was OPS
the commercial changes to facilitate the lifting of the moratorium however there will still be
(secret radar) with the Royal Air Force. Glen graduated from Gos-
some revisions required for residential property to fully align the Code with the new comp
tavus Adolphus College in St Peter MN with a Bachelor of Science
plan. It is a great relief to everyone that it has been lifted.
Degree and got his Electrical Engineering Degree at the University of MN. In 1957 Glen
Welcome New Zoning Official – The YT Council voted to hire Mr. Kurt Woerner
transferred from the MN Honeywell Plant to Honeywell in Largo working on the Aero
as our new ZO. Mr. Woerner is from Crystal River and has a wealth of experience in plan-
Space Guidance Systems for rockets. Retiring after many years It was joked that Glen did
ning starting with a B.S, in Urban and Regional Studies. He has experience in both munici-
not work at Honeywell, he WAS Honeywell. Glen was a member of the MINNIREG Hon-
pal planning departments and also private industry. At this time he has his own planning
eywell organization.
services company. Mr. Woerner will be replacing Chris Fineout who is retiring from the
The Spetz’ were active in the Footlights Theater in Largo from 1962 to 1980.
position at the end of September. At this time we are not anticipating any change in hours
When moving to Yankeetown Peg became active in the Yankeetown Woman’s Club serving
that the ZO is in.
2 years as president and a Friends of the AF Knotts Public Library member. Glen became
Tarmac Mine - The Town Council has continued to support the request for an ad-
active in Yankeetown politics and served the city as an elected council person making the
ministrative hearing on the SWFWMD water usage permit pending for the Tarmac Mine
water system his key focus along with storm water drainage.
project, after the court responded that the request was dismissed until the assertions that YT
The following was part of a memo to Mayor Wall and Yankeetown Council dated
would be harmed were better supported. The council voted to go forward with the funding
March 14, 2000. Spetz wrote in a March 2000 Newscaster, “Now that we are well into
for a computer model that would give more definitive information as to the impact in our
the 21st century, it seems an appropriate time to examine our Town’s major problem and
area.
consider what can be done to remedy its continuing negative impact on our lives. I am, of
Special Thanx to the Inglis Yankeetown Lion’s Club who donated close to a thou-
course, referring to our horrible drinking water.
sand bucks to help the town cover the cost of the new roof on the pavilion in the Children’s
Our problem with water is two-fold: first, the quality of the water itself, as it
Park. The roof had developed some major holes and was badly in need of repair but the
comes out of the ground, and second, the problem of distribution -- how the water quality
budget was insufficient to cover the total cost of the new roof. The Lion’s Club donated the
is degraded as it passes through our water pipes.” Glen Spetz went the extra mile to com-
difference between what was budgeted and the cost of the repair. It was very nice. Good
municate with his constituents. Spetz is the only public official to hand deliver signed letters
Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
to the editor at The Newscaster office to communicate his position with constituents.
Glen dedicated himself to his missions and was notorious for his research and pa-
perwork for his projects he took on. Glen along with Dick Kellman were key people in the
establishment of the Park to Park Bike Path that many enjoy today along Hwy 40 in Inglis
and Yankeetown. Glen was an active member of US Coast Guard Auxiliary 15-02 and was
proud that his member number was “007”. Glen was always an active supporter of the Cub
and Boy Scout program.
After 17 years in Yankeetown the Spetz moved back to the Largo area closer to
family. Glen is survived by his wife Peg and 4 children: Kathryn Spetz Atlanta, Edmond
(Ted) Spetz Homosassa, Andrew Spetz Clearwater and Martin Spetz of Largo. There will
be a small private family service and his ashes will eventually be returned to the Withla-
coochee Gulf area he loved so much. Peg said if you would like to make a donation in
Glen’s memory, do so to the Park to Park Bike Path P O Box 430 Yankeetown FL 34498.
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Dedication of bike path marker - From The Newscaster Archives, Left to Right, Ray Phares of
Accepted
Yankeetown, Richard Kellman of Inglis and the late Yankeetown councilman Glen Spetz as they
Fax Line 447-6040
dedicate a marker in front of Yankeetown School in October of 2008. Spetz was instrumental
in the development & funding of the bike path in its early stages. Newscaster Archive Photo
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