The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - August 12, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Park Information - I would like to clear up an apparent misconception on the part of
Letter to the Editor:
some Yankeetownians that the Yacht Basin Park is owned by the state. The park is owned
Re: Copy of Letter to Yankeetown Town Hall
by the town. The improvements that were instituted starting around 2002, were achieved
Subject: Threats by Town Official
by a gracious grant from the Department of Environmental Protection through their Florida
On July 31, 2009 I was canvassing homes in Yankeetown to get signatures on a
Recreation Development Assistance Program. This includes the picnic area, fishing pier
petition. At No.12 62nd Street a man opened the door. As I explained about the petition
and renovation of the boat launch and dock. These improvements now also belong to the
he became angry. I was unaware at the time that I was at the home of Mr. Chris Fineout the
town however the town is obligated to maintain them for 25 years. The park has been on
town Zoning Official. He said to me “if you keep this up you will have personal problems.”
minds and in the news lately due to a controversy over swimming there. The FRDAP grant
Two children were with me at the time, Jay Adams, 14 and Raven Langenburg 7, and heard
for the Yacht Basin Park does not address or require swimming. The park has been closed
Mr. Fineout make this threatening statement.
to swimming until hearings are held on a proposed park ordinance that would set the rules
Mr. Fineout’s statement to me is an intentional, veiled threat that unless I discon-
based on the full town councils judgment and public input. The Parks and Recreation Com-
tinue my petitioning activities that he would use his power as an appointed official of the
mittee has also been looking at the swimming issue. I would urge that everyone who has an
town against me and my family. There was no mistaking his intent.
interest in this issue to work through the proper channels and come to the hearings or attend
This is the second threatening incident I and others have been subjected to recently
Park and Recreation Committee meetings. As the police informed a belligerent citizen at
in Yankeetown. On June 18, 2009 I and other parents were supervising our children while
the park several weeks ago, the proper way to deal with the subject is to work with your
swimming at the Yacht Basin Park on Riverside Drive (the subject of my petition). The
town council.
Mayor, without identifying herself came into the park and demanded that everyone leave.
Water Competition - The Florida Rural Water Association is sponsoring a “Best Tast-
She physically grabbed my young daughter. The Mayor called Paul Shear, Yankeetown fire
ing Water” contest at their conference this week. Yankeetown is entering. Volunteer Mike
chief to the park to assist her in her police action. Both these town officials were aggressive
Clary is attending and has been busy getting a spiffy new cooler and making tags for our
and used foul language including four letter words directed at the adults and children.
entry. We have also entered the essay contest for the best small water plant. Councilman
Mr. Fineout’s threat to me on July 31st is clearly veiled behind his confidence of
Norm Shannahan has penned a really good entry and I think we have a good shot at it.
support of the Mayor and Town Council in applying intimidation to prevent legal citizen
Road Work - We have been catching up on road repairs. Work should start soon on Palm
activity that they don’t find personally acceptable. I am convinced of this since the two
Drive. The contractor was supposed to start last week but was held up on other jobs due to
incidents are related because they involve swimming rights at the park. There is no question
rain. We have also been doing maintenance on the large swale on Hickory.
it had been discussed and Mr. Fineout is privy to the town official’s desired outcome in this
Rain Gauge Winner - Last month we put a drawing for a rain gauge on the back of our
matter.
water bills. Anyone wishing to enter only had to write gauge on the bill when they sent in
Unlike Mr. Fineout, I have no confidence that a citizens concerns or threats against
their payment. The gauge was donated by NOAA. The lucky winner is Isaiah’s Place. Sev-
them by town officials is of any consequence to the Town Council of Yankeetown. In fact
eral people have commented that it would be a nice addition to their beautiful garden area.
I am frightened and convinced that we live in a town where if you don’t agree with what
Isaiah’s Place works to help troubled children and families.
the elected and appointed officials want, you will be threatened, bullied and even assaulted.
Hope Floats - Congrats to “Team Yankeetown” sponsored by the Yankeetown Lions Club
The fire chief is extremely, physically threatening and belligerent.
for winning the “Most Money Raised” category in the American Cancer Society’s kayak
This behavior by town officials is shocking to anyone who lives here but worse,
relay race. Special thanks to Larry Feldhusen who organized the group, Sunrise Outpost for
it is criminal. I am a mother, a taxpayer, I live here, I am staying here, I will continue to
donating kayaks and transportation, and to all the paddlers that went the 5 hours for a very
pursue my constitutional rights and, I am on the record.
Anna Langenburg
serious cause. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
49 63rd Street
Yankeetown 352-447-4167
More Tools / Reality
Reality is a matter of individual perception based on experiences, values, upbringing, en-
vironment, information provided, and much more. Following this last Presidential election
some believed based on the misleading information they were fed by certain media, changes
regarding Iraq and several other hot topics would occur. It did not and will not. Today if
you seek truth you find the promised health care that attracted the senior’s votes includes 5
year reviews beginning at age 60 and euthanasia to save money.
Any morning now but within 180 days we will get up and find the dollar has been drasti-
cally devalued as a result of Washington spending sending gas prices to the 5-6 dollar level
permanently. America voted and now has the entire package.
Closer to home in Yankeetown the votes were attracted not by utopian-like promises
but rather to stop development and Save Yankeetown. We too have or are about to have
the entire package. This town is in transition with younger families inbound in the future
requiring schools, police services, town services, and the rest of it with much less opportu-
nity to gather needed tax dollars from commercial business as it will be prevented for the
most part.
Certain most have been content with spending other peoples tax dollars received in the
form of grants thus far to buy land, park sites, and equipment but it all is going to change. It
will be the homeowner pushing the wagon in the future without the support of commercial
tax base. Most governing bodies plan while Y-town plots!
A couple months back I was told of an incident at Boat Basin Park that involved 3 moth-
Happy Birthday Coast Guard! BMCS Charlie F Salls, Officer In Charge, MK1 Robert Barnard
ers attending their children, and the Mayor. Next time you will learn about our entire pack-
and 2nd in command BM1 Lucas Pullen from Station Yankeetown recently helped celebrate on
Joe McDonald 352.212.4951
age.
August 4th the U S Coast Guard’s 219th birthday, founded in 1790 as the Revenue Marine.
Station Yankeetown had it’s celebration adding the history of the station back to when it was
Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your name
authorized. The celebration included the history of Station Yankeetown with 3 of the former
with a recorded message: 352-897-0381 Dunnellon
Officers In Charge making the affair. Photo by Sally Price
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