PAGE 8 - August 15, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Squawk Box Continued fromjust spreading a blanket and having an old From Dawn's Front Porch
page 1
hiking, biking, visiting historic landmarks or
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
fashioned picnic. Compare that with the cost of visiting DisneyWorld and waiting in long
THE END OF AN ERA – Levy County Board of Commissioners voted to merge with the
lines to witness those treasures.
Yankeetown Fire and Rescue Department on August 7th at their regular meeting.
Our parks are in danger. Many of our natural springs are losing water flow and
The agreement between the county and YT was accepted but it will be business as
have been seriously reduced from over pumping caused from development and agriculture.
usual for at least a month until all the paperwork is signed and in place. The entire transi-
Fertilizer runoff has also compromised the purity of water in our springs, lakes and rivers.
tion will probably not go into full swing until October 1st which is the beginning of YT’s
It is very difficult to reverse years of neglect to our parks and precious waterways.
and the county’s fiscal year. The county will then take over the equipment and manage the
Budget shortfalls have made a wholesale restoration of some of the parks low priority in
department. Yankeetown citizens will be assessed for fire coverage the same as the unin-
Tallahassee, that is somewhat understandable. But in our preoccupation with job creation
corporated areas of the county are now. The current estimate is $40 a year but the county
we seem to have forgotten that restoring our waterways and parks could create jobs too.
has been very up front that this may go up. At this moment it would be less than a dollar a
Tourism directed towards our state parks and Rails and Trails is not only beneficial to the
week and compared to what insurance costs would be should our fire department atrophy
surrounding communities, but it is environmentally friendly.
completely, it is a wonderful deal. Yankeetown is paying approximately $20 a year now
We visit Rainbow Springs State Park regularly because we live directly across the
through the General Fund and some years it is more. Some volunteers such as Mike Clary
highway from it. The proximity to it from our house makes it easy for us to enjoy those
have been on the department for 25 years. All the volunteers from the past have contributed
gorgeous springs. I hope we never get so complacent that we forget that beautiful natural
so much to the community.
wonder could be spoiled too.
W.A.R. Loses Tarmac Appeal –The First District Court of Appeal handed down an opin-
ion in the case filed by Withlacoochee Area Residents (W.A.R.) appealing the decision
made by Judge Roundtree of the Circuit Court for Levy County. The appeals court ruled
against W.A.R. The group contended that the Levy County Board of Commissioners ap-
proved a development order for a mining project of Tarmac America which was inconsis-
tent with the Levy County Comprehensive Plan by issuing the development order before
Tarmac had all the required permits. However, the Levy County Judge had ruled that the
BOCC’s decision was not inconsistent with the comp plan because they had placed condi-
tions on the development order that met the requirements of the Comp Plan. The appeals
court upheld the decision of the lower court, agreeing that the provisions placed in the de-
velopment order by the BOCC giving a conditional approval requiring Tarmac to have all
the permits needed before they proceeded with the project was consistent with the Comp
Plan.
More on the Internet Superhighway – Per Inglis Commissioner Drinda Merritt, the cost
of the proposed internet service provided through the North Florida Broadband Authority
is predicted to be between $19.95 and $29.95 per month for residential accounts. She said
that so far the survey was running predominately for receiving the service. Interesting
factoid – The United States is not in the top 10 countries for fastest internet speeds, per
Wikipedia. We are behind countries like Bulgaria and not even close. I was surprised to
read this. It appears that the reason is the United States’ heavy reliance on cable for in-
Saturday was the annual “Stuff The Bus” event for Yankeetown School (YTS). Food
ternet but I’m a dinosaur so I’m not sure. If you have a 10 year old, ask them why. Good
Ranch graciously lets the school bus and supporters pull up to the front door and park for the
Night and Good Luck
collection event. In the past the donations collected at this annual event went to the county
for distribution but the last several years the rules were changed and what is collected locally
goes directly to YTS. The collection boxes around town go to YTS as well. If you would like
to help and don’t see a collection box, you can drop off supplies or a cash donation at YTS or
mail one to YTS 4500 Hwy 40 W Yankeetown FL 34498.
Collecting donations Saturday were Debbie Woodard, new YTS Principal Suzette
Pelton, Mark McEvoy and Melody Carson.
Principal Pelton replaced retiring Principal Ann Hayes Jensen and is very enthusias-
tic about the upcoming year. She said she has spoke with Levy County School Superintendent
Hastings and there are no plans to close YTS. Present enrollment is already up near 200
students. Pre-K is capped out and has a waiting list. There are 2 classes each of Kindergarten
and 1st grade. One class each so far of 2,3,and 4th grades with 5 through 8th making up the
middle school. YTS will start on August 20 at 8:00 AM till 2:25.
If you have any donations you would like to make or be a volunteer contact the YTS
office at 447-2372. Photo and story by Sally Price.
LAKESIDE RV SITES $325 per month includes Utilities, Cable & Wi-Fi
CALL (352) 447-2755 or 353-1301 • TENT CAMPING ALSO AVAILABLE!
Saturday Aug. 18th - 3pm
Service for "Bulldog"
Visit Our Mobile Website
Sunday Poker Run to Benefit
Levy County HOPE Sign In 10 a.m. at Mousetrap
Just scan the QR code below on your phone or type in the URL
Sunday 2 pm BBQ Pork Dinner $5 Benefit
Levy County HOPE - Fin & Feather is a
Hometown News for the Nature
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