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PAGE 4 September 5, 2007

The Newscaster/Nature Coast News

Labor Day Bash at Hickory Island

Budget Flap

- Continued from page 1

Lighthouse Lounge, Inglis,draws festive crowd

many citations to write. If you do, you've violated his Bill of Rights, and he can sue you and

this town. I can't tell a police officer how many tickets to write. If I do, I'm done."

The Hickory Island Lounge was jumping last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, during

"You set policy," Smith responded. "You can't do this at a public meeting," said

its Labor Day Bash that included drink specials, a Fox 96 Radio live remote and several bands

Bible. "Those guys know that they need to go out and control the traffic problem we have. I

entertaining a festive crowd. Rusty and Debbie, longtime Inglis performers; the Emerald

can't tell them that they have to write so many tickets. And if you set that policy, this day,

Gypsy Band that played at the Gypsy's Den in Crystal River for seven years, along with The

folks, I cannot be your chief, because I will not violate the law. That is violating the Florida

Wahoos and Sonic Justice gave the people what they wanted - music! Dancers hit the dance

State Statute. That is setting a mandatory limit of what they can do and what they can't do."

floor, while others engaged in lively conversations.

Bible explained that he would be subject to de-certification if he did such a thing. "You cannot

Hickory Island Restaurant and Seafood Market and Lighthouse Lounge, located at

do that; absolutely cannot do that," he exclaimed. McCranie interjected, "What the chief says

48 Hwy. 19S, Inglis, has new owners, Andrew Tate and Peggy Stephens, a new ambience, and

is the law."

a new image. Hickory Island Restaurant and Seafood Market has been revamped, and the

"We will do what we can do to bring fines and forfeitures in," Bible continued, "But

diverse menu includes fresh, locally-caught seafood and a salad bar with soup and

I can't mandate that they write a citation to somebody." Smith held fast, "Well, you are

dessert. Hickory Island is seriously dedicated to "Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit!"

mandating it when you put $10,000 in that ticket item. I'm not mandating it." Bible replied,

"That simply says to me that the first $10,000 goes to the town commission. That's all that

says to me."

"What I'm getting at is getting a cop to write a ticket," exclaimed Smith, but Bible

interrupted, "You're not going to get on the side of the police when you tell them they have to

write a citation! If you tell these guys they have to get out and write so many citations a shift,

they're going to write zero, because you just violated their Bill of Rights. You cannot tell them

how to do their job. You're not a sworn, certified police officer, and the town can't tell them

how to do their job."

Commissioner Betty Berger commented, "I don't think anybody's going to agree

with Roy (Smith)." McCranie asked for a consensus, and several commissioners suggested

scheduling a meeting for discussion of the police department budget, when Bible stated, "But

understand, at a meeting, you tell me what I've got to do and what I'm going to do. I'm going

to make that meeting, but I'm not violating the state law!" Smith replied, "Let me just state one

thing here. The committee shouldn't make any difference, whether the money was in the

budget or out of it, the way we are hopefully going to operate this year. You have a problem;

there's one pot to go to."

Bible said he that had a problem with the way Smith had worded his statement, that

it sounded as though Smith were telling officers they have to bring in a certain amount of

money. Smith replied, "I understand what you're saying, but what I'm saying is we don't have

Emerald Gypsy Band entertained, last Friday, at the Hickory Island Lighthouse Lounge Labor

to budget it to have the same effect." McCranie elaborated, "It would be added to the budget

Day Bash in Inglis. Hickory Island Restaurant and Seafood Market and Lighthouse Lounge

as it comes in, anyway."

has new owners, an extensive menu and a new ambiance. Photo & Story by Sally Price

During a brief discussion, Smith commented, "If Sheriff Johnny Smith is called in,

that is going backwards from where we were last year, and I'm not going to put up with it.

When we go down to near bankrupt next year, and we're looking at losing a couple officers, I'm

going to be out of the picture, because you're going backwards from the job you were at-

tempting to do this year. I'm not going to support you."

Bible queried, "How am I not doing my job, Mr. Smith?" At this point, several com-

missioners spoke simultaneously, and the gavel banged twice. Commissioner Lake inter-

jected, "It's not a war we're discussing," but Smith continued, "Right after we had a meeting

with Johnny Smith, you told me you were going to call him to be on duty next week." Bible

exclaimed, "We didn't talk about being on duty next week!" Smith replied,"Yes we had. You

told me that you were going to have Johnny Smith cover the holiday, next week, because you

didn't have anybody."

"No sir, I did not tell you that," said Bible. "We sat here with Johnny Smith, Commis-

sioner Smith, Commissioner Lake and the mayor (Carolyn Risher), and the holiday never came

up. The problem is, and this is why I asked for the (five-year employment) contract. If every-

thing is not going your way, you get mad at me, and you want to micro-manage me. I am not

going to be micro-managed. I am the Chief of Police I am doing everything that I am supposed

to do to run this police department and doing a really good job at it!" Smith: "You have said

that." Bible: "So you were all behind me, about a couple minutes ago!" Smith: "I was, because

Celebrating Labor Day-The rains over Labor Day weekend may have slowed down outdoor

you're doing a good job. Now you're saying it's micro-managing."Bible: "So now I'm telling

activities but it was only icing on the cake for the Horse Hole Mud Bog in Inglis. Vehicles of

you, there's a state law that says I can't make them write a certain amount of citations." Smith:

all sizes and shapes turned out for their chance to show their power and expertise in the mud

"I know. I worked with a police officer, in a count, a few thousand. And you're not doing a

challenge cheered on by what looked like a record crowd. Photo by Sally Price

good job." McCranie interjected, "He's doing a good job!"

"Ladies and gentleman," said Bible, "I'm telling you right now, I'm going to have a

Hickory Island

problem. I have, on tape, where I've already been threatened with my job. That's why I'm

asking for a contract. You want a chief of police to stand up and run this police department,

and run it within your budget, and get along with the other employees in this town, and do the

"Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit"

best that he can do to fulfill those obligations? By all means, I am happy to do that job. I am

the chief. I am the administrator. But when you give me a budget and expect me to hold to it,

I am going to do that. I can not be micro-managed by another commissioner. I am the chief of

Restaurant and Seafood Market

that department, and I am not asking for anything else that any other department is not

Lighthouse Lounge

afforded. I don't need somebody standing over my back telling me how to run my shifts."

"You did a very good job, and I supported you," said Smith. "I supported you

through all kinds of thick and thin." Bible: "Yes you did." Smith: "Just because of this person's

Emerald Gypsy

budget..." Bible: "This person?" Smith: "...That I am backing down and saying: if you can't do

Drink Specials

this year what you did last year, then you're not doing your job." Bible: "It is illegal to do that,

Thurs. Fri. Sat 8-12pm

$2 Margaritas

Mr Smith, for me to tell them guys they have to write so many citations. That is absolutely

$1 Draft Beers

illegal. Is it not, Commissioner Mosher?" Mosher: "It's illegal," then others drowned Mosher's

352-447-2520

response. Bible spoke over the others, "Totally illegal, yet he's telling me to do it!" Commis-

$1.50 Well Drinks

sioner Berger spoke to Smith, "You're standing alone here," then to Bible, "We are for you."

48 Hwy 19 S. Inglis

More talking out of turn. (audio tape ends)