The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 19, 2007
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re:
In Response to "Yankeetown Hero" by Kerry Hayes
Mr. Hayes,
Letter to the Editor
Regarding mis-information & accusations, I believe accuracy is mandatory to main-
Re:
Yankeetown Tree Ordinance
tain the high ground in the debate of Facts, ideals, & community values. Public Records Facts,
Pat
Candela wrote interestingly of trees and kids recently in The Newscaster, al-
Video/Audio Tape Facts, & signed document Facts. Hypocrisy is "a pot calling a kettle
though I didn't quite get just how she related the two subjects. When I was young, I knew
black". This writer is a researcher/reporter of Facts. You say "Incredulous assertions";
no
that trees were for climbing or for tree houses; as I aged, I've begun to see trees in quite a
Fact published was denied/countered with verifiable Facts. The tactic used in this debate is
different light.
"Shooting the messenger"; it doesn't win the debate of ideas, ideals, & Facts; it's hypocrisy
Delightful as trees can be, they can also be dangerous, especially in Florida and,
when the attack is Factually flawed.
even more so, here in Yankeetown. Here are some tree "unpleasantries" that we must live
This messenger's agenda wasn't, isn't, NOR WILL IT EVER BE condos, destroying
with: (1) Residence in Florida subjects us and our trees to occasional high winds, be they
River Banks on Outstanding Florida Waterways, Multi-Story Boat Racks in a High Wind
hurricanes, tornados or just gales. (2) Our Yankeetown trees are especially susceptible to
Velocity Zone, Docks over Manatee Breeding Sites, or 300+ new boats On that River.
wind damage, as their roots are embedded in a quite shallow topsoil on top of a layer of often
The "developers", would have avoided this by simply not having sordid personal & business
impenetrable limestone. The result is a weak root attachment to solid terra firma. (3) The
financial histories, showing us successful projects built/managed, purchasing appropriately
effects of shallow tree roots can be seen in the raised root balls (or cones) all over town and
zoned properties, & been forthcoming? If everything was properly zoned, this wouldn't be a
are particularly noticeable in the root bumps on the divided-lanes section of Riverside Drive.
debate.
I
do not believe that the hurricane resistance of our trees, with their limited root
Learning These Facts 1 concludes what most readers (& voters) have; they are
systems, has been properly considered in the present tree ordinance. In information recently
painfully inexperienced, haven't developed anything in Florida (except lawsuits) & are ulti-
received from Sara Creel, Levy County Forrester, I note that two of the three trees that we list
mately "unfit" for the task. Contradicting Facts (more in exposes' on saveyankeetown.com) is
as
"Protected Species of Primary Importance" are considered to be of
dubious hurricane
fools play. "Save Yankeetown" is admirable sounding, as it's been & will continue to be.
resistance. The two oak species are described as follows: (1) Live oak - "Recommended - if
Quoting Ralph W. Emerson (regarding wannabe "developers") "Who You Are is Speaking so
given room for roots to grow. Do not plant in moist soils." - "Blows over if not given adequate
Loudly that I can't hear what You are saying?"
room to spread and if planted in moist soils." (2) Laurel oak - "Not recommended - brittle
I'm not a hero, public speaker, website creator, or originator of hardly a thought. Nearly all
wood."
details (Facts) came from folks who knew them & their planned destruction of our Eden, even
In
addition, two trees in the category of "Protected Species of Secondary Impor-
their own family members.
tance" are also not recommended for planting here.
The Council & Mayor, Won 2 elections on Pro-Growth Platforms; planned, sustain-
I
would like to
question Yankeetown's response to Councilman Shannahan's 16 July
able Growth by a 2 to 1 margin. Maybe the next election will be different, it's extremely doubt-
request for town action on an oak tree at 4715 Riverside Drive, said tree leaning ominously
ful. If Either of us lived in Yankeetown, we'd vote, make a difference, maybe run for 1 of those
over the road and showing signs of incipient uprooting. After a full 30 minutes of discussion,
Volunteer Positions; since that isn't the case, attending a town meeting will provide You the
Town Council agreed to remove the tree by a 3:2 vote, the nays being Marsha Drew and, of
Facts?
course, Ed Candela. I note that the tree was finally removed 6 weeks later - slow action indeed
Avoid embarrassment; either come to the high ground, or research, verify sources,
in
the middle of our '07 hurricane season! I note also that our tree ordinance does not specifi-
document them, provide FACTS; versus "chanting the mantra" of all who wish to destroy
cally cover such a tree complaint.
Yankeetown for perceived gain? A Single Accurate Statement in the former diatribe here would
I
recommend that Yankeetown obtain the services of a registered Florida arborist
to
be
respected. Which property was appropriately zoned when they submitted a contract for
recommend appropriate revision and updating of Yankeetown's tree ordinance; some of the
that which they've proposed? How will they protect our Beautiful Oak Canopy? Am I a Real
more onerous and unnecessary tree removal, replacement, and penalty provisions should
Estate Broker?
also be reconsidered and revised.
Hate me for Facts revealed (& more to come), I had Nothing to do with outcomes to
A
final word to the most avid tree-huggers: Do NOT seek refuge from hurricane
or
date; those have been because of competent active voters, vigilant representative govern-
thunderstorm by standing under a tree!
Glen Spetz, Yankeetown
ment & competent judges; You shouldn't hate them being persuaded & motivated by Facts.
It's sad that a few chose Greed over common good & common sense in spite of Facts, & even
Letter to the Editor:
the law. That's what Save Yankeetown comes down to, for me. God Save Yankeetown.
Re:
Clarification of
Glen Spetz' Letter
Michael "Mick" Peters Inglis & Yankeetown
Over the past few months, I have received many phone calls, emails and other
inquiries about the infamous tree ordinance in the Yankeetown area. This purpose of this
letter is to clarify a letter written by Glen Spetz, on the issue of oak planting in Yankeetown.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
R&M
My
conversation
with Mr. Spetz has been misrepresented in his letter. Live oak is not,
as
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his letter states, "...of dubious hurricane resistance." The species I think he meant to refer to
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was
water oak - which is of dubious hurricane resistance. Live oak, conversely, is quite well
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suited to stay strong and is rather resistant to demise from typical stormy weather. They do
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need room to grow, as any tree does, but they do not blow over if not given adequate room to
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spread. Again, I believe Mr.Spetz meant to refer to the water oak, a species that can be
4X4ís - RVís - Trucks - Autos
described as weak and susceptible to blow-down.
Foreign & Domestic
Free Estimates
Laurel oak, as accurately indicated by Mr. Spetz, is in fact not recommended. It dies from
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
the inside out. Landowners rarely see that the tree is dying because it does not give any
outward indication of its demise. It is basically alive looking one day, and on the ground the
Accepted
Fax Line 447-6040
next - rotten inside.
I
am confident that the City of Yankeetown can manage to work out all of the ordinance's
misguided technical information about trees before this coming (or at least next year's) hurri-
El Ranchito
cane season. It may be adviseable that the recommended tree planting list be revised to
include more storm resistant species. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify Mr.Spets's
Mexican Restaurant
letter.
Sincerely, Sara Creel, Levy County Forester
Storm Damage - Continued from page
1
Now Open In Crystal River
tractor) bought the family venture in the 90's and call it Merchant's Landing according to
Lunch and Dinner Served
Dine-In or Take-Out
Connie's brother Paul Kurtz who witnessed the falling of the majestic tree as he called it. Kurtz
said the 2 sides fell in the storm and about 1 hour later one more side fell. Kurtz said he felt the
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445 NE 1st Terrace, CRYSTAL RIVER
remaining quarter would have to be pulled down. The spread of limbs covered 1/2 to 3/4 acre
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center Across from Big Lots,
of
the park like setting. Winds have taken a toll on many of these old giant oaks this summer
Yes! We have
behind Circle K, WEST side of Hwy. 19
in
both Inglis and Yankeetown.
Beer & Wine
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
Get your GED online through Yankeetown Library program
MONDAY - THURSDAY
Lunch 11am-2pm Open All
Day
Lunch 11am-2pm
If
you would like to continue your education, you can now get your GED online
by
Dinner 5-10pm 12noon - 10pm
Dinner 5-9pm
working from your home computer or a computer at the Yankeetown Public Library. For addi-
tional information, please call Mayor Dawn Clary at (352) 447-2511 or Instructor Al Mitchell at
OPEN SUNDAYS:
(352) 795-5251
(352) 726-2430 ext. 278 or 746-5102, or e-mail Al Mitchell at wtiged@tampabay.rr.com
12:00 N - 9:00 P M.
.
A
graduation ceremony will be held at the Library on 56th Street on Sat., Oct. 20, at 9:00 a.m.