The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 3, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
The Developer Game - Continued from page 10
manatees and every other critter out there will thrive on whatever human pollution is brought
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
to them by this proposed development. Relaxing the protective restrictions on the barrier
islands will compromise the ecology and estuaries
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
I am certain that Mr. Haines and his developer partners will say they have “no spe-
In the "it takes a village" category, many of the citizens of Yankeetown came out in the
cific plans” for Chambers Island. Well, I always watch, particularly when an attorney is
heat and humidity to help clean up their community after Tropical Storm Fay roughed us up
talking, to see what he does, not what he says. Case in point, why would a seasoned, land use
a bit. It was the brain child of Vice Mayor Marsha Drew to begin an immediate response by
attorney/developer invest in an island, then quietly work behind the scenes lobbying town
organizing volunteers to start the arduous chore as soon as possible. Like stone soup, that
officials for development rights for over four years and then begin to quietly build (during
effort took hold and more resources poured in. Because of our fast response we were able
a building Moratorium) a walkway 6 feet wide and 400 (that’s right four hundred) feet long
to get the county here immediately with their claw picker upper and also the county For-
with no specific plans in mind? What I have seen thus far from Mr. Haines is that he is very
estry women for several days. Volunteers Mike Lineberger and Mike Clary, YT Fire De-
methodical and calculating. As a developer, I know that one does not do anything without a
partment, set up a conveyor belt system where all the debris was taken to one spot allowing
“specific plan in mind”…
the county equipment to remain stationary and therefore could load continuously, making
Mr. Haines would have you believe that he participated at the public hearings like a
the whole job go much faster. The job is essentially complete and the town owes everyone
model citizen landowner and his valuable input was heeded by a caring and concerned town
who took so much pride in their community that they donated their time and energy a Thank
hall. He will say that others (me, you and everyone else) who did not come to every meet-
You. Besides Mike Lineberger and Mike Clary who put in many days Thanx to Ed Candela,
ing have no right to complain now about the outcome. I beg to differ. All citizens, under
Helen Ciallella, Larry and Linda Cohan, Jerry Cowart, Marsha Drew, Earl Edwards and his
law, are to receive equal and fair representation from their elected and appointed officials
grandchildren, Larry Feldhusen, Chris and Diane Fineout, Frank and Gracie Hodge, Nancy
even if they never come out of their house. You, the planning & zoning board and the
Moore, Bill and Mary Pate, George Ross, Susie Schofield, Teri Scoggins, Norm Shannahan,
elected officials have bastardized this system in Yankeetown to the detriment of the resi-
Diane Sheer, Tommy Sholes, and Toni Sturtevant. Also Thanx to Gibson Environment Ser-
dents and landowners.
vices who donated equipment AND personnel.
I am certain that Lawyer Haines will contend that his ongoing and expanding “dona-
You may have noticed James Sherwood of Sherwood Partner's guest commentaries over
tion” of legal services is just his contribution to “Save Yankeetown” and run the developer
the last few weeks in the Newscaster. Sherwood appears to have many misconceptions and
out of town. And by the way, a big part of those free services just happens to be defending
much misunderstanding concerning our proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment. I placed
town officials in a major federal law suit for conspiracy, officials who vote on important
the issue on the Town Council September 22nd mid-month meeting and invited Sherwood
matters such as comprehensive plan changes which affect any developer’s plans.
to come and address the council with his complaints, accusations and concerns in an open
Is Lawyer Haines motivated by this same concern and compassion for the town
public meeting. However Sherwood declined the invitation and instead invited me to come
when he donates his time and legal services to the homeowners of WATERWAY ESTATES,
to an "informal" meeting at the Izaak Walton Lodge. This struck me as the theater of the
again, to ‘stop the developer’. Now let’s go back to the Developer game for a moment.
absurd in that after essentially accusing town officials for supposedly doing things behind
One way the game is played is to get comprehensive plan changes on properties
closed doors, he then requested a meeting out of the public eye himself! James Sherwood
that you own or control, no matter how insignificant they may seem to others at the time.
also would not meet in public concerning his development agreement. Sherwood makes
Then, after things settle down, you can get the zoning changes or variances you need to
some serious accusations concerning Attorney Tim Haines who has donated time to help
make your development work. Who do you get these variances from? Why the BOARD OF
the town in such areas as purchasing the property for our spray field, without which the new
ADJUSTMENTS (BOA), individuals appointed by the town officials.
water plant would not have been successful, and also in assisting to defend the many town
Why does Lawyer Haines’s have a “big hearted” concern for the people of Water-
citizens who Sherwood has sued. I found it humorous that Sherwood seemed to resent what
way Estates. Lets look at who lives in Waterway Estates; Vice Mayor Marsha Drew, Vice
he perceived as Mr. Haines' being more successful in his plans for his property. Mr. Haines
Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission Mike Lineberger, Councilman Larry
does use unscrupulous tactics such as actually coming to and participating in meetings with
Feldhusen, Chairman of the BOA James McDougall, and BOA Members Ellie Schiller and
actual relevant input. He also has yet to sue anyone. That is really dirty tricks. The issue
Rob Kubisek. These individuals may hold the keys to Developer Haines proposed develop-
remains on the Sept. 22nd agenda.Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of
ment of Chambers Island. Gee, what’s wrong with this picture?
Yankeetown
Yes, I am developer and I am proposing the redevelopment of long standing com-
Letter to the Editor:
mercially zoned properties that are in dire need of redevelopment. And yes, I am concerned
Re: Sherwood
that a town government who accused innocent leaders of making deals with developers are
Mr. Jim Sherwood evidently has begun his campaign to sway support for the next
now embracing a developer whose plan sets up the destruction of our most delicate and
election, again with personal attacks against your neighbors and Mr. Haines. Just as he has
ecologically sensitive lands in exchange for legal services.
done in his 20+ legal actions against your neighbors and your Town, he relies on half-truths
Paid announcement, paid for and approved by the author, Jim Sherwood
and innuendo instead of facts supported by evidence.
Rep. Brown-Waite Constituent Outreach Meetings In Levy County
More of the same in the form of the “No See Um News” cannot be far behind. If you
are among the folks who are observing this nonsense and are unsure of what’s going on,
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Representatives for Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-
please consider the following. If there were any merit or facts behind his allegations, would
05) will continue the practice of hosting Constituent Outreach Meetings throughout the 5th
he have not have prevailed in at least ONE of the legal actions? The courts have ruled
District in the coming weeks to meet with residents of the area to discuss their views and
against him more than a dozen times so far.
concerns.
Regarding Sherwood’s claim that former zoning official Ms. Jetton is unqualified, his
Constitution Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the ratification of the United
partner Pete Spittler said the following at a public P&Z Commission meeting in December
States Constitution. Celebrated in 2008 on September 17, Rep. Brown-Waite will have
2007, and I quote: “You now employ a zoning official, Rebecca, very qualified…” and “I’ve
copies of the U.S. Constitution available for all 5th District residents who wish to receive
done my check on her, she’s incredibly qualified… more than the collective knowledge of
one. The Constitution may be picked up at district outreach events, or at either of Rep.
everybody in this room… including me.” Sherwood’s proposed development was simply
Brown-Waite’s district offices in Dade City or Brooksville throughout the month of Sep-
not in compliance with EXISTING laws. End of story.
tember.
I challenge Sherwood to describe anything within the proposed comprehensive plan
Representatives will be in Levy County on Tuesday, September 16th at the follow-
amendments that supports his allegation that the islands will now be open to commercial
ing location:9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.Levy County Outreach,Levy County
development, as he implied. I understand he has rejected an invitation from the Town Coun-
Courthouse,Courtroom A,355 So. Court St.Bronson.
cil to address these issues.
e-mail your news to: newscast@atlantic.net
Since he said “development is what I do,” perhaps he can describe successful develop-
ment he’s done in the last 10 years. There’s much more, but, dear reader, I think you get the
drift.
Edward Candela, Yankeetown
We Mow Grass
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