The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 9, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
While we had a long rest from meetings, September is a block buster month. Check
Re:Yankeetown Smacks Small Business Again!
the town’s website at yankeetownfl.govoffice2.com for formal scheduling and proposed or-
“We want businesses in Yankeetown” or “We’re not trying to eliminate com-
dinances.
mercial business in Yankeetown”. Take your pick, because any of those claims by some
Budget Hearings -The first one is tonight and the 2nd one is on the 23rd. Also, for
members of YT government are a lot of B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Here’s why. Recently, reps of
those of you interested in the Levy County budget hearings, they will be held on the 10th
Levy County Code Enforcement visited several businesses in YT to inform them they must
and 21st. I encourage people to attend or follow the county budget hearings as the county
remove their signs on C40 (there are a total of 5 signs on the north side of C40, most of
is a major contributor to our services and their budget has a big effect on us. Their budget,
which have been in place for probably an average of 15 years). What prompted this and
while it seems enormous to us, is tight this year just like everybody else’s.
why is the county being pushed to be the bully? We have the emails which you can also get
Proportional Share Ordinance - This is a new ordinance proposed by the Planning
by request through the town hall or Levy Zoning Department.
and Zoning Commission which deals with the impact of new development on infrastructure.
Here’s one email…word for misspelled word: Monday July 27, 2009 10:56 AM
The purpose is “to establish procedures and criteria to ensure that facilities and services
Rob, The following sigs on CR40 appear to be in conflict with county ordinances. River-
needed to support development are available concurrent with the impacts of such develop-
side DR west – Yankeetown marina 66th st – B’s Marina NW corner of 63rd (40A) – Riv-
ment”. If you have questions on this please contact your favorite member of the P&Z com-
erside marina and izaak walton lodge SW corner of 63rd – Stone brook construction NE
mission. Hearings are scheduled for the 11th and 18th.
corner of 63rd (CR40)- Cattail creek sign I am exempting all covernmental and quasi public
Parks - We have a proposed new ordinance on the parks. Hearings have been
signs. Library, coast guard, water plant, womens club, lions club, churches, WGP Can you
scheduled for that on the 28th and the 30th. Just so you know, a picnic table has been lo-
hav Ted look into this? Thanx, Chris Fineout Yankeetown Zoning Official” YTZO
cated in Fisherman’s Park. Stop by and rest a minute, read a newspaper or have lunch.
Fineout sent this email regarding the signs on CR 40 to Levy County. The town
Regular Meetings - Along with all the hearings, regular meetings are also sched-
never discussed this sign removal issue with the small business owners, never gave other
uled. The Storm Water and Drainage Committee still meets and its meeting this month is on
options for the small businesses and implemented their own “new and improved” sign or-
the 21st. The Board of Trustees, the group that oversees the WGP, will meet on the 30th.
dinance among the other pile of YT ordinances designed to keep us all in line. Never saw
Progress - We finally got Palm Drive repaved, Thanx to Jack Schofield who or-
it on a town meeting agenda or heard it discussed by council in the “Sunshine”. This email
ganized this effort. Maintenance on the drainage ditches in town will be performed this
from the ZO is typical of their underlying need to control everything in this town, including
month. The major bulk of them should be cleaned out by the end of the month. Also some
the demise of small businesses. Why else would the signs have become an issue? Didn’t
testing has been done and a successful procedure for flushing out blocked up culverts has
happen with previous administrations. “We’re not trying to eliminate commercial business
been achieved. We have inspected and cataloged all the culverts and are in the process of
in YT” If that’s not the case, then why after all these years would the “new and improved
planning to replace culverts that have rusted through or have other problems such as crushed
town government ,“ cause all of the small businesses on Riverside Drive and County Road
ends. This will have to wait until the next budget year but that isn’t that far away.
40 to lose potential customers because there are no directional signs pointing them to the
Fire Department - The State Fire Marshal awarded the Yankeetown Volunteer Fire
few businesses off of CR40. It’s not like there is an actual “business district” or “down-
Department a “Certificate of Appreciation” in recognition of their participation in Florida
town” in Yankeetown that draws people down the side streets. Why would the town hall
Fire Incident Reporting System. This is the second year that they have received this. Also,
be concerned with the small business signs on a COUNTY ROAD? Guess the commercial
the Fire Department is looking for “Special Volunteers”. These people are a sort of auxiliary
businesses and their signs don’t suit Mr. Cohan and Fineout’s concept of the gated Step-
who are willing to help during disasters such as tropical storms but are not on the fire depart-
ford “little coastal village” they dream of. Did you know many of the small businesses in
ment. If you can help during one of these events when extra people would be needed, please
YT pay upward to twenty times, (that’s 20 times) the taxes of the average homeowner in
contact our Town Clerk, Laura Coyle or Fire Chief Paul Shearer. Good Night and Good
Yankeetown? In fact, many businesses pay 170 times more property tax than the mayor
Luck, Dawn Marie Clary Mayor of Yankeetown
Man Arrested in Yankeetown on
who believes that “our homes in Yankeetown are not an investment”. What happens to us
if the commercial tax base is gone? We homeowners pay! First Yankeetown bans the kid’s
Domestic Aggravated Battery
basketball goals on the side roads, then they use profanity and intimidation to ban kids from
swimming in the river, then the ZO threatens three women that I know of in YT and now the
signs that have been in place near about 15 years are under attack. What’s next? Remind
Yankeetown-On August 31, 2009 Deputy Allen Breeding responded to 32 65th Street Yan-
every voter that the septic tanks (because we don’t have a waste treatment plant) must be
keetown in reference to a domestic disturbance. The victim stated at 6:00 AM she woke up
pumped out when we go to the polls. To ignore the facts does not change the facts.
by her husband, Doyle Smith Jr. standing over her. Smith wanted the victim to give him
Annie Rosario, Yankeetown
prescription drugs and she refused. A verbal altercation ensued which resulted in Smith
Paid Announcement, Paid For and Approved by Annie Rosario
striking the victim. The victim was able to leave the residence after the altercation and only
Inglis Planning Commission Member Resigns
returned back when she thought that Smith had left the residence.
Upon the victim driving in the driveway Smith confronted the victim with a knife
To: Dick (Streeter),
in his hand while she was sitting in her car. Smith threatened the victim by stating that
With regret, I must advise you that I herby resign from the the Inglis Planning
someone is going to die and also threatened to burn the hosue down. The victim’s son drove
Commission effective 1 September. Unfortunately, the state of Florida has informed me that
up when Smith was threatening his mother with a knife and Smith left the property on foot.
they intend to fine me $25.00 per day due to my unwillingness to file a statement of finan-
Deputy Breeding located Smith a short distance from the incident and arrested him for do-
cial interest with the Levy county supervisor of elections. Those of of us who have chosen
mestic aggravated assault with a weapon and domestic battery.
to serve on the planning commission do so out of a desire to improve our community. And
The victim stated that two days ago she moved from Louisiana. The victim said
while I fully support ethics in government, service on our planning commission is volun-
that the two are separated because Smith has a history of domestic battery.Defendant:Doyle
tary, we are not elected, we receive no pay or stipend and our decisions are not binding. I
Wayne Smith Jr.,563 Highway 472,Georgetown, Louisiana,White Male,DOB: 12/31/66
made the decision to volunteer my time in the community and the state of Florida believes
this entitles them to private information regarding my income, my employment, my invest-
Woman Arrested - Continued from page 8
ments and other personal financial information. I do not agree.
and he stated that he was inside the residence and he saw vehicles pull up to the residence.
I appreciate your leadership on the commission and I have greatly enjoyed serving
David Koogle went outside to greet what he thought was a friend and seen Campbell get out
with you and the other planning commissioners. Going forward, I stand ready to assist and
of her vehicle armed with a gun. Campbell pointed the gun at David & Ginny Koogle and
support you in any way needed in order to improve the quality of life in our town.
they ran out of the residence. Campbell was located a short distance from the scene and ar-
Please ask the town office to inform the Levy county supervisor of elections that I am no
rested without incident. Upon interviewing Campbell she stated that she was upset because
longer a planning commission member so that they will discontinue their attempt to fine me.
Ginny Koogle called her mother a bad name some three months ago. Campbell stated her
Thank you. Respectfully, Mark T. Davis
intentions was to fight with Koogle and brought the gun as an equalizer.
Inglis
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947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left