The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - January 30, 2008
Letter to the Editor:
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: "Two Water Supplies"
(1) Year-end is a traditional time to look back and cogitate on the year's happenings
Yankeetown Mayor's Report
- I view Yankeetown's 2007 as a unique and interesting year, weatherwise. We are all deeply
appreciative of the '07 lack of hurricanes in our area, but some of us also deplore the lack of
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
rainfall on our vegetation in the growing season. Among plant losses in the Spetz yard were
Clearing work for the new water plant started last week. It is almost hard to believe
a half-dozen several-year-old azaleas.
that after the years of paper work, something concrete is actually happening. The Official
Data on Yankeetown's rainfall, as measured on the guage in my backyard, shows
Ground Breaking Ceremony will be February 7th at noon.
48.05 rainfall inches in 2005, 38.90 in 2006 and 46.20 in 2007.
On the legal front, Izaak Walton Investors (IWI) has appealed Judge Glant's deci-
While '07 seems to have been an average rainfall year, overall, our prolonged spring
sion upholding the Board of Adjustments hearing on the Zoning Officials denial of most of
drought (March through May), plus our watering reatrictions, proved to be a plant killer. And
IWI's water front project, to the higher court. The Levy County Court had ruled in favor of
from what I've read, more drought and restrictions are in our future.
Yankeetown. IWI continues to maintain that they were not given proper notice of the BOA
I'm always intrigued to compare rain data with the town's water consumption, as
hearing. Also, there is no word yet on the Judge's ruling on the continued challenge of the
reported in the "Monthly Water Financial Report," as I feel that there's gotta be some kind of
amendments to the town charter that passed in the October election. Carl Mazzuca, a Yankee-
relationship between the two sets of water data. And so, I was gratified to note that our month
town citizen has continued his fight against amendments that are similar to what has been
of lowest rainfall (May) was also the month of highest water usage. But, strangely, the month
called hometown rule or hometown democracy.
of lowest town water usage (March) turned out to be our month of second lowest rain. Our
Carl Mazzuca, who has complained that the amendments were confusing, still main-
lesson here: Mother Nature and human nature can be awfully unpredictable.
tains that the amendments were not noticed properly. The dispute appears to be over which
(2) Our town's water system continues to report that 30% of the water pumped from
Florida Statute should apply, as the town applied a statute that seemed more specific to
our wells never reaches the public, due to system leaks or pipe breaks and water line flushing.
charter amendments as opposed to other types of referendums. The Mona Sinclair Case is
Tom Gustafson, veteran employee of the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA),
scheduled for mediation around the end of February. Mediation is a requirement in these
has informed me that a well-maintained water system with PVC mains could be expected to
types of cases. Mona Sinclair is the former Deputy Clerk who is suing the town, and several
operate with a 5% water loss, and that he's heard talk of a possible government-mandated
of its officials, claiming that she was fired because she had contacted newspapers.
goal of 6%. Tom Brennan, Inglis Public Works Supervisor, says that the Inglis water loss is
On another subject, it is with great sadness that I announce the departure Rebecca
about 5%.
Jetton from the town's service. Rebecca has been the town's Zoning Official for projects that
I'm pleased to learn that the Yankeetown water team is seriously concerned over our
require detailed site plans, and is known around town hall as "The Big ZO". She has held this
water loss and has sought technical assistance from FRWA in controlling this problem.
position for a little over a year and has done a spectacular job bringing years of experience to
Glen Spetz, Yankeetown
Letter to othe Editor:
bear on the rather large tasks that have faced the town in the area of Planning and Zoning.
Re: Water - Water - everywhere, and not a drop to drink!
Herself under siege from a lawsuit filed by IWI, she has continued to work on the town's
It's saltwater! Driven by the mining industry and FDOT the Legislature plans to
Comprehensive Plan amendments and the evaluation and appraisal of that voluminous docu-
keep cities and counties, by law, from their input on new mines. Tarmac leased 10,000 acres
ment. She has guided us through countless hearings on everything from rezoning to Comp
from Plum Creek Timber for a mega mine, pumping 22 million gallons water/day to wash their
Plan issues. She has been one of those who came in the beginning and helped us pick up the
rock with. This is just north of Inglis area.
pieces of the town. She helped us put them back together and gave us the confidence that we
Swiftmud has said long ago, that one day Florida will be OUT of water. Now they
could deal with what seemed like overwhelming issues and tasks because she herself was so
put us into a Phase II ,Severe , water shortage, warranting actions to assure that only reason-
capable. She has decided to take a very good job with the Department of Community of
able water uses occur. What's scary is that Plum Creek owns 70% of Levy County.This mine,
Affairs and I can't blame her for her choice but she will be greatly missed. There are some
asking for a Special Exception to mine in Forestry Rural/Residential zoning , is only the first
people that just cannot be replaced. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary
step if Levy County allows it. We will become mining pits, instead of pine trees, The blasting
Healthy Living for Weight Management
destroys the aquifer and the rock trucks will take over our highways.
The Levy County Health Department is conducting a two-part workshop on weight man-
Swiftmud also said long ago, that for every one foot the aquifer is lowered, saltwater
agement on Tuesday February 19th and 26th. The workshop will be held at the Levy County
rises 40 feet. The weight of the freshwater is all that holds down the heavier saltwater. The
Extension Office located at 25 N Hathaway (27A) in Bronson.
Barge Canal brought saltwater 11 miles inland. That salt flows our in unknown channels that
This class is designed for people who want to get healthy and lose weight but need
can affect our drinking water if they are cut into by excavation or blasting. We are a peninsula
assistance and support. This class is being provided as a free service of the Levy County
surrounded by saltwater.
Health Department. For more information, please call the Health Promotion Program at 352-
The other four Water Management Districts also declare water shortages. South
486-3405.
Florida is in Phase III, Extreme, shortage, and heading for Phase IV, Critical. Tarmac, from
   El Ranchito
Greece and Rinker Mines from Australia are among others trying to get permits there to open
up 22,000 more land for mining. If their greed ruins our land they can go back home. Where
can we go?
Betty Berger, Inglis.
    Mexican Restaurant
Letter ot Thanks:
Now Open In Crystal River
We want to thank everyone for turning out for the Dunnellon area Relay for Life
Kickoff for the American Cancer Society. Thanks to all of the Survivors who came out to share
their story. Thank you to the teams who are paid: Team Becky, Team Susie Q, Longaberger
Lunch and Dinner Served
Dine-In or Take-Out
Baskets, Rose Petals, Duley Truss, Inc., TaTa Sisterhood, DCA Eagles, Dossett Tile and
The Best Mexican Cuisine
Marble, and Superior Bank. And a big thank you for those who are committed to having a
445 NE 1st Terrace, CRYSTAL RIVER
team: DHS Key Club, PPFEC, DMS FFA, Progress Energy, The Survivors, DMS SADD, DHS
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center Across from Big Lots,
Cheerleaders, DMS Student Council, Turner House Florist, JR Smith, First United Methodist
Yes! We have
behind Circle K, WEST side of Hwy. 19
Church of Dunnellon. For those of you who could not make it and are still interested in having
Beer & Wine
a team please join us along with all of our new Team Captains on Thursday, January 31st at
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
MONDAY - THURSDAY
Skeet's BBQ at 7:30PM. We would love to have more folks come out from the HWY 200 area
Lunch 11am-2pm  Open All Day
Lunch 11am-2pm
and the West Port area along with some more church groups, Fire Fighters, where are you?
Dinner 5-10pm  12noon - 10pm
Dinner 5-9pm
Thank you to The Hitchin Post Restaurant in Citra for providing the food. Thank you to Keith
Baxter for the use his property and WTRS and Skeet's BBQ for their continued support. Thank
OPEN SUNDAYS:
(352) 795-5251
you for helping us continue the Fight Against Cancer! Michelle Standridge,Elaine Hobbs &
12:00 N - 9:00 P M.
.
Becca Gibbs, Dunnellon
White's Quality Auto
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