The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - October 14, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Water Bill Confusion - There has been some confusion over the audit of the water
Letter to the Editor:
billing this year. Our auditor, Davis, Monk and Company, performs an audit of the water
Re: Use of Winding River Park for swimming.
billing every year. They pull a percentage of water bills and send them out with a verifica-
In the Mayor’s report last week she said that the “the garden club expressed strong
tion to be sent back to them from the water customer. However the mail has taken more
opposition to using Winding River Park as a swimming spot.” This is true as far as it goes.
time so there have been some questions as to whether people will have more time to pay the
But there is much more to the argument than the Mayor implies and certainly not because
bills if they got them late. Anyone involved in this audit will have until October 30th to pay
we don’t want people to have access to the river.
their bills WITHOUT being charged a late fee.
Winding River Park was carved out of the swamp about 30 years ago by the ladies
Izaak Walton Investor’s SWFWMD Permit - A public meeting was held in Brooks-
of the Garden Club. It has been the dedication of dozens of Yankeetown ladies over all these
ville last Tuesday to allow the Southwest Florida Water Management District to hear public
years to create and maintain, on our own, at our expense, and with donations from residents,
comment on the pending permit for the water front project proposed by IWI in Yankeetown.
a quiet, landscaped spot where anyone could come to see the flowers and shrubs, photograph
There were a significant number of people from the town who attended the hearing and
the butterflies, eat a picnic lunch, have a small wedding, dip one’s toes in the river and gen-
spoke both for and against the project. Subjects ranged from whether or not the project had
erally enjoy Florida nature in a tranquil surrounding.
ever been approved by Yankeetown zoning to the viability of the waste water plant. Also, a
The town has said that swimming in other locations in town causes liability for the
gentleman from the Save the Manatee Club expressed concerns over the recontouring of the
town and have targeted this park to allegedly ease that burden. The truth is the liability for
river bank and its effects on the manatee. When SWFWMD makes their recommendation it
the town is the same anywhere on the river. Boats, gators and other accidents are a possibil-
will be reviewed by the Governor and his cabinet on November the 17th. The hall has ob-
ity anywhere along this or any river. How does destroying a garden spot offset this liability?
tained a copy of the project drawings as they were submitted to SWFWMD, they are avail-
We know that the town has alternatives to mandating by ordinance the destruction of an
able for review. It appears that IWI has revised their dock configuration somewhat. There is
almost 30 year Yankeetown tradition. Why would they do this?
also a copy of the presentation of the dredge and fill plans that make it easy to understand,
Parks, like anything, are designed for a specific purpose. Parks for non-passive use
available at the hall.
have public restrooms and are not landscaped with delicate shrubs. They have lots of gravel
Fire Station Grant - Unfortunately, Yankeetown was not successful in our applica-
and bark because people playing and swimming and frolicking will eventually trample the
tion to FEMA for a new fire station. Special Thanx to Councilman Larry Feldhusen who did
grounds. That’s not bad, just a fact that has to be considered when designating a park for
all the work to compose and submit the grant. It was noted that no volunteer fire depart-
a specific purpose. Come look at Winding River Park and see if you visualize it that way.
ments received grants.
There is a memorial in the park to all the ladies who have worked to create this
The Pursuit of Knowledge - Laura Coyle, our trusty town clerk, will be attending
tranquil spot over many, many years. Those on the memorial are gone now but we are sure
town clerk training this week. Ms. Coyle is working toward her Town Clerk certification.
they would share the feelings of us carrying on the tradition that we need to preserve this
The Nitty Gritty of Everyday Stuff - The water department staff is busy disman-
little spot as it is. Especially because there are alternatives available to the town.
tling the old water plant. This will open up the whole building for storage space or some
Because of a general unease we have with reactions of the Mayor and town council
have considered making it an emergency operations center for use during hurricanes since
to this issue the Winding River Garden Club has decided to ask the voters of Yankeetown
it is very well supported with emergency power and also on higher ground.
to decide how they want the park used. Our members and other interested citizens are pres-
Big Wigs - US Senator Bill Nelson’s Representative Lynn T. Bannister visited the
ently circulating a petition for referendum vote to have the question placed on a ballot as
Inglis/Yankeetown area and met with residents and officials for an hour at the Inglis Town
soon as possible. If you would like to see the park as it is today and into the future and are a
Hall last Friday. Ms. Bannister is Director of Outreach and helps interface between the
registered voter, please sign the petition and be prepared vote on it. It is your town.
communities and the federal government on their needs. I was lucky to get some face time
with her, it was very informative. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor.
Dot Cason, President,Winding River Garden Club, Yankeetown
Old Fashion Halloween Party
Letter to the Editor:
The Father’s House Pentecostal Church is proud to announce we are having and old
Re: Nuke plants downside
fashion Halloween party.There will be a haunted house,a hay ride,bobbing for apples,lots
The Nuke plants 4 miles from Inglis puts us in the highest hazard zone . If there’s a leak,
of fun, goodies and refreshments.Everything will be free to everyone.We would love if you
a terroist attack or meltdown, you have to get out of there fast. It’s not like when a hurricane
would come and join us for the night.We are located at the corner of C-40A and Hammock
blows through and you can return when it’s over. When you leave a radiological disaster
Road.All the festivities will start at 7:00 P.M. For further information or If you would like
there’s no coming back - EVER.
to donate candy,baked goods or Halloween items please call 447-0805 or 447-4008.
Maybe you can’t even leave. The Nuke plant to the south, two planned Nukes to the north,
the Gulf on the west, the heavy-haul road across #40 east. Gainesville, 50 miles away is
Realty
more worried than you are in the shadow of their reactors.
Jobs are very important, but
they could build solar or wind power plants on that land. They don’t want to lose the incen-
tive money from NRC or the years of customer payments to finance them.
Sally Price, Realtor
Listen up! Los Alamos scientists list hazards of radioactive leaks and spills: Half life
19 Hwy 40 W.
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
of plutonium 24,000 years, remaining dangerously radioactive for hundreds of thousands of
years. Spent nuclear fuel 40,000 tons stored onsite of plants.now and increasing. Environ-
4 LOTS REDUCED $25,000 6 55TH ST YANKEETOWN
mental issue is serious.
4 great build-able lots sit back to back in a prime
Your four public water supplies and wells could dry up with Tarmac asking for 22 million
area of historic Yankeetown. The lots are between
gallons/day, Progress Energy many more millions to wash their cooling towers. All from
54th & high & dry quiet dead end 55th St. Both
the same aquifer, fed only by rainfall, according to Swiftmud
streets are paved. Lots are in natural state with huge
The Dept. of Energy (DOE) paid $82,845.926.00 taxayer money to Progress Energy
oaks, pine, magnolia and lots of wildlife. There is
Florida (PEF) last year for 1982 to 2005 to store spent fuel asssemblies. Two new Nuke
an alley between the streets for back access. This
plants will store fuel assemblies into infinity as DOE cannot honor the Nuclear Waste Policy
is an exceptional deal with all 4 lots REDUCED
Act (NWPA) and has to pay PEF, and all nukes to do it.
FROM $67,000 TO $42,000. Some owner financ-
Betty Berger, Inglis
ing may be possible with down. Near salt & fresh-
ew! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
water boat ramps, new 413 ac preserve, bike path,
state forest & equestrian trails.
N
Inglis
The Newscaster by Mail
NAPA Auto &
Yes! I want to receive The Newscaster by mail. A one year
Gun & Ammo Sale
Truck Parts
subscription is $18.50 in Florida and $21.50 out of State.Mail
your check or credit card # with this form.
Check My Website for Info:
Fax: 352-447-6099
Name_________________Add________________
www.cino.com
Hours:
(352) 447-6000
__
Mon-Friday
Taurus Judge 410/45LC 3 Inch Mag Blue
7:30-5:30
with Crimson Trace $725.00
City_______________St.___Zip_____Date______
Saturday
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
Newscaster Publishing
___
8-12
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm (352)447-5595
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
See page 2
947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left