The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - October 7, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
Izaak Walton Investors - The Southwest Florida Water Management District met with
the Town Council here in Yankeetown last Wednesday, to discuss what they called their
Re: Proposed Inglis Garbage Assessment.
approach to the evaluation of Izaak Walton Investor’s pending permit for a water front
No doubt that there were mistakes made during this long drawn-out process.
project in Yankeetown stretching from the Izaak Walton Lodge to the Yankeetown Marina.
(1) For starters, normal procedures require that two advertised Public Hearings regarding a
SWFWD gave an overview or the project as it pertained to the filling of some wetland, the
subject of community concern, such as an assessment, be held prior to its acceptance. For
dredging of state-owned sovereign submerged lands and privately owned submerged lands.
whatever reason, however, a new contract with Waste Pro was signed and delivered to Waste
The agency made it clear that should they recommend the granting of a permit, this in no
Pro PRIOR to the public hearings. (2) The first of the required Public Hearings was held on
way usurps the authority of the community’s zoning regulations or the Comprehensive Plan.
September 9, during which local residents presented the Commission with quite a number
Their permit is essentially a stand alone permit which only rules on the legitimacy of a proj-
of objections to the assessment as proposed, and resulted in the change of vote by me and
ect as it relates to their laws and rules concerning water. Their areas of concern are filling,
two other Commissioners, which killed the proposed assessment and rendered the second
dredging, storm water drainage, impervious surfaces and wetlands. The meeting was to
public hearing unnecessary.
give the council a chance to ask questions concerning the permitting process which has been
Here’s why I changed my vote. It is my understanding that of the 732 residences
recently changed. Because the project includes state owned sovereign lands (river bottom
in Inglis, there are 217 that have subscribed to Residential Disposal Services. These 217
in this case), for final approval it has to also go before the Florida State “Board of Trustees”
owners have had the option to discontinue service and receive credit on their accounts when
which is made up of the Governor and his Cabinet. At this time the meeting is scheduled for
they will be away, even if it will be for only a few weeks. Under the new assessment and
November the 17th. A public input meeting will have been held by the time of this printing,
proposed contract, which we voted down on September 9, these residents would have been
at the agency’s offices in Brooksville on October 6th. A very clear synopsis of the project
subject to paying the full assessment on their property with no credit for time the service was
fills and dredge areas is available at town hall.
not utilized.
Parks Ordinance -The Council held two public hearings last week for an ordinance
Further, under the assessment and the ensuing new contract with Waste-Pro, ALL
concerning parks. The ordinance was passed, setting hours of operations and some rules
732 residences in the Town of Inglis would have been subject to paying the full assessment
for the town’s many parks. Swimming was addressed and the council recognized the strong
with no credits allowed for any reason: This would have included: (1) Home owners who
desire to have swimming access to the river. The Parks and Recreation Committee has been
have property for sale and are vacant; (2) Second home owners who come only on week-
tasked with looking into changes that can be made to ensure a comfort factor of safety and
ends and take their garbage/trash with them when they leave; (3) Second home owners who
also the best spot for swimming. It was suggested that Winding River Park may be a better
leave the area in the Spring and return in the Fall; (4) Home owners who own unoccupied
swimming location than the Yacht Basin. The Garden Club expressed strong opposition to
rental property ; (5) Possible special hardship cases.
using Winding River Park as a swimming spot. For the moment things are left as they are. It
In other words, that contract CONTAINED NO FLEXIBILITY, and upon hearing
was also noted that a large number of the people who had signed a petition for swimming at
and thinking about the hardships that would be imposed on quite a number of local property
the Yacht Basin were from Inglis and that perhaps the Inglis Commission may be interested
owners, I changed my vote. And I, quite frankly, don’t believe that was a mistake.
in working with Yankeetown to find a common spot. Councilman Shannahan took this on
Commissioner Richard Kellman, Inglis
as an action item to pursue.
Letter to Editor:
Budget passed - The budget which was passed for 2009-10, is available on the town’s
RE: Mayor’s letter to Waste Pro customers
website or a hard copy can be obtained from the hall.
I am writing to express my opinion about Mayor William J. Lake’s letter to Inglis
October schedule - Hearings on changes to the garbage ordinance are scheduled for the
Waste Pro Customers: I have attended a few Town meetings, and on the occasions which
end of the month on the 26th and 28th. Good Night and Good Luck Dawn Marie Clary,
required a vote after allowing citizen input, it was obvious to me that the Commissioners
Mayor of Yankeetown
had their minds made up before the first citizen spoke.
Sunday Sampler Welcomes Songweaver
I congratulate the Commissioners who apparently changed their minds after input
The Sunday Sampler Concert series continues its tradition of bringing the best of
from the citizens who attended the meeting on the Waste Pro vote. Isn’t this what our repre-
Florida folk performers to the area by featuring Songweaver Amy Carol Web, Sunday, Oc-
sentatives are supposed to do? Or, are they supposed to consistently vote the way they think
tober 11 at 2:30 p.m. at the historic Depot, 12061 S. Williams St. Dunnellon, FL 34432.
will be “best” for us since we can’t think for ourselves?
The Sunday Sampler concert lasts until 4:45. At intermission complimentary
I wonder why the Mayor is so concerned about an $18.00 increase in our Waste
snacks are served. Donation is 8 dollars at the door. For information, call 352-489-3766.
Pro bill, when our Town Commission just voted for another year of tax to address the Cason
Acres drainage problem, then voted in another one for the Fire Department. I wonder why
a contract was signed before citizen input?
Realty
As for me, I am about as fed up with our Town representatives as I am our elected
State and U.S. Congressional representatives. I am astonished that a Mayor would be rude
and abrupt to the citizens who come to speak at these Town meetings, and talk down to
Sally Price, Realtor
19 Hwy 40 W.
them.
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
I am astonished that a Mayor talks down to elected Commissioners, who not only listened
4.77 ACRES 2 LOTS DUNNELLON NEAR 3 GOLF COURSES $75,000
to their constituents, but then had the fortitude to vote the way their conscience dictated.
Personally, I am fed up with more and more taxes, with little concern for the citizens of our
4.77 acres (2 lots) give seclusion to the home owner who likes privacy and lots of
good town, some of whom are financially strapped, and some who live on a fixed income.
space. These 2 wooded lots have never been cleared and are located on a quiet paved
How about some common sense? How about some real concern for the people who elect-
street outside Dunnellon city limits. The property is not far from city life and busi-
ed you? Why don’t we have the option to vote on these matters? I say, let someone come
nesses in Dunnellon and Ocala but still very country. These lots are .8 mile up SW
in and compete with Waste Pro. Why are they the only ones getting a continuing contract?
181 Ct across from beautiful Juliette Falls entrance on Hwy 40 Dunnellon. With-
Right now, I have a choice as to whether I want them to pick up my trash, or not. Because
in minutes to 3 exciting golf courses and Rainbow Springs State Park and the Rain-
of these Commissioners’ votes, I still have that choice.
bow River. You will find plenty of room for nature, home, workshop, garden, boat,
I say, let’s boot out some of our elected officials and start over.
RV and toys. Take Hwy 40 out of Dunnellon. Turn right on Hwy 40 to Ocala. Go east
Barbara Roberts, Inglis
1.7 miles to SW 181 Ct (across from Juliette Falls). Turn left and go north .8 to 2 signs
Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your name
(2 lots) on left in Lake Tropicana Ranchettes.
with a recorded message: 352-897-0381 Dunnellon
Inglis
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947 Hwy. 40 East, INGLIS, FL • 1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left