The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - December 30, 2009
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
A Guest Commentary by Dawn Clary
Letter to the Editor:
There are a million clichés about how time goes faster as you get older and I think
Response: “Permitting Process Delays King Road Mine One Year”
they are all true. It is hard to believe that the new water plant now has a whole year under
The article which appeared in the December 16, 2009 of the Newscaster projects
its belt. The plant went on line last January. We were on the cutting edge of technology to
an unrealistic picture of the travails of the Tarmac King Road Proposed Mine. The mine is a
combat the problem of contaminates caused by the interaction of chlorine and organics in
long way from obtaining the necessary permits, and there is reasonable doubt that the mine
the water. Despite the pilot studies, there is always that uncomfortable feeling about some-
will obtain all necessary permits.
thing new, but the plant has performed as designed AND as predicted. Even the new spray
The most recent delay of the mine application process has been caused by an at-
field has worked well despite the rainy year and coveys of naysayers.
tempt by Tarmac to circumvent the process of review by the Department of Environmental
It seems like only yesterday that we were knee deep in applications for the vacant
Protection. The DEP issued Tarmac an RAI (Request for Additional Information) on August
Maintenance position. I didn’t think we would ever be able to decide, but this month our
5, 2009. The request included a myriad of studies and tests that the department deemed
“new” Maintenance man, Chris Howard will have been here a year.
were necessary in order to protect the regional environment and the surrounding citizenry.
The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve has been officially open for approximately a
As this is a lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process, Tarmac balked and declared its ap-
year. While in the beginning it was overwhelming, I was worried it would swamp our little
plication complete, and refused to supply the requested information. This tactic forced the
maintenance department, but town volunteers as well as council members have stepped up
DEP’s hand. DEP would now have to grant or deny the permit on the basis of insufficient
to the plate. Although we could use an infusion of money to finish the museum building,
evidence. Tarmac was persuaded to follow the instructions of the DEP, or their permit would
everything has run well with only a few bumps.
be denied. It took several months for Tarmac to accept their predicament, and that is the only
Marsha Drew decided not to run again last election and has been gone from the
reason that they are now commissioning the necessary studies, hence their delay.
town council for almost a year. She has gone on to bigger things, working hard for our
Tarmac has stated that an economic study has predicted that they will create 35
part of the world on the County Commission. I guess this proves that some good comes of
full-time jobs and 200 spin-off jobs. The study is flawed if it does not consider the loss of
everything.
ecotourism, fishing, hunting, aquaculture, resort, and other jobs that would be lost. Tarmac
On the legal front, the best news of the year was the dropping of the lawsuit filed by
should immediately make this study public.
Forum Architects against 29 of our citizens and governmental officials. Of all the suits that
The statement that Tarmac will “contribute millions of dollars more each year
have been resolved, this suit was probably the most profound because of the sheer number
through taxes and other financial contributions to the community” would only be true if they
of people involved and its personal nature.
made millions in contributions (doubtful), because they will pay no real estate tax, as they
I used to watch my grandmother knit. She would sit and add one stitch at a time,
own no property. With accelerated depreciation and tax credits on their used drag-line, they
for hours. It seemed so tedious to me. Then suddenly you turn around and there would be a
will pay minimal taxes in only a few years. However, the community will pay a huge price
beautiful sweater or something wonderful. The town’s stitches have added up. Who knows
forever, if their PROPOSED mine is ever permitted. The wear and tear on our roads alone
what the next year will bring but the last one was pretty good. Happy New Year. Good Night
will cost the taxpayers millions. Police protection and loss of real estate values will again
and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Do You Have Questions
cost everyone in the area many more millions. Tarmac should show the public now the spe-
cific breakdown of their proposed taxes to be paid. Edward Michaels, Inglis,For:
About Medicare?
Withlacoochee Area Residents
Editor Note: The article referred to was one of hundreds of press releases used through-
out the year by The Newscaster. To achieve balance on a topic one response is used.
Do you have questions about Medicare or Medicare/Medicaid, Supplemental In-
surance, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, or Medicare Billings? If you do, come see SHINE,
Letter to the editor:
a volunteer program with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs for one-on-one counsel-
Re: Inglis Police AK 47 ?
ing. SHINE provides free, unbiased and confidential assistance. If you cannot come to a
I grew up in Inglis and went to High School in Dunnellon. I dropped out of Clem-
site or want to know a site close to you, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243. SHINE
son University for lack of money and joined the Paratroopers. On November 12, 1967 I was
will be at: AF Knotts (Yankeetown) Public Library Wed, Jan 13th, 10:00-Noon.
wounded in combat in the assult on hill 875 in the Battle of Dak To. I was hit by either an
AK 47 or the light machine gun version of it (RPK). In that fight we lost 104 men. Many of
Call The Newscaster Hotline with your opinion, leave your name
those 104 I knew personally. My best friend, Glen Kern from Lumberton, N.C. was riddled
with automatic weapons fire as I watched.
with a recorded message: 352-897-0381 Dunnellon
The AK 47 is Soviet designed and licensed. Many would call it a machine gun, it
is actually an assult rifle . It is used by every communist military and two bit dictator in the
world. It is also the choice of Al Qaeda and most of the terriorists in the world.
Now I have learned that Mayor Bill Lake has purchased a Russian/Red Chi-
nese AK 47 knockoff (Saiga) for the Inglis Police Department along with an undisclosed
quantity of ammo. Neither the mayor nor city council were willing to give the details at the
town meeting. Possibly they think that this information is sensitive. I am not sure why IPD
needs a Communist made assault rifle. But an AK 47, the assault rifle of choice of the com-
munist block and terriorist, in the hands of our police, is an insult to all who fought and died
in Vietnam when found in the sights of this weapon. If this assault rifle should be used in
Inglis, God help the citizens that are are in the general field of fire or beyond that officer’s
acquired target.
The Diamond Realty Team
If you don’t think this is the kind of “Change” you voted for, let your elected lead-
ers know. Call the mayor and city commission. And vote Again !There phone numbers are:
- Darryl, Vicki & Shirley
Mayor William Lake 447-0158; Commisioner Robert Webb, Police liazon, 447-0491; Town
Andy Eiland,Inglis
hall 447-2203 , Inglis Police 447-0303.
Diamond Investments, Inc.
352-447-4442
Darryl A. Diamond
Important Toll Free Numbers
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Citrus Cty Govt. Citrus Springs &
Call Shirley at 352 400-0301
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Darryl & Vicki Diamond & Shirley
Dunnellon 489-2120 Levy Cty Govt. 800-733-5389
www.diamondhomesandland.com
“The Diamond Team”
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
Inglis
NAPA Auto &
Computers dot Com
Truck Parts
Gun & Ammo Sales
Fax: 352-447-6099
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Hours:
447-5595
(352) 447-6000
(352)
Computer Sales & Service
Mon-Friday
www.cino.com
Tuesday-Saturday 7:30-5:30
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Saturday
947 Hwy. 40 East,
INGLIS 10am-5pm
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
We Recycle Computers!
8-12
1.8 miles east of Hwy. 19 on left
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy