THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - March 16, 2011
Officers Threatened - Part 3 - Continued from page 4
Settlement Awarded to Customers who Paid
Fee Imposed by Florida Public Utilities, Co.
you much grief previously, possibly even costing your pension and rather credible career.
I never had the first inclination, aside for the righteous harm that would have been brought
MIAMI – The Honorable Lucy Chernow Brown of the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida
against Lake (Inglis Mayor Bill Lake). He screwed up; you were involved. I like and re-
approved a final settlement of $790,000 for class members who were charged an unneces-
spect you, so I buried it.”
sary regulatory fee imposed by Florida Public Utilities, Co (FPU). The fee appeared as a
In reference to the traffic stop by Ofc. Goodman, Peters stated, “He was rude,
“Regulatory Compliance” charge on customers propane gas bill.
obnoxious, and his conduct was uncalled for.” Peters described his long trip on Thursday,
“We re very pleased with the Court s approval of the final settlement. This was
Feb. 24 and the many law enforcement officials in various cities/towns he drove through
not a fee imposed by any state or local regulatory body, as the sale of propane gas is un-
who did not stop him for the trailer lights not functioning, and that he’d unsuccessfully
regulated,” says attorney Lance A. Harke.
attempted to get them working prior to his trip. He detailed that the traffic stop by Ofc.
The Miami-based commercial litigation and consumer class action law firm of
Goodman lasted “in excess of thirty minutes,” and referred to it as “this half hour endur-
Harke Clasby & Bushman LLP, served as lead class counsel on the case. The settlement
ance test.” Peters said that Ofc. Goodman should have followed him “that whole 175 more
effects over 18 thousand customers that were charged between May 27, 2006 and Septem-
yards” to his house for the paperwork Peters did not have in his possession. He stated,
ber 24, 2010.
“While we both know that IPD needs to constantly justify its existence,” he was incon-
The final settlement obliges FPU to pay $790,000 into a settlement fund from
venienced by having to drive to Bronson “and pay them $10.” Peters complained that the
which Claims Administrator, Analytics, Inc. will send to each class member, by regular
fuel for the trip would cost him more than the fine. He complained about having to “waste
U.S. mail, a check equal to each class member s proportional share of the settlement fund,
two hours of my life for the round trip,” and also about the warnings being logged-in at
based on the dollar amount of the Regulatory Compliance fee. The settlement also requires
Tallahassee.
FPU to add a disclosure regarding the nature of the Regulatory Compliance charge on its
Peters complained that Officer Letson (who is no longer employed by the Inglis
invoices and in any future contracts with its customers.
Police Department) “caused me undue (unspecified) grief.” He said he’s attempting to sell
Each class member will receive approximately 55% of the amount they paid back
his home in Inglis “because of its corrupt and incompetent leadership and the hassles I’ve
so for each customer it will vary. Any business that paid the fee would be affected by the
had with the IPD.” Another paragraph stated, “My wife and I are moving a whopping five
settlement and charges.
miles to Yankeetown, and I’ll still be in the area, and Officer Goodman should be made
STILL A GOOD DEAL - Although the price for a First-Class Mail stamp in the U.S.
well aware of the fact that he will (expletive deleted) up. We all do, sooner or later, and IF
remains the same, prices have increased in other countries. The price of a First-Class stamp
that is while on duty, or off, in the course of the next thirty years, I’ll be waiting, and I’ll
in Japan is 97 cents, up 32 percent from 2009. In Germany, a First-Class Mail stamp cost 77
pounce, causing either you, Lieutenant Ballard, the Police-assigned commissioner, and the
cents a year ago. Now, the same postage costs 79 cents. And in Norway, it now costs $1.50
IPD more grief than could ever be welcomed, due to his unprofessional and rude contact
to mail a letter — up 25 cents from a year ago.
last night.” Peters said he’d wager $100, and he’s not a gambler, that Goodman “doesn’t
live in Inglis and hasn’t been certified (as a police officer) a full year, yet.”
Inglis Municipal Election Results on:
Peters said he had two requests of Chief Dixon, “Make last night’s crap go away,”
and also suggested a “come to Jesus meeting” with Officer Goodman. The suggested meet-
http://www.thenewscaster.com/election.htm
Our Pub
ing was “because we both, you and I, understand that I have a unique skill set, when prop-
erly motivated to use same. I have ZERO interest in reactivating same, however if he and I
are in the same room, it won’t be pretty. If last night’s encounter isn’t properly dealt with,
you can bank on my making IPD’s life a real pain, at barest minimum.”
According to Peters’ letter, Goodman said to him, “Mr. Peters, you need to go
Restaurant, Lounge
ahead and get that bulb fixed tomorrow morning before getting that trailer back out on the
road again. And have a good night.” He told Chief Dixon, “Steve, to which I would have
& Package Store
responded Thank you Officer Goodman, and you be careful out there!’ You know I’m no
(expletive deleted), unless properly motivated. Once inclined, I think we’d both agree ‘top
shelf’ would be appropriate for what an (expletive deleted) I can be. I don’t threaten, and
253 Hwy 40 W. • Inglis, FL
wouldn’t, you or him. I perform. I have more pressing issues in my life, now, than making
1/4 mile west of Hwy. 19
Officer Goodman’s, and yours as well, grievous, and I’d like to keep it that way...” Peters
In a Hurry? Call Ahead (352) 447-2406
said that Goodman’s lack of experience “may well get him killed” and suggested that “your
remaining Officer Tim (Swiggett)” explain to Goodman “why backup is critical for traffic
Serving 11 am - 10 pm • Closed Tuesday
stops.” (Former Police Chief Tim Bible resigned from the police department, several years
Everything Made to Order
ago, due to scrutiny by the Inglis Town Commission.)
Peters closed the letter with “YOU, and Mack, are the ONLY reasons, in my mind,
that we still have an IPD, and frankly, YOU are the only reason it’s not a corrupt entity
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The political ad that may have contributed to Peters’ arrest, titled “Inglis Passed
the Crossroads,” can be found on page 3 of the March 9 issue of “The Newscaster,” or
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viewed online at this web address: http://newscasterarchives.com/3-9-11/Newspg3.php
Citrus reorganization move,Cuts commission sPositions Fri-
County the county Nine administration announc
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In another
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day that it has reduced its work force by nine more positions to achieve more cost-efficient
organization.
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The nine jobs consist of some positions that were occupied, some positions that were
open and will not be refilled, and some positions of employees retiring in the next few
Subs after 4 pm
months. Except for the positions closing after retirements between now and May, the action
was effective immediately.
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Four of positions that were closed were occupied. The Training Officer s position in
the one-person Office of Training and Development was deleted, and those duties will now
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be assumed by the Operations and Projects Officer. The GIS Division director s position
Continued on page 12 - Citrus County Cuts
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