The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 4 - June 20, 2007
Levy County Planning Commission
Hold on Crystal River voters!
Approves Zoning for Nuclear Site
Before you cast your vote based on one-sided
information, permit me to tell you a little about the other
The Levy County Planning Commission voted unanimously, June 11, to change the
candidate, Maureen McNiff, and my qualifications. I want
zoning of 3132 acres of land near Inglis, that Progress Energy is proposing to construct a
you to vote June 26 for the vacancy on City Council and
nuclear power plant. The zoning will be changed from Forestry/Rural Residential to Public
I want you to cast that vote for me.
use. The next steps in the approval process will be for the Levy County Commission to
I feel I'm qualified for the position based on my
approve the recommendation, then state and federal officials. Several consultants spoke in
education, business experience and volunteerism in the
favor of building the plant, stressing the positive benefits to Levy County - more jobs, in-
community over the five years I've lived in Crystal River.
creased tax revenue and an increase in business. Concerns of the commissioners were water
I'm not a politician. I've never run for office. What I am is
usage and the archaeological and historical value of the land. Consultants stressed that the
an involved, concerned citizen....like you....who can no
proposed nuclear plant would not have a negative impact on the land.
longer sit back and observe. I feel confident that I can
Progress Energy plans to use two sources for the cooling towers: 99 percent of the
apply my education and business experience to benefit
water will be pumped into the plant from the Cross Florida Barge Canal, 60 percent of which
Maureen McNiff
the citizens of Crystal River.
will be discharged back into the Gulf of Mexico, and the remainder will come from wellwater
I go to all the City Council meetings, listen and
(groundwater from the Upper Floridian Aquifer). One spokesman said this would be the
analyze the issues, then let my opinions be known. For
equivalent to the use of two local golf courses.
several years, I have advocated Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB), the method of creating a
budget by justifying each expense every time. ZBB can be useful for shaking up a
Crystal River Airman Graduates
process that may have grown stale over time.
There is no doubt we need to shake up our budget process in Crystal River. Last
Air Force Airman Brittany L.
year, when most taxing agencies were lowering their rates, Crystal River maintained the
Hockett has graduated from basic military
same millage rate as the previous year which, given the increase of property values was
training at Lackland Air Force Base, San An-
an effective 24% tax increase!
tonio, Texas.
I earned a BS in Business from Montclair State College, an MBA (Quantitative
During the six weeks of training, the
Analysis) from Fairleigh Dickinson and an MS in Technology Management from NJIT. I
airman studied the Air Force mission, organi-
enjoyed a highly successful, progressive career in the Information Technology depart-
zation, and military customs and courtesies;
ment of Verizon Corporation, acquiring experience that is easily applicable to policy
performed drill and ceremony marches, and
making on Council consistent with running the City as a business. I had the opportunity
received physical training, rifle marksmanship,
to work with many of the local social service agencies and nonprofit corporations when
field training exercises, and special training in
I worked as contract manager for the Department of Children and Families and I'm now
human relations.
with the Information Resources Department of the Southwest Florida Water Manage-
In addition, airmen who complete
ment District (SWFWMD). There I've had the opportunity to interact with the general
basic training earn credits toward an associ-
public, as well as other SWFWMD departments.
ate degree through the Community College
For a year I served on the Crystal River Zoning Board of Appeals until its
of the Air Force.
dissolution. Subsequently, I served on the Waterfronts Advisory Board for a year and I
She is the daughter of Cindy Hockett of N.
now serve as an alternate on the Planning Council. As you can see, I've been active in the
Perseus Terrace, Crystal River, Fla.
community since I've moved here.
Hockett is a 2006 graduate of Crys-
Crystal River is a beautiful place to live but the landscape is changing. More
tal River High School.
and more folks are "discovering" it. Growth will inevitably happen. It needs to be prop-
New Summer Hours:
erly managed so as not to ruin our small town feel. The environment needs to be pro-
Sunday, 6am-4pm
tected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. The reputation of petty politics and
Mon-Thurs, 6am-8pm
chaos needs to cease.
Fri-Sat, 6am-9pm
Without being critical of the present council, I think it's time for some change.
All YOU CAN EAT SPECIALS Starting at Noon
It's time for someone with a fresh perspective and no political baggage to weigh in. I
Inglis,fl
believe I am that someone. A vote for me is a vote for keeping spending, and thus taxes,
MON BBQ Pork Dinner $7.95
in check; a vote for me is a vote for a well thought out growth management plan; a vote
TUES Shrimp (Fried or Scampi) $9.95
to aggressively pursue other agencies to exert their responsibilities and a vote to pursue
WED Fried Chicken $6.95 (Dark) $7.50 (White)
all avenues available to improve the quality of our water. I've always said, you have no
THURS Spaghetti w/Meatballs $5.95
reason to complain if you don't participate. I'm putting my effort where my mouth is!
FRI Fried Fish $6.95
I appeal to you to do your part in participating in city government by voting
Gobblers
SAT Chicken Wings $7.95
June 26. And I respectfully request you cast that vote for me, so I can carry out a theme
of budget restraint, controlled growth, environmental protection and improved water
Mondays through Thursdays 2:00-8:00 pm:
quality. I won't disappoint you. Thank you.
Buy ONE dinner off the dinner menu & get a 2nd
Political Advertisement Paid for an Approved by Maureen McNiff, Nonpartisan for Crystal River City Council Seat 3.
dinner (of equal or less value) at HALF-PRICE with
this coupon. (All-you-can eat specials
Levy County Democratic Party meeting, June 26
are excluded from this offer.)
The Levy County Democratic Party will meet on Tuesday, June 26, in Bronson at 7:00 p.m.
Coupon Expires August 15, 2007
The meeting will be held at Bronson City Hall, located at 660 E. Hathaway Ave.
We accept: Cash, Checks, Debit
&
The Democratic State Convention to held in Orlando in October will be the topic of the
Credit Cards - Dine-In or Take-Out
SUNDAY SPECIALS
meeting. Applications and Loyalty Oaths will be available for those who will be attending the
(352) 447-6112
Fried Chicken Dinner $6.95 Dark, $7.50 White
convention. At the convention, all the Democratic Presidential candidates are scheduled to
Deep-Fried Turkey Dinner w/Fixin's $7.95
speak to the delegates, along with other state and national candidates. Please make plans to
14 Hwy. 19N, Inglis, Florida - New Ownership
attend the local meeting, as well as the State convention.
Formerly Muddy Waters Cafe
For more information, call Sylvia Rutledge at 352/490-1214 or Lou Janney at 352/486-1521.
Sea Forest Gifts
15 Acres of Off-Leash areas
Small & Large Dog Areas
Mountains of Shells - Huge Discounts
Filtered Ponds - Training
Monthly, Annual, Daily Rates
Nautical Pottery - Fountains
6 Ft. Chain link fencing
Free Outdoor Rinse Area
Hand Carved Metal Art
Open 7 days a week
Mexican Pottery - Chimaneas
www.barkcentraldoglpark.com
Group & Private Training
352-341-2275
6301 E. Turner Camp Rd.
5 miles north of Inglis on Hwy 19
Inverness, FL. 34450
fax: 352-341-2862
352-447-1455