The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - July 30, 2008
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Levy County Drug Task Force
Yankeetown Mayor’s Report
Makes Multiple Arrests
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
The Levy County Drug Task Force Team of the Levy County Sheriff's Office made
Dead Dinosaurs. The whole world is looking for dead dinosaurs, mainly in the form
several arrests, July 23rd, after a confidential source made a drug transaction that took place
of oil. The affects of the global demand for oil has among other things affected the price of
in east Williston at Apt. A of the Mack Apartments located at 21431 N.E. 35th St. An audio-
garbage pickup right here in Yankeetown. Unfortunately until they perfect a solar powered
video recording was made of the transaction. A subsequent search of the apartment turned-
garbage truck, we may have to pay more money for a while. Due to an increase of the price of
up numerous drugs and equipment. Demetrius Shountrelle "DJ" Jones, 28, whose occupation
their fuel by approximately 60% in the last year, our garbage collector has estimated that they
was listed on the arrest report as a drug dealer, and his wife, Joani Lynn Jones, 29, were each
need an increase of 15% to cover their costs of operation. The final resolution of this will be
arrested on numerous charges, around 5:50 p.m.
on the August 4th agenda. Yankeetown does try to keep costs down by doing the billing
D.J. Jones was arrested on 3 counts of possession of crack cocaine, 3 counts of sale
ourselves and not charging a franchise fee.
of crack cocaine, 3 counts of possession of MDMA/ectasy, 3 counts of sale of MDMA/
Speaking of garbage, there seemed to be a misunderstanding on the amount of yard
ectasy, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of crack cocaine, possession of a
debris that can be put out in the trash cans during normal pick up. It was thought that you
firearm by a convicted felon, possession of MDMA/ectasy with intent to distribute, manufac-
could only put out one can of yard debris a week, on Thursdays. However, you can put out
ture of cocaine with intent to distribute and maintenance of a drug dwelling. His total bond
one can on EACH pickup day. That is a total of two cans a week.
was set at $177,000.
Chris Fineout is now a permanent member of the Yankeetown staff. Mr. Fineout had
Joani Jones was arrested for possession of MDMA/ectasy with intent to distribute,
been performing as the Zoning Officer as well as other duties under contract, however at the
manufacture of crack cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintenance of
midmonth meeting, Council voted to hire Mr. Fineout as a permanent Zoning and Code en-
a drug dwelling, possession of paraphernalia and sale of crack cocaine. Her total bond was set
forcement officer. Nothing will change as far as his office hours or service and zoning busi-
at $61,000.
ness should continue uninterrupted.
Leonard Anthony Johnson, 38, who also resided at the apartment where the arrests
If part of your hurricane preparedness is planning for a pet, Levy County Animal
took place, according to the arrest reports, was arrested on a Levy County warrant for battery,
Services Shelter will open as an Emergency Pet Shelter should the Emergency Management
touch or strike. His bond was set at $10,000.
Office declare a need to evacuate and open up the shelters. The animal shelter is located at the
Citrus Area Toastmasters Hold Joint
Levy County Landfill in Bronson. You will have to take some supplies and proof of vaccina-
tion for rabies. Contact the Levy Co. Animal Services for more specifics at 352-486-5138 or
Meeting to Promote Memberships
Levy County Human Society at 352-486-5705.
On the legal front, in the case of Carl Mazzuca V. Town of Yankeetown, Mazzuca's
attorneys have filed their initial brief with the District Court of Appeal. Mazzuca has chal-
Recently, the area Toastmasters clubs held a joint meeting. The general public was
lenged the last election which included amendments to the town's charter. His contention is
invited. Our purpose was to make more residents aware of Toastmasters and the benefits of
that the town did not notice the election properly.
membership in the organization.
The whole dispute seems to boil down to which Florida Statute applied. Depending on which
Approximately 25 persons attended the meeting. We incorporated a dinner with the
statute is applied, the dates when you are required to advertise the election are different. The
regular agenda. The meeting was opened by the sergeant-art-arms who introduced our
town used a statute which in our opinion was more specific to the election with amendments.
president. After welcoming everyone, an inspirational message and the pledge were pre-
The Levy County Court had ruled in favor of the Town of Yankeetown and supported
sented. At this meeting, after the joke of the night was presented we recessed for dinner.
Yankeetown's position that it had advertises properly but Mazzuca has appealed that deci-
When we reconvened, the general evaluator (whose responsibility is to evaluate the
sion. Our attorney has also filed his brief which is called the "Appellee's Answer Brief" in
overall meeting) was introduced and explained the duties of general evaluator. At that point,
response. Now we wait. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
the toastmaster was introduced to run the balance of the meeting. The toastmaster introduced
the speakers. At this meeting we heard three speakers. Following the speakers, table topics
was introduced. In table topics, speakers are called on to speak briefly and extemporaneously
on a subject. Incidentally, this can be the best part of a meeting since it offers practice at
speaking when one least expects it.
After all speaking parts, the general evaluator (along with a team) evaluated the
overall meeting.
Peggy and Tom Trainer, long time residents of Yankeetown paid a visit to their daughter and
grandchildren in Stuart, and while there had a chance meeting with actor Burt Reynolds.
Peggy and her grandson John White were driving back from Jupiter when they met Reynolds.
Since Peggy told him that she had forgotten her camera he invited them to come by his home
Guests enjoy Toastmasters meeting. Photo by Anita Fuss.
that evening and he would have his picture taken with them. He said he is teaching acting
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