PAGE 8 - August 13, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
The Newscaster online: www.newscasterarchives.com
Inglis Police Chief:
Citrus County releases new
“previous police budget excessive”
GIS system for public use
Temporary Inglis police chief Steve
town all my life and we’ve gone through po-
Every square inch of Citrus County has now been mapped into digital files that can
Dixon told the Inglis commission just before
licemen, deputies and all these people, but
be overlaid on maps and aerial photos of the county. The Citrus County Systems Manage-
he was selected to replace Tim Bible that he
the only person that has come to help us is
ment Department is rolling out its new GIS (Geographic Information System), and it’s going
wanted to participate in the next police bud-
Steve Dixon. I was here when he was
to change the way a lot of things are done in the next few years. The capabilities the new
get talks.
Chief. He knows the town and the people
system will give government and businesses are almost “mind-boggling,” according to
“If the Commission considers this
and has offered to help us at a lower cost He
Systems Management Director Darryl Clouse. The improvements to internal efficiency for
is needed I need to be there during budget
knows how to administer and how to lead”
agencies will be huge, he said. The average citizen will also be able to utilize the system, too.
hearings to give my ideas on costs of the
We’ve been taking the cars home with us
Businesses such as real estate companies, building and development companies,
Department. In my five years as a Chief deal-
every day. Other towns have stopped doing
and engineering firms will find many uses for the system, Clouse said. Whatever someone
ing with these size departments, I feel that
that. I suggest that we have three cars in
wants to know about land use in Citrus County will be at their fingertips. The county has
$390,000 is an excessive budget. I don’t see
reasonable condition. Keep those cars . Give
identified more than 197,000 lots, and, where applicable, each has been assigned an address,
more personnel or much more equipment here
the officers a gasoline allowance every week
including vacant lots. Surveyors have located section corners every ½ mile in large areas of
now than when I was here, and don’t see
to make up for the fact they’re losing a
the county for accuracy, and staff has assigned zoning and district information to each lot.
where that amount is being spent. It can be
benefit. My suggestion is until October and
Information ranging from where pipes are in the ground to lot owner and tax or
done at a lower rate. I would like to come on
the new budget, if Mr. Dixon is willing to be-
zoning information will be available on the GIS map. It’s a big, ongoing task, Clouse said, but
as a Reserve Officer and intern with Sergeant
come Chief for that interim. We have a man
the benefits will be many, not only initially but ongoing as the county continues to add
Roberts until he decides on a new job and
"layers" of information on the map. “This is an Enterprise GIS system -- built to be shared,”
of experience and remove ourselves from the
leaves, and will work within the parameters
he said, adding that 19 county divisions will have immediate uses for it.
liability problem because of his certifications,
of that situation.”
Citrus will also be cooperating with neighboring counties to merge boundaries for
education and background. If we hire one
Mayor Risher said, “I’ve been in this
use in evacuation and joint county emergency support. In addition to information about
more officer we’ll be in good shape.”
land, a user, for example, will eventually be able to pull up a school bus route and match it
with sites of know sexual predators. A user could look at high fire danger zones in relation to
wildfires, see how far storm surge would come inland in a Category 4 hurricane or find every
quarter acre commercial lot that is vacant.
The system can be accessed from the link on the county site: www.bocc@citrus.fl.us,
or on the GIS home page: http://gis.citrus.fl.us.
“Progress Energy Annual Day of Caring Visits Daystar Life Center” July 10th, 2008, Six
volunteers from Progress Energy made Daystar their special project for the day. This
hardworking crew put in a full day under the Florida sun staining and waterproofing all of the
exposed wooden surfaces including the stairs, decks, and fence.
A big thank you goes to: Chelsea Ware, Holly VanSicklen, Brittney Theis, Brandon Barr,Danny
Summer and Steve Pratt. Rev. Richard Meyer , the director of Daystar expresses his gratitude
The YMCA Summer Camp called G.L.A.D. is finishing up and will return to it's regular
to these persons for their help in maintaining our building with this much needed
After Care Program with the start of the new school year at Yankeetown School.
maintenance.Daystar Distributes in excess of one quarter of a million pounds of food to
Under the direction of Site Director Debra Carter, the enrolled young folks have had
needy Citrus county residents annually and is sustained by local churches, businesses, the
an exciting summer. On site with the students are Tiffiani Stamper (Assistant Site Director)
United Way and generous individuals.
and Bobbi Stewart (Counselor).
Wonderful & Delightful Properties
The wrap up session proudly studied the Town of Inglis and created a miniature
replica of the business district of Inglis. Each student took part in making their own small
WONDERFUL WATERFRONT just listed
display of their home and family. Behind this are the businesses of Inglis running along Hwy
with fireplace in great room, updated kitchen,
40. The students had a lot of fun with the project but also learned about our business
large screen porch, detached workshop &
community. If you are interested in the YMCA program you can call 352-447-3000 for more
shed on pond leading to Lake Rousseau and
information. Photo and story by Sally Price
the beautiful Rainbow River $225,000
Custom Woodworking
HUNTERS DELIGHT with deer at your back
door first time on the market this A-frame
“Your Plans or Ours”
comes with detached workshop, RV hookup
and is being sold partially furnished located
on 1.25 acre with fruit trees & garden area.
Antique Furniture Refinishing
offered at $79,900
Bookcases
Custom-Made Furniture
Diamond Investments, Inc.
www.diamondhomesandland.com
Entertainment Centers
Darryl A. Diamond
352-447- 4442
Gun Cabinets
Lic. Real Estate Broker
Kitchen Cabinets
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Enviro Group of Florida
Cell "call Shirley 352 400-0301
Darryl-Vicki Diamond & Shirley
352-447-3894
Wood Products Div.
Tom Robinson
“The Diamond Team”