The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 12, 2007
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
"Yankeetown Hero"??....
A Guest Commentary by Kerry Hayes 
YANKEETOWN MAYOR'S REPORT
"Save Yankeetown" certainly sounds like an admirable cause to those of us who have
come to love this picturesque town on the north bank of the Withlacoochee. However, a closer
A Guest Commentary by Mayor Dawn Clary
look at the man driving the short bus raises some serious doubts. Mr. Mick "The Hammer"
When I was a kid, I had a diabolical uncle. One night at dinner, he told my sister, who
Peters, as he affectionately calls himself, spoke Thursday, September 6th at the Sierra Club
was about eight at the time, that eating onions would make hair grow on her chest. Even at
meeting on the University of Florida Campus and the presentation was titled "Yankeetown
eight, she had the idea that hair on a lady's chest was not good. From that point on she would
Hero". Let's just say by the end of the presentation and subsequent rebuttals to his incredulous
absolutely not eat onions. This was maddening to my mother who loved to cook with onions,
assertions, most in the room, including the Sierra Club members themselves, were less than
and it seemed to be one more thing my uncle had done to put himself in the dog house. Of
impressed. Perhaps due to the fact that Mr. Peters, was allowed well over an hour to present his
course it wasn't true but it took years to convince her of that. I think my uncle was only
erroneous presentation without interruption. However, once the questions and rebuttals be-
teasing and meant no harm but misinformation, whether maliciously spread or not can have
gan, Mick "The Hammer" continually and rudely interrupted and personally attacked anyone in
harmful effects.
disagreement with his portrayal of himself as the "Savior of Yankeetown". Once the rebuttals
Last week, pertaining to the current contesting of the decision made by the Board of
began, it was evident he is anything but! From his self (and quite awkward) explanation of his
Adjustment which upheld our Zoning Official's denial of most of IWI's project on the water
favorite moniker, internet and boat name "Schadenfreude" (more on that later), to his profes-
front, the No See Um news printed that Bronson had "handed the town their head with regard
sion as a commercial broker affiliated with developers, to the revelation he has never been a
to decisions made by the Adjustment Board and ruled that the town SHOW CAUSE why the
Yankeetown resident, to his personal attacks similar to those posted on his website, culminating
court should not grant IWI, LLC the relief that they seek". This is simply NOT TRUE. Per our
in him being asked to "sit down and shut up" by a Sierra Club member, so that someone in
attorney, the show cause order is a normal next step in the process almost like a form letter.
disagreement with his spin could have their say without interruption and personal attacks.
The court is saying this is what these people have alleged, now tell me your side of
I think it's safe to say that most of us on both sides of the aisle agree this is a beautiful
the story and show me why I should not agree with them. It does not mean anything as far as
town we all live in. We all decided it's worth fighting the sand gnats to enjoy this river, the
the disposition of the case. The response is due within a certain number of days. Based upon
wildlife, fishing, kayaking, the stars, the peace or some combination thereof. Nobody wants our
the response to the show cause order, the case will move on through the process, it continues
oak canopy cut down, or the shrimp boats and commercial fisherman to go. That's all part of
with hearings or dismissal and rulings. The misinformation in the No See Um News is destruc-
what makes Yankeetown, Yankeetown, and every step should be taken to preserve it. However,
tive in that it misleads the citizens in the town as to the town's legal status. There is no head
some of us believe that fighting this developer tooth and nail is not the way to go about it. If
handing involved. It gives a false impression that some sort of decision by the courts has
"The Hammer" and his cohorts are successful in convincing these developers to bail out, I can
been made and that that decision was in favor of IWI and against the town. This is NOT
assure you there will be another, perhaps more ruthless group, right behind them. Who knows,
TRUE, as Yankeetown has not even responded yet there is really nothing to rule on at this
perhaps some of Schadenfreude's affiliates.
VERY early stage of the game. It is unfortunate that No See Um News does not apparently
It is evident that Mick "The Hammer" and his comrades are suffering from "ADDS"
understand the process.
(Anti-Development Derangement Syndrome). The guy is more full of himself than Rush Limbaugh!
The false impression was regrettably continued in the September 5th Newscaster by
Schadenfreude: Google it folks and you will be appalled. Why any decent human being would
an article that headlined "Judge Rules in Yankeetown Case". As I stated earlier, there has been
want to associate themselves with the term is beyond me. Briefly it is a German phrase (certainly
no ruling. Although the article continued on to outline the steps that still must be done, the
one of Hitler's favorites) "Schaden" (damage or harm) "freude" (joy), translation, "pleasure
opening statement incorrectly stated that the Judge had ruled in IWI's favor. Yankeetown has
taken from another's misfortune, a term often associated with the devil. Are you kidding me?
done very well so far, as case after case has been dismissed. Good Night and Good Luck,
I can see naming your boat the Scallywagon, Poon Thang, or any other great and creative boat
Dawn Marie Clary Mayor of Yankeetown
names we have here in Yankeetown, but Schadenfreude is not a term any normal person, let
Editor's Note: The story Mayor Clary refers to was not dismissed; the adjustment board was
alone the "Savior of Yankeetown", should have on the back of their boat.
ordered by Judge Glant to "show cause why the petitioner is not entitled to the relief it seeks."
Now let's get this straight, Schadenfreude, Commercial Real Estate Broker affiliated with
developers, spent several hundred hours composing 2/3's of the attacks on the "Save Yankee-
town" website, doesn't even live in Yankeetown........smells like a pink shrimp to me!
This is not Russia, or Nazi Germany, "Hiel Schadenfreude". These developers paid
market value for commercial and residentially zoned properties they have every right to develop
under the zoning at the time of purchase. The "Save Yankeetown" people, as well as their vitriol
website, have become experts at character assassination to anyone who disagrees with their
agenda. Mr. Peters and the gang have waged these attacks against people who have been here
since the 1950-60's, far longer than the combined residency of our newly elected Mayor and
Council. The newcomers, and the "no see 'um government" we currently have in place need to
wake up and realize their ADDS is going to bankrupt our community and cost all of us, not only
our property rights and values, but potential special assessments which perhaps will make it
more difficult for any of us to afford to live here.
Folks, it's time for a reality check, shall we say, "Hammer Time". In Mick's own words,
"every coastal community from Brownsville, Texas to Key West has been developed. Closer
examples would include: Steinhatchee, Suwannee, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa),
we are the last frontier. The baby boomers are coming, not only from up north, but from the
huge exodus from the south. They are looking for places like this. We can't hide forever, and
we've all found it. The real estate market will come back around within a couple of years, worst
Sign of the Times - If you venture west on Hwy 40 in Inglis you might see the sign Bill
case scenario. Truth is (and Mr. Mick knows this being a commercial real estate broker), our
Jones, long time Inglis resident uses to put across a point. Photo by Sally Price
town will be fully developed in the next five to ten years. Yankeetown is fortunate enough to
only have 600 +/-home sites and to be surrounded by marsh lands, city and state owned
    El Ranchito
property which can never be developed. Therefore, this town should be doing everything pos-
sible to negotiate natural buffers for wildlife, public boat ramps, dock space for shrimpers and
     Mexican Restaurant
commercial fisherman, infrastructure like clean drinking water and a city sewer system (which we
should have had 20+years ago) so that if and when Mr. Peters ever decides to actually move to
Now Open In Crystal River
Yankeetown and does his morning flush, it doesn't end up in our Outstanding Florida Water-
way during the nextAlberto!
Alas, the character assassinations, false accusations, lawsuits and degradation of
Lunch and Dinner Served
Dine-In or Take-Out
Yankeetown will continue until more reasonable people are elected to replace these newcomers
The Best Mexican Cuisine
445 NE 1st Terrace, CRYSTAL RIVER
in charge. Sure seems to me like I'm seeing more and more "From What?" signs. One can only
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center Across from Big Lots,
hope the tides' a changing in Yankeetown. I have stayed out of the political fray until now, but
Yes! We have
behind Circle K, WEST side of Hwy. 19
after seeing Schadenfreude's performance Thursday evening, I can remain silent no longer. As
Beer & Wine
a result I'm sure I will join the long list of good folks tarnished by Mr. Peters, AKA Schadenfreude's,
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
MONDAY - THURSDAY
website. Save Yankeetown From What you ask? From the "Yankeetown Hero" and the current
Lunch 11am-2pm  Open All Day
Lunch 11am-2pm
mayor and council. That's what it means to me.
Dinner 5-10pm  12noon - 10pm
Dinner 5-9pm
Respectfully submitted, Kerry Hayes, Yankeetown
OPEN SUNDAYS:
(352) 795-5251
Paid Advertisement, Paid for and Approved by the Author Kerry Hayes
12:00 N - 9:00 P M.
.