The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 22, 2010
To The Editor of the Newscaster
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
Re: This letter is in response to the “Squawk Box” articles that appeared in your newspaper
on, September 8, 2010 and September 15, 2010.
Mr. Peters has never been told to “shut up and sit down” at town meetings. Sev-
From Yankeetown Town Hall
eral months ago the commission approved a procedure to streamline the town meetings by
allowing attendees at meetings to limit their comments on specific issues to three minutes.
A Guest Commentary by Yankeetown Mayor Dawn Clary
This procedure allows citizen input in a timely manner. Mr. Peters has approached the
It’s A Good Thing - Inglis Mayor, Bill Lake is coordinating an effort in our area to
podium several times at the same meeting to speak on the same issue. Often, Mr. Peters
set up what he called “The Levy County Food Bank”. According to a meeting that I attended
exceeded his three minute time limit and got off the issue. He was informed of that fact and,
with him last week, mayors all over the county are joining up to form a food distribution sys-
evidently, construed the interruption of his speech to mean “shut up and sit down”.
tem for needy people. The plan, which is being spearheaded by County Commissioner Lilly
Mr. Peters refers to corruption in the Inglis Police Department and made other
Rooks, is in its infancy and there are a lot of details to work out. At the moment the concept
inferences to public works and administration related back to 1980. We currently have an
is for clubs and businesses who wish to volunteer as collection points, to put boxes and col-
outstanding group of fire fighters and police officers who serve Inglis on a day-to-day basis
lect cans of food which will be picked up and taken to a central storage spot in Bronson.
and we should support them any way we can.
The food will then be redistributed to where it is needed. Mayor Lake said they had a tenta-
Mr. Peters talks about excessive spending by the commission. He doesn’t tell you that he
tive goal of 100,000 cans by Thanksgiving, an ambitious but worthy goal and Yankeetown
and Mr. Andrew White have filed legal action to have the last town election held in March
certainly wants to be a part of this. I’m sure that Mayor Lake will have a lot more details to
of 2010 determined to be illegal. This action has cost Inglis taxpayers $42,000 so far.
share with us soon..
While on the subject of money, none of the town employees have received a cost of living
The Forest and Feldhusen - Councilman Larry Feldhusen organized a field trip to
raise in their pay for three years, In order to save money, the police department and fire de-
the Goethe State Forest, in conjunction with Levy County Forestry. The trip was designed
partment continue to operate vehicles that need replacement. The fire department operates a
for city decision makers to see the results of good forest management and what it looks like.
1976 tanker truck and a 26 year old first responder rescue vehicle, and the police department
Hopefully it will be helpful with input for managing the 400 plus acres of the WGP which is
has patrol cars that have excessive mileage.
forest in its own right pretty much. Several members of the Board of Trustees, who manage
Mr. Peters stated that everyone pays taxes. However, only a small portion of the
the WGP, were also slated to go.
residents in Inglis pay ad valorum taxes, which are a major portion of the town budget. If
Money, Money - The final budget hearing is tonight, September 22nd, at the Lion’s
the ad valorum taxes collected, are insufficienet, alternatives such as assessments on all resi-
Club. The 2010-11 budget has been hammered out and is up for adoption. The council has
dents are necessary, or funds must be withdrawn from the town’s reserve account to meet
put a great deal of thought into next year’s budget, but unless the hearing is continued for
the budget shortfall.
some reason, it is your last chance to make comments. Speak now or forever hold your
Mr. Peters has attempted to dissolve the town of Inglis. Mr. Peters is a member of
peace.
the Planning Commission whose task is to plan for future growth in the town. How can he
Autumn Here, Hurricanes Out’a Here - Tomorrow is the start of Fall and we are
be on this planning commission while at the same time be attempting to destroy the town?
past the official peak of hurricane season which is September 10th. Although the season
Mr. Peters stated that Inglis could save money by reading water meters quarterly.
runs all the way to November 30th, the drop off in hurricane activity is historically very
If this procedure were implemented, what would happen to those citizens who are away for
dramatic after September 10th. We may not be out of woods yet but can certainly relax a
extended time periods, and have water line breaks which could go undetected for three mo-
bit. Good Night and Good Luck, Dawn Marie Clary, Mayor of Yankeetown
Commissioner Bob Webb, Inglis
nths?
NATURE COAST WATER, INC.
Letter to the Editor:
Re: Possible Flood Assistance for Levy County Residents
Where Customer Service is our Priority
During our most recent flooding events I was contacted by many people in Levy
County who were asking for help with recovery. After meeting with numerous individuals
Owned & Operated by the Vorisek Family
and homeowner groups I was able to bring local organizations together to help some of our
Toll Free: 1-888-610-4947 Local: 352-447-6002
residents. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Central Florida Community Action
Agency, Inglis /Yankeetown Lion’s Club, Master’s Hand Food Pantry and Daystar for their
Enhance your Health
REMOVE Iron, Sulfur,
SERVICE
contributions. All were able, in their own ways, to improve the lives of those in need and
with Reverse Osmosis
Chlorine,Hardness
help them through difficult times.
Drinking Water &
Bacteria, Tannin,
Also, I would like to thank our county personnel, particularly Bruce Greenlee,
Whole House Systems RENTALS
Odor & Cyanide
Director of the Levy County Road Dept. and his staff, and Mark Johnson, Director of Emer-
gency Management, for their help. I heard nothing but appreciation from our residents with
Financing Available • 12 Months Same as Cash • FREE Water Analysis
regard to the response time and professional demeanor of our county employees.
One comment I heard over and over from residents was “please don’t forget us when the
w! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
flooding is gone”. I promised I would not and that I would investigate any options available
to permanently alleviate flooding in the future.
Ne
Although not a new program, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is
offering new options for flood mitigation assistance for Florida residents and they may be
R&M
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
helpful to some property owners. Assistance comes in the form of loans and grants, with
some grants being 100% and others requiring a property owner contribution. Programs offer
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
many things, including but not limited to, residence elevation out of the flood waters and
Complete Auto Repairs
property purchase. It can be a complicated program; however, a representative from the
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
agency is available to help Levy County residents navigate the process. To see if you qualify
Computer Diagnostics
or if a program would offer the assistance you need please contact Mr. Kirkland Spraggins
Oil Changes While You Wait
at 850-413-9951 or email at Kirk.spraggins@em.myflorida.com . Mr. Spraggins is our area
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
representative. He is extremely knowledgeable about the state programs and understands
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
our particular flooding issues.
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
As always, if I can be of further assistance, I am available by email at marshae-
Accepted
drew@bellsouth.net or phone at 352 447-5285.
Fax Line 447-6040
Marsha Drew,Levy County Commissioner, District 3
Captains Cove Outfitters
Computers dot Com
Todd Sumlin
39 W. Highway 40 - Inglis, Florida
Plant Manager
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
Tim Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
Bait • Ice • Tackle
INGLIS QUARRY
Computer Sales & Service
10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.
Authorized Heritage Kayak Dealer
Electronics Parts & Accessories
Phone (352)447-2209
P.O. Box 519
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We Recycle Computers!
Fax (352)447-0218
Inglis, FL. 34449
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(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
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