Save Yankeetown - Save Yankeetown

Corps issues Tarmac mine report (no replies)

Steve Myers — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:32:32 -0400

Voting on Tuesday May 8th in Yankeetown (3 replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:23:30 -0400

Please explain to those of us registered voters what we are voting on, and why it is important for everyone to vote? And what does each issue mean when you vote one way or another, for Yankeetown?

Thank you,
Gracie

Interesting Read (no replies)

Ed Candela — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:45:10 -0400

From Sanibel-Captiva-Islander.com:

Close call for will of the people
April 13, 2012
By LARRY SCHOPP - Committee of the Islands

As anniversaries go, number seven doesn't usually get much attention. This year it should.

It was seven years ago that Sanibel citizens went to the polls and adopted the "Peoples Choice" amendments to the Sanibel City Charter. And there is reason to take special note this year, because we came very close to losing those amendments through an act by the Florida State Legislature that put them in jeopardy. More on that in a moment, but first a little background on the Charter amendments.

The "People's Choice" amendments were about the fundamental right of citizens, by means of a referendum at the polls, to prevent or undo unwise or unpopular decisions of their elected representatives. The means of ensuring such referenda was to enshrine critical land-use protections in the Sanibel Charter, which would render them unchangeable without a vote of the people.

The Charter amendments were written by members of Committee of the Islands to help insure that Sanibel's small town sanctuary character would never be compromised over the objection of its citizens. The formula is simple: There can be no weakening of fundamental land-use restrictions on (1) building height, (2) residential density, or (3) clearance and coverage of building lots, without voter approval.

The campaign for passage

Even a highly successful petition drive to put the amendments on the ballot was no guarantee they would be passed. During a hard-fought campaign for votes, a recurring argument against the amendments was that they were unnecessary because bureaucrats in the Florida Department of Community Affairs which had oversight over local land-use policy under the Growth Management Act would provide all the protection necessary.

Those of us who wrote and believed strongly in the amendments were not persuaded. We asked why Sanibel residents should trust the vagaries of state law or the state bureaucratic process to protect their vital interests. Instead, we proposed that the people themselves could do it more reliably by simply amending the City Charter. A majority of Sanibel voters apparently felt the same way and voted "yes" on the amendments.

In addition to giving citizens the peace of mind of knowing they are in control of their own destiny, at least on major land-use issues, the Charter amendments contained language which enabled action by the City Council on two long-neglected issues - post-disaster build-back and redevelopment - both of which have now been addressed.

Changes in the wind

Now let's fast forward to Tallahassee in early 2011, where major changes were in the wind. Under the banner of job creation, economic growth and reduced state regulation, the state legislature scrapped the Growth Management Act of 1985 and replaced it with a much more development-friendly "Community Planning Act." It also dismantled the Department of Community Affairs and replaced it with a relatively toothless "Department of Economic Opportunity." These were fundamental changes in the state's approach to land-use regulation that few would have anticipated a few years ago.

The argument against reliance on state bureaucrats to protect Sanibel's character proved prophetic. For all intents and purposes, state oversight of the local comprehensive planning process is over. The very state law and state agency that opponents said made the "Peoples Choice" amendments unnecessary are now gone, and the focus at the state level is once again on growth not growth management.

Attack attempted on citizens' rights

But that's not all that happened. A year earlier, citizens concerned about Florida overdevelopment had tried, unsuccessfully, to enact a "hometown democracy" amendment to the state constitution that would have required voter approval of all comprehensive land-use plan amendments.

Subsequently the legislature, in what appeared to be a punitive overreaction to this failed effort, prohibited any "referendum or initiative process in regard to any local comprehensive plan amendment."

In other words, the prohibition abolished the right of citizens statewide to reverse unwise or unpopular land-use decisions made by local governing bodies! Since the "Peoples Choice" amendments could trigger a vote on changes to the Sanibel Plan which would involve building height or residential density, they were in potential conflict with state law and likely unenforceable a major setback for the right of self-determination for Sanibel citizens.

End of story?

That might have been the sad end of the story but for one final twist, involving the tiny north Florida town of Yankeetown. Like Sanibel, Yankeetown had a charter provision that required voter approval of certain comprehensive plan amendments, and it was not about to give that up without a fight. It retained Lee County attorney Ralf Brookes, who went to state court and challenged, on several grounds, the constitutionality of the new Community Planning Act.

The people in power in Tallahassee were understandably concerned. The Community Planning Act was a major legislative enactment, and they were reluctant to risk a successful court challenge. So, with a nod of approval from the legislative leadership, attorneys for the state agreed to a settlement by which the legislature would do some back-pedaling and "grandfather" any local charter provision like Yankeetown's or, for that matter, Sanibel's.

And that's just what happened.

With little fanfare, the following new language was recently added to the Community Planning Act's sweeping prohibition of referenda on plan amendments: "However, any local government charter provision which was in effect on June 1, 2011, for an initiative or referendum process in regard to local comprehensive plan amendments may be retained and implemented." This legislation passed by overwhelming majorities in both houses and was signed into law by Governor Scott on April 6.

So, whether or not Sanibel's "Peoples Choice" charter amendments are in conflict with state law has become a moot question, thanks to the Yankeetown case. If our amendments were in conflict, they no longer are. They are clearly grandfathered and fully enforceable, as written and that's the end of the story.

Happy seventh anniversary!

Our Own Jimmy Smith in Action (7 replies)

Ed Candela — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:39:09 -0400

Lawmakers just say no to state worker drug tests
Gray Rohrer, 02/15/2012 - 11:42 AM

A bill allowing state agencies to randomly drug test their employees is in trouble after initially receiving a negative vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. A sampling of Republicans teamed up with Democrats in voting against the measure, before it was reconsidered and postponed, meaning the measure is still technically alive, but on life support.

The issue is the subject of an ongoing court case. Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order last year calling for drug tests for state workers, but the ACLU Florida chapter and state employee unions filed a lawsuit, alleging it infringes on Fourth Amendment rights protecting against unwarranted search and seizure.

Democrats and even some Republicans on the panel cited concerns that the bill, HB 1205, was unconstitutional based on previous case law.

“The fact that it may not pass constitutional muster gives me great concern at a time when our funds are already limited,” said Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna.

Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, and sponsor of the bill, insisted his measure would be deemed constitutional by the courts, but pushed the measure as a way to save money and protect taxpayer money from being wasted on a worker’s drug habit. He claimed to have drug tested himself Tuesday night.

“I have no doubt that it will be found to be constitutional,” Smith said. “I can guarantee you that as of last night I have proof that I’m drug-free.”

A separate bill of Smith’s, HB 813, which would deny Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits to anyone convicted of a felony, passed the committee over the objections of Democrats. State law already allows the Department of Children and Families, which administers the TANF benefits, to deny benefits to anyone convicted of a drug-trafficking felony. Legislation passed by lawmakers last year requiring TANF applicants to undergo drug tests before receiving benefits is also the subject of a court case.
=======================
There's a whole bunch of bills this legislature authored that are on shaky constitutional grounds. Maybe they should have civics lessons?

Baked Steak Dinner tonight at Parsons Memorial (no replies)

Ellen Shannahan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:12:00 -0500

This evening, Friday, 2/10, from 4pm to 6:30pm, treat your sweetheart to a baked steak dinner at Parsons Memorial Presbyterian Church for just $6.50 per person. There will also be a raffle for a $50 gift card to Helen's Nursery. Take out is also available, call 352-447-2506. Come join us for food and fellowship!

Crazy Mine Rumor (1 reply)

Ed Candela — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:50:15 -0400

The rumor buzz is that Tarmac is moving the drag line out and the security personnel are to be let go.

Anyone have any substantiated info or has the tooth fairy played a trick?

The upcoming (2/28) Yankeetown Election ... is over ... and our new local govt leaders are .... (no replies)

Doug_Dame2 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:56:42 -0500

PUBLIC NOTICE
THE TOWN OF YANKEETOWN
FEBRUARY 28, 2012 ELECTION

Because not more than one (1) individual qualified for the open Mayor seat and not more than two (2) individuals qualified for the two (2) Council Seats that were open, the Town of Yankeetown WILL NOT hold an Election on February 28, 2012. The following individuals did qualify and each will serve a two (2) year term starting 2/29/12:

For Mayor:
Janie A. Hinson

For Council:
Dawn Marie Clary
Larry Feldhusen

These individuals will be sworn in on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 12 noon at Yankeetown Town Hall.

SOUP A THON (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:28:16 -0500

Hi Everyone, it's Gracie

Just in case you haven't seen the signs or gotten an email or read about it in the paper. the Yankeetown Inglis Woman's Club is having their Soup A Thon tomorrow, Saturday Jan 21st, and it's going to be wonderful. For just $6.00, you can be the Judge and vote on the Best Soup, and try every one of them. I believe last year there was 28 Soups entered. You will have a drink and dessert too. There will be a Bake Sale and the Thrift Store will be open. I am entering a Soup and bringing a Bake Sale item, and having fun with friends. The Woman's Club does so much for the community, Scholarships, the Library, Giving a helping hand to those in need. They have a Loan Closet that I have used a couple of times, a wheelchair for my mother when she visited, a stroller when my daughter came with my grandchildren. I didn't have to buy or rent, I just borrowed. Please come on and have lunch and visit with friends, you'll have such a good time, you will put it on your calendar for next year.

11am til 1pm
Don't be Late
Gracie

HAPPY NEW YEAR (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:32:29 -0500

Good Morning to you on this first day of 2012. I'm hoping it's going to be a better year. 2011 certainly had it's twists and turns, but on the last night of 2011 I got to visit old friends I hadn't seen in a long time and get re-acquainted with them, met new friends which is always fun, and brought the new year in with best friends and made it home safely and got up this morning ready to go to work all over again.

Did you make resolutions (besides losing weight and eating healthier) that were realistic, and hopefully will make a difference in your new year? I know I did, and I'm going to try to stick to them. Frank and I are closing down the restaurnt for a short period of time, re-adjusting, making changes that when we re-open will be good ones or rather profitable ones, so today will be the last day open for the Sunrise Outpost. We're not leaving town, I'm just going to work in Leesburg a few more days and hours the same as I have for the past 38 years, but I plan on getting in some more Kayak Time and Bicycling Time and more Fishing with Frank and Friends. That's one of my resolutions, make time for the good things in life, the simple things that you really enjoy, because life is just too short to miss out on, or it might be. Life is really a Gift that when you wake up each morning, it's given to you. Don't take it for granted, appreciate it, and make some joy of it. Let go of the bitter pills from 2011, you don't have to forgive, and "no" you won't forget, just put them in a box, tape it up, and put it in the basement with other useless clutter. Make the best of your lives, go with what's good for you and yours. It's what I wish for everyone.

Happy New Year "2012"
Gracie

Gary Mosher (no replies)

billlake — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:30:01 -0400

Former Commissioner Gary Mosher of Inglis passed away this weekend

I LIKE IKE (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:46:20 -0400

HI EVERYONE, IT'S GRACIE

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MARKED ON YOUR CALENDAR THE YANKEETOWN INGLIS WOMAN'S CLUB IS HAVING THEIR COMMUNITY POT LUCK PARTY TONIGHT AT 5PM. BRING YOUR FAVORITE DISH TO SHARE AND WEAR YOUR SUNDAY BEST FROM 1950, LOTS OF FUN, FOOD, FRIENDS AND DANCING. IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

THE RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN THURSDAY NIGHTS FOR PIZZA AND PASTA DINNERS AND TO MY SURPRISE THURSDAY NIGHT I GOT TO MEET MITCH (FROM THE IZAAK WALTON'S NEW RESTAURANT "IKE'S PLACE" ) HE'S A VERY FRIENDLY PERSON, GREAT PERSONALITY, LOTS OF STORIES, WE TALKED ZIPPER PEAS, SWAMP CABBAGE, GROWING UP POOR, AND WORKING HARD, AND WE EVEN TRADED WHITE LIGHTNING STORIES. HE HAS SOME GREAT PLANS FOR IKE'S PLACE, MITCH IS VERY OLD STYLE FAMILY ORIENTED, AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BE A BIG ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY, WITH BOAT DOCKS, POSSIBLY RIVER CRUISES, ENTERTAINMENT, AND GREAT FOOD. HE SAID IF HE'S THERE AT IKE'S AND SOMEONE WANTED TO COME IN, HE'D GIVE THEM A TOUR, THE DOOR IS OPEN. WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IKE'S PLACE. THE IZAAK WALTON LODGE HAS SO MUCH HISTORY, AND IT NEEDS TO BE OPEN., AND HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

HAVE A FUN WEEKEND, HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON

SAD TIME IN YANKEETOWN (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:20:00 -0400

Hi Everyone, by now most everyone in the community knows that the Yankeetown General Store has closed. It's up FOR SALE once again. It's a Landmark in Yankeetown, a gathering place for boaters, commercial fishermen, shrimpers, city employees, businessmen, locals. Jen and Jan are wonderful people that gave 110% effort in trying to keep it open, but due to the economy and weather and the fact that summer time is the hardest because quite a bit of the community have homes and family up north they visit.

Frank and I visited Jen yesterday and bought a few pieces of equipment for the restaurant and she and her family are going to be staying in the community (a very big plus) and she'll be looking for employment. Friday and Saturday she's going to have a really HUGE YARD SALE, so please stop by and visit with her before the doors close, and I'm quite sure you'll find quite a few treasures.

Good Luck to Them, I know there will be good things in their future
Gracie

Will THEY Never LEARN? Now HERE's an interesting story! (1 reply)

Michael Peters — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:08:07 -0500

Jeez, how HARD is it to do a GOOGLE Search?

Well, here's an interesting read (relating to the creation of this website in the 1st place), and the time lines, along with the named parties is most entertaining reading.....

I wonder if Architects can lose their license for good cause? In Your HOME TOWN No Less?

[cp.cuyahogacounty.us] <--CLICK ON THE LINK, You won't Believe IT!

3.1 MILLION DOLLARS & no CONTRACT....sound Familiar?

Some Leopards Never Change their Spots.

This was uncovered on a whim, a search of "Peter F. Spittler" on Google.

You could find it as easily, first page;

no more selling ice machines to eskimos for 'ol Pete.
Just remember....there, but for the grace of God, could be YT.

Enjoy.
-Mick

COASTAL CLEAN UP (1 reply)

Sunrise Gracie — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:54:05 -0400

HI EVERYONE, IT'S GRACIE

THIS EMAIL WAS SENT TO ME AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, IT'S OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S OUR BEACH, OUR BOAT LAUNCH, OUR HIGHWAY AND IT'S SHAMEFUL. I'M SORRY I COULDN'T DOWNLOAD THE PICTURES, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, WE DRIVE PAST IT EVERYDAY, EVERYWHERE, AND I AM SORRY, JACK & SUSIE, THAT BECAUSE OF THE RESTAURANT BEING OPEN, I WASN'T ABLE TO PARTICIPATE, BUT COUNT ME IN ON ADOPTING HWY 40, AND HOPEFULLY DOING A BETTER JOB AT PAYING ATTENTION, PASSING THE WORD, AND CLEANING UP, AND BEING PROUD OUR COMMUNITY

| Below are pictures of trash that was picked up at one location (Bird Creek Bridge) today 6/18/2011.The group of 8 that did this had planned to work from the bridge to the boat ramp. Because of the volume of trash at the bridge after 3 hours of picking up trash we were unable to do as planned.

As citizens of this community we are appalled at the inconsiderate people that discard personal trash in this manner 20 tires, over 20 cans of paint, garden hose , batteries,TV sets not to mention hundreds of beer bottles, plastic bottles, ice bags, coolers you name it is out there. Granted some of the trash comes from boaters that fail or forget to secure their trash and they need to be reminded to do so by posting signs at the boat.

Susie and I are asking for volunteers to periodically clean county 40 and adopt this road. At the same time I will ask the county to consider adding trash barrels at the bridge and to place no littering signs along the highway to help eliminate some of the problem. I have seen where a citizen has put a hand painted sign at the beach along the river where their families swim, obviously they see the problem.

If you are interested in helping in adopting this road from the stop signs to the boat ramp let me know we will then proceed to file the appropriate papers need to adopt the road.

Thank you

Jack & Susie Schofield
JSchof7338@aol.com

Yankeetown Marina lawsuit (no replies)

Capt.Ed — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:44:46 -0400

As some of you may know the yankeetown marina lawsuit was won back some time last year. However S&S appealed the ruling and actually won the appeal on a technicality. Yes the case was overturned because their last attorney (who entered the case one month before the court date) appealed because he was never givin the chance to have a jury trial.

So.. the case is now re-opened and ready to be re-tried in court on June 6th at the Levy county court house @9am, this time in a real courtroom, open to the public, in front of 6 jurrors.

If you are interested in hearing the truth about the Yankeetown Marina case, come on out and watch with your own eyes.

WEATHER PERMITTING SUNDAY IN YANKEETOWN (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Sat, 14 May 2011 04:36:00 -0400

Due to the rain, Saturday, we had to postpone Bill Pate's band "Just Us 4" until today, Sunday at 6pm, so please, if you can, bring your lawn chairs and join us for some great music and good company. Put your dancin' shoes on or just sit back and enjoy. Either way, it makes for a good ending for a windy damp weekend. We definitely needed that rain, and still quite a bit more.

Hope to see you there.
Gracie

--

Mother's Day Breakfast at the Lions Club (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Sun, 08 May 2011 02:35:18 -0400

Good Morning All,

This morning at the Inglis Yankeetown Lions Club, they are serving a wonderful breakfast for only $5 (Coffee, Juice, Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage) and you couldn't ask for better weather, or a better way to start not only your day, but maybe your mother, wife, favorite realtive, friend, neighbor, or someone else's mother. Come out and take a nice drive, or walk, or dust off the bicycles and join us for good food and good company, and a great way to start your day.

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/ (no replies)

hunkpappa44 — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:30:41 -0400

For those of you that want to follow the daily and current Florida Legislative actions in Tallahassee I suggest you read the following site on a daily basis:

[www.thefloridacurrent.com]

HB 991 Placing the aggregate business under State Permitting, banning local permitting and shortening the process was presented to the house two days ago.

For your info and very good daily reading!

Buck

Murph (4 replies)

Ed Candela — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:15:43 -0400

Good husband, good father, good grand-dad, good community supporter, good friend, good man:

[www.robertsofdunnellon.com]

SUNDAY LIVE MUSIC AND LAWN CHAIRS IN YANKEETOWN (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 05:50:29 -0400

HI EVERYONE, I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN ENJOYING SOME OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND, IT'S BEEN BEAUTIFUL OUT, WARM WITH A LITTLE BREEZE GOING ON. I KNOW FROM THE CUSTOMERS AT THE RESTAURANT THAT THE FISH ARE BITING. FRANK AND I WENT KAYAKING AGAIN WITH MIKE AND MIKE ON THURSDAY (MY DAY OFF) AND BROUGHT BACK SOME TROUT AND SPANISH MACKERAL. IT'S SO MUCH FUN. WE STOPPED AT THE YANKEETOWN GENERAL STORE (I"M SO HAPPY THEY ARE OPEN AGAIN) PICKED UP A FEW LIVE SHRIMP, PUT THE KAYAKS IN THE WATER AT THE BIRD CREEK PARK, AND FISHED AND PADDLED AROUND FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR HOURS, IT WAS GREAT.

I"VE HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE SAY TO ME THAT THEY COULDN'T KAYAK, BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD TO GET IN AND OUT OF, BUT LET ME TELL YOU, ANYONE CAN DO IT, AND AS PRICEY AS FUEL HAS GOTTEN, IT'S BECOME MORE AND MORE POPULAR. IT'S EASY, IT'S LIKE BEING A CHILD AGAIN, WEAR PLAY CLOTHES, SIT YOUR BUTT DOWN ON THE BEACH OR IN THE WATER, AND ROLL INTO IT AND OUT OF IT. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO HURT? YOUR PRIDE? EMBARRASSMENT? NO, NO, NO, RELAX, LAUGH AT YOURSELF, PUT YOUR SUNBLOCK ON, YOUR FLOPPY HAT ON, YOUR LIFE VEST ON, A BOTTLE OF WATER, AND GET SOME EXERCISE. YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW EASY AND HOW MUCH FUN IT IS. FRANK AND I DON'T RENT THEM OUT ANYMORE (INSURANCE WAS TOO COSTLY) BUT CAPTAIN'S COVE DOES AND JACK SCHOFIELD DOES. IT COSTS LESS THAN FUELING UP THE BOAT AND IT'S BETTER FOR YOU.

WELL, BEFORE I RAMBLE ON SOME MORE, THE PURPOSE OF THIS WAS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE WEATHER IS GREAT, THE FISHING IS TOO, AND AT THE END OF DAY (SUNDAY FROM 5PM TIL 9PM) BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS AND YOUR DANCIN SHOES TO THE RESTAURANT, WE HAVE BILL PATE'S BAND "JUST US 4" PLAYING OUTSIDE, GOOD MUSIC AND GOOD FRIENDS, TO COMPLETE YOUR WEEKEND. IT'S LOTS OF FUN, SO I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER, LIFE AND LOVE ARE TOO PRECIOUS NOT TO ENJOY
GRACIE

King Road Mine - Levy County Special Exception (20 replies)

Larry Feldhusen — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:56:37 -0500

From the Chronicle: http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/levy-citrus-countians-oppose-mine-project

Levy, Citrus countians oppose mine project
Planning commission OKs recommendation; next meeting May 3
By Lou Elliott Jones
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 12:00 am (Updated: April 6, 12:03 am)

BRONSON — The proposed Tarmac King Road mine project won a recommendation for approval from the Levy County Planning Commission by a 4-1 vote in the wee hours Tuesday and will face a public hearing before the Levy County Commission at 6:30 p.m. May 3.

Crystal River Mayor Jim Farley attended the Levy County Planning Commission meeting, which was discussing the Tarmac King Road mining operation.
The Planning Commission vote at 1:22 a.m. — 7 hours after the meeting started — came after an overflowing crowd of 180 persons had dwindled to about 75 people. Most of the Levy County residents who attended and spoke at the meeting were from the Yankeetown/Inglis area. Most were adamantly opposed to the mine.

Some also came from Citrus County, including Crystal River Mayor Jim Farley. He said the 250 trucks the mining project will send through the middle of his city on U.S. 19 will impact its daily life, efforts to unite the two sides of the bisected area and possibly hurt tourism.

He said the trucks loaded with tons of lime rock will be a danger to people trying to cross the road.

“Will they decide to go elsewhere because it’s just too bloody noisy and scary here?” he asked.

The planning board did not discuss the application before it voted and had few questions. And this is not the first time the project has come before the board in the seven years since the first application was filed.

Ron Grant of Williston, the lone vote against recommending approval, said he has questions about the mining project that have not been answered. He also said the application for the special exception zoning permit was not complete.

“I was wondering why we were hearing it,” Grant said. “I didn’t feel right about it. There are a lot of issues unanswered and the water issue is one.”
The mine’s owner, Titan America, is waiting on a federal Clean Water Act permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps has had the application for at least two years.

Yankeetown City Attorney Ralph Brooks, reading from the board’s criteria reminded they “shall not recommend unless it meets all applicable criteria.”
Brooks said, “This mine is so big it triggers federal review.”

Grant said he was concerned about the company’s plans to drain wetlands, something voiced by many of the mine’s opponents. They also expressed concern about the water use dropping well and aquifer levels as the mine uses 13 million gallons of water per day returning 13 million to the ponds with 120,000 gallons leaving the site in trucks.

The planning commissioner also said he is concerned about a bridge on County Road 336, one of the routes to be used by the loaded trucks.
“I am concerned about the liability of the county if that bridge falls down and kills somebody,” Grant said.

During the hearing, Development Director Rob Corbitt said the county’s concern about the bridge’s ability to withstand the weight of the trucks was alleviated after Tarmac paid for stress tests, showing it could handle the traffic. The Florida Department of Transportation concurred after reviewing the data.

Tarmac’s traffic analyst, Steve Harvey of Lincks & Associates Inc., said the 500 truck trips would be split with 32 percent heading north on U.S. Highway 19 in Levy County, 52 percent south on U.S. 19 through Citrus County, and 16 percent going east via U.S. 19, then County Road 121, and CR 336 to pick up State Road 40 in Marion County.

Answering Citrus County officials’ concern about the increase in traffic, Henry said, “There are no roadways where the loads would consume 5 percent of the traffic.”

He said U.S. 19’s level of service for 2014, the year the mine would open, can handle 2,390 vehicles per hour at peak times, Adding in the truck traffic, the number of vehicles is estimated to be 1,337 in the morning and 1,497 in the evening.

Tarmac is proposing to mine hard limerock on 2,757 acres out of 4,750 acres it leases from Plum Creek timber company. The property is west of U.S. 19 about halfway between Inglis and Lebanon Station.

In addition, Tarmac has said it will restore an additional 4,526 acres of land, most of which would be wetlands, to its original state. The lands are being used for pine tree farming. The “mitigation parcel” is on a priority list for the Florida Forever program and would be turned over to the state.

If approved, the mine would operate for 100 years, mining about 25 acres per year to depths of 120 feet. Any rock deemed of lesser quality will be used to backfill most pits, while 20 other dredged pits will be left behind as lakes.

Lou Elliott Jones is the editor of the Chiefland Citizen.

YANKEETOWN GENERAL STORE (1 reply)

Sunrise Gracie — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:27:47 -0400

Yankeetown General Store Reopens on April First
Mark your calendars for the new improved Yankeetown General Store. New hours will be 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday and Saturday nights till 9:00PM.
There will be a new menu with great homemade meals on Friday and Saturday nights. The evening meals will start on April 8th. The store will be serving beer and wine by the bottle or glass and there are lots of new items on the menu.
Week-end Chefs Choice Specials will include great burgers, salads, sandwiches, wings, shrimp and lots of other good stuff to eat.
Finally a place to hang out and enjoy a good meal and meet up with our friends.

This is the email that Helen C. sent out with information on the Yankeetown General Store. It's definitely great news and Frank and I are looking forward to their opening. Treating ourselves to someone else doing the cooking and waiting on customers when our own restaurant is closed during the week. She's right, finally another place for the community, our friends, and visitors to dine within walking distance or biking. Thank you Helen, for the information.

Now ? Does anyone have news on Peppermint Patti ?

FUN WEEKEND IN YANKEETOWN (1 reply)

Sunrise Gracie — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:31:19 -0400

HI EVERYONE,IT'S JUST GRACIE

IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND, PERFECT FOR KAYAKING AND FISHING, WHICH I DID ON WEDNESDAY. THE TROUT WERE REALLY BITING. FOUR OF US PUT IN AT BIRD CREEK PARK, PADDLED JUST A SHORT DISTANCE AND PUT LOTS OF TROUT ON A STRINGER. TWO OF THE GUYS USED ARTIFICIAL LURES, JIGHEADS AND RAT L TRAPS, FRANK AND I JUST USED LIVE SHRIMP AND POP N CORKS. THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT (AND SCARY TOO) WAS WHILE I WAS FISHING I COULD SEE A BIG PORPOISE IN THE DISTANCE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE CAME LEAPING WITHIN TWO FEET OF MY KAYAK, AND I JUST KNEW I WAS GOING OVER, BUT LUCKILY HE JUST MADE A HUGE (WELL, TO ME IT WAS) WAVE. THE DAY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE PERFECT.

SATURDAY, THE WITHLACOOCHEE AREA RESIDENTS, INC. ARE HAVING THEIR THIRD ANNUAL KAYAK AND CANOE RALLY AND/OR RACE DOWN THE WITHLACOOCHEE. I DID THE TRIP LAST YEAR AND IT WAS FUN AND BEAUTIFUL, AND WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER, LUNCH WAS WAITING FOR YOU AT THE END, ALONG WITH LOTS OF FUN PEOPLE AND GOOD STORIES. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP, THEY WILL BE PUTTING IN AT THE SPILLWAY AT BUDDY RISHER'S PARK IN INGLIS AND ENDING AT THE WINDING RIVER GARDEN PARK IN YANKEETOWN.. YOU WILL REALLY ENJOY YOURSELVES.

SUNDAY, BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS AND YOUR DANCIN' SHOES AND WE'LL HAVE LIVE MUSIC BY BILL PATE AND HIS BAND "JUST US FOUR" . IT WILL START AT 5PM UNTIL 9PM. LOTS OF FUN, FOOD, DOLLAR BEER, AND LOADS OF GOOD PEOPLE HAVING A GOOD TIME.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MY FRANK GET HIS PIZZA & PASTA TO GO STARTED LAST WEEKEND. WE DID MAKE A COUPLE DELIVERIES BUT MOSTLY PEOPLE PICKED THEM UP. IT'S SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE GOING OUT OR COOKING.

PS WE WILL BE HAVING FRESH OYSTERS FROM CEDAR KEY FRIDAY NIGHT, WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER SHUCKER, AND A DEEP FRY GUY. SO IF YOU HAVE AN URGE, WE'LL FEED IT.

NO MATTER WHAT CHOICES TO MAKE THIS WEEKEND, I HOPE YOU WILL COME OUT AND ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

OH, FORGOT TO MENTION, I DID HEAR THAT THE YANKEETOWN GENERAL STORE WILL BE READY TO OPEN ON APRIL FIRST. ALL OF US ARE ANTICIPATING SEEING THEIR REMODELNG JOB, WE'VE HEARD ALL SORT OF RUMORS AS TO WHAT THEY ARE ADDING AND CHANGING. "JUST DON'T CHANGE YOUR FRIED CHICKEN" ADD A BAR OR ADD A RESTAURANT BUT "SAVE THE CHICKEN" WE VERY MUCH MISS THEM, THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE REALLY BUILT UP THEIR FOLLOWING IN THE SHORT TIME THEY HAVE OWNED THE PLACE

ENOUGH CHAT, SEE YOU LATER.

Heartbreaking link (no replies)

Ed Candela — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:22:28 -0500

[www.nzherald.co.nz]

This is all I could find if you want to help:

You can donate to victims of the earthquake at:

The Salvation Army: Freephone 0800530000; online at [secure20.salvationarmy.org]
or by post: The Salvation Army, PO Box 27001, Marion Square, Wellington, 6141.

In either case, make sure you designate "Canterbury Earthquake Appeal".

Third Annual Wilderness Kayak and Canoe Race & Rally (no replies)

Clint — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:37:40 -0500

Good Afternoon,

It's that time of year again, time to get those kayaks and canoes ready for the Third Annual Wilderness Kayak and Canoe Race and Rally.
Mark your calendar NOW and join in the fun, Saturday, March 19th, 9:30am at the By-Pass Spillway in Inglis. Hosted by Withlacoochee Area Residents, Inc., all proceeds will help fund the efforts of the organization to protect and preserve Florida’s Nature Coast and its’ water sources for the benefit of everyone.

This year, as last, offers two options for participants....a 7 mile (approx) race for you competitive types or a 5 mile (approx) rally for those who want to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Withlacoochee River. What better way to spend a Saturday in March.

Contact Matt Fleming or Jack Schofield for complete details of the race and rally. Please register before March 12th to be assured of a race t-shirt or register at the launch site the day of the race.

Grab your friends and neighbors and come on down to the spillway on March 19th for a day of fun!

Race and Rally Committee
Withlacoochee Area Residents, Inc

Levy County Planning Commission Public hearing re:Tarmac (6 replies)

Ed Candela — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:36:48 -0400

All Interested Parties:

Just this morning, I have been advised that the county attorney expects to have time to put the staff recommended conditions of approval in legal format (order to approve) and to construct the order to deny, which will enable the Development Department to provide them to the Planning Commission with the staff report in ample time to schedule a mid-March meeting. All members of the Planning Commission have agreed to the following meeting date, affirmed by the Chairman last Friday (2/11/11).

The public hearing to be held by the Levy County Planning Commission to decide a recommendation for approval, denial, or approval with certain conditions attach thereto for the Tarmac Special Exception Use application for "Major Mining" has been scheduled for March 14, 2011, @ 6:30 p.m. in Court Room "A."

The time and date of the public hearing for final action on the Tarmac application, to be held by the Levy County Board of County Commissioners, will be decided and announced at a regular board meeting following the conclusion of PC hearing.

The Development Department expects to provide the members of the PC and the applicant with a copy of the staff reports and the staff recommended conditions of approval this Friday, February 18, 2011, barring any unforeseen difficulties. That should provide all members of the PC and the applicant approximately 3 weeks to review. Seeing as all PC members have had the Tarmac application and supporting documents for more than 4 months, there should be ample time to review the Development Department and Planning Department's staff comments, and the staff recommended conditions of approval (about 60-65 pages, total).

Notice: Should any interested party wish for the Development Department to distribute copies of any documents they wish the PC members to receive while we are delivering the Development Department's packet, they would need to be delivered to the Development Department by 9:00 a.m. Friday, February 18, 2011. Please provide a cover letter outlining the contents of your submittal and from whom they are provided. Summaries of any lengthy reports would be appreciated by all. Please provide a minimum of 18 copies. [one for all PC and BOCC voting members, including the PC alternates (13), one for the master file, one for clerk's office (public records), one for the office of county attorney, one for the planning department and one for the applicant's council].

Copies of the Development Department's staff report and comments, Planners staff report and comments, and orders to approve or deny, should be available at the Development Department beginning Monday, February 21, 2011, at 9:00 p.m. Electronic copies (email) will be free of charge. Paper copies will be provided at a cost of $.15 page. Copies on CD will be $5.00 each.

The time for staff meetings or negotiations with any interested party has passed, and we do not intend to make any further revisions to the staff reports or to the staff recommended conditions of approval. The Planning Commission will decide the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for the approval or denial of the application, as well as what modifications to any staff recommended condition may be necessary, should they recommend approval. All decisions will be based upon competent and substantial evidence and testimony given at the hearings.

Thanks to everyone for their assistance in this matter. We look forward to your participation in the public review process.

Feel free to forward this message to anyone you may feel would like to receive it.

Robert Corbitt
Development Department Director
P.O. Box 672
Bronson, Florida 32621
352.486.5198
levybz@bellsouth.net

Chili cook-off (1 reply)

Steve Myers — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:23:44 -0500

Yankeetown Woman's Club, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $6

[Disclaimer: I am a freelance chili sampler in no way affiliated with the Woman's Club. I am confident that the above information is accurate, but you should verify.]

Dan Allen (2 replies)

Steve Myers — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:01:29 -0500

Dan Allen

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 (no replies)

Sunrise Gracie — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:13:06 -0500

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

NO MATTER WHAT YOU PLAN THIS EVENING, PLEASE BE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY TONIGHT, HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN OR DESIGNATED DRIVER IF YOU ARE IN THE FESTIVE MOOD, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AAA OR TAXIS OR TOWING COMPANIES THAT ARE OFFERING FREE RIDES. YOU ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO SOMEONE WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT, AND IT WOULD DEVISTATE THEIR LIVES TO HAVE SOMETHING HAPPEN TO YOU, ALL FOR THAT EXTRA DRINK, AND EVEN AS A DESIGNATED DRIVER, YOU MUST BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS OF THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. BE SAFE, BE CAUTIOUS, BE CAREFUL, BE ABLE TO BE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY, ETC.

IF YOU ARE MAKING THOSE "REALLY MEAN TO" RESOLUTIONS, MAKE IT SOMETHING REAL, SOMETHING MEANINGFUL, SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WRITE IT DOWN THIS YEAR, MAKE IT A REFRIGERATER MAGNET, AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. ENJOY YOUR BLACK EYED PEAS, GREENS, RICE, HOPPIN JOHN, "EAT POOR AND LIVE RICH"

HAPPY NEW YEAR
GRACIE AND FRANK

Yankeetown's Reality Check (2 replies)

A. Price — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:50:39 -0500

December 24, 2010
Scott's environment team says goal is to 'help make … development happen'
By Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer
Environmental concerns could be trumped by job creation.

They were told to be bold. They were told to come up with something dramatic to shrink state government and create jobs. They were given 20 days to do it.

So the team that Gov.-elect Rick Scott asked to advise him on how to reform the state's growth and environmental regulations proposed something bold: Merge the state's environmental, growth management and transportation departments into a single agency called the Department of Growth Leadership.

And permitting decisions from any state agency should consider "job creation and economic development" as being just as important as having clean water and air, the regulatory reform committee told Scott this week in a 79-slide report.

Those recommendations spell out a dim future for Floridians who aren't fond of pavement, predicted environmental activist Linda Young of the Clean Water Network.

"The message is, 'We are going to have a feeding frenzy on your natural resources and tax dollars, and you are going to have jack … to say about it, so get used to it,' " Young said.

Getting the Legislature to approve merging the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Community Affairs next year would improve how the state deals with the pressures of development, according to the report from the committee, which is chaired by a former developer.

Instead of regulations aimed at stopping bad development, the committee said, the "regulatory policy objective (would be) to help make good development happen."

"I don't know what they were thinking," said Eric Draper of Audubon of Florida, who contended there is little or no overlap among the three agencies' duties. He predicted that any legislative attempt at merging them is "going to run into a morass very quickly."

But Tampa Bay Water general manager Jerry Seeber, a former New Port Richey city manager who served on the regulatory reform committee, said consolidating at least two agencies, the DOT and Community Affairs, makes sense to him.

"The DOT, from a city manager's perspective, has always done a good job of planning," he said. "They get things done."

The state's environmental and growth management agencies are mired in "regulatory mistrust, competition, duplication and conflict," the committee warned in its slide show.

One slide says the state's environmental regulators had gone from a mission of "protection" in the 1970s to one of "suppression" in the 2000s - even though that was during the two terms of business-friendly Republican Gov. Jeb Bush.

"You go into the agencies and it's almost like you're the enemy," complained Doug Manson, a Tampa lawyer who has represented utilities and bottled water companies, and who chaired the environmental subcommittee of the regulatory reform group. He said the regulators' attitude is, "How do we suppress or stop development?"

That's news to environmental advocates like Young, who has spent years battling agencies she viewed as accommodating developers instead of protecting the environment. Once the real estate boom that occurred during Bush's term turned to bust, state officials calculated that Florida had a backlog of more than 300,000 vacant homes, she pointed out.

The report blames that overbuilding spree on a regulatory setup that's too antagonistic to growth. It also blames it for urban sprawl - unplanned growth that spreads beyond the limits of existing water and sewer lines and other public resources.

That argument "doesn't seem to match very well with the actual facts," said Charles Pattison of 1,000 Friends of Florida, a growth management activist group.

To Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who served in the state Senate from 1994 to 2002 and was just re-elected, the proposed merger is "just a real reach" - but mostly based on logistics.

"I think that's far too ambitious a project to undertake with just under 60 days before the start of the legislative session," he said.

The committee offered other proposals:

• Abolish some long-standing rules regulating large projects known as Developments of Regional Impact.

• Prohibit public entities from suing each other, which would end counties battling over access to water supplies or trying to block phosphate mining upstream.

• Streamline even more the state wetland permitting process - which now, by law, must produce a decision in just 45 days.

• Stop local governments like Hillsborough County from enforcing their own, more restrictive regulations protecting wetlands, something developers have been pushing the Legislature to do for years.

"We knew that would be controversial," Manson said.

• Open up the state's award-winning public lands to moneymaking uses - for instance, putting solar panels, windmills or a wood-burning biomass electrical plant in state parks.

The Regulatory Reform Transition Team was chaired by Chris Corr, vice president for planning, design and development for the global builder and designer AECOM. In the 1990s, Corr helped develop the 5,000-acre town of Celebration for the Walt Disney Corp. He then served until 2008 as vice president of the St. Joe Co., which spent the past decade transforming its Panhandle pine forests into residential and commercial developments. He could not be reached for comment.

Two other former St. Joe executives, Peter Rummell and Billy Buzzett, also served on the 29-member committee, along with a sugar company executive and the president of a Sarasota home building company.

Craig Pittman can be reached at craig@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8530.