VOL. 83, NO. 9 INSIDE A We Remember September 11, 2001 Your thoughts Pages 4-6, 8-9 Shot time! Page 3 OBITUARIES Yoshie Campbell Helen Crosby Margaret Jones Ethel Robinson CONTENTS... Ed 7 Around Levy _ 2-3,6-8-9 Opinion 4-5 Tides 6 Obituaries 7 Law & Courts 10 Levy History 10 Classified _ 12 Legals 13-14 Land Transactions _ 15-17 Marketplace _. 16-17 LL9Ze Ta SATHUASSNIVS AYOLSIH VAIYOTS AO AYVaEIT 9ZE LIDIG-€ HOS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 1 SECTION: 18 PAGES EST. 192 50 cents per copy Bell hangs on to BOCC seat BY CASSIE JOURNIGAN STAFF WRITER The results of Tuesday’s primary came in somewhat later than expected. The glitch was due not to hanging chads but the machine designed to prevent chad-driven problems. One of the touch-screen electronic machines used by Williston voters refused to have its information downloaded in a | timely manner, prompting a run to Bronson. Final results were delivered just before 10 p.m. to approximately 75 Levy residents. Early numbers, which included results of all paper ballots from all precincts, showed Chad “Cracker†Johnson racing neck and neck for District 2’s county commission seat against incumbent Nancy Bell. Once all ballots were in, Bell emerged the winner with 2,145 votes to Johnson’s 2,033. Ofher success, Bell said, “I believe the Lord has blessed us. Everyone has prayed for us, from my church to my family and friends. It’s been God-driven. I now know this is what I am supposed to do for the next four years. It-has also been a long, hot race, a good one. I’ve run against some good people.†Cracker Johnson, who brought his family along to wait for results, said, “We came up short but that’s alright. I only wish we could go into overtime.†Brett Sandlin came in with 1,452 votes and Justin Watson received 613 in their bids to defeat Bell. School Board candidate Rick Turner ran a wider lead against incumbent Jennefer Shuster. Turner received 3,690 votes against Shuster’s 2,501. He attributed his success to his background: “I’ve had a lot of experience and that was what I was running on. I feel the media in Levy County treated me very fairly. They asked the questions the voters wanted to know. I am hoping that those responses helped the voters make . See Vote Page 18 : BY CAROLYN RISNER MANAGING EDITOR brochure distributed by Liv- ing Water Life Center as his It’s not church or religion they oppose, but an increase of traffic in an otherwise resi- dential neighborhood. That’s what a group™ of » property owners from Sham- rock Acres and. Foxglove Farms told the Levy County Board of County Commis- sioners Tuesday. Scott Scarborough — said plans for a new church were misrepresented and cited a evidence. Scarborough told the com- missioners that three and four day retreats were planned and if the church utilized both in- door and outdoor space, as many as 300 people could impact the way of life in his community. . _ “That amount of cars will kick up a lot of dust,†Scar- borough said. He also said there is already limited fire Adieu to Summer and police protection in the area and that many people would be affected. Plans for the facility also include classrooms, a stage, a basketball court and a tennis court, and» perhaps. a swim- ming pool later down road. Citizens. said the class- rooms could be converted to dormitories and the basket- ball court could become a dining facility. Commissioner Sammy Yearty asked if churches are Journal photo by C Gassié Jjournigain MUSICIANS AND friends played requiem for the summer, bliborase style at a Morriston ranch Saturday afternoon. Carty Whiting, second from right, led on banjo, mandolin and guitar, Wayne Journigan played back-up guitar and Linwood Koonce strummed along while Marvin Rhodes, second from left, listened with an appreciative ear. Journal photo by Cassie Journigan RICK TURNER and Nancy Bell had plenty to smile about Tuesday. Both won their. Levy County campaigns. Turner defeated school board incumbent Jennefer Shuster while Bell edged out Cracker Johnson, Brett Sandlin and Justin Watson for the District 2 county commission seat. Residents oppose church/retreat construction included i in the permitted us- age for the area and was told yes. Rob Corbett from the planning department said the application designated the structure as a church and in fact, said it may be following: the mégachurch trend that is sweeping the United States. “They’ve met all our re- quirements,†Corbett said. Several citizens addressed the commissioners, each say- ing they opposed the influx of traffic and people into their neighborhood. Richard Chester said every road in Foxglove Farms leads. to the church and if the own- ers paved the roads, the citi- zens may be more amenable. His brief statement sent up cries of “No. No. No.†from others in the audience. Other property owners said deed restrictions prohibited the structure, but they were informed the county commis- See Church Page 18 Sheriff asked to trim request BY CAROLYN RISNER Manaaine EpiTor If Levy County is going to stay competitive with sur- rounding counties, uniformed |.- law enforcement agents have to have pay increases. That was the message Sheriff Johnny Smith deliv- ered last week to the board of county commissioners during a budget work session. Smith said the majority of the $1.5 million increase he asked for would go toward salaries. a “Tt’s the guys in uniform,†Smith said. “I have an obliga tion to fight for them.†Other requested monies are designated for training; insurance/workman’s comp) increases, vehicle repair oe motor fuel. Commissioner Danny Stes vens’ motion to honor the request died for a lack: Cie a second. The sheriff also plans to add four new corrections of- ficers. By doing so, it will enable him to open another pod at the jail to house out- of-county inmates. Fees received for housing the inmates would justify See Budget Page 18 REACH US Managing Editor Carolyn Risner Phone (352) 490-4462 Fax (352) 490-4490 Chiefland (352) 486-5042 Bronson Email editor@levyjournal.com Address P.O. Box 159 Bronson, Fl 32621-0159 PO. Box 2990 Chiefland, Fl 32644-2990 SUBSCRIBE Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties $i in-state $22 Out of state C2] Locally owned and operated! The Levy County Journal the land. 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