VOL. 83, NO. 10 INSIDE FFA Alumni honored Page 2 Friday night blues Pages 13-15 OBITUARIES | - | David Arrington Syi‘Onn Copeland James Hardman Sidney Henry Elsa Howell - Ray Lott Louis Novello Sr. David Richard Tim Taylor CONTENTS .... a : Around Levy _2-3,6, 10-12 ‘Opinions 2) a a Law & Courts 5 Obituaries 7. 9-11 Remembrance 8-9 Levy History. 10 Tides 11 Sports 13-15 Classified 16 . Legals | 16-19 Land Transactions _19-21 Marketplace 20-21 — QC Sens oe a ee, sme = 2% FES ea =r 6 Bi () ron N — rasa = = 8 46 oH 5 oO) BY CAROLYN RISNER MANAGING EDITOR Many of the more than 100: taxpayers who packed the Bronson courthouse Monday night thought they were be- ing thrown a bone when the » county commissioners rolled back the millage rate but not enough to satisy them. For more than two hours, the county commissioners heard their constituents plead for not only reduced millage, but mercy on their property valuations. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 1 SECTION: 22 PAGES PLUS SUPPLEMENT BOCC rolls back millage — Unhappy taxpayers say it’s not enough Many of the taxpayers were in agreement that if any reduction in the millage rate were'to ever occur, this would be the year because the coun- ty is in solid fiscal shape. Prior to the. public com- ments, Deputy Clerk Sheila Rees announced the tenta- tive millage at 9 mills. That amount would generate 43.8 percent more taxes than last year, That number © outraged many of the citizens who asked what kind of business Eeny, Meeny, | miney, moe, to |whom should the mayoral seat go? BY CASSIE JOURNIGAN STAFF WRITER Mayoral and vice mayor riominations were among new agenda items on Monday’ s Chiefland city commission meeting as commissioners passed around the mayoral title like the proverbial hot potato. | iy Alice Monyei made the first motion, nominating Betty | | Walker.to-the position. That motion failed two to three, with Rollins Hudson, Teresa Barron and Teal Pomeroy opposing. The next motion placed Hudson in the mayoral seat, but it died for lack of a second. The next motion failing to receive a second was made by Hudson moving that Pomeroy be mayor. Pomeroy then motioned and received a second by Monyei that Monyei ‘be mayor. This motion failed three to two. Pomeroy then motioned that Barron remain mayor. Although Hudson noted, “T think she’s had way too much criticism,” that motion to failed to receive a second. Hudson then moved that Walker receive the mayoral mantle. That move was seconded by Monyei and passed three to two, with Pomeroy and Barron opposing. _ Pomeroy then motioned that Hudson. be appointed vice mayor. Barron seconded the nomination. That vote passed four to one, with Hudson voicing the one no vote. Other items discussed or voted on included: ° Oath of office. administered to fecently re-elected commissioners Barron and Pomeroy. * Voting unanimous approval of purchasing a John ese tractor to replace a 1968 model. ¢ Heard from Mayor Walker that the city “does have a permit for the EMS building.” See Mayor Page 22 runs with that much of an an- nual increase. Commissioner Tony Park- er assured the citizens that the county commission has no influence over their prop- erty appraisals and reminded them that land sales have. driven prices upward over the last several years. “The only way we can help you is lower the millage rate,” Parker said, adding the problem with lowering the rate could mean a reduction inthe services that growth mandates. Parker said he anticipated property values decreasing in the future and that would mean less money for the county. He ‘and Commissioner Sammy Yearty, who served as chairman in Nancy Bell’s absence, explained just what services were anticipated. Among them are new ambu- lances, which will require 12 new employees, more money for the sheriff’s department and communications, a new Remembering 9-11. 50 cents per COPY, ~ courtroom and other capital outlay projects. Yearty also noted the coun-_ -ty would subsidize the water and fire departments, as well as the library. Parker ocommended the county consider a millage rate of 7.9 mills. He said that would help alleviate some of the tax burden on people who received higher property val- uations. Dave Bibby of Williston See Tax Page 22 Journal photo by Miriam Blitch CEDAR KEY Lions Club President Judy Duvall accepts an American flag on behalf of the men and women who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks from Marine Corps League Commandant Harry Hopwood. The act was part. of a memorial commemoration sponsored by the Lions Club Monday. For more photos of the day’s events, see pages 8 and 9. Two share top industry honor Chiefland Chamber picks auto dealer and veterinarian clinic as best ae ee JOURNIGAN Greater Chiefland Chamber TAFF WRITER of Commerce _ Industry Chiefland’s Chamber of Appreciation Day. Suwannee Commerce is awarding two valley Veterinarian Clinic businesses in this. year’s ‘VETERINARIANS DAVID RENAUD and Jennifer McHale with Olivia, one of the five office cats. will receive the Small Business Award while White Ford Mercury wins the Paes Business Award. EDDIE MORGAN SITS inside the motor compartment to get at the cylinder heads of an F150 truck. White Ford Mercury Chiefland’s fifty-year- old White Ford Mercury dealership is recipient of the chamber’s 2006 Large Business of the Year award. Managing partner and general manager Don Barrett says he is “pleased and overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from our customers in the tri- county.area.” White Ford Mercury will be closed during the awards luncheon so all 36 employees will have the opportunity to attend the luncheon. In this way, Barrett says thanks are given to “each and every employee for the contribution and role they play in making the team effort a success.” The dealership makes a practice of cultivating good will among its employees, according to-customer care manager Barbara Edmonds. . “We have experienced low employee turnover. Some employees have been here over 10 years.” White Ford Mercury also believes in supporting the community that provides its customer base. “We are a big supporter of breast cancer See Chamber Page 10 Fax REACH US (352) 490-4490 Chiefland a (352) 486-5042 Bronson Managing Editor Ere Carolyn Risner ereseia Cetera Phone PO. Box 159 Bronson, FL 32621-0159 (352) 490-4462 PO. 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