LEVY COUNTY JOURNAL OPINION THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007 Your View We are the stewards of the earth To the editor: In response to Susan Rose's letter about "No Excuse For Trash Lined Roads" her words brought to mind my experiences several years ago in trying to bring Earth Day to Bronson and Levy County. All six points you mentioned are not only valid, but were suggested at the time and promptly ignored. Apparently it was more conducive for the county commissioners to allow the trash to remain on the sides of the roads and in residents' yards, woods, etc. rather than incur the cost of properly disposing of the debris, while utilizing an opportunity to involve and educate the community. 1 did manage to convince the commissioners to allow the residents one free day void of tipping fees at the county landfill. Seeing all the cars and trucks lined up at the landfill scales that day was a real thrill for my supporters and me. The day was a complete success, however I received nothing but discouraging comments from the county and its employees when I suggested this become an annual event, including an Earth Day fair and parade. I was told the $10,000 cost of that free day was not worth it even though it was a miniscule amount in comparison to the county's general fund. The purpose of Earth Day for me was to honor God and His creation. It is my understanding that we are the stewards of this earth and all its inhabitants. I even did a mass mailing to all the local churches at my own expense requesting they participate to no avail. Not one single response was received. It is with this in mind that I sincerely wish you good luck in this endeavor. Remember people the current leadership of this county are busy promoting tourism. Come enjoy the trash lined roads and hammocks of Levy County! Roberta Picard Vice mayor should apologize To the editor: RE: Response to Marsha Drew, Yankeetown vice Mayor The Jan. 3 letter in the Newscaster from Yankeetown vice Mayor Marsha Drew requires a public apology for using her elected town position to chill citizen debate. Vice Mayor Drew took an oath to represent all citizens of Yankeetown, not just the ones who agree with her. She was not elected to play Queen of Hearts with her attitude of "off with their heads." All citizens must feel they can address the town' without fear of reprisal by elected officials. Her position should not be used as a bully pulpit to intimidate citizens. Her functioning of town representative must be held to a higher standard. I am not commenting on whose position regarding budget expenditures is correct. However, Mr. Mazzuca's questions regarding town budget and cost expenditures are worthy' of response and respect. By virtue of his long town involve- ment and business knowledge he has the right and skill to ask these questions. Vice Mayor Drew defends current town actions by blaming the previous administration without ac- knowledging current council's actions. This is time honored political theater-"it is not my fault, it is the fault of all who came before me". The chill effect occurs when a vice Mayor instructs a citi- zen that if you don't agree with the council then leave town. This is a defining character of a dictatorship, not an Ameri- can town. If 2006 was defined by anything in Yankeetown, it was debate and discussion, both civil and uncivil. Yet no citizen was asked by any elected official to leave town! I have to believe that she is politically clueless as to the legal and moral responsibilities of an elected official, and writes with the poor choice of words of one whose purpose is to defend self and attack others. Surely, she is not represent- ing a formal position of town council that any citizen who dares to criticize the council should leave Yankeetown. The people, who voted for an open and honest government several months ago, do not condone a council deciding who should live in town based solely on whether they agree with the council. If Vice Mayor Drew's response is to smirk and maintain the position that she is in charge and "what can they do to me," then we the citizens of Yankeetown are the less for it. If, on the other hand, she musters the class to publicly apologize to Mr. Mazzuca and the town, then we the citizens of Yankeetown are better for it. To which standard will she resonate? Ron Armstrong Yankeetown More letters on page 5 Quote of the Week Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy. -Nora Ephron Avaiabl from Commercial News Providers" Io Chiefland needs a new year s effort, and a healthy serving of cooperation to boot I believe that every new year brings each of us a choice. We can move closer to fulfilling our potential, or remain locked in a rigid holding pattern. Most of us at least make some effort to get off on the right foot. If we don't draw up an actual list of resolutions, we at least hold ideas of goals in our head. As I sat through Monday night's Chiefland City Commission meeting, I heard the refrain that played through several 2006 meetings I attended. Much of that was decidedly unharmonious. Commissioners sailed through most of their agenda items Monday, no doubt wanting to dispense with business and get home to cheer the Gators on to victory in their championship bid against Ohio. They may have set a record-the commissioners, that is, who ended the meeting before the game's 8:15 kick-off time. They discussed 11 agenda items. The other item was not discussed as much as it was argued. In the pejorative sense. And as with so many arguments, nothing anyone said seemed to change anyone else's mind. All the flack came up as commissioners discussed whether to approve city manager candidate Grady Hartzog's salary request of $65,000. Commissioners Teal Pomeroy, Rollin Hudson and Teresa Barron, who had voted to hire Hartzog over the other short- listed candidates, had no problem with his salary request. Mayor . Betty Walker CASSIE JOURNIGAN and Alice Columnist Monyei voted no Monday night. They, and one resident, had problems with Hartzog's salary request. Both Walker and Monyei had voted for interim Matt Brock during last month's short-listing process. Monyei mentioned wanting to vote for him during the Dec. 18 meeting held specifically to choose the next city manager. There were only two candidates left by then. Brock was not one of them. Both Monyei and Walker voted against Hartzog Dec. 18. Matt Brock gets the kudos for last night's meeting. After the stridently vocal comments against Hartzog's salary request, Brock commented that his salary request at $70,000 was higher than Hartzog's. Last fall's advertisement of the open position, which all the commissioners had approved, set the salary range between $46,000 and $70,000, depending on qualifications. Grady Hartzog worked for the city of Newberry for 30 years. The roles he filled would seem to leave him qualified. He had served as mayor and acting city manager. Before that he worked as building inspector and superintendent of the sewer system. Is it fair to set a salary amount, and then vote down a salary request that falls within that range? Grady Hartzog gets five new bosses Friday, when he begins the work of running the city of Chiefland. I for one hope his bosses, the city staff and residents all give him the support and respect he needs to fulfill successfully the duties of his office. After three captains in a one-year period, the city needs that. Then maybe 2007, and all of us who reside in or around the fine city of Chiefland, will have a chance of being off to a good start. Cassie Journigan, a reporter for this newspaper, may be reached at cjournigan@levyjournal. comn. Social Security statements mailed BY CLIF COPELAND SOCIAL SECURITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST ,It is not too early to Begin gathering the Information you will need to file your income taxes. And, if you receive Social Security benefits, you will be glad to know your Social Security Benefit Statement, or Form SSA-1099, can be expected to arrive in the mail this month. Beneficiaries will need this 1099 Benefit Statement to complete their federal income tax return and to find out whether their benefits are subject to income tax. Generally, you have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits if your total annual income, is more than $25,000 as an individual or $32,000 for a couple. Less than a third of beneficiaries pay taxes on their benefits. The Benefit Statement shows the gross amount of benefits that were due and the net amount of benefits paid. The 1099 also shows the amount of any payments (such as Medicare premi- ums) that were withheld. The 1099 Benefit State- ment should not be confused with the Social Security Statement, which is mailed to all workers age 25 or older not yet receiving benefits and gives an estimate of future benefits available. The 1099 Benefit State- ment, mailed in January, re- ports the amount of benefits a person has received in the past year. Benefit Statements are only sent to individuals who received Social Security ben- efits in the prior year, so you will only receive one if you were paid Social Security benefits in 2006. People who get Supple- mental Security Income (SSI) do not receive Benefit Statements, since SSI is based on need and is not considered taxable income. If you got Social Security benefits in 2006 and you do not find a Social Security Benefit Statement in your mailbox by Jan. 31, or if you need a replacement copy, you can request one online by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/onli- neservices. . Or you can call Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1- .800-325-0778). For more information on taxation of Social Security benefits, call the Internal Revenue Service's toll-free nmunber, 1-800-829-3676, to ask for Publication 554, Tax Information for Older Americans. LI Y COUNTY JOURNL COUNTY PAPER EST. I tA Our Mission Who We Are Managing Editor The Levy County Journal is published to serve the people of Levy County as the leading information source that empowers the community while never compromising our principles. We: *reflect our community in everything we do. *provide leadership that contributes to the betterment of our community, *record the history of our county and make a difference in the quality of life for our residents and merchants. *promote readership of community events that foster better citizens. *promote readership of advertising thereby fostering a healthy economic environment. Office Manager/Chlefland Robin Heath Staff Writers Cassie Journigan Neal Fisher Sales Representatlve/Bronson Laura Catlow Typesetter Wilma Jean Asbell Deliverv/Clerical Rhonda Griffiths What defines who n November a friend their problem, not yours." of mine had an elec- Ended tive mastectomy. This up that tis- came on the heels of Hodg- sue in the kins Disease in her 20s and remaining the removal of a cancerous breast was breast in 2005. also can- She had no qualms about cerous, so the other breast being re- she made moved, although others in the right CAROLYN RISNER her circle did. She asked my decision. opinion. This "Your breasts do not weekend I caught a movie define who you are," I said. Real Women Have Curves "You are a beautiful woman, and its underlying message inside and out and if people was the same: it is not the can't see beyond the shell outside that people see, but that houses your spirit, it's our actions and humanity you are? that defines who we are. At the beginning of 2007, it is only fitting that each of us sits back and assesses what it is that defines who we are. When we pass from this life into the next, what is it that people will remember? That we were rich? Had a nice house? Drove a fancy car? Had a nice face? Or that we reached beyond ourselves to show a kind- ness? Helped the less for- tunate? Treated others with respect? Laughed a lot? I know my wish. Do you? Page 4 Letters to the Editor 1) Letters should be 500 words or less. Letters over the word limit may be edited for space and clarity. Letters longer than 500 words that are difficult to edit, may be con- sidered for guest columns. 2) Letters must be signed and bear the signature of the author. Please include a daytime phone number (not for publication). 3) Submit your letter by noon Monday. You may email it to editor@levyjournal.com, bring it by either of our offices or mail it to either address on the front page. 4) Letters by the same author will be con- sidered for publication every 21 days.