Levy County Journal AROUND LEVY COUNTY St. John, from page 1 earned bachelor's degrees. The youngest, Brooke, will also attend a four-year university. Ron St. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture economics from Cornell University. Marcia is the chief financial officer at Chiefla'nd Farm Supply. They see the future CFCC college campus north of Chiefland as being a huge benefit to tri-county young people, and that was why they supported it financially. "We're truly committed to education," Marcia said. "Instead of talking about it, we are contributing." Ron St. John said he came from a family in New York that believed in education. College wasn't an option. It was a requirement for him and his four sisters. His father, who left a job as a county extension agent to farm, believed in higher education. "What education does is broaden your horizons," St. John said. "Our philosophy is... next to religion, education is the necessary ingredient for life." Gas, from page 1 If the rate hike is granted by the Florida Public Service Commission, Progress Energy Florida's residential customers would see an increase of 8 percent. The rate hikes for commercial and industrial would vary, with salons seeing an 8-10 percent rise, office buildings 10-12 percent, supermarkets 11-13 percent, "'interruptible rate customers" 14-16 percent, "curtailable rate customers" 10-10-12 percent, average commercial 9-11 percent and average industrial 13-15 percent, according to a May 30 e-mail from senior account executive Denny George. The e-mail included a message from Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "Rising fuel prices are a global issue that is felt by everyone who uses energy," Lyash wrote. "We know that these expenses are a burden on our customers. Our balanced approach to meeting energy demand includes a diverse mix of fuels to generate electricity. Together with our fuel-hedging practices, we are mitigating cost increases for our customers. We also encourage our customers to take advantage of our free and innovative energy-efficiency programs and budget-billing options to minimize the impact of rising costs." In other business: Commissioners gave permissionto sheriff's office attorney Ron Stevens and Major Mike Johnson to work with Gilchrist Developers, Inc. on settlement stemming from a criminal investigation by the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force. The settlement would transfer two pieces of property worth about $32,000 in Gilchrist County to Levy County Commission ownership. The land would be sold at auction and the money placed ini a federal forfeiture fund after a $2,600 lien is paid as well as any other costs. The drug task force can then use money from the forfeiture fund for its operations. The sheriff's office needed county commission assistance because it cannot hold title to real property. Commissioners adopted the five-year plan for the Levy Coupnty Library Systeni. Among the goals and objectives are to increase attendance at library programss by 5 percent annually, perform an inventory of the entire collection by 2013, modify the library system website to include community information and make certain it remains current, strive to increase Internet band width by one level at each branch by 2013, upgrade three items of computer hardware or software each year, increase Internet usage by 10 percent annually, all staff and volunteers successfully complete customer service training in their probationary period, user satisfaction surveys to be conducted annually with results showing 80 percent customer satisfaction rating. Commissioners agreed to give surplus tables, chairs and computer equipment to Vision Christian Academy opening in the fall. The religious school is. being started by the Miracle Vision Tabernacle Outreach Center, Inc. Levy County Road Department Keeping You On The GO! Hogan Bros. Mobility Services VA APPROVED 14489 N.W. HWY 19 CHIEFLAND, FL 32626 (352) 493-8006 Fax (352) 493-0025 Main Hardware loca 517 Hwy. 40 West, In (3/4 mile west of US (352) 447-2600 co ted at t nglis * Located at T 46 Hwy. 19 North (In Food Ranch Plaza) No Hardware, just Electric & Gas Fireplaces Gifts Better BBQ, Grills Canning Supplies Office Supplies Cards Lodge Cookware Administrative Superintendent Bruce Greenlee is a member of the church. Commissioners approved Greenlee's request to take NE 112th Court and NE 109th Place in University Oaks into the county road maintenance system, and to pave NW 66th Avenue. County Engineer Lee Mills informed the board about a funding short fall for the resurfacing of County Road 343 south of Bronson. The county was hoping to fully fund the project through a Small County Road Outreach Program grant, but the Florida Department of Transportation authorized only $2,631,899 for the project. The low bidder, Anderson Columbia, submitted a bid of $2,801,901.98. Mills said the county may need to participate in the project to shave costs. The most appealing option for commissioners would require the county to add the limerock base, which would save $422,000. The county operates its own limerock mine and has road crews who could do the work. The Value Adjustment Board met in the afternoon to discuss the appointment of an attorney and two citizens to the next VAB. The VAB is a board that hears the appeals of property owners who feel their values are too high. The Florida Legislature changes the rules regarding VAB's membership. The county must now hire a private attorney to represent the VAB and the attorney cannot represent the property appraiser, tax collector, any taxing authority or any property owner involved an administrative or judicial review. Family holding fundraiser for teen The family of 19-year-old Kolan Durrance is raising funds as part of his fight against cancer. A hand-crafted cedar Hope Chest will be given away this Saturday at the D&D Studios' dance recital at the Chiefland High School auditorium. Tickets are $5. You do not have to be present to win. The cedar Hope Chest was constructed by Kolan's cousin, Michael Cannon, a skilled craftsman. It is beautiful and well worth owning. Tickets are on sale at Chiefland Dry Cleaners and Laundry. If you have questions, please call 493- 1613. Money from the sale of the tickets will be used to build a room onto the home of Kolan's mother. He will be staying in the room while receiving cancer treatments. No IinCutoerSevieand ales- heDifeene.s ariW' Turn Your House into a Home House Plans Residential Drawings HOMETECH SOLUTIONS, LLC email: info@htshouseplans.com Chiefland: .n',' 352-507-4530 S .- ,- '' Cross City: 352-578-2074 r Toll Free: 888-228-6053 __.m ----------- June 5,'2008