‘NEWS The Levy County Journal The County Paper, Est. 1923 Bronson might revise its yard sale ordinance By Rick Burnham Editor Bronson City Council members have indicated that they will take a closer look at ordinances regarding yard sales following a local citizen’s request that they do so. Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting at town hall Monday, Sandra Longoria told council members that she was looking for clarification on how yard sales are regulated within city limits. “It seems like every time we get a warm day, out go the tarps and the blankets and the trucks and the clothes and everything for yard sales,” she said. “Is there a limit on the number of yard sales?” Longoria specifically referenced the $5 fee charged to nonresidents, and the waiver _ of that fee for residents for their first yard sales. “Does that mean that as a town resident I could have more than six a year and pay the $5, or is there a limit?” she asked. “I have nothing against people having yard sales as long as they are within the context of the ordinances — to sell personal property from the home and not purchasing items in other places and coming to Bronson to set up and resell them.” Town officials in attendance at the meeting included Mayor Franklin Schuler, Vice Mayor Beatrice Mongo, and Council members Berlon Weeks, Melody LaFlam and Aaron Edmonson. Weeks sympathized with Longoria, saying that existing ordinances regarding yard sales are perhaps New representative files first bill out of date. “J think what we have to do is go back over the ordinance and rewrite the ordinance so that it is more specific — because it is very vague,” he said. Longoria also expressed frustration at having to continuously remove yard sale directional signs from her own property, often times having to face angry yard sale organizers while doing so. “They are putting yard sale signs on your property without asking you if they can do so?” Weeks asked. “Yes,” she said. “I just quietly go over and ask them to remove the signs. They get all mad at me, and I just say I am sorry.” Longoria, who lives in the vicinity of the Bronson Motel, said a location nearby resembles a flea market at times. “That seems to be the place that, every time there is warm weather, it is there,” she said. “It is like a perpetual flea market.” Council members discussed the differences between yard sales and events in which people bought items at discount stores and resold them at higher prices. They also. expressed concern “over the enforcement of any revisions to the yard sale ordinances. “We.can’t afford to have an enforcement officer,’ Edmonson said. “We will have — to charge a whole lot more for a yard sale permit.” Council members said they would re- examine existing ordinances and look at revising them before the springtime, when yard sales tend to increase in numbers. ~ For the 2008-2010 legislative term, new State Representative Leonard Bembry (D- Greenville), has been given committee assignments that he says will make him effective in protecting constituents of House District 10. He will serve as a member on, the Natural Resources Appropriations Committee, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Comniittee, the Economic Development Policy Committee, and the State & Community Colleges & Workforce Policy Committee. ‘Bembry expressed his joy in the appointments and said, “I am excited that Speaker Sansom has placed this confidence in me. With my longtime background in farming and business, I feel I can effectively steer solid ideas by working with my colleagues to make — good things happen for the state.” Rep. Bembry has also filed his first House Bill for the 2009 Lepislative Session. It is HB levyjournalonline.com cia CONNECTED. JOIN US To piscuss PLANS — FORMEETINGFLORIDAS = FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS. Progress Energy Florida is working to ensure our state continues to.have lines in your area. ‘the reliable power it needs. This includes possible new transmission To determine the best route for these transmission lines, we are working with the Community Partnership for Energy Planning, a cross-section of community leaders and representatives from Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties. The potential route will largely follow an existing transmission line in Citrus and Hernando counties. In Levy and northern Citrus counties, new rights of way will be needed. In limited areas of Hernando County, information will be available at the meetings. the company may need to widen its existing rights of wey Specific To hear more about the proposed transmission line in your area and our balanced solution for meeting Florida's future energy needs, including energy efficiency, alternative energy and state-of-the-art power plants, please attend one of these meetings: __ e Citrus County meeting Tuesday, January 13, 2009 National Guard Armory = 8551 W. Venable St., Crystal River, FL np e Hernando County meeting Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Brooksville Elks Lodge 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613 e Citrus County meeting Thursday, January 15, 2009 W. Citrus Elks Lodge 7890 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446 ~ All meetings are held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please visit our Web site at progress-energy.com/ energyplanning, or e-mail us at EnergyPlanning@pgnmail.com Jan. 8, 2009 3A -109 and is titled Clinical, Counseling, and Psychotherapy Services. The legislation will or leave a message at 1.888.238.0373. assist licensed clinical social workers to better monitor the mental health of their clients and be able to get additional help for their clients by waiving confidential communications under some circumstances. Bembry commented, “Filing my first bill is very exciting. I am proud to be able to serve the citizens of Florida in this capacity where I believe I can make a difference.” “In this time of economic hardship, our families are struggling. Such stress will oftentimes make someone think in a way that they would not under more normal conditions. Protecting our citizens is paramount,” continued Bembry: The 2009 Legislative Session will begin on March 3; however, legislators are in mg Tallahassee through Jan. 16 for a Special Session on the budget. FA Fe. a School, from Page 1A OO Substation number of games for spring sports, reducing transportation and terminating events. Other things affect contracts and will have to be negotiated by the school board and - approved by the union, including teachers taking time off, he said. ~ Chiefland High’ School Principal Pamela Asbell said she thinks everyone is a little apprehensive with the economy like it is. No matter what hand the legislation deals, the schools will have to make i it work, and ae \ cea that’s how it’s always been, she said. pom aoe “We do our jobs for the kids, not the money,” Asbell said. “So far all of my faculty, although they’re not happy about it, they understand.” She said CHS has already cut down on some expenses to.save money. Some of the ways the school is saving is by: changing the hours the custodians work so they get off earlier and won’t have to run the electricity at night; having everyone turn off their computers when they go home; field trips, baseball and softball games have been cut back to reduce transportation; watching the thermostat in the classrooms; and generally being cognizant of all actions to try to save. “When you look at the economy of our state, something has to be reduced,” she said. “We’re all making euaneee t in our personal lives to be prepared for whatever’s coming.” We look forward to working with you to ensure a secure energy future ~ for all Floridians. PREFERRED TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR FROM PROPOSED LEVY NUCLEAR PLANT TO BROOKSVILLE WEST SUBSTATION Crystal River nergy Complox ¢e _. 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